($646+) Portland, ME to Indianapolis, IN Movers
Moving from Portland, ME, to Indianapolis, IN, runs anywhere from $646 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,749 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,047 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 8 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 $2,474, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,749 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,195 - $3,802, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $646 - $1,794.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Portland, ME, to Indianapolis, IN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,835 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 Portland, ME to Indianapolis, IN
There are 3 main ways to move from Portland to Indianapolis: 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 $2,835 - $6,649. Moving containers run about 45% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 75% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 8 days for this 1,047-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 1,047-mile route from Portland to Indianapolis, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,474 - $5,682 | $1,195 - $2,033 | $646 - $1,252 | $1,066 - $1,945 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,835 - $6,649 | $1,554 - $3,006 | $713 - $1,565 | $1,255 - $2,452 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,436 - $8,749 | $1,996 - $3,802 | $904 - $1,794 | $1,580 - $3,104 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Portland, ME to Indianapolis, IN
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,047-mile move from Portland, Maine, to Indianapolis, Indiana, with prices running from $2,474 - $8,749. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $305 - $2,032 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Portland and Indianapolis are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Portland movers tend to run around $382 as a base rate plus $135/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Portland to Indianapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,474 - $5,682
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,835 - $6,649
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,436 - $8,749
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 Portland to Indianapolis.
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.
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Specialty moving services from Portland, ME to Indianapolis, IN
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Portland movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Indianapolis, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing84% of local movers | $508 - $5,080 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $203 - $1,219/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $305 - $2,438 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,016 - $3,048 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,540 - $10,160 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $761 - $1,446 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items32% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Tiny Tim's Moving | $1,016 - $2,540 |
| Piano | Any piano type44% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $813 - $3,556 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $305 - $1,524 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Liberty Bell Moving & Storage of Maine | $660 - $2,032 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $305 - $15,240+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $305 - $3,556+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Portland 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Portland, ME. 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 Portland, ME to Indianapolis, IN
Moving containers from Portland, Maine, to Indianapolis, Indiana, cost between $1,195 and $3,802. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Portland typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Portland to Indianapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,195 - $2,033
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,554 - $3,006
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,996 - $3,802
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $76 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $152 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Indianapolis, IN, 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 $711 in Portland, ME. 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 Maine 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 $1,195. 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 $1,554 - $3,006.
What are the best moving containers Portland 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 Portland 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 Portland:
- Tiny Tim's Moving (4.3/5), 33 years in business
- Midwest Moving Company (4.8/5), 0 years in business
- SC Moving Services (5.0/5), 14 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Portland, ME to Indianapolis, IN
Truck rentals from Portland, Maine, to Indianapolis, Indiana, range from $646 - $1,794 for the 1,047-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $338 - $387
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Portland daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Portland to Indianapolis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $646 - $1,252
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $713 - $1,565
- 4+ bedrooms: $904 - $1,794
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Portland to Indianapolis starts at $646 - $1,794, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($338 - $387), overnight lodging ($152/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Portland, Maine, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $711.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $338 - $387 for the 1,047-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 $61 and $330, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $152 per night for hotel stops on the 1,047-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $305 - $457.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Portland 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 Portland, ME 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 Portland, Maine, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,255 and $2,452.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Portland to Indianapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,066 - $1,945
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,255 - $2,452
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,580 - $3,104
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 $76 and $152.
- 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 Portland, Maine, for roughly five hours typically average $711.
What are the best freight companies from Portland to Indianapolis?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
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: Portland, ME 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 Portland on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Portland, ME | Indianapolis, IN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 86 |
| Average rent | $1,991/mo | $1,399/mo |
| Median home value | $452,202 | $205,828 |
| Average income | $76,174/yr | $62,995/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 5.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.8% | Up to 3.15% |
| Walkability score | 62/100 | 31/100 |
| Safety index | 67.84/100 | 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 Portland, ME guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Maine 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 46 movers licensed in Maine, useful context for sizing up this 1,047-mile move.
Our take
A move from Portland, ME, to Indianapolis, IN, 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 $2,474 - $8,749 on the 1,047-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,195 - $3,802, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $646 - $1,794. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,835 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 Anthem and Eli Lilly and Company.
FAQs: Moving from Portland, ME, to Indianapolis, IN
Is Indianapolis a safe place to live?
Indianapolis has a safety index of 39.29 out of 100 and a crime index of 60.71, compared to 67.84 and 32.16 in Portland. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Portland, ME to Indianapolis, IN?
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 $713 - $1,565. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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.
How long does a move from Portland, ME to Indianapolis, IN take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 8 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What do local movers charge in Portland?
Local movers based in Portland typically start around $382 as a base rate, plus $135/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 percentage of Portland movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 44% of movers in Portland handle piano moves, and 32% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.