Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 899 miles, a gas price of $3.925 and a diesel price of $6.127 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 | 56 | $221 | $259 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 82 | $321 | $377 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 100 | $392 | $461 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 112 | $441 | $519 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 128 | $504 | $593 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 112 | $689 | $810 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $284 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | $3.704 | $5.903 | Texas average |
| Indianapolis, IN | $4.145 | $6.352 | Midwest average |
Gas runs about $0.44 a gallon cheaper around Dallas, TX. Fill the tank before you leave Dallas 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 Dallas, TX 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 Dallas, TX.
More moves from Dallas
- Dallas to New York
- Dallas to Los Angeles
- Dallas to Chicago
- Dallas to Houston
- Dallas to Phoenix
- Dallas to Philadelphia
- Dallas to San Diego
- Dallas to Austin
- Dallas to Charlotte
- Dallas to San Francisco
- Dallas to Seattle
- Dallas to Denver
- Dallas to Nashville
- Dallas to Atlanta
- Dallas to Miami
- Dallas to Boston
- Dallas to Las Vegas
- Dallas to Orlando
- Dallas to Tampa
- Dallas to Raleigh
- Dallas to San Antonio
- Dallas to Jacksonville
- Dallas to Columbus
- Dallas to Sacramento
- Dallas to Oklahoma City
- Dallas to Portland
- Dallas to Louisville
- Dallas to Memphis
- Dallas to Baltimore
- Dallas to Washington
- Dallas to Milwaukee
- Dallas to Albuquerque
- Dallas to Tucson
- Dallas to Kansas City
- Dallas to Salt Lake City
- Dallas to Minneapolis
- Dallas to Detroit
- Dallas to Cleveland
- Dallas to Pittsburgh
- Dallas to St. Louis
- Dallas to Cincinnati
- Dallas to New Orleans
- Dallas to Boise
- Dallas to Richmond
- Dallas to Birmingham
- Dallas to Omaha
- Dallas to Charleston
- Dallas 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
- Austin to Indianapolis
- Charlotte to Indianapolis
- San Francisco to Indianapolis
- Seattle to Indianapolis
- Denver to Indianapolis
- Nashville to Indianapolis
- Atlanta 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