Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 620 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 | 39 | $155 | $182 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 56 | $226 | $265 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 69 | $276 | $324 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 78 | $310 | $365 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 89 | $354 | $417 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 78 | $469 | $551 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $199 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | $3.860 | $5.740 | Lower Atlantic average |
| Indianapolis, IN | $4.145 | $6.352 | Midwest average |
Gas runs about $0.28 a gallon cheaper around Richmond, VA. Fill the tank before you leave Richmond and stretch it as far as you safely can.
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 Richmond, VA 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 Richmond, VA.
More moves from Richmond
- Richmond to New York
- Richmond to Los Angeles
- Richmond to Chicago
- Richmond to Houston
- Richmond to Phoenix
- Richmond to Philadelphia
- Richmond to San Diego
- Richmond to Dallas
- Richmond to Austin
- Richmond to Charlotte
- Richmond to San Francisco
- Richmond to Seattle
- Richmond to Denver
- Richmond to Nashville
- Richmond to Atlanta
- Richmond to Miami
- Richmond to Boston
- Richmond to Las Vegas
- Richmond to Orlando
- Richmond to Tampa
- Richmond to Raleigh
- Richmond to San Antonio
- Richmond to Jacksonville
- Richmond to Columbus
- Richmond to Sacramento
- Richmond to Oklahoma City
- Richmond to Portland
- Richmond to Louisville
- Richmond to Memphis
- Richmond to Baltimore
- Richmond to Washington
- Richmond to Milwaukee
- Richmond to Albuquerque
- Richmond to Tucson
- Richmond to Kansas City
- Richmond to Salt Lake City
- Richmond to Minneapolis
- Richmond to Detroit
- Richmond to Cleveland
- Richmond to Pittsburgh
- Richmond to St. Louis
- Richmond to Cincinnati
- Richmond to New Orleans
- Richmond to Boise
- Richmond to Birmingham
- Richmond to Omaha
- Richmond to Charleston
- Richmond 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
- 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
- Birmingham to Indianapolis
- Omaha to Indianapolis
- Charleston to Indianapolis
- El Paso to Indianapolis