Indianapolis, IN → Des Moines, IA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Indianapolis to Des Moines

About 484 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,110–$4,630, delivery in 1–3 days, 806 carriers on the Indianapolis side and 191 in Des Moines.

484 miroad distance
9 h 3 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$3,110–$4,6302-bedroom estimate

Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Indianapolis, Indiana
To: Des Moines, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 484 miles (410 straight-line)
Drive time: 9 h 3 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 806 (576 interstate)
Movers at destination: 191 (116 interstate)

Reverse: Des Moines → Indianapolis

The route from Indianapolis, IN to Des Moines, IA covers roughly 484 miles by road, a west-bound trip that falls into the regional long-distance move category for pricing purposes.

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 $3,110 to $4,630 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 3 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 9 h 3 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 191 around Des Moines (116 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 Des Moines.

Indianapolis has a population of about 901,116 and Des Moines about 212,086. The two cities have comparable density (2,455 and 2,428 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.

Cost of moving from Indianapolis to Des Moines

Full-service estimate for 484 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,240	$1,520	$1,850
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,870	$2,270	$2,780
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,110	$3,790	$4,630
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$4,970	$6,070	$7,400
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$6,840	$8,340	$10,180

Rental truck (DIY)

$800–$1,130

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

Portable container

$1,450–$2,140

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

Full-service mover

$3,110–$4,630

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Indianapolis, IN → Des Moines, IA. Adjust the other options to see your range.

—to—

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 Des Moines (destination)

Dhl Freight

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Standard Forwarding LLC

USDOT: 1996747
MC: 16536
Based in: Des Moines, IA 50316 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 302 trucks, 277 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (800) 447-2012 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jacobson Warehouse Co

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Jacobson Transportation Company INC

USDOT: 241594
MC: 172189
Based in: Clive, IA 50325 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 483 trucks, 459 drivers
USDOT registered: 1984

Call (219) 742-2278 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ntb

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Nationwide Truck Brokers INC

USDOT: 158325
MC: 142245
Based in: Des Moines, IA 50309 (1 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 158 trucks, 165 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (515) 245-2595 Route Verify on FMCSA

Crawford Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 450195
MC: 232411
Based in: Des Moines, IA 50321 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 70 trucks, 73 drivers
USDOT registered: 1991

Route Verify on FMCSA

Arona Home Essentials

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Arona Corporation

USDOT: 1278309
MC: 33302
Based in: West Des Moines, IA 50265 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 70 trucks, 120 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (515) 225-9029 Route Verify on FMCSA

Nounou Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3497497
MC: 1155202
Based in: Des Moines, IA 50313 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 60 trucks, 130 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (515) 201-2579 Route Verify on FMCSA

Vgt Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2633507
MC: 945435
Based in: West Des Moines, IA 50265 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 45 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (618) 655-4444 Route Verify on FMCSA

Homemakers Plaza INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4354064
MC: 1702859
Based in: Urbandale, IA 50322 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 32 trucks, 37 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (515) 309-4637 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 191 movers in Des Moines

Tips for this move

Photograph high-value items before loading and keep the inventory sheet the crew gives you.
Plan a first-night kit for Des Moines: bedding, toiletries, a few kitchen basics.
Get three written estimates; at this distance quotes can vary by a third for the same inventory.
Ask whether the carrier will use one truck end to end or transfer your goods at a terminal.

Near Indianapolis

Near Des Moines

Related routes

Other destinations from Indianapolis

Other origins to Des Moines

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Indianapolis to Des Moines?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,240 to $1,850 for a studio, $1,870 to $2,780 for a one-bedroom, $3,110 to $4,630 for a two-bedroom, $4,970 to $7,400 for a three-bedroom and $6,840 to $10,180 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Des Moines from Indianapolis?

About 484 road miles (410 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 9 h 3 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 3 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 Iowa 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 Des Moines?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $800 to $1,130 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,450 to $2,140. 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–Des Moines corridor.