Indianapolis, IN → Charleston, SC · Long-distance move

Movers from Indianapolis to Charleston

About 696 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,660–$5,440, delivery in 2–5 days, 806 carriers on the Indianapolis side and 180 in Charleston.

696 miroad distance
12 h 42 mindriving time
2–5 daysdelivery window
$3,660–$5,4402-bedroom estimate

Photo: Chris Pruitt · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Route summary

From: Indianapolis, Indiana
To: Charleston, South Carolina
Road distance: ≈ 696 miles (590 straight-line)
Drive time: 12 h 42 min
Delivery window: 2–5 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 806 (576 interstate)
Movers at destination: 180 (89 interstate)

Reverse: Charleston → Indianapolis

Charleston sits about 696 miles southeast of Indianapolis, which makes this an interstate relocation from Indiana to South Carolina that most movers classify as a long-distance move.

At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $3,660 to $5,440 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 2 to 5 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 12 h 42 min.

On the Indianapolis side there are 806 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (576 of them authorized for interstate work), and 180 around Charleston (89 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Charleston.

Indianapolis has a population of about 901,116 and Charleston about 159,423. Indianapolis is considerably denser (2,455 people per square mile versus 1,309), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination.

Cost of moving from Indianapolis to Charleston

Full-service estimate for 696 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,460	$1,780	$2,180
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,190	$2,680	$3,260
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,660	$4,460	$5,440
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$5,850	$7,130	$8,700
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$8,040	$9,810	$11,970

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,020–$1,430

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$1,640–$2,410

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$3,660–$5,440

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Indianapolis, IN → Charleston, SC. Adjust the other options to see your range.

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Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Indianapolis (origin)

Gme

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Golden Mile Enterprises INC

USDOT: 2837726
MC: 949779
Based in: Indianapolis, IN 46221 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 375 trucks, 395 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (317) 765-5600 Route Verify on FMCSA

Wheaton World Wide Moving

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Wheaton Van Lines INC

USDOT: 70719
MC: 87113
Based in: Indianapolis, IN 46250 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 767 trucks, 937 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (317) 849-7900 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ktl

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Ktl INC

USDOT: 2352168
MC: 805371
Based in: Carmel, IN 46032 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 114 trucks, 110 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (317) 565-1903 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lsc Transportation Company LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1575730
MC: 1452299
Based in: Indianapolis, IN 46268 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 111 trucks, 79 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (317) 550-2500 Route Verify on FMCSA

Joyce Van Lines INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 247771
MC: 169755
Based in: Indianapolis, IN 46219 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 87 trucks, 53 drivers
USDOT registered: 1984

Call (317) 788-9210 Route Verify on FMCSA

Fastmover Express INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3701508
MC: 1295347
Based in: Fishers, IN 46038 (15 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 80 trucks, 70 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (609) 854-0397 Route Verify on FMCSA

Manila Express INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2516438
MC: 873157
Based in: Carmel, IN 46032 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 61 trucks, 65 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (559) 558-8900 Route Verify on FMCSA

Daum Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 638153
MC: 303799
Based in: Plainfield, IN 46168 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 55 trucks, 63 drivers
USDOT registered: 1996

Call (317) 839-4173 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 806 movers in Indianapolis

Near Charleston (destination)

Antler Transport LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 951978
MC: 407642
Based in: Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 143 trucks, 143 drivers
USDOT registered: 2001

Call (843) 849-0451 Route Verify on FMCSA

Harbor Logistics

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Ats Intermodal LLC

USDOT: 776430
MC: 347563
Based in: North Charleston, SC 29418 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 139 trucks, 117 drivers
USDOT registered: 1998

Call (843) 308-9600 Route Verify on FMCSA

Precise Logistical Services INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3298761
MC: 1045896
Based in: N Charleston, SC 29420 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 55 trucks, 55 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (843) 425-3495 Route Verify on FMCSA

Xon Logistic LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3730419
MC: 1316630
Based in: Charleston, SC 29414 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 45 trucks, 49 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (305) 916-0122 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Aba Moving & Storage INC

USDOT: 3402685
MC: 1095537
Based in: N Charleston, SC 29406 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 14 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (843) 529-0220 Route Verify on FMCSA

Harbor Logistics

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Premier Logistics LLC

USDOT: 1220227
MC: 340338
Based in: Hanahan, SC 29410 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 12 trucks, 17 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (843) 554-7529 Route Verify on FMCSA

All My Sons Moving & Storage Of Charleston LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2276296
MC: 779892
Based in: North Charleston, SC 29405 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (469) 461-5000 Route Verify on FMCSA

Smooth Move

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Go Smooth Move LLC

USDOT: 2357653
MC: 834668
Based in: North Charleston, SC 29405 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (843) 860-9717 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 180 movers in Charleston

Tips for this move

Keep vehicle titles, passports and prescriptions with you; movers cannot carry some items at all.
Insist on a binding or binding-not-to-exceed estimate after an in-home or video survey.
Verify the carrier's USDOT and MC numbers on the FMCSA site before paying a deposit.
Ask how the delivery window is calculated and what the delay compensation is.

Near Indianapolis

Near Charleston

Related routes

Other destinations from Indianapolis

Other origins to Charleston

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Indianapolis to Charleston?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,460 to $2,180 for a studio, $2,190 to $3,260 for a one-bedroom, $3,660 to $5,440 for a two-bedroom, $5,850 to $8,700 for a three-bedroom and $8,040 to $11,970 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Charleston from Indianapolis?

About 696 road miles (590 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 12 h 42 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 2 to 5 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Indiana into South Carolina makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Indianapolis to Charleston?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,020 to $1,430 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,640 to $2,410. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Indianapolis–Charleston corridor.