Best Car Shipping Companies in Indiana (2024)
If you’re shipping your car to or from Indiana, you want to know that your vehicle is in good hands. In this article, we at the MarketWatch Guides team provide a look at the five best car shipping companies operating in Indiana that offer reliable service and competitive costs. We will also cover how much it may cost to ship a car with open or enclosed transport so you know what to expect.
Key Takeaways
- Our team found SGT Auto Transport to be the best Indiana car shipping company due to its broad range of shipping services and positive customer service.
- It’s best to compare SGT Auto Transport’s rates with those from Montway Auto Transport, Easy Auto Ship and Sherpa Auto Transport.
- The average cost to ship a car to or from Indiana is $873 for open car shipping services and $1,223 for enclosed auto transport.
- Your car shipping cost in Indiana depends on factors like a city’s population, nearby traffic patterns and weather conditions.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial guidelines.
5 Best Car Shipping Companies in Indiana
We have spent over 200 hours researching the auto transport industry and gathering numerous quotes to create an impartial review of the best car shipping companies in your location. If you’re moving a car to or from Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville or beyond, check out our list of the best Indiana car shipping companies.
1. SGT Auto Transport: Price-Matching Guarantee
SGT Auto Transport is rated 9.2 out of 10 for being a trustworthy car shipping company that offers many services. It provides both open and enclosed shipping options, delivering directly to your doorstep throughout the continental U.S. and Hawaii. SGT also offers expedited shipping for customers with urgent auto transport needs.
SGT’s Price Match Guarantee means it will match the price of a competitor’s shipping quote if it’s the same service and you book within 24 hours. So, if you compare prices, you could potentially save some money. From what we’ve seen, SGT generally gives reasonable quotes.
Read more: SGT Auto Transport Review
2. Montway Auto Transport: Best Customer Experience
Montway Auto Transport has been in business for the past 18 years and has helped over 1 million customers. It earns some of the highest average review scores from customers on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot and offers easy online quotes, which is why it earned our team’s Best Customer Experience award. Montway provides a wide range of shipping services to all 50 states and can even assist with international transport, which can be hard to find.
Montway collaborates with more than 15,000 trusted car transport carriers to move vehicles safely and efficiently. These carriers provide cargo insurance, but if it’s not enough to cover a legitimate claim, Montway offers additional insurance. Montway’s expertise, excellent track record in shipments and extra services are why we rate the company 9.7 out of 10 overall.
Read more: Montway Auto Transport Review
3. Easy Auto Ship: Wide Shipping Service Selection
Easy Auto Ship operates in every U.S. state, offering both open and enclosed vehicle shipping services. It consistently receives positive reviews from customers on the BBB and partners with top-notch carriers to transport various types of vehicles. In addition, if a shipment is delayed by more than two weeks, Easy Auto Ship provides the convenience of a car wash for your vehicle and a rental car while you wait.
Easy Auto Ship offers two types of shipping services: standard and expedited. These services provide convenient door-to-door transportation for your vehicle. Whether you need to transport your everyday car across the country or move a vintage vehicle to a neighboring state, Easy Auto Ship is a reliable choice. Overall, we give Easy Auto Ship a rating of 9 out of 10.
Read more: Easy Auto Ship Review
4. Sherpa Auto Transport: Locked-In Costs
Sherpa Auto Transport is a reliable choice to ship your car, according to our research. Although not as experienced as Montway, Sherpa is known for providing excellent customer service. In fact, Sherpa has some of the highest ratings for customer satisfaction on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website. With a good reputation and reliable services, Sherpa earned a score of 8.8 out of 10 from our research team.
The shipping broker has a special offer called the Price Lock Promise. This promise means that the first quote you receive is the exact amount you will pay. If the broker can’t find a carrier to match the initial quote, it kicks in up to $300 to find a carrier for you. Additionally, if your car arrives dirty, you can get $20 back for a car wash with Sherpa’s Clean Car Guarantee.
Read more: Sherpa Auto Transport Review
5. Indianapolis Auto Shipping Group: Regional Choice
Indianapolis Auto Shipping Group is accredited by the BBB and carries a minimum of $100,000 insurance per truck. It offers door-to-door shipping and provides vehicle tracking services.
Address: 120 E Market St #1274, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone Number: (317) 610-0920
Read more on the Indianapolis Auto Shipping Group website.
