Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 615 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 | 38 | $154 | $181 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 56 | $224 | $263 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 68 | $273 | $322 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 77 | $308 | $362 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 88 | $352 | $414 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 77 | $465 | $547 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $198 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis, IN | $4.145 | $6.352 | Midwest average |
| Raleigh, NC | $3.860 | $5.740 | Lower Atlantic average |
Gas runs about $0.28 a gallon cheaper around Raleigh, NC. Most one-way rentals are returned near Raleigh, 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 Indianapolis, IN to Raleigh, NC 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 Raleigh, NC to Indianapolis, IN.
More moves from Indianapolis
- Indianapolis to New York
- Indianapolis to Los Angeles
- Indianapolis to Chicago
- Indianapolis to Houston
- Indianapolis to Phoenix
- Indianapolis to Philadelphia
- Indianapolis to San Diego
- Indianapolis to Dallas
- Indianapolis to Austin
- Indianapolis to Charlotte
- Indianapolis to San Francisco
- Indianapolis to Seattle
- Indianapolis to Denver
- Indianapolis to Nashville
- Indianapolis to Atlanta
- Indianapolis to Miami
- Indianapolis to Boston
- Indianapolis to Las Vegas
- Indianapolis to Orlando
- Indianapolis to Tampa
- Indianapolis to San Antonio
- Indianapolis to Jacksonville
- Indianapolis to Columbus
- Indianapolis to Sacramento
- Indianapolis to Oklahoma City
- Indianapolis to Portland
- Indianapolis to Louisville
- Indianapolis to Memphis
- Indianapolis to Baltimore
- Indianapolis to Washington
- Indianapolis to Milwaukee
- Indianapolis to Albuquerque
- Indianapolis to Tucson
- Indianapolis to Kansas City
- Indianapolis to Salt Lake City
- Indianapolis to Minneapolis
- Indianapolis to Detroit
- Indianapolis to Cleveland
- Indianapolis to Pittsburgh
- Indianapolis to St. Louis
- Indianapolis to Cincinnati
- Indianapolis to New Orleans
- Indianapolis to Boise
- Indianapolis to Richmond
- Indianapolis to Birmingham
- Indianapolis to Omaha
- Indianapolis to Charleston
- Indianapolis to El Paso
More moves to Raleigh
- New York to Raleigh
- Los Angeles to Raleigh
- Chicago to Raleigh
- Houston to Raleigh
- Phoenix to Raleigh
- Philadelphia to Raleigh
- San Diego to Raleigh
- Dallas to Raleigh
- Austin to Raleigh
- Charlotte to Raleigh
- San Francisco to Raleigh
- Seattle to Raleigh
- Denver to Raleigh
- Nashville to Raleigh
- Atlanta to Raleigh
- Miami to Raleigh
- Boston to Raleigh
- Las Vegas to Raleigh
- Orlando to Raleigh
- Tampa to Raleigh
- San Antonio to Raleigh
- Jacksonville to Raleigh
- Columbus to Raleigh
- Sacramento to Raleigh
- Oklahoma City to Raleigh
- Portland to Raleigh
- Louisville to Raleigh
- Memphis to Raleigh
- Baltimore to Raleigh
- Washington to Raleigh
- Milwaukee to Raleigh
- Albuquerque to Raleigh
- Tucson to Raleigh
- Kansas City to Raleigh
- Salt Lake City to Raleigh
- Minneapolis to Raleigh
- Detroit to Raleigh
- Cleveland to Raleigh
- Pittsburgh to Raleigh
- St. Louis to Raleigh
- Cincinnati to Raleigh
- New Orleans to Raleigh
- Boise to Raleigh
- Richmond to Raleigh
- Birmingham to Raleigh
- Omaha to Raleigh
- Charleston to Raleigh
- El Paso to Raleigh