Route guide · CA → IN
Shipping a car from California to Indiana
Shipping a running sedan from Los Angeles to Indianapolis costs about $1,200–$1,700 on an open carrier and $1,800–$2,575 in an enclosed trailer, with 5–8 days in transit. It ranks #109 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,450
- Road miles
- 2,140
- Days in transit
- 5–8
- People moving a year
- 8.7K
- Companies at both ends
- 153
City to city
What it costs between California and Indiana cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose and Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville and South Bend — 2,000 to 2,380 road miles apart.
| From | Indianapolis | Fort Wayne | Evansville | South Bend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $1,200–$1,7002,140 mi · 5–8 days | $1,225–$1,7502,210 mi · 5–8 days | $1,175–$1,6752,050 mi · 5–8 days | $1,200–$1,7252,150 mi · 5–8 days |
| San Francisco | $1,250–$1,8002,330 mi · 5–9 days | $1,275–$1,8252,380 mi · 5–9 days | $1,225–$1,7752,270 mi · 5–8 days | $1,250–$1,7752,310 mi · 5–8 days |
| San Diego | $1,175–$1,7002,100 mi · 5–8 days | $1,200–$1,7252,180 mi · 5–8 days | $1,150–$1,6502,000 mi · 4–8 days | $1,200–$1,7002,120 mi · 5–8 days |
| San Jose | $1,225–$1,7752,270 mi · 5–8 days | $1,250–$1,8002,320 mi · 5–9 days | $1,225–$1,7502,200 mi · 5–8 days | $1,225–$1,7502,250 mi · 5–8 days |
A pickup or delivery far from these metros usually adds $75–$150. Quotes move with fuel prices and truck space, so treat these as a yardstick. Price your own addresses →
By vehicle
Price by vehicle type
Los Angeles to Indianapolis, 2,140 miles. Bigger and heavier vehicles take more room and weight on the trailer, so they cost more.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan or small car | $1,200–$1,700 | $1,800–$2,575 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,325–$1,925 | $2,000–$2,875 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,500–$2,150 | $2,250–$3,200 |
| Pickup truck | $1,550–$2,225 | $2,325–$3,325 |
| Motorcycle | $725–$1,025 | $1,075–$1,550 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in June–August (the summer moving peak), running about 8% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from California to Indiana is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,450 Peak: about $1,575
About this route
Why so many cars go from California to Indiana
About 8,740 people moved from California to Indiana in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (7,740 in 2023, 9,740 in 2024). That is 1.3% of everyone who left California for another state.
Only about 6,092 people a year go back from Indiana to California, so demand here is mostly one-way. With trucks toward Indiana in steady demand, expect quick pickups and little room to haggle.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,450, shipping from California to Indiana costs more than sending a car to Illinois ($1,425) and Wisconsin ($1,425) but less than to Kentucky ($1,475) and Georgia ($1,500). That works out to about 68¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
Count on 5–8 days on the truck for the 2,140 road miles from Los Angeles to Indianapolis — federal rules cap drivers at 11 hours a day behind the wheel, and a full carrier makes several stops on the way. The car heads east-northeast and crosses 3 time zones — from Pacific to Eastern time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
On the road
- The route crosses mountain passes in the West; from November to March, snow and chain laws can hold trucks for a day or two.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in California and Indiana, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end California
122 companies based in California: 91 carriers, 18 brokers, 1,809 trucks in total, 11 years in business on average.
- Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport Inc Los Alamitos · 965 trucks · since 1994 · USDOT 568253
- Professional Auto Transport Inc Jurupa Valley · 257 trucks · since 2003 · USDOT 1130314
- Central Valley Auto Transport Inc Strathmore · 76 trucks · since 2001 · USDOT 978079
- DBN Auto Transport Anaheim · 75 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 2979175
- Safe Auto Transport Inc N Highlands · 44 trucks · since 2013 · USDOT 2411467
Delivery end Indiana
31 companies based in Indiana: 31 carriers, 1 brokers, 589 trucks in total, 10 years in business on average.
- Crown Auto Carriers Inc Highland · 300 trucks · since 2020 · USDOT 3479368
- Karona Hauling Inc Merrillville · 50 trucks · since 2020 · USDOT 3475243
- Roadrunners Autotransport Inc Hammond · 44 trucks · since 1990 · USDOT 395100
- Lada Trans Inc Merrillville · 35 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 2998381
- American Truck Transport Angola · 34 trucks · since 2025 · USDOT 4362830
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Indiana but not into it — or coming from somewhere near California? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From California to states near Indiana
To Indiana from states near California
FAQ
California to Indiana car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Indiana's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Indiana?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,200–$1,700 from Los Angeles to Indianapolis (2,140 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,150–$1,825. An SUV costs about $1,325–$1,925, a pickup $1,550–$2,225, and an enclosed trailer $1,800–$2,575 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Indiana?
Transit is usually 5–8 days after pickup for the 2,140-mile trip from Los Angeles to Indianapolis. The wait for pickup is separate: typically 1–5 days, or 1–2 days if you pay about 30% more for expedited service.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from California to Indiana?
January–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in June–August, up to about 8% more. If you must ship in peak months, book three to four weeks ahead.
How soon do I have to register my car in Indiana after moving?
Indiana requires new residents to register within 60 days of becoming a resident. Out-of-state cars need a VIN inspection; missing the 60 days adds an administrative penalty.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from California to Indiana?
Driving 2,140 miles takes about 5 days: roughly $270 in gas and 4 nights of hotels and meals (about $560). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,200–$1,700. Add wear on the car and 5 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from California to Indiana?
Our directory lists 122 companies based in California and 31 based in Indiana, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.