Moving from Chicago, IL to Indianapolis, IN
About 192 miles across a state line, from Illinois into Indiana, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Chicago, IL to Indianapolis, IN covers about 192 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $864 – $1,152 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 1 to 3 days. About 1,089 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
A short interstate haul: 192 miles, about 3 hours of driving. Long enough to be priced on weight, short enough that most carriers run it on a dedicated truck rather than pooling your goods with other shipments — a two-bedroom home typically runs $864 – $1,152. That means a tight delivery date and far less handling.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- about 3 hours
- Usually moves on
- a dedicated truck
- Book ahead
- 2 to 4 weeks
Cost of moving from Chicago to Indianapolis
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $648 – $864 | $467 – $622 | $311 – $415 |
| 1 bedroom | $778 – $1,037 | $560 – $746 | $373 – $498 |
| 2 bedrooms | $864 – $1,152 | $622 – $829 | $415 – $553 |
| 3 bedrooms | $994 – $1,325 | $715 – $954 | $477 – $636 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,123 – $1,498 | $809 – $1,078 | $539 – $719 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $1,296 – $1,728 | $933 – $1,244 | $622 – $829 |
Transport only, for an estimated 192 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.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, Chicago to Indianapolis
192 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $960. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $864 to $1,152, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from Chicago to Indianapolis
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 1,089 people a year (±417) moved from Cook County, IL, home to Chicago, to Marion County, IN, home to Indianapolis. Going the other way: about 1,258 people a year (±425). Movers from Cook County make up 2.5% of the 43,921 people a year who moved into Marion County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 25,727 people a year (±3,764) moving from Illinois to Indiana and about 14,098 people a year (±3,099) from Indiana to Illinois — a net gain for Indiana of about 11,629 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| DuPage County, IL | 21,050 ±1,662 |
| Will County, IL | 12,267 ±1,138 |
| Lake County, IL | 11,414 ±1,215 |
| Lake County, IN | 9,145 ±1,341 |
| Kane County, IL | 8,885 ±1,239 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Hendricks County, IN | 3,318 ±649 |
| Hamilton County, IN | 3,126 ±470 |
| Johnson County, IN | 2,183 ±521 |
| Lake County, IN | 1,722 ±877 |
| Monroe County, IN | 1,428 ±330 |
Licensed movers at each end
154 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Chicago (245 counting those licensed only inside Illinois). 81 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 20.3% of their 615 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New World Van Lines IncUSDOT 258748 | Chicago · 11 mi | 204 trucks | 201 | 14.7% of 129 |
| National Van Lines IncUSDOT 76628 | Broadview · 12 mi | 174 trucks | 143 | 32.1% of 78 |
| New City Moving & Storage LLCUSDOT 4020807 | Chicago · 6 mi | 82 trucks | 17 | 25.0% of 8 |
| Complete Moving IncUSDOT 4017704 | Arlington Heights · 25 mi | 80 trucks | 240 | 19.9% of 186 |
| Em Transfer Services IncUSDOT 2914046 | Addison · 20 mi | 36 trucks | 41 | 33.3% of 15 |
| Hollander International Storage and Moving Company IncUSDOT 131735 | Elk Grove Village · 22 mi | 23 drivers | 5 | 0.0% of 1 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Indianapolis end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Indianapolis: Wheaton World Wide Moving (Indianapolis, 767 trucks), Joyce Van Lines Inc (Indianapolis, 87 trucks), Fastmover Express Inc (Fishers, 80 trucks), WS Thomas Transfer LLC (Greenfield, 63 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Illinois into Indiana, 49 CFR Part 375 applies: a written estimate before loading, no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate collected at delivery, and full-value protection unless you choose released value in writing. See binding vs non-binding estimates and valuation explained.
Before you book Chicago to Indianapolis
Ask whether it is hourly or flat
At 192 miles some carriers still quote hourly plus mileage rather than by weight. Get both numbers so you can compare like with like — hourly can win on a short haul with easy access at both ends.
Confirm it is a one-day run
Most carriers cover this distance in a single day, which avoids an overnight charge and a second crew. If a quote assumes two days, ask why.
Arriving in Indianapolis
A local move inside Indianapolis later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $485 – $789 for a two-bedroom home and $813 – $1,452 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Indianapolis are Cincinnati (about 116 mi), Dayton (about 121 mi), Fort Wayne (about 123 mi).
Other routes from Chicago
All routes from Chicago, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago to Milwaukee, WI | ~95 mi | $475 – $775 |
| Chicago to Madison, WI | ~142 mi | $639 – $852 |
| Chicago to Grand Rapids, MI | ~146 mi | $657 – $876 |
| Chicago to Peoria, IL | ~152 mi | $684 – $912 |
| Chicago to Fort Wayne, IN | ~163 mi | $734 – $978 |
| Chicago to Lansing, MI | ~195 mi | $878 – $1,170 |
| Chicago to Springfield, IL | ~208 mi | $936 – $1,248 |
| Chicago to Ann Arbor, MI | ~234 mi | $1,053 – $1,404 |
Also moving to Indianapolis: from Cincinnati, OH, from Dayton, OH, from Fort Wayne, IN, from Louisville, KY.
Chicago to Indianapolis moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Indianapolis?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 192 miles cost about $648 – $864 for a studio, $864 – $1,152 for a two-bedroom home and $994 – $1,325 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Chicago to Indianapolis take?
The drive is about 3 hours, but the move usually takes 1 to 3 days because it moves on a dedicated truck, because the corridor is too short to be worth consolidating. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 2 to 4 weeks, 4 to 6 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Chicago to Indianapolis?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $415 – $553 for a two-bedroom home, against $864 – $1,152 with full-service movers; a moving container is $622 – $829.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Chicago to Indianapolis?
Yes. Chicago is in Illinois and Indianapolis is in Indiana, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 154 listed movers within 30 miles of Chicago hold it.
How many people move from Chicago to Indianapolis each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 1,089 people a year (margin of error ±417) moved from Cook County, which contains Chicago, to Marion County, which contains Indianapolis.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.