Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 243 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 | 15 | $63 | $74 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 22 | $92 | $108 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 27 | $112 | $132 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 30 | $126 | $148 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 35 | $144 | $169 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 30 | $193 | $227 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $81 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, 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 St. Louis, MO 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 St. Louis, MO.
More moves from St. Louis
- St. Louis to New York
- St. Louis to Los Angeles
- St. Louis to Chicago
- St. Louis to Houston
- St. Louis to Phoenix
- St. Louis to Philadelphia
- St. Louis to San Diego
- St. Louis to Dallas
- St. Louis to Austin
- St. Louis to Charlotte
- St. Louis to San Francisco
- St. Louis to Seattle
- St. Louis to Denver
- St. Louis to Nashville
- St. Louis to Atlanta
- St. Louis to Miami
- St. Louis to Boston
- St. Louis to Las Vegas
- St. Louis to Orlando
- St. Louis to Tampa
- St. Louis to Raleigh
- St. Louis to San Antonio
- St. Louis to Jacksonville
- St. Louis to Columbus
- St. Louis to Sacramento
- St. Louis to Oklahoma City
- St. Louis to Portland
- St. Louis to Louisville
- St. Louis to Memphis
- St. Louis to Baltimore
- St. Louis to Washington
- St. Louis to Milwaukee
- St. Louis to Albuquerque
- St. Louis to Tucson
- St. Louis to Kansas City
- St. Louis to Salt Lake City
- St. Louis to Minneapolis
- St. Louis to Detroit
- St. Louis to Cleveland
- St. Louis to Pittsburgh
- St. Louis to Cincinnati
- St. Louis to New Orleans
- St. Louis to Boise
- St. Louis to Richmond
- St. Louis to Birmingham
- St. Louis to Omaha
- St. Louis to Charleston
- St. Louis 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
- 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