($438+) Indianapolis, IN to Arlington, VA Movers
Moving from Indianapolis, IN, to Arlington, VA, runs anywhere from $438 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,657 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 575 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 $1,231, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,657 or more.
- Moving containers run $961 - $3,090, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $438 - $1,217.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Indianapolis, IN, to Arlington, VA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,097 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Indianapolis, IN to Arlington, VA
There are 3 main ways to move from Indianapolis to Arlington: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,097 - $5,394. Moving containers run about 41% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 78% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 575-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 575-mile route from Indianapolis to Arlington, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,231 - $3,920 | $961 - $1,714 | $438 - $849 | $892 - $1,621 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,097 - $5,394 | $1,245 - $2,540 | $467 - $1,049 | $1,056 - $2,012 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,455 - $7,657 | $1,728 - $3,090 | $626 - $1,217 | $1,356 - $2,422 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Indianapolis, IN to Arlington, VA
For the 575-mile move from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Arlington, Virginia, full-service movers cost between $1,231 and $7,657. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $352 - $2,344 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Indianapolis generally start around $245 plus $75 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Indianapolis to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,231 - $3,920
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,097 - $5,394
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,455 - $7,657
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 Indianapolis to Arlington.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Indianapolis, IN to Arlington, VA
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Indianapolis movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Arlington, 70% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing75% of local movers | $586 - $5,860 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Sherman Moving & Storage | $234 - $1,406/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $352 - $2,813 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs41% of local movers | $1,172 - $3,516 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,930 - $11,720 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $878 - $1,668 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items28% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Planes Moving & Storage Company | $1,172 - $2,930 |
| Piano | Any piano type36% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Sherman Moving & Storage | $938 - $4,102 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $352 - $1,758 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect11% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Busy Bee Movers | $762 - $2,344 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $352 - $17,580+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $352 - $4,102+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Indianapolis to Arlington?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Virginia Movers & Warehousemen’s Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Indianapolis, IN. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Indianapolis, IN to Arlington, VA
Moving containers from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Arlington, Virginia, cost between $961 and $3,090. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Indianapolis costs roughly $80/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Indianapolis to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $961 - $1,714
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,245 - $2,540
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,728 - $3,090
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $88 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $176 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Arlington, VA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $820 in Indianapolis, IN. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Indiana to Virginia 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 $961. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,245 - $2,540.
What are the best moving containers Indianapolis to Arlington?
- 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 Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis:
- Busy Bee Movers (4.1/5), 35 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.4/5), 15 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.6/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Indianapolis, IN to Arlington, VA
Truck rentals from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Arlington, Virginia, range from $438 - $1,217 for the 575-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $214 - $245
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Indianapolis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Indianapolis to Arlington based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $438 - $849
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $467 - $1,049
- 4+ bedrooms: $626 - $1,217
Pro tip: A rental truck from Indianapolis to Arlington looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $438 - $1,217. But once you factor in fuel ($214 - $245), overnight lodging ($176/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Indianapolis, Indiana, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $820.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $214 - $245 for the 575-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $70 and $381, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $176 per night for hotel stops on the 575-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $352 - $527.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Indianapolis to Arlington?
- 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 Indianapolis, IN to Arlington, VA
For larger DIY moves from Indianapolis, Indiana, 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 Arlington, Virginia.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,056 and $2,012.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Indianapolis to Arlington:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $892 - $1,621
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,056 - $2,012
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,356 - $2,422
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 $88 and $176.
- 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 Indianapolis, Indiana, for roughly five hours typically average $820.
What are the best freight companies from Indianapolis to Arlington?
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Indianapolis to Arlington, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Indianapolis, IN vs Arlington, VA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Arlington, side by side with Indianapolis on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Indianapolis, IN | Arlington, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 86 | 164 |
| Average rent | $1,399/mo | $2,718/mo |
| Median home value | $205,828 | $866,334 |
| Average income | $62,995/yr | $140,160/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 4.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 3.15% | Up to 5.75% |
| Walkability score | 31/100 | 71/100 |
| Safety index | 39.29/100 | 79.15/100 |
| 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 Arlington, VA to Indianapolis, IN guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Indiana to Virginia, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 124 movers in Indiana, so you have real options to compare for this 575-mile move.
Our take
A move from Indianapolis, IN, to Arlington, VA, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,231 - $7,657 on the 575-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $961 - $3,090, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $438 - $1,217. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,097 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include U.S. Department of Defense and Safran.
FAQs: Moving from Indianapolis, IN, to Arlington, VA
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($214 - $245), daily insurance ($35/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $23) on top. Overnight stops can add another $176/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Indianapolis, IN to Arlington, VA?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $467 - $1,049. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Indianapolis, IN to Arlington, VA?
Costs on this route range from around $438 to $7,657, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,231 and $7,657, 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 4 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 Indianapolis?
Local movers based in Indianapolis typically start around $245 as a base rate, plus $75/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 Arlington run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What percentage of Indianapolis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 36% of movers in Indianapolis handle piano moves, and 28% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.