($289+) St. Louis, MO to Indianapolis, IN Movers
Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Indianapolis, IN, runs anywhere from $292 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,095 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 242 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 2 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 $908, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $6,095 or more.
- Moving containers run $843 - $2,667, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $292 - $773.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from St. Louis, MO, to Indianapolis, IN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,539 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 St. Louis, MO to Indianapolis, IN
Moving options from St. Louis 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 $1,539 - $4,640 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 242 miles and typically takes 1 to 2 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 242-mile route from St. Louis to Indianapolis, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $908 - $3,719 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($843 - $1,527), rental truck ($292 - $497), or freight trailer ($821 - $1,401). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $1,539 - $4,640 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $6,095.
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 St. Louis, MO to Indianapolis, IN
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 242-mile move from St. Louis, Missouri, to Indianapolis, Indiana, with costs ranging from $908 - $6,095. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $254 - $1,696. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between St. Louis and Indianapolis. Local movers in St. Louis typically start around $247 as a base rate plus $145/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from St. Louis to Indianapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $908 - $3,719
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,539 - $4,640
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,017 - $6,095
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 St. Louis to Indianapolis.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Missouri 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 St. Louis, MO to Indianapolis, IN
Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of St. Louis 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 packing93% of local movers | $424 - $4,240 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $170 - $1,018/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $254 - $2,035 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage36% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs86% of local movers | $848 - $2,544 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,120 - $8,480 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $635 - $1,207 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items36% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $848 - $2,120 |
| Piano | Any piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Arch Moving | $678 - $2,968 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $254 - $1,272 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: ABC Quality Moving & Storage | $551 - $1,696 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $254 - $12,720+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $254 - $2,968+ |
What are the best full-service movers from St. Louis to Indianapolis?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
How much do local movers cost in St. Louis, MO?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from St. Louis to Indianapolis with a local mover averages $1,478 - $4,455. A local mover in St. Louis, MO is worth considering for moves under 500 miles. Short-distance moves don't always need the scale of a national carrier, and local companies can offer streamlined service, more flexible pickup windows, and a more personal approach to coordination.
Be sure to confirm interstate licensing, insurance coverage, and delivery expectations before booking.
ABC Quality Moving & Storage (4.72/5 stars) is a local mover in St. Louis, based on our analysis of feedback from 263 customers, 83.7% of which is positive.
Address: 3050 Armona Dr, St. Louis, MO, 63129 | Founded: 1989
Moving container costs from St. Louis, MO to Indianapolis, IN
Moving containers from St. Louis, Missouri, to Indianapolis, Indiana, cost between $843 and $2,667. 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 St. Louis runs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from St. Louis to Indianapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $843 - $1,527
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,111 - $2,074
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,476 - $2,667
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In St. Louis, MO, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $594, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $64 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $127 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both St. Louis, MO, and Indianapolis, IN, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Missouri 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 $843. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,111 - $2,074, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers St. Louis 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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis:
- Arch Moving (4.7/5), 23 years in business
- ABC Quality Moving & Storage (4.6/5), 37 years in business
- Simple Moves (4.7/5), 25 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from St. Louis, MO to Indianapolis, IN
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 242 miles from St. Louis, Missouri, to Indianapolis, Indiana, running $292 - $773. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $65 - $75
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $17
- St. Louis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| 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 St. Louis to Indianapolis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $292 - $497
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $326 - $613
- 4+ bedrooms: $394 - $773
Pro tip: A rental truck from St. Louis to Indianapolis looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $292 - $773. But once you factor in fuel ($65 - $75) , overnight lodging ($127/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?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $127 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $55 and $276 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $65 - $75 in fuel for the 242-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $594 in St. Louis, Missouri, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from St. Louis 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 St. Louis, MO to Indianapolis, IN
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from St. Louis, Missouri, to Indianapolis, Indiana. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $923 and $1,743.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from St. Louis to Indianapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $821 - $1,401
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $923 - $1,743
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,181 - $2,049
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 $64 and $127.
- 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 St. Louis, Missouri, for roughly five hours typically average $594.
What are the best freight companies from St. Louis to Indianapolis?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- Flanagan-White Delivery, Inc. (4.42/5 stars): Flanagan-White Delivery, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
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: St. Louis, MO vs Indianapolis, IN
Day-to-day costs in Indianapolis are close to what you're used to in St. Louis: cost of living index of 86 versus 84, with average rent of $1,399/mo compared to $1,250/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 66/100 and 30.35/100 in St. Louis versus 31/100 and 39.29/100 in Indianapolis.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Indianapolis, IN to St. Louis, MO guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Missouri 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 54 movers licensed in Missouri, useful context for sizing up this 242-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 242-mile route from St. Louis, MO, to Indianapolis, IN, run $908 - $6,095 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $843 - $2,667, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $292 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,539, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Anthem and Eli Lilly and Company.
FAQs: Moving from St. Louis, MO, to Indianapolis, IN
How much does it cost to move from St. Louis, MO to Indianapolis, IN?
Costs on this route range from around $908 to $6,095, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $908 and $6,095, 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.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in St. Louis?
Local movers based in St. Louis typically start around $247 as a base rate, plus $145/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.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Indiana?
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) regulate movers operating within Indiana and issue moving companies Indiana Households Goods Carriers Numbers. Check to make sure prospective movers have one and that it’s up to date.
What are the best neighborhoods in Indianapolis?
For families, Avon, Brownsburg, and Carmel are worth a look in Indianapolis. If you're moving solo or without kids, Broad Ripple Village, Fountain Square, and Mile Square tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of St. Louis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 64% of movers in St. Louis handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
