Indiana to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,273 miles from Indiana to California ranges from $1,531 to $2,446 and takes 5–13 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to Indiana car shipping guide.
Indiana to California auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Indiana and California. The average travel distance is about 2,273 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 5 to 13 days.
Cost to ship a car from Indianapolis, IN to California
| From Indiana to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis, IN to Los Angeles, CA | 2,072 miles | $1,568–$2,450 | 4–12 days |
| Fort Wayne, IN to San Diego, CA | 2,056 miles | $1,663–$2,450 | 4–12 days |
| Evansville, IN to San Jose, CA | 2,303 miles | $1,600–$2,470 | 5–13 days |
| South Bend, IN to San Francisco, CA | 2,271 miles | $1,660–$2,650 | 5–13 days |
| Lafayette, IN to Fresno, CA | 2,195 miles | $1,617–$2,515 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fort Wayne, IN to California
| From Indiana to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis, IN to Los Angeles, CA | 2,162 miles | $1,681–$2,540 | 4–12 days |
| Fort Wayne, IN to San Diego, CA | 2,175 miles | $1,536–$2,389 | 4–12 days |
| Evansville, IN to San Jose, CA | 2,306 miles | $1,616–$2,547 | 5–13 days |
| South Bend, IN to San Francisco, CA | 2,274 miles | $1,644–$2,675 | 5–13 days |
| Lafayette, IN to Fresno, CA | 2,285 miles | $1,531–$2,573 | 5–13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Evansville, IN to California
| From Indiana to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis, IN to Los Angeles, CA | 1,990 miles | $1,608–$2,417 | 3–11 days |
| Fort Wayne, IN to San Diego, CA | 1,975 miles | $1,577–$2,370 | 3–11 days |
| Evansville, IN to San Jose, CA | 2,246 miles | $1,644–$2,420 | 4–12 days |
| South Bend, IN to San Francisco, CA | 2,220 miles | $1,547–$2,471 | 4–12 days |
| Lafayette, IN to Fresno, CA | 2,113 miles | $1,633–$2,565 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from South Bend, IN to California
| From Indiana to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis, IN to Los Angeles, CA | 2,089 miles | $1,568–$2,475 | 4–12 days |
| Fort Wayne, IN to San Diego, CA | 2,151 miles | $1,649–$2,591 | 4–12 days |
| Evansville, IN to San Jose, CA | 2,234 miles | $1,547–$2,446 | 4–12 days |
| South Bend, IN to San Francisco, CA | 2,202 miles | $1,611–$2,497 | 4–12 days |
| Lafayette, IN to Fresno, CA | 2,212 miles | $1,579–$2,420 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lafayette, IN to California
| From Indiana to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis, IN to Los Angeles, CA | 2,090 miles | $1,631–$2,425 | 4–12 days |
| Fort Wayne, IN to San Diego, CA | 2,075 miles | $1,584–$2,499 | 4–12 days |
| Evansville, IN to San Jose, CA | 2,264 miles | $1,579–$2,675 | 5–13 days |
| South Bend, IN to San Francisco, CA | 2,231 miles | $1,595–$2,548 | 4–12 days |
| Lafayette, IN to Fresno, CA | 2,213 miles | $1,611–$2,624 | 4–12 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Indiana to California
Since vehicles like SUV, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from Indiana to California you should expect to pay between $1,914 and $3,058.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Indiana to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Hoosier State to the Golden State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to California.
- Distance and route: The journey from Indiana to California spans approximately 2,273 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Indiana, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Indiana and California and the varying gas prices across the country.
- 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 Indiana to California should take between 5 and 13 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Indiana to California car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Indiana to California:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from Indiana to California
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,273 miles on your car going from Indiana to California. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from Indiana to California for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
- 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!
What else should you know about shipping a car from Indiana to California?
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: 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.
- Driver’s license: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Additional taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from Indiana
Over 39 million people call Indiana home. Nicknamed 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 in 2016, about half of Indiana now has that rainier climate. The temperatures are different in the northern and southern parts of the state.
Transporting your vehicle to California
About 22 million people are living in the Golden State of California. 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Indiana and when dropping off my car in California?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Indiana and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Indiana to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Indiana to California, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, which you should verify before loading your car in Indiana.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Indiana to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Indiana to California is about 2273 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take 5-13 days to travel from Indiana to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
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.
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.
If I have a driver’s license in Indiana, will I need one in California?
If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
If I bought a car in Indiana, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Indiana to California after purchasing it.
You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Indiana and California to avoid any hidden costs.
