Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 1,087 miles, a gas price of $4.195 and a diesel price of $6.387 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 | 68 | $285 | $335 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 99 | $415 | $488 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 121 | $507 | $596 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 136 | $570 | $671 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 155 | $651 | $766 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 136 | $868 | $1,021 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $366 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | $4.244 | $6.422 | Denver average |
| Indianapolis, IN | $4.145 | $6.352 | Midwest average |
Prices at the two ends are within a few cents of each other, so where you fill up matters less than how fast you drive.
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 Denver, CO to Indianapolis, IN a 3-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 Denver, CO.
More moves from Denver
- Denver to New York
- Denver to Los Angeles
- Denver to Chicago
- Denver to Houston
- Denver to Phoenix
- Denver to Philadelphia
- Denver to San Diego
- Denver to Dallas
- Denver to Austin
- Denver to Charlotte
- Denver to San Francisco
- Denver to Seattle
- Denver to Nashville
- Denver to Atlanta
- Denver to Miami
- Denver to Boston
- Denver to Las Vegas
- Denver to Orlando
- Denver to Tampa
- Denver to Raleigh
- Denver to San Antonio
- Denver to Jacksonville
- Denver to Columbus
- Denver to Sacramento
- Denver to Oklahoma City
- Denver to Portland
- Denver to Louisville
- Denver to Memphis
- Denver to Baltimore
- Denver to Washington
- Denver to Milwaukee
- Denver to Albuquerque
- Denver to Tucson
- Denver to Kansas City
- Denver to Salt Lake City
- Denver to Minneapolis
- Denver to Detroit
- Denver to Cleveland
- Denver to Pittsburgh
- Denver to St. Louis
- Denver to Cincinnati
- Denver to New Orleans
- Denver to Boise
- Denver to Richmond
- Denver to Birmingham
- Denver to Omaha
- Denver to Charleston
- Denver 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
- 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