($456+) Arlington, VA to Indianapolis, IN Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to Indianapolis, IN, runs anywhere from $456 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,129 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $1,307, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,129 or more.
- Moving containers run $931 - $3,248, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $456 - $1,230.
- 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 $2,014 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
There are 3 main ways to move from Arlington 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 $2,014 - $5,030. Moving containers run about 36% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 76% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 577-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 577-mile route from Arlington to Indianapolis, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,307 - $3,616 | $931 - $1,749 | $456 - $858 | $839 - $1,637 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,014 - $5,030 | $1,295 - $2,466 | $481 - $969 | $995 - $1,993 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,705 - $7,129 | $1,728 - $3,248 | $601 - $1,230 | $1,409 - $2,649 |
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 Arlington, VA to Indianapolis, IN
Full-service movers for the 577-mile relocation from Arlington, Virginia, to Indianapolis, Indiana, cost between $1,307 and $7,129. 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: $1,307 - $3,616
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,014 - $5,030
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,705 - $7,129
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.
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 Arlington, VA to Indianapolis, IN
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Arlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Indianapolis, 59% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $664 - $6,640 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $266 - $1,594/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $398 - $3,187 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs54% 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 items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,328 - $3,320 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,062 - $4,648 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $398 - $1,992 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $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 our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Arlington, VA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Arlington, VA to Indianapolis, IN
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Indianapolis, Indiana, cost between $931 and $3,248. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Arlington typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to Indianapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $931 - $1,749
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,295 - $2,466
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,728 - $3,248
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 Arlington, VA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $930, 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 $100 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $199 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Arlington, VA, 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 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 $931. 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 $1,295 - $2,466.
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:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 11 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to Indianapolis, IN
A rental truck for this 577-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Indianapolis, Indiana, costs between $456 and $1,230. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- 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: $456 - $858
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $481 - $969
- 4+ bedrooms: $601 - $1,230
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Arlington to Indianapolis starts at $456 - $1,230, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($244 - $279), overnight lodging ($199/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?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $100 and $465.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $199.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $244 and $279 for the 577-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $930 for 2 movers in Arlington, Virginia, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
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
If you're moving a larger household from Arlington, Virginia, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Indianapolis, Indiana.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $995 and $1,993.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to Indianapolis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $839 - $1,637
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $995 - $1,993
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,409 - $2,649
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 $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 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Arlington to Indianapolis. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
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 use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Virginia to Indiana over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 262 movers in our Virginia network to compare for this 577-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Arlington, VA, to Indianapolis, IN, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,307 - $7,129 on the 577-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $931 - $3,248 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $456 - $1,230 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,014 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live 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.
How long does a move from Arlington, VA to Indianapolis, IN take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 6 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 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 is the cheapest way to move from Arlington, VA 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 $481 - $969. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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 79.15 and 15.67 in Arlington. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Arlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 34% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.