Iowa to Indiana Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 477 miles from Iowa to Indiana ranges from $763 to $1,008 and takes one–four days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

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  • Services all 50 states
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  • Door-to-door service
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Indiana to Iowa car shipping guide.

The best Iowa to Indiana car shipping companies

We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Iowa to Indiana:

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (833) 775-1461
At A Glance
  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Get a quote (833) 775-1461
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Get a quote (770) 501-9057
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  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Get a quote (770) 501-9057
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (224) 206-5633
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Guaranteed pickup dates available
  • Door-to-door service
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Get a quote (224) 206-5633
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (864) 492-1221
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  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Get a quote (864) 492-1221
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (888) 259-6046
At A Glance
  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Get a quote (888) 259-6046

Alternative ways to ship your car from Iowa to Indiana

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 477 miles on your car going from Iowa to Indiana. 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 need to ship your car from Iowa 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.
  • Hire a driver. Hire someone to drive the car from Iowa to Indiana 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!

IA to IN auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Iowa and Indiana. The average travel distance is about 477 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days .

Cost to ship a car from Des Moines, IA to Indianatoggle

From Iowa to Indiana Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Des Moines, IA to Indianapolis, IN $713 – $939 474 miles 1 – 4 days
Des Moines, IA to Fort Wayne, IN $741 – $1,039 479 miles 1 – 4 days
Des Moines, IA to Evansville, IN $708 – $1,075 503 miles 1 – 6 days
Des Moines, IA to Carmel, IN $771 – $988 475 miles 1 – 4 days
Des Moines, IA to Fishers, IN $734 – $1,049 490 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Cedar Rapids, IA to Indianatoggle

From Iowa to Indiana Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Cedar Rapids, IA to Indianapolis, IN $643 – $890 390 miles 1 – 4 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Fort Wayne, IN $670 – $880 392 miles 1 – 4 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Evansville, IN $718 – $965 449 miles 1 – 4 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Carmel, IN $697 – $953 388 miles 1 – 4 days
Cedar Rapids, IA to Fishers, IN $665 – $929 403 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to Indianatoggle

From Iowa to Indiana Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Davenport, IA to Indianapolis, IN $581 – $817 308 miles 1 – 4 days
Davenport, IA to Fort Wayne, IN $593 – $809 312 miles 1 – 4 days
Davenport, IA to Evansville, IN $651 – $838 370 miles 1 – 4 days
Davenport, IA to Carmel, IN $564 – $801 308 miles 1 – 4 days
Davenport, IA to Fishers, IN $598 – $793 324 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Iowa City, IA to Indianatoggle

From Iowa to Indiana Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Iowa City, IA to Indianapolis, IN $651 – $838 363 miles 1 – 4 days
Iowa City, IA to Fort Wayne, IN $671 – $830 368 miles 1 – 4 days
Iowa City, IA to Evansville, IN $672 – $929 423 miles 1 – 4 days
Iowa City, IA to Carmel, IN $664 – $838 374 miles 1 – 4 days
Iowa City, IA to Fishers, IN $626 – $908 368 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Ankeny, IA to Indianatoggle

From Iowa to Indiana Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Ankeny, IA to Indianapolis, IN $705 – $1,018 475 miles 1 – 4 days
Ankeny, IA to Fort Wayne, IN $