Moving from Californiato Indiana
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Los Angeles and Indianapolis it is about 2,105 miles and 5 days on the road (about 38 hours of driving); the 75 city pairs we price between the two states run from 1,952 to 2,316 miles.
Prices from our published model, not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. We do not move anyone.
Los Angeles to Indianapolis, the representative route
Each state is represented by its largest city we cover. The map shows that corridor; the table further down prices every city pair between California and Indiana.
Cost of moving from California to Indiana
At about 2,105 miles, full-service movers should land around $9,473 – $12,630 for a two-bedroom home and $10,893 – $14,525 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $6,820 – $9,094; a freight trailer is $4,547 – $6,062.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $7,104 – $9,473 | $5,115 – $6,820 | $3,410 – $4,547 |
| 1 bedroom | $8,525 – $11,367 | $6,138 – $8,184 | $4,092 – $5,456 |
| 2 bedrooms | $9,473 – $12,630 | $6,820 – $9,094 | $4,547 – $6,062 |
| 3 bedrooms | $10,893 – $14,525 | $7,843 – $10,458 | $5,229 – $6,972 |
| 4 bedrooms | $12,314 – $16,419 | $8,866 – $11,822 | $5,911 – $7,881 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $14,209 – $18,945 | $10,230 – $13,640 | $6,820 – $9,094 |
Transport only, for an estimated 2,105 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
City-to-city routes from California to Indiana
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 75 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moreno Valley to Evansville | ~1,952 mi | 7–14 days | $8,784 – $11,712 | $10,102 – $13,469 |
| San Bernardino to Evansville | ~1,952 mi | 7–14 days | $8,784 – $11,712 | $10,102 – $13,469 |
| Fontana to Evansville | ~1,963 mi | 7–14 days | $8,834 – $11,778 | $10,159 – $13,545 |
| Riverside to Evansville | ~1,963 mi | 7–14 days | $8,834 – $11,778 | $10,159 – $13,545 |
| Chula Vista to Evansville | ~1,974 mi | 7–14 days | $8,883 – $11,844 | $10,215 – $13,621 |
| Ontario to Evansville | ~1,974 mi | 7–14 days | $8,883 – $11,844 | $10,215 – $13,621 |
| San Diego to Evansville | ~1,981 mi | 7–14 days | $8,915 – $11,886 | $10,252 – $13,669 |
| Anaheim to Evansville | ~1,988 mi | 7–14 days | $8,946 – $11,928 | $10,288 – $13,717 |
| Irvine to Evansville | ~1,994 mi | 7–14 days | $8,973 – $11,964 | $10,319 – $13,759 |
| Lancaster to Evansville | ~1,995 mi | 7–14 days | $8,978 – $11,970 | $10,324 – $13,766 |
| Santa Ana to Evansville | ~1,999 mi | 7–14 days | $8,996 – $11,994 | $10,345 – $13,793 |
| Los Angeles to Evansville | ~2,014 mi | 7–14 days | $9,063 – $12,084 | $10,422 – $13,897 |
| Long Beach to Evansville | ~2,018 mi | 7–14 days | $9,081 – $12,108 | $10,443 – $13,924 |
| Santa Clarita to Evansville | ~2,022 mi | 7–14 days | $9,099 – $12,132 | $10,464 – $13,952 |
| Bakersfield to Evansville | ~2,035 mi | 7–14 days | $9,158 – $12,210 | $10,531 – $14,042 |
| San Bernardino to Indianapolis | ~2,044 mi | 7–14 days | $9,198 – $12,264 | $10,578 – $14,104 |
| Moreno Valley to Indianapolis | ~2,045 mi | 7–14 days | $9,203 – $12,270 | $10,583 – $14,111 |
| Fresno to Evansville | ~2,055 mi | 7–14 days | $9,248 – $12,330 | $10,635 – $14,180 |
| Fontana to Indianapolis | ~2,056 mi | 7–14 days | $9,252 – $12,336 | $10,640 – $14,186 |
| Riverside to Indianapolis | ~2,056 mi | 7–14 days | $9,252 – $12,336 | $10,640 – $14,186 |
| Ontario to Indianapolis | ~2,066 mi | 7–14 days | $9,297 – $12,396 | $10,692 – $14,255 |
| Oxnard to Evansville | ~2,072 mi | 7–14 days | $9,324 – $12,432 | $10,723 – $14,297 |
| Chula Vista to Indianapolis | ~2,075 mi | 7–14 days | $9,338 – $12,450 | $10,738 – $14,318 |
| Anaheim to Indianapolis | ~2,082 mi | 7–14 days | $9,369 – $12,492 | $10,774 – $14,366 |
| Lancaster to Indianapolis | ~2,082 mi | 7–14 days | $9,369 – $12,492 | $10,774 – $14,366 |
| San Diego to Indianapolis | ~2,082 mi | 7–14 days | $9,369 – $12,492 | $10,774 – $14,366 |
| Irvine to Indianapolis | ~2,088 mi | 7–14 days | $9,396 – $12,528 | $10,805 – $14,407 |
| Santa Ana to Indianapolis | ~2,093 mi | 7–14 days | $9,419 – $12,558 | $10,831 – $14,442 |
