Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 503 miles, a gas price of $4.002 and a diesel price of $6.046 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.
| Truck | MPG | Gallons | Fuel cost | Towing a car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo van | 16 | 31 | $126 | $148 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 46 | $183 | $215 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 56 | $224 | $263 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 63 | $252 | $296 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 72 | $288 | $338 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 63 | $380 | $447 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $162 in fuel alone, so it pays to rent only as much truck as you need.
Fuel prices at each end of the move
| Where | Gas | Diesel | Price basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | $3.860 | $5.740 | Lower Atlantic average |
| Indianapolis, IN | $4.145 | $6.352 | Midwest average |
Gas runs about $0.28 a gallon cheaper around Atlanta, GA. Fill the tank before you leave Atlanta and stretch it as far as you safely can.
Weekly retail averages from the U.S. Energy Information Administration for the week of October 19, 2026. Prices along the way will vary. EIA source
Planning the drive
A loaded box truck is slower than a car on hills and safest at moderate speeds, and most drivers find 450 miles a comfortable day. That makes Atlanta, GA to Indianapolis, IN a 2-day drive, so budget for hotel nights and meals on top of fuel. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.
Other moves
Going the other way? See Indianapolis, IN to Atlanta, GA.
More moves from Atlanta
- Atlanta to New York
- Atlanta to Los Angeles
- Atlanta to Chicago
- Atlanta to Houston
- Atlanta to Phoenix
- Atlanta to Philadelphia
- Atlanta to San Diego
- Atlanta to Dallas
- Atlanta to Austin
- Atlanta to Charlotte
- Atlanta to San Francisco
- Atlanta to Seattle
- Atlanta to Denver
- Atlanta to Nashville
- Atlanta to Miami
- Atlanta to Boston
- Atlanta to Las Vegas
- Atlanta to Orlando
- Atlanta to Tampa
- Atlanta to Raleigh
- Atlanta to San Antonio
- Atlanta to Jacksonville
- Atlanta to Columbus
- Atlanta to Sacramento
- Atlanta to Oklahoma City
- Atlanta to Portland
- Atlanta to Louisville
- Atlanta to Memphis
- Atlanta to Baltimore
- Atlanta to Washington
- Atlanta to Milwaukee
- Atlanta to Albuquerque
- Atlanta to Tucson
- Atlanta to Kansas City
- Atlanta to Salt Lake City
- Atlanta to Minneapolis
- Atlanta to Detroit
- Atlanta to Cleveland
- Atlanta to Pittsburgh
- Atlanta to St. Louis
- Atlanta to Cincinnati
- Atlanta to New Orleans
- Atlanta to Boise
- Atlanta to Richmond
- Atlanta to Birmingham
- Atlanta to Omaha
- Atlanta to Charleston
- Atlanta to El Paso
More moves to Indianapolis
- New York to Indianapolis
- Los Angeles to Indianapolis
- Chicago to Indianapolis
- Houston to Indianapolis
- Phoenix to Indianapolis
- Philadelphia to Indianapolis
- San Diego to Indianapolis
- Dallas to Indianapolis
- Austin to Indianapolis
- Charlotte to Indianapolis
- San Francisco to Indianapolis
- Seattle to Indianapolis
- Denver to Indianapolis
- Nashville to Indianapolis
- Miami to Indianapolis
- Boston to Indianapolis
- Las Vegas to Indianapolis
- Orlando to Indianapolis
- Tampa to Indianapolis
- Raleigh to Indianapolis
- San Antonio to Indianapolis
- Jacksonville to Indianapolis
- Columbus to Indianapolis
- Sacramento to Indianapolis
- Oklahoma City to Indianapolis
- Portland to Indianapolis
- Louisville to Indianapolis
- Memphis to Indianapolis
- Baltimore to Indianapolis
- Washington to Indianapolis
- Milwaukee to Indianapolis
- Albuquerque to Indianapolis
- Tucson to Indianapolis
- Kansas City to Indianapolis
- Salt Lake City to Indianapolis
- Minneapolis to Indianapolis
- Detroit to Indianapolis
- Cleveland to Indianapolis
- Pittsburgh to Indianapolis
- St. Louis to Indianapolis
- Cincinnati to Indianapolis
- New Orleans to Indianapolis
- Boise to Indianapolis
- Richmond to Indianapolis
- Birmingham to Indianapolis
- Omaha to Indianapolis
- Charleston to Indianapolis
- El Paso to Indianapolis