Moving from Indianato California
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Indianapolis and Los Angeles 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.
Indianapolis to Los Angeles, 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 Indiana and California.
Cost of moving from Indiana to California
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 Indiana to California
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evansville to Moreno Valley | ~1,952 mi | 7–14 days | $8,784 – $11,712 | $10,102 – $13,469 |
| Evansville to San Bernardino | ~1,952 mi | 7–14 days | $8,784 – $11,712 | $10,102 – $13,469 |
| Evansville to Fontana | ~1,963 mi | 7–14 days | $8,834 – $11,778 | $10,159 – $13,545 |
| Evansville to Riverside | ~1,963 mi | 7–14 days | $8,834 – $11,778 | $10,159 – $13,545 |
| Evansville to Chula Vista | ~1,974 mi | 7–14 days | $8,883 – $11,844 | $10,215 – $13,621 |
| Evansville to Ontario | ~1,974 mi | 7–14 days | $8,883 – $11,844 | $10,215 – $13,621 |
| Evansville to San Diego | ~1,981 mi | 7–14 days | $8,915 – $11,886 | $10,252 – $13,669 |
| Evansville to Anaheim | ~1,988 mi | 7–14 days | $8,946 – $11,928 | $10,288 – $13,717 |
| Evansville to Irvine | ~1,994 mi | 7–14 days | $8,973 – $11,964 | $10,319 – $13,759 |
| Evansville to Lancaster | ~1,995 mi | 7–14 days | $8,978 – $11,970 | $10,324 – $13,766 |
| Evansville to Santa Ana | ~1,999 mi | 7–14 days | $8,996 – $11,994 | $10,345 – $13,793 |
| Evansville to Los Angeles | ~2,014 mi | 7–14 days | $9,063 – $12,084 | $10,422 – $13,897 |
| Evansville to Long Beach | ~2,018 mi | 7–14 days | $9,081 – $12,108 | $10,443 – $13,924 |
| Evansville to Santa Clarita | ~2,022 mi | 7–14 days | $9,099 – $12,132 | $10,464 – $13,952 |
| Evansville to Bakersfield | ~2,035 mi | 7–14 days | $9,158 – $12,210 | $10,531 – $14,042 |
| Indianapolis to San Bernardino | ~2,044 mi | 7–14 days | $9,198 – $12,264 | $10,578 – $14,104 |
| Indianapolis to Moreno Valley | ~2,045 mi | 7–14 days | $9,203 – $12,270 | $10,583 – $14,111 |
| Evansville to Fresno | ~2,055 mi | 7–14 days | $9,248 – $12,330 | $10,635 – $14,180 |
| Indianapolis to Fontana | ~2,056 mi | 7–14 days | $9,252 – $12,336 | $10,640 – $14,186 |
| Indianapolis to Riverside | ~2,056 mi | 7–14 days | $9,252 – $12,336 | $10,640 – $14,186 |
| Indianapolis to Ontario | ~2,066 mi | 7–14 days | $9,297 – $12,396 | $10,692 – $14,255 |
| Evansville to Oxnard | ~2,072 mi | 7–14 days | $9,324 – $12,432 | $10,723 – $14,297 |
| Indianapolis to Chula Vista | ~2,075 mi | 7–14 days | $9,338 – $12,450 | $10,738 – $14,318 |
| Indianapolis to Anaheim | ~2,082 mi | 7–14 days | $9,369 – $12,492 | $10,774 – $14,366 |
| Indianapolis to Lancaster | ~2,082 mi | 7–14 days | $9,369 – $12,492 | $10,774 – $14,366 |
| Indianapolis to San Diego | ~2,082 mi | 7–14 days | $9,369 – $12,492 | $10,774 – $14,366 |
| Indianapolis to Irvine | ~2,088 mi | 7–14 days | $9,396 – $12,528 | $10,805 – $14,407 |
| Indianapolis to Santa Ana | ~2,093 mi | 7–14 days | $9,419 – $12,558 | $10,831 – $14,442 |
| Indianapolis to Los Angeles | ~2,105 mi | 7–14 days | $9,473 – $12,630 | $10,893 – $14,525 |
| Indianapolis to Long Beach | ~2,111 mi | 7–14 days | $9,500 – $12,666 | $10,924 – $14,566 |
| Indianapolis to Santa Clarita | ~2,111 mi | 7–14 days | $9,500 – $12,666 | $10,924 – $14,566 |
| Fort Wayne to San Bernardino | ~2,114 mi | 7–14 days | $9,513 – $12,684 | $10,940 – $14,587 |
| Fort Wayne to Moreno Valley | ~2,116 mi | 7–14 days | $9,522 – $12,696 | $10,950 – $14,600 |
| Evansville to Modesto | ~2,117 mi | 7–14 days | $9,527 – $12,702 | $10,955 – $14,607 |
| Indianapolis to Bakersfield | ~2,118 mi | 7–14 days | $9,531 – $12,708 | $10,961 – $14,614 |
| Evansville to Roseville | ~2,120 mi | 7–14 days | $9,540 – $12,720 | $10,971 – $14,628 |
| Fort Wayne to Fontana | ~2,125 mi | 7–14 days | $9,563 – $12,750 | $10,997 – $14,663 |
| Fort Wayne to Riverside | ~2,127 mi | 7–14 days | $9,572 – $12,762 | $11,007 – $14,676 |
| Indianapolis to Fresno | ~2,129 mi | 7–14 days | $9,581 – $12,774 | $11,018 – $14,690 |
| Evansville to Stockton | ~2,131 mi | 7–14 days | $9,590 – $12,786 | $11,028 – $14,704 |
| Evansville to Sacramento | ~2,134 mi | 7–14 days | $9,603 – $12,804 | $11,043 – $14,725 |
| Fort Wayne to Ontario | ~2,136 mi | 7–14 days | $9,612 – $12,816 | $11,054 – $14,738 |