Car Shipping Companies in Indiana: Buyer’s Guide
Car shipping can seem complicated at first. In the sections below, we’ll cover how much shipping costs, how to transport a car, what to expect and more.
Indiana Car Shipping Costs
As car transportation costs are increasing, it is crucial for owners to compare quotes from multiple companies before choosing one. We have collected rate estimates from top companies to provide you with an idea of how much you might pay for shipping your car to or from Indiana.
Open Car Shipping Costs in Indiana
Open car transport refers to using a trailer without walls or a roof to transport multiple vehicles simultaneously. This method is generally the most affordable way to ship cars, but it also involves more risks compared to enclosed auto transportation.
The average cost to ship a car to and from Indiana using open car shipping is $873, which is 14% cheaper than the national average of $1,010. We gathered cost estimates for open car transport along popular Indiana car shipping routes, which you’ll find below:
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Indianapolis to Chicago | $409 |
| Fort Wayne, Ind., to Chicago | $429 |
| Evansville, Ind., to Chicago | $509 |
| Evansville to New York | $719 |
| Indianapolis to New York | $769 |
| Miami to Indianapolis | $819 |
| Fort Wayne to New York | $819 |
| Miami to Evansville | $969 |
| Miami to Fort Wayne | $999 |
| Indianapolis to Los Angeles | $1,079 |
| Fort Wayne to Los Angeles | $1,099 |
| Evansville to Los Angeles | $1,099 |
| San Francisco to Fort Wayne | $1,149 |
| San Francisco to Evansville | $1,299 |
| San Francisco to Indianapolis | $1,529 |
Enclosed Car Shipping Costs in Indiana
Enclosed auto shipping provides the ultimate level of protection from road hazards during transport because your vehicle is shipped inside an enclosed carrier. While it makes Indiana car shipping much pricier than open car shipping services, owners of classic or luxury cars should consider enclosed auto shipping.
The average cost to ship a car to or from Indiana using enclosed car shipping is $1,223, which is 40% more than the average cost of open car shipping in Indiana. The table below has average costs of popular Indiana car shipping routes using enclosed transport.
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Indianapolis to Chicago | $569 |
| Fort Wayne to Chicago | $599 |
| Evansville to Chicago | $709 |
| Evansville to New York | $1,009 |
| Indianapolis to New York | $1,079 |
| Fort Wayne to New York | $1,149 |
| Miami to Indianapolis | $1,149 |
| Miami to Evansville | $1,359 |
| Miami to Fort Wayne | $1,399 |
| Indianapolis to Los Angeles | $1,509 |
| Fort Wayne to Los Angeles | $1,539 |
| Evansville to Los Angeles | $1,539 |
| San Francisco to Fort Wayne | $1,609 |
| San Francisco to Evansville | $1,819 |
| San Francisco to Indianapolis | $2,139 |
What Affects Car Shipping Costs in Indiana?
Your exact car transport costs in Indiana will likely depend on various factors, including:
- The price of fuel
- Your vehicle’s condition
- Where you drop off your car
- Open vs. enclosed transport
- The kind of vehicle you are shipping
- The distance the car is being transported
If you ship a car in the peak season, you’ll pay higher rates.
How To Ship a Car to and From Indiana
At first, it might seem hard to move your vehicle a long distance or to another state. But don’t worry, we’ll explain how to transport your car below. This will make it a breeze and help you feel more relaxed.
What To Expect With Indiana Car Shipping
If you need to transport a car to or from Indiana, there are specific factors about the state that might affect your car shipping process:
| City size | Large cities have tighter streets, more cars parked on those streets and generally less space for large haulers to move around. If you live downtown in a major metropolitan area, your carrier may have to park farther away from your home with door-to-door shipping. |
| Population | Population density can have an impact on the availability of door-to-door transport. Indiana is less densely populated than other states in the U.S., which may make door-to-door delivery less of a hassle. Availability may differ in major cities like Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. |
| Traffic congestion | When there are a lot of cars on the road, it will take more time to reach a shipping destination. As a result, there may be delays. |
| Bad weather | Some cities in Indiana have higher-than-average rainfall and greater chances of extreme weather. When there is severe weather, such as storms or flooding, the chances of car shipments being delayed in Indiana increase. |
It’s important to understand these factors ahead of time and be ready to change the delivery schedule if needed while shipping your vehicle. Check out the steps below to ship your vehicle.
