($491+) Arlington, VA to Indianapolis, IN Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to Indianapolis, IN, runs anywhere from $491 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,858 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 577 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,383, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,858 or more.
- Moving containers run $976 - $3,370, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $491 - $1,263.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to Indianapolis, IN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,027 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Arlington, VA to Indianapolis, IN
Moving options from Arlington to Indianapolis fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,027 - $5,535 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 577 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 577-mile route from Arlington to Indianapolis, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,383 for a studio up to $7,858 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $976 - $3,370 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $491 - $1,263, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $943 - $2,563, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Arlington, VA to Indianapolis, IN
Full-service movers for the 577-mile relocation from Arlington, Virginia, to Indianapolis, Indiana, cost between $1,383 and $7,858. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $398 - $2,656, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Arlington typically charge a base rate around $200 plus $110 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Arlington to Indianapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,383 - $3,945
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,027 - $5,535
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,844 - $7,858
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Arlington to Indianapolis.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Virginia to Indiana. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Arlington, VA to Indianapolis, IN
Specialty needs vary by market — 94% of Arlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Indianapolis, 81% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $664 - $6,640 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready94% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $266 - $1,594/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $398 - $3,187 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage30% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,328 - $3,984 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,320 - $13,280 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $995 - $1,890 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items56% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $1,328 - $3,320 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $1,062 - $4,648 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $398 - $1,992 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $863 - $2,656 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $398 - $19,920+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $398 - $4,648+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington to Indianapolis?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Arlington, VA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Arlington, VA to Indianapolis, IN
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Indianapolis, Indiana, cost between $976 and $3,370. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Arlington runs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to Indianapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $976 - $1,832
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,344 - $2,456
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,687 - $3,370
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Arlington, VA and Indianapolis, IN. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $930 in Arlington, VA, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $100 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $199 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia to Indiana move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $976. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,344 - $2,456, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Arlington to Indianapolis?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Arlington to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Arlington:
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- My Pro Movers (5.0/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to Indianapolis, IN
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 577 miles from Arlington, Virginia, to Indianapolis, Indiana, running $491 - $1,263. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $244 - $279
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- Arlington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Arlington to Indianapolis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $491 - $890
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $510 - $1,046
- 4+ bedrooms: $662 - $1,263
Pro tip: A rental truck from Arlington to Indianapolis looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $491 - $1,263. But once you factor in fuel ($244 - $279) , overnight lodging ($199/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $244 - $279 for the 577-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Arlington, Virginia, for about 5 hours typically costs around $930.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 577-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $199 per night, adding $398 - $598 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $66 and $398.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington to Indianapolis?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Arlington, VA to Indianapolis, IN
For larger DIY moves from Arlington, Virginia, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Indianapolis, Indiana.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,001 and $2,129.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to Indianapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $943 - $1,632
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,001 - $2,129
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,448 - $2,563
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $100 and $199.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Arlington, Virginia, for roughly five hours typically average $930.
What are the best freight companies from Arlington to Indianapolis?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
- Terminal Transportation Services (4.7/5 stars): Terminal Transportation Services is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Indianapolis fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Arlington, VA vs Indianapolis, IN
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Indianapolis, side by side with Arlington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Arlington, VA | Indianapolis, IN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 164 | 86 |
| Average rent | $2,718/mo | $1,399/mo |
| Median home value | $866,334 | $205,828 |
| Average income | $140,160/yr | $62,995/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 5.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 3.15% |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 31/100 |
| Safety index | 79.15/100 | 39.29/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Indianapolis, IN to Arlington, VA guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Indiana, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 104 movers licensed in Virginia, useful context for sizing up this 577-mile move.
Our take
The 577-mile move from Arlington, VA, to Indianapolis, IN, costs between $1,383 and $7,858 with full-service movers, $976 - $3,370 with a moving container, and $491 - $1,263 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,027 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Anthem and Eli Lilly and Company.
FAQs: Moving from Arlington, VA, to Indianapolis, IN
What do local movers charge in Arlington?
Local movers based in Arlington typically start around $200 as a base rate, plus $110/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Indianapolis run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Arlington, VA to Indianapolis, IN?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
How much does it cost to move from Arlington, VA to Indianapolis, IN?
Costs on this route range from around $1,383 to $7,858, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,383 and $7,858, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
How walkable is Indianapolis?
Indianapolis has a walkability score of 31 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 43, compared to 71 and 72 in Arlington. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($244 - $279), daily insurance ($40/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $27) on top. Overnight stops can add another $199/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Arlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 71% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 56% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