| Fort Wayne to Lancaster | ~2,149 mi | 7–14 days | $9,671 – $12,894 | $11,121 – $14,828 |
| Fort Wayne to Chula Vista | ~2,151 mi | 7–14 days | $9,680 – $12,906 | $11,131 – $14,842 |
| Fort Wayne to Anaheim | ~2,152 mi | 7–14 days | $9,684 – $12,912 | $11,137 – $14,849 |
| Fort Wayne to San Diego | ~2,156 mi | 7–14 days | $9,702 – $12,936 | $11,157 – $14,876 |
| Fort Wayne to Irvine | ~2,158 mi | 7–14 days | $9,711 – $12,948 | $11,168 – $14,890 |
| Indianapolis to Oxnard | ~2,161 mi | 7–14 days | $9,725 – $12,966 | $11,183 – $14,911 |
| Fort Wayne to Santa Ana | ~2,163 mi | 7–14 days | $9,734 – $12,978 | $11,194 – $14,925 |
| Fort Wayne to Los Angeles | ~2,174 mi | 7–14 days | $9,783 – $13,044 | $11,250 – $15,001 |
| Evansville to San Jose | ~2,177 mi | 7–14 days | $9,797 – $13,062 | $11,266 – $15,021 |
| Evansville to Fremont | ~2,178 mi | 7–14 days | $9,801 – $13,068 | $11,271 – $15,028 |
| Fort Wayne to Santa Clarita | ~2,178 mi | 7–14 days | $9,801 – $13,068 | $11,271 – $15,028 |
| Fort Wayne to Bakersfield | ~2,180 mi | 7–14 days | $9,810 – $13,080 | $11,282 – $15,042 |
| Indianapolis to Roseville | ~2,180 mi | 7–14 days | $9,810 – $13,080 | $11,282 – $15,042 |
| Fort Wayne to Long Beach | ~2,181 mi | 7–14 days | $9,815 – $13,086 | $11,287 – $15,049 |
| Indianapolis to Modesto | ~2,184 mi | 7–14 days | $9,828 – $13,104 | $11,302 – $15,070 |
| Fort Wayne to Fresno | ~2,185 mi | 7–14 days | $9,833 – $13,110 | $11,307 – $15,077 |
| Evansville to Oakland | ~2,193 mi | 7–14 days | $9,869 – $13,158 | $11,349 – $15,132 |
| Indianapolis to Sacramento | ~2,195 mi | 7–14 days | $9,878 – $13,170 | $11,359 – $15,146 |
| Indianapolis to Stockton | ~2,195 mi | 7–14 days | $9,878 – $13,170 | $11,359 – $15,146 |
| Evansville to San Francisco | ~2,202 mi | 7–14 days | $9,909 – $13,212 | $11,395 – $15,194 |
| Fort Wayne to Roseville | ~2,227 mi | 7–14 days | $10,022 – $13,362 | $11,525 – $15,366 |
| Fort Wayne to Oxnard | ~2,228 mi | 7–14 days | $10,026 – $13,368 | $11,530 – $15,373 |
| Fort Wayne to Modesto | ~2,235 mi | 7–14 days | $10,058 – $13,410 | $11,566 – $15,422 |
| Fort Wayne to Sacramento | ~2,242 mi | 7–14 days | $10,089 – $13,452 | $11,602 – $15,470 |
| Indianapolis to Fremont | ~2,244 mi | 7–14 days | $10,098 – $13,464 | $11,613 – $15,484 |
| Fort Wayne to Stockton | ~2,245 mi | 7–14 days | $10,103 – $13,470 | $11,618 – $15,491 |
| Indianapolis to San Jose | ~2,245 mi | 7–14 days | $10,103 – $13,470 | $11,618 – $15,491 |
| Indianapolis to Oakland | ~2,258 mi | 7–14 days | $10,161 – $13,548 | $11,685 – $15,580 |
| Indianapolis to San Francisco | ~2,267 mi | 7–14 days | $10,202 – $13,602 | $11,732 – $15,642 |
| Fort Wayne to Fremont | ~2,296 mi | 7–14 days | $10,332 – $13,776 | $11,882 – $15,842 |
| Fort Wayne to San Jose | ~2,297 mi | 7–14 days | $10,337 – $13,782 | $11,887 – $15,849 |
| Fort Wayne to Oakland | ~2,308 mi | 7–14 days | $10,386 – $13,848 | $11,944 – $15,925 |
| Fort Wayne to San Francisco | ~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 Indiana
174 household-goods carriers in Indiana are active on the FMCSA register. The largest with interstate authority, by registered fleet:
- Atlas Van Lines Inc, Evansville · USDOT 125550 · 2731 trucks
- North American Moving & Storage, Fort Wayne · USDOT 70851 · 1333 trucks
- Allied Van Lines Inc, Fort Wayne · USDOT 76235 · 1056 trucks
- Wheaton World Wide Moving, Indianapolis · USDOT 70719 · 767 trucks
- Joyce Van Lines Inc, Indianapolis · USDOT 247771 · 87 trucks
At the California end
1,617 household-goods carriers are based in California — useful if you need a local crew after delivery. A local move inside Los Angeles 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 Indiana
Indiana to California moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Indiana to California?
Between the two states' main cities, Indianapolis and Los Angeles, 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 Indiana and California, distances run from 1,952 to 2,316 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from Indiana to California take?
Indianapolis to Los Angeles 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 Indiana to California?
Yes. Any move that crosses from Indiana into California 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 Indiana to California?
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.