1. Choose Your Shipping Method
First, you need to decide the way you want to move your vehicle. As previously mentioned, enclosed and open carrier car shipping are the most common types used across the industry. Both have pros and cons, so comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping will help you find which best fits your needs.
Most car shipping companies in Indiana offer door-to-door transport. This means the transporter picks up and delivers your car as close to your address as possible. But, be aware the truck driver may have to park farther away if your neighborhood has narrow streets or sharp corners.
If you’re looking for long-distance car transport to Alaska or Hawaii, your options may be slightly limited as some companies only serve the contiguous U.S. Similarly, not all companies offer international car shipping.
2. Compare Indiana Car Shipping Quotes
Once you have determined how you will move your vehicle, it is time to compare prices for transporting your car in Indiana. It’s easy to get car shipping quotes online, so we recommend getting quotes from at least three car shipping companies to find the best price.
Keep in mind that some companies may increase your shipping rate because of changes in the market, even though they initially quoted a lower price. If it is important to you to have a set price for shipping your car in Indiana, choose a provider that offers this assurance.
3. Select a Transport Provider
After comparing prices and services, it’s time to select a car shipping company. Now you need to decide whether you want to work with a car shipping broker or use an online shipping marketplace. Brokers assist in finding a car carrier, whereas shipping marketplaces allow you to choose your own carrier. However, in the latter case, you’ll need to evaluate the carriers yourself.
Before making a decision, it’s important to do your homework. Check out reviews to find out what people have to say about different shipping companies and choose one that is dependable.
4. Prepare Your Car
Once you book a transport service, it is necessary to get your car ready for shipping. Ensure that your car has no more than a quarter tank of gas.
Make sure to take out all of your belongings from your car when using certain transportation companies in Indiana. This is because the weight of your vehicle affects the cost, and your belongings probably won’t be covered by insurance.
5. Meet the Carrier
On pickup day, you’ll meet your carrier at a predetermined time and location based on whether you opted for door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal shipping. In each case, you’ll inspect your vehicle for prior damage such as dents, scratches and dings.
Take pictures of your car before it gets loaded onto the trailer to make sure you have the right documentation in case there’s damage in transit and you need to file an insurance claim. Then, sign the bill of lading. This document acts as a receipt that follows your vehicle as it travels to or from Indiana.
6. Pick Up Your Car
If the car delivery company you select offers GPS tracking, you can view the current location of your vehicle as it travels to or from Indiana. Otherwise, the company will send you a message with the pickup time for your car.
When you arrive to pick up your vehicle, carefully look it over for any damage. This is important, especially if you decide to use open auto transport. If you find any damage, report it on the bill of lading and take photos for potential claims. However, if everything looks good, you’ll just sign the bill of lading one last time and drive the car away.
Indiana Auto Transport: The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, you have many options for car shipping in Indiana. We recommend picking a few top companies and comparing quotes to see which provides the best service and price for your move.
Indiana Car Shipping: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about shipping a car in Indiana:
On average, you can expect to pay about $873 for open car transport depending on how far you’re shipping the vehicle. You’ll pay more for enclosed shipping or expedited transport options.
Our quote data shows SGT Auto Transport, Montway Auto Transport and Sherpa Auto Transport are all affordable car shipping companies. The cheapest car shipping provider depends on your individual situation.
Typically, it can be cheaper to ship a car with open transport if the distance is more than 1,000 miles but it is cheaper to drive your vehicle for shorter distances. When deciding whether to ship or drive a car, consider the wear and tear on the vehicle, your ideal moving schedule, and the amount of money you’d spend on gas, food and lodging by driving.
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car shipping companies. We collected data on dozens of auto transport providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Cost (33% of total score): Auto shipping companies with affordable rates, locked-in pricing and discount opportunities score highest in this category.
- Customer Experience (25% of total score): This score is based on customer satisfaction ratings and the availability of extras like GPS tracking. We also consider the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each transporter’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
- Reputation (22% of total score): Our research team considers availability, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Shipping Methods (10% of total score): Companies that offer a variety of choices for car transport and added benefits are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Logistics (10% of total score): A smooth shipment is all about the details, which is why we look at how long it takes providers to pick up and ship vehicles, whether they include additional insurance coverage and more.
Our credentials:
- 200+ hours researched
- 20+ companies reviewed
- 2,000+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
