A drive stage for a scanning probe apparatus includes a supporting member, a plurality of movable portions fixed to the supporting member, and a plurality of drive elements configured and positioned to drive the plurality of movable portions. The drive stage is driven in a direction in which inertial forces of the plurality of movable portions are mutually canceled during drive of the plurality of drive elements. The drive stage further includes an inertial force difference detection member configured and positioned to detect a difference in inertial force between the plurality of movable portions, and an inertial force adjustment member configured and positioned to effect inertial force adjustment so that the difference in inertial force between the plurality of movable portions is decreased on the basis of a detection output of the inertial force detection member.