Moving truck gas cost from Tampa, FL to Indianapolis, IN

The drive is about 958 miles. In a 15 to 17 ft rental truck getting around 9 MPG, fuel comes to roughly $432 at this week’s prices.

miles
Trip
$/ gallon

Average of Florida and Midwest prices from EIA for the week of October 19, 2026.

More options: MPG, towing
MPG

Loaded rental trucks usually get 6 to 12 MPG. If the rental paperwork lists a figure for your truck, use that.

Fuel cost$432Likely $393 to $481

Compare

  • 10 to 12 ft truck$354save $79
  • 20 to 22 ft truck$487+$54
  • Towing a car$509+$76
  • Round trip$865+$432

958 miles at 9 MPG: 106.4 gallons, $0.45 a mile. The likely range allows for fuel economy 10% better or worse.

TampaIndianapolis

Routes from OSRM using© OpenStreetMap contributors data

Distance
958 miles
Driving days
3 at 450 mi a day
Behind the wheel
About 18 hours
Gas price used
$4.063 a gallon

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%.

TruckMPGGallonsFuel costTowing a car
Cargo van1660$243$286
10 to 12 ft truck1187$354$416
15 to 17 ft truck9106$432$509
20 to 22 ft truck8120$487$572
26 ft truck7137$556$654
26 ft truck (diesel)8120$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

WhereGasDieselPrice basis
Tampa, FL$3.981$5.740Florida average
Indianapolis, IN$4.145$6.352Midwest 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.