Moving truck gas cost from Indianapolis, IN to Columbus, OH

The drive is about 176 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $80 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Midwest and Ohio 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$80Likely $73 to $89

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$66save $15
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$90+$10
  • Towing a car$94+$14
  • Round trip$160+$80

176 miles at 9 MPG: 19.6 gallons, $0.46 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

IndianapolisColumbus

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
176 miles
Driving days
1 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 3 hours
Gas price used
$4.097 a gallon

Fuel cost by truck size

Based on 176 miles, a gas price of $4.097 and a diesel price of $6.352 a gallon. Towing a car on a trailer or dolly lowers fuel economy by about 15%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1611$45$53
10 to 12 ft truck1116$66$77
15 to 17 ft truck920$80$94
20 to 22 ft truck822$90$106
26 ft truck725$103$121
26 ft truck (diesel)822$140$164

The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $58 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
Indianapolis, IN$4.145$6.352Midwest average
Columbus, OH$4.049$6.352Ohio 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 Indianapolis, IN to Columbus, OH a one-day drive. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.

Other moves

Going the other way? See Columbus, OH to Indianapolis, IN.