Fuel cost by truck size
Based on 958 miles, a gas price of $4.063 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 | 60 | $243 | $286 |
| 10 to 12 ft truck | 11 | 87 | $354 | $416 |
| 15 to 17 ft truck | 9 | 106 | $432 | $509 |
| 20 to 22 ft truck | 8 | 120 | $487 | $572 |
| 26 ft truck | 7 | 137 | $556 | $654 |
| 26 ft truck (diesel) | 8 | 120 | $724 | $852 |
The gap between the smallest and largest trucks on this route is about $313 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa, FL | $3.981 | $5.740 | Florida average |
| Indianapolis, IN | $4.145 | $6.352 | Midwest average |
Gas runs about $0.16 a gallon cheaper around Tampa, FL. Fill the tank before you leave Tampa 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 Tampa, FL to Indianapolis, IN a 3-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 Tampa, FL.
More moves from Tampa
- Tampa to New York
- Tampa to Los Angeles
- Tampa to Chicago
- Tampa to Houston
- Tampa to Phoenix
- Tampa to Philadelphia
- Tampa to San Diego
- Tampa to Dallas
- Tampa to Austin
- Tampa to Charlotte
- Tampa to San Francisco
- Tampa to Seattle
- Tampa to Denver
- Tampa to Nashville
- Tampa to Atlanta
- Tampa to Miami
- Tampa to Boston
- Tampa to Las Vegas
- Tampa to Orlando
- Tampa to Raleigh
- Tampa to San Antonio
- Tampa to Jacksonville
- Tampa to Columbus
- Tampa to Sacramento
- Tampa to Oklahoma City
- Tampa to Portland
- Tampa to Louisville
- Tampa to Memphis
- Tampa to Baltimore
- Tampa to Washington
- Tampa to Milwaukee
- Tampa to Albuquerque
- Tampa to Tucson
- Tampa to Kansas City
- Tampa to Salt Lake City
- Tampa to Minneapolis
- Tampa to Detroit
- Tampa to Cleveland
- Tampa to Pittsburgh
- Tampa to St. Louis
- Tampa to Cincinnati
- Tampa to New Orleans
- Tampa to Boise
- Tampa to Richmond
- Tampa to Birmingham
- Tampa to Omaha
- Tampa to Charleston
- Tampa 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
- 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