California to Indiana Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 2,273 miles from California to Indiana typically falls between $1,254 and $2,105. The process usually takes five–thirteen days, depending on variables like the type of transport and seasonal demand. For a personalized estimate, visit our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Indiana to California car shipping guide.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
The best California to Indiana car shipping companies
After putting more than 400 hours of research into the car shipping industry, we identified the best car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from California to Indiana:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- Price matching
- One-day pickup
- New customer discount
- White-glove service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in California
If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in California that can relocate your vehicle to Indiana:
- Auto Express Inc.: 3.88 out of 5 stars
- King Of The Road Transport Inc: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- A To Z Auto Shipping: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc.: 3.78 out of 5 stars
- Golden Key Express: 3.72 out of 5 stars
Auto Express Inc.
501 W Broadway Ste. 800, San Diego, CA 92101 US
autoexpressinc-car-shipping-san-diego.com
3.88 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 3428899
King Of The Road Transport Inc
7316 Lindley Ave, Reseda, CA 91335 US
kingoftheroadtransport.com
3.86 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
- Senior
- Student
- Teacher
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: DOT#2248724
A To Z Auto Shipping
30101 Agoura Court, Suite 109, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 US
atozauto.com
3.86 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Motorcycles
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 675504
Alternative Business Names
- A to Z auto Shipping, Inc.
McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc.
45125 Industrial Dr, Fremont, CA 94538 US
mccollisters.com
3.78 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- Trailers
- Heavy equipment
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 289344
Alternative Business Names
- McCollister's Transportation Group, Inc
- McCollister's Transportation
Golden Key Express
7234 N Traverse Ave, Clovis, CA 93619 US
goldenkeyexpress.com/auto-transport
3.72 / 5.0
Golden Key Express provides highly reliable and professional service, frequently recommended by customers for their efficiency and support throughout the transport process. No major complaints have been evidenced.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Detailed inspection reports
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- DOT #: 966726
How we chose the best car shipping companies
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.
Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
- Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
- Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.
Alternative ways to ship your car from California to Indiana
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from California for a move to Indiana, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 2,273 extra miles on your car to travel from California to Indiana. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from California to Indiana, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
Ship by train
If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
California to Indiana auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in California and Indiana. Average distances are close to 2,273 miles, with delivery usually taking five–thirteen days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Indiana
| From California to Indiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Indianapolis, IN | $1,219 – $2,084 | 2,066 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Fort Wayne, IN | $1,296 – $1,916 | 2,161 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Evansville, IN | $1,314 – $1,957 | 1,988 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to South Bend, IN | $1,283 – $2,044 | 2,093 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Carmel, IN | $1,308 – $1,905 | 2,085 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Indiana
| From California to Indiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA to Indianapolis, IN | $1,295 – $1,985 | 2,050 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| San Diego, CA to Fort Wayne, IN | $1,284 – $1,957 | 2,174 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| San Diego, CA to Evansville, IN | $1,202 – $1,919 | 1,972 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| San Diego, CA to South Bend, IN | $1,284 – $1,916 | 2,162 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| San Diego, CA to Carmel, IN | $1,321 – $2,064 | 2,069 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Indiana
| From California to Indiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA to Indianapolis, IN | $1,254 – $2,145 | 2,290 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Jose, CA to Fort Wayne, IN | $1,361 – $2,022 | 2,310 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Jose, CA to Evansville, IN | $1,318 – $1,941 | 2,252 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Jose, CA to South Bend, IN | $1,241 – $2,002 | 2,243 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| San Jose, CA to Carmel, IN | $1,228 – $2,084 | 2,288 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bakersfield, CA to Indiana
| From California to Indiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA to Indianapolis, IN | $1,257 – $1,885 | 2,082 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Fort Wayne, IN | $1,296 – $2,098 | 2,177 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Evansville, IN | $1,308 – $2,044 | 2,004 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to South Bend, IN | $1,271 – $2,037 | 2,110 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Carmel, IN | $1,219 – $1,977 | 2,102 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Indiana
| From California to Indiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA to Indianapolis, IN | $1,266 – $2,145 | 2,255 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Fort Wayne, IN | $1,344 – $2,002 | 2,278 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Evansville, IN | $1,254 – $1,941 | 2,220 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| San Francisco, CA to South Bend, IN | $1,292 – $2,023 | 2,211 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Carmel, IN | $1,292 – $2,023 | 2,256 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Indiana
Transporting bigger vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans is usually more expensive than shipping a sedan due to increased weight and space requirements.
