Moving truck gas cost from Baltimore, MD to Indianapolis, IN

The drive is about 595 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $280 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Central Atlantic and Midwest prices from EIA for the week of October 19, 2026.

More options: MPG, towing
MPG

Loaded rental trucks usually get 6 to 12 MPG. If the rental paperwork lists a figure for your truck, use that.

Fuel cost$280Likely $254 to $311

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$229save $51
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$315+$35
  • Towing a car$329+$49
  • Round trip$559+$280

595 miles at 9 MPG: 66.1 gallons, $0.47 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

BaltimoreIndianapolis

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
595 miles
Driving days
2 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 11 hours
Gas price used
$4.229 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 595 miles, a gas price of $4.229 and a diesel price of $6.430 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1637$157$185
10 to 12 ft truck1154$229$269
15 to 17 ft truck966$280$329
20 to 22 ft truck874$315$370
26 ft truck785$359$423
26 ft truck (diesel)874$478$563

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $202 in fuel alone, so it pays to rent only as much truck as you need.

Fuel prices at each end of the move

WhereGasDieselPrice basis
Baltimore, MD$4.312$6.508Central Atlantic average
Indianapolis, IN$4.145$6.352Midwest average

Gas runs about $0.17 a gallon cheaper around Indianapolis, IN. Most one-way rentals are returned near Indianapolis, so that’s the cheaper place to top the tank back up to the level you picked it up at.

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 Baltimore, MD 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 Baltimore, MD.