($599) Cost to ship a car from Indianapolis, IN to Huntsville, AL
Quick answer: Expect to pay around $599 to $787 to ship your car 402 miles from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Huntsville, Alabama. The actual cost depends on factors like your vehicle type, shipping method, and the time of year. For a customized estimate, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Huntsville to Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis to Huntsville car shipping companies
To make your relocation easier, we’ve rounded up the best car shipping companies for transporting a vehicle from Indianapolis to Huntsville:
- Best for Real-Time Tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for safety & reliability: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for Budget-Conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- 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
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Top local car shippers in Indianapolis
Prefer to keep it local? Here are the top car transport companies serving Indianapolis, IN:
- Reindeer Auto Relocation: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Classic Car Carrier, Inc.: 3.52 out of 5 stars
- Auto Driveaway: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Kemp Transport Systems Llc: 3.5 out of 5 stars
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.
Car shipping alternatives from IN to AL
If you’re planning a move from Indianapolis to Huntsville, you’ll need to decide how to transport your vehicle. We’ve outlined the main car shipping options you can choose from and what to expect from each.
Coordinate with your movers
If you’re planning a move from Indianapolis to Huntsville, many long-distance movers have partnerships with nationwide auto transporters. They’ll manage the car shipping logistics for you, but you won’t have control over which company is used or how much it costs.
Drive your car
There are lots of pros and cons of driving your car versus shipping it. You may be able to incorporate the 402-mile drive from Indianapolis to Huntsville into a fun road trip, and you’ll likely save money. But all that mileage will put some wear and tear on your vehicle, and you could face inclement weather or other dangerous driving conditions.
Use a driving service
You could hire a professional driver to take your car from Indiana to Alabama, though this tends to be a pricey choice. You’ll also need to ensure the driver is reliable enough to get your car from Indianapolis to Huntsville safely. Keep in mind, this option still adds mileage to your vehicle.
Ship your car via train
Rail shipping offers a cost-effective and secure way to move your car to Huntsville, and it’s particularly practical if your household items are also traveling by train. In fact, it’s the cheapest shipping option for vehicles. Just be aware that this approach has limited service locations and takes more time than other transport methods.
Factors affecting Indianapolis to Huntsville car shipping costs
If you’re moving your car from Indianapolis to Huntsville, the cost will depend on several key factors:
Transport method
When shipping your car from Indianapolis to Huntsville, you can choose between open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport. The right option depends on your budget and vehicle type.
Open carriers from Indianapolis are generally the most affordable, while enclosed transport offers extra protection for high-end or classic vehicles. Not sure which is best for your move to Huntsville? Check out our guide on open vs. enclosed shipping.
Vehicle size and type
The kind of car you’re shipping out of Indianapolis has a major impact on cost. Bigger vehicles require more room and increase the carrier’s load, which drives the price up. That’s why transporting a large SUV to Huntsville will cost more than moving a smaller car.
Distance and route
Distance is one of the biggest cost factors — the longer the route, the more you’ll pay. Fuel, driver time, tolls, and carrier maintenance all add up over extra miles. For instance, transporting your car 402 miles from Indianapolis to Huntsville will usually cost more than a shorter relocation within Indiana.
Your pickup and drop-off points are also key. Routes through major highways are less expensive, while rural or remote areas push rates higher.
The time of the year
Car shipping prices fluctuate with the seasons and the weather in both Indianapolis and Huntsville.
Indianapolis summers are hot, humid, and wet. Winters are generally cold with moderate snowfall. The rainiest months occur in the spring and summer, with slightly higher averages during May, June, and July. May is typically the wettest.
Huntsville experiences hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. Huntsville is located in tornado alley.
During busy moving periods—such as summertime or around winter holidays—demand spikes, and so do costs. Moving your car from Indianapolis to Huntsville during these times can be more expensive.
Fuel prices
Fuel price fluctuations can greatly influence transport costs. This is a critical factor given the 402-mile distance between Indianapolis and Huntsville and the varying fuel prices across different regions. When fuel prices are high, shipping costs will rise accordingly.
Delivery expectations
Auto shippers sometimes offer reduced rates if you’re open to flexible delivery dates. On average, shipping from Indianapolis to Huntsville takes one to four days. Opting for flexibility can save you money, but expedited service provides quicker transport at an added cost.
Comparing Indianapolis and Huntsville vehicle regulations
Parking permits
- Indianapolis: All permit applicants are now required to use INDOT’s Electronic Permitting System (EPS) when seeking a permit and making an electronic payment.
- Huntsville: $0.50 per hour All parking meters are enforced Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Meters are not enforced on City of Huntsville’s recognized holidays.
Car insurance requirements
- Indianapolis: 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.
- Huntsville: Alabama state government requires motorists possess liability insurance, which must provide a minimum coverage of 25/50/25. This specification includes coverage for bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident, and property damage per accident.
Vehicle inspections
- Indianapolis: 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.
- Huntsville: In Alabama, a safety inspection must be completed prior to selling a vehicle and a VIN inspection is mandatory when registering an out-of-state vehicle. Emissions inspections are not required by the state, though cities and municipalities may have their own laws mandating them.
Driver’s license
- Indianapolis: 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.
- Huntsville: When you move to Alabama with an out-of-state driver's license, you have 30 days to surrender it and obtain an Alabama license.
FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car from Indianapolis to Huntsville?
The cost to ship a car from Indianapolis, IN to Huntsville, AL varies based on several factors, including the type of transport (open vs. enclosed car shipping), vehicle size and weight, and the current fuel prices. On average, transporting your vehicle from Indianapolis to Huntsville will range from $599 to $787.
How long will it take to ship my car from Indianapolis to Huntsville?
It will take approximately one to four days to ship your car the 402 miles from Indianapolis to Huntsville. If you need it quicker, ask your shipper about expedited delivery.
What’s the cheapest way to ship my car from Indianapolis to Huntsville?
An open-transport car carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car from Indianapolis to Huntsville. However, there are other methods. Read our post on the cheapest way to ship a car to learn more.
Is it cheaper to ship my car or drive it from Indianapolis to Huntsville?
It is generally cheaper to drive your car from Indianapolis to Huntsville than to ship it. However, when deciding whether to drive your car or ship it, you need to factor in related costs like maintenance fees that could result from the additional wear-and-tear on your vehicle during the 402-mile trip. Long-distance trips also involve food and possibly lodging, which can add up quickly.
We recommend that you reach out to at least a few of the top car shippers to ask about seasonal rates and auto transport discounts. You can also use our car shipping calculator to quickly generate and compare quotes from multiple companies.
111 1200 E, Zionsville, IN 46077 US
8888 Keystone Crossing STE 1300, Indianapolis, IN 46240 US
1037 Oakwood Trail, Indianapolis, IN 46260 US