For this route from California to Indiana, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $1,568–$2,631.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from California to Indiana
When moving your vehicle from the Golden State to the Hoosier State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are the most economical, while enclosed transport offers greater protection for valuable or classic cars. Another option you might want to consider is top-loading. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on open vs. enclosed shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to Indiana than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to Indiana spans approximately 2,273 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of California in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
- Fuel prices: Varying fuel costs across the country can affect shipping rates. When transporting your car from California to Indiana, you may see the effect of these fluctuations.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from California to Indiana should take between five and thirteen days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Indiana vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to Indiana, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take to get your vehicle registered and road-ready. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements to make your transition as smooth as possible.
- Car insurance requirements: Indiana's minimum auto insurance coverage is $25,000/$50,000/$10,000, providing $25,000 per person and a maximum of $50,000 per incident for bodily injury, along with $10,000 for property damage in the event of a covered accident. Liability coverage in Indiana includes property damage, protecting your assets in case you're legally responsible for damages to another party's property, and bodily injury, covering expenses related to harm sustained by others in a covered accident.
- Vehicle inspection: Indiana does not mandate safety inspections for vehicles. However, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles requires a VIN inspection for vehicles not previously registered in the state.
- Driver’s license: As a new resident of Indiana, you have 60 days to obtain an Indiana driver's license if you have a valid license from another state. You must also transfer the titles and registrations of your vehicles from your previous state to Indiana.
- Additional taxes: If you purchase a car in another state and pay sales tax there, you receive a credit for the amount paid. If the tax rate in that state is lower than Indiana's 7%, you'll need to pay the difference in order to obtain the Indiana title for the car.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from California
More than 39.0 million people call California home. Nicknamed the Golden State. California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
Transporting your vehicle to Indiana
About 6.8 million people are living in the Hoosier State. In the past, most of Indiana had cold winters and hot, wet summers. Only the very bottom of the state had a different climate with more rain. But currently, about half of Indiana now has that rainier climate. The temperatures are different in the northern and southern parts of the state.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in California and delivery in Indiana?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in California and when dropping it off in Indiana.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Indiana?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Indiana, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Indiana, which you should verify before loading your car in California.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
Indiana's minimum auto insurance coverage is $25,000/$50,000/$10,000, providing $25,000 per person and a maximum of $50,000 per incident for bodily injury, along with $10,000 for property damage in the event of a covered accident. Liability coverage in Indiana includes property damage, protecting your assets in case you're legally responsible for damages to another party's property, and bodily injury, covering expenses related to harm sustained by others in a covered accident.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Indiana?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to Indiana is about 2,273 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take five to thirteen days to travel from California to Indiana.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
Indiana does not mandate safety inspections for vehicles. However, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles requires a VIN inspection for vehicles not previously registered in the state.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in Indiana?
As a new resident of Indiana, you have 60 days to obtain an Indiana driver's license if you have a valid license from another state. You must also transfer the titles and registrations of your vehicles from your previous state to Indiana.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in Indiana after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to Indiana after purchasing it.
If you purchase a car in another state and pay sales tax there, you receive a credit for the amount paid. If the tax rate in that state is lower than Indiana's 7%, you'll need to pay the difference in order to obtain the Indiana title for the car.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and Indiana to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from California to Indiana?
The cheapest way to ship a car from California to Indiana is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Indiana?
Shipping a car from California to Indiana costs $1,254 to $2,105.