| Los Angeles to Indianapolis | ~2,105 mi | 7–14 days | $9,473 – $12,630 | $10,893 – $14,525 |
| Long Beach to Indianapolis | ~2,111 mi | 7–14 days | $9,500 – $12,666 | $10,924 – $14,566 |
| Santa Clarita to Indianapolis | ~2,111 mi | 7–14 days | $9,500 – $12,666 | $10,924 – $14,566 |
| San Bernardino to Fort Wayne | ~2,114 mi | 7–14 days | $9,513 – $12,684 | $10,940 – $14,587 |
| Moreno Valley to Fort Wayne | ~2,116 mi | 7–14 days | $9,522 – $12,696 | $10,950 – $14,600 |
| Modesto to Evansville | ~2,117 mi | 7–14 days | $9,527 – $12,702 | $10,955 – $14,607 |
| Bakersfield to Indianapolis | ~2,118 mi | 7–14 days | $9,531 – $12,708 | $10,961 – $14,614 |
| Roseville to Evansville | ~2,120 mi | 7–14 days | $9,540 – $12,720 | $10,971 – $14,628 |
| Fontana to Fort Wayne | ~2,125 mi | 7–14 days | $9,563 – $12,750 | $10,997 – $14,663 |
| Riverside to Fort Wayne | ~2,127 mi | 7–14 days | $9,572 – $12,762 | $11,007 – $14,676 |
| Fresno to Indianapolis | ~2,129 mi | 7–14 days | $9,581 – $12,774 | $11,018 – $14,690 |
| Stockton to Evansville | ~2,131 mi | 7–14 days | $9,590 – $12,786 | $11,028 – $14,704 |
| Sacramento to Evansville | ~2,134 mi | 7–14 days | $9,603 – $12,804 | $11,043 – $14,725 |
| Ontario to Fort Wayne | ~2,136 mi | 7–14 days | $9,612 – $12,816 | $11,054 – $14,738 |
| Lancaster to Fort Wayne | ~2,149 mi | 7–14 days | $9,671 – $12,894 | $11,121 – $14,828 |
| Chula Vista to Fort Wayne | ~2,151 mi | 7–14 days | $9,680 – $12,906 | $11,131 – $14,842 |
| Anaheim to Fort Wayne | ~2,152 mi | 7–14 days | $9,684 – $12,912 | $11,137 – $14,849 |
| San Diego to Fort Wayne | ~2,156 mi | 7–14 days | $9,702 – $12,936 | $11,157 – $14,876 |
| Irvine to Fort Wayne | ~2,158 mi | 7–14 days | $9,711 – $12,948 | $11,168 – $14,890 |
| Oxnard to Indianapolis | ~2,161 mi | 7–14 days | $9,725 – $12,966 | $11,183 – $14,911 |
| Santa Ana to Fort Wayne | ~2,163 mi | 7–14 days | $9,734 – $12,978 | $11,194 – $14,925 |
| Los Angeles to Fort Wayne | ~2,174 mi | 7–14 days | $9,783 – $13,044 | $11,250 – $15,001 |
| San Jose to Evansville | ~2,177 mi | 7–14 days | $9,797 – $13,062 | $11,266 – $15,021 |
| Fremont to Evansville | ~2,178 mi | 7–14 days | $9,801 – $13,068 | $11,271 – $15,028 |
| Santa Clarita to Fort Wayne | ~2,178 mi | 7–14 days | $9,801 – $13,068 | $11,271 – $15,028 |
| Bakersfield to Fort Wayne | ~2,180 mi | 7–14 days | $9,810 – $13,080 | $11,282 – $15,042 |
| Roseville to Indianapolis | ~2,180 mi | 7–14 days | $9,810 – $13,080 | $11,282 – $15,042 |
| Long Beach to Fort Wayne | ~2,181 mi | 7–14 days | $9,815 – $13,086 | $11,287 – $15,049 |
| Modesto to Indianapolis | ~2,184 mi | 7–14 days | $9,828 – $13,104 | $11,302 – $15,070 |
| Fresno to Fort Wayne | ~2,185 mi | 7–14 days | $9,833 – $13,110 | $11,307 – $15,077 |
| Oakland to Evansville | ~2,193 mi | 7–14 days | $9,869 – $13,158 | $11,349 – $15,132 |
| Sacramento to Indianapolis | ~2,195 mi | 7–14 days | $9,878 – $13,170 | $11,359 – $15,146 |
| Stockton to Indianapolis | ~2,195 mi | 7–14 days | $9,878 – $13,170 | $11,359 – $15,146 |
| San Francisco to Evansville | ~2,202 mi | 7–14 days | $9,909 – $13,212 | $11,395 – $15,194 |
| Roseville to Fort Wayne | ~2,227 mi | 7–14 days | $10,022 – $13,362 | $11,525 – $15,366 |
| Oxnard to Fort Wayne | ~2,228 mi | 7–14 days | $10,026 – $13,368 | $11,530 – $15,373 |
| Modesto to Fort Wayne | ~2,235 mi | 7–14 days | $10,058 – $13,410 | $11,566 – $15,422 |
| Sacramento to Fort Wayne | ~2,242 mi | 7–14 days | $10,089 – $13,452 | $11,602 – $15,470 |
| Fremont to Indianapolis | ~2,244 mi | 7–14 days | $10,098 – $13,464 | $11,613 – $15,484 |
| San Jose to Indianapolis | ~2,245 mi | 7–14 days | $10,103 – $13,470 | $11,618 – $15,491 |
| Stockton to Fort Wayne | ~2,245 mi | 7–14 days | $10,103 – $13,470 | $11,618 – $15,491 |
| Oakland to Indianapolis | ~2,258 mi | 7–14 days | $10,161 – $13,548 | $11,685 – $15,580 |
| San Francisco to Indianapolis | ~2,267 mi | 7–14 days | $10,202 – $13,602 | $11,732 – $15,642 |
| Fremont to Fort Wayne | ~2,296 mi | 7–14 days | $10,332 – $13,776 | $11,882 – $15,842 |
| San Jose to Fort Wayne | ~2,297 mi | 7–14 days | $10,337 – $13,782 | $11,887 – $15,849 |
| Oakland to Fort Wayne | ~2,308 mi | 7–14 days | $10,386 – $13,848 | $11,944 – $15,925 |
| San Francisco to Fort Wayne | ~2,316 mi | 7–14 days | $10,422 – $13,896 | $11,985 – $15,980 |
Routes without a link are priced on estimated distance only; the calculator measures the exact drive.
What the interstate rules give you
A licensed carrier. Active interstate operating authority (an MC number) and a USDOT number, both checkable on the FMCSA register. A company that offers neither is a broker at best.
A written estimate before loading. Binding fixes the price for the listed inventory; non-binding follows the weighed shipment. The carrier cannot demand more than 110% of a non-binding estimate at delivery, with the balance billed within 30 days. Ask for binding not-to-exceed by name, after a survey.
Valuation. Released-value protection is included at 60 cents per pound per item; full-value protection is the upgrade worth buying for 2,105 miles of handling.
A delivery window, in writing. If it is on the bill of lading, missing it entitles you to delay costs. If it is not, it entitles you to an apology.
Interstate movers based in California
1,617 household-goods carriers in California are active on the FMCSA register. The largest with interstate authority, by registered fleet:
- Air Container Transfer, Brisbane · USDOT 1701515 · 60 trucks
- Meathead Movers Inc, San Luis Obispo · USDOT 921143 · 53 trucks
- Waters Moving & Storage Inc, Martinez · USDOT 1125579 · 35 trucks
- Move Happy Acme, Los Angeles · USDOT 3136064 · 31 trucks
- Crown Worldwide Moving And Storage Llc, Union City · USDOT 2970 · 25 trucks
At the Indiana end
174 household-goods carriers are based in Indiana — useful if you need a local crew after delivery. A local move inside Indianapolis runs about $475 – $775 for a two-bedroom home.
Timing the move
| Home size | October – April, mid-week | Summer weekend (+25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $9,473 – $12,630 | $11,841 – $15,788 |
| 3 bedrooms | $10,893 – $14,525 | $13,616 – $18,156 |
Transit is 7 to 14 days. Book ahead: 6 to 8 weeks, 8 to 12 in summer. Trailers on this corridor fill faster in summer, but crews and trucks are stretched, so windows get wider, not shorter.
Other moves from California
California to Indiana moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from California to Indiana?
Between the two states' main cities, Los Angeles and Indianapolis, the distance is about 2,105 miles. From our model that is $9,473 – $12,630 for a two-bedroom home and $10,893 – $14,525 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $6,820 – $9,094 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $4,547 – $6,062. Across the 75 city pairs we price between California and Indiana, distances run from 1,952 to 2,316 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from California to Indiana take?
Los Angeles to Indianapolis is 5 days on the road (about 38 hours of driving). The move itself typically takes 7 to 14 days, because at this distance it usually travels on a consolidated load sharing trailer space with other households. Get the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 6 to 8 weeks, 8 to 12 in summer.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for California to Indiana?
Yes. Any move that crosses from California into Indiana is regulated by the FMCSA, and the carrier must hold active interstate operating authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. Check both on the FMCSA register before you sign. Interstate carriers must give you a written estimate, the federal "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" booklet, and access to an arbitration programme, and cannot demand more than 110% of a non-binding estimate before releasing your goods.
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Indiana?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $4,547 – $6,062 for a two-bedroom home over 2,105 miles against $9,473 – $12,630 with full-service movers. A container splits the difference and gives you days to load. On any of them, moving between October and April, mid-month and mid-week, is worth another 20 to 30 percent — a peak-season date puts the three-bedroom figure at $13,616 – $18,156 rather than $10,893 – $14,525.