Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 483 miles, a gas price of $4.145 and a diesel price of $6.352 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 | 30 | $125 | $147 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 44 | $182 | $214 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 54 | $222 | $262 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 60 | $250 | $294 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 69 | $286 | $336 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 60 | $384 | $451 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $161 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO | $4.145 | $6.352 | Midwest 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 Kansas City, MO 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 Kansas City, MO.
More moves from Kansas City
- Kansas City to New York
- Kansas City to Los Angeles
- Kansas City to Chicago
- Kansas City to Houston
- Kansas City to Phoenix
- Kansas City to Philadelphia
- Kansas City to San Diego
- Kansas City to Dallas
- Kansas City to Austin
- Kansas City to Charlotte
- Kansas City to San Francisco
- Kansas City to Seattle
- Kansas City to Denver
- Kansas City to Nashville
- Kansas City to Atlanta
- Kansas City to Miami
- Kansas City to Boston
- Kansas City to Las Vegas
- Kansas City to Orlando
- Kansas City to Tampa
- Kansas City to Raleigh
- Kansas City to San Antonio
- Kansas City to Jacksonville
- Kansas City to Columbus
- Kansas City to Sacramento
- Kansas City to Oklahoma City
- Kansas City to Portland
- Kansas City to Louisville
- Kansas City to Memphis
- Kansas City to Baltimore
- Kansas City to Washington
- Kansas City to Milwaukee
- Kansas City to Albuquerque
- Kansas City to Tucson
- Kansas City to Salt Lake City
- Kansas City to Minneapolis
- Kansas City to Detroit
- Kansas City to Cleveland
- Kansas City to Pittsburgh
- Kansas City to St. Louis
- Kansas City to Cincinnati
- Kansas City to New Orleans
- Kansas City to Boise
- Kansas City to Richmond
- Kansas City to Birmingham
- Kansas City to Omaha
- Kansas City to Charleston
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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
- 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
- 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