Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 287 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 | 18 | $74 | $87 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 26 | $108 | $127 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 32 | $132 | $156 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 36 | $149 | $175 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 41 | $170 | $200 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 36 | $228 | $268 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $96 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | $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 Nashville, TN to Indianapolis, IN a one-day drive. The rental itself and any per-mile fees are charged separately from fuel.
Other moves
Going the other way? See Indianapolis, IN to Nashville, TN.
More moves from Nashville
- Nashville to New York
- Nashville to Los Angeles
- Nashville to Chicago
- Nashville to Houston
- Nashville to Phoenix
- Nashville to Philadelphia
- Nashville to San Diego
- Nashville to Dallas
- Nashville to Austin
- Nashville to Charlotte
- Nashville to San Francisco
- Nashville to Seattle
- Nashville to Denver
- Nashville to Atlanta
- Nashville to Miami
- Nashville to Boston
- Nashville to Las Vegas
- Nashville to Orlando
- Nashville to Tampa
- Nashville to Raleigh
- Nashville to San Antonio
- Nashville to Jacksonville
- Nashville to Columbus
- Nashville to Sacramento
- Nashville to Oklahoma City
- Nashville to Portland
- Nashville to Louisville
- Nashville to Memphis
- Nashville to Baltimore
- Nashville to Washington
- Nashville to Milwaukee
- Nashville to Albuquerque
- Nashville to Tucson
- Nashville to Kansas City
- Nashville to Salt Lake City
- Nashville to Minneapolis
- Nashville to Detroit
- Nashville to Cleveland
- Nashville to Pittsburgh
- Nashville to St. Louis
- Nashville to Cincinnati
- Nashville to New Orleans
- Nashville to Boise
- Nashville to Richmond
- Nashville to Birmingham
- Nashville to Omaha
- Nashville to Charleston
- Nashville 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
- Denver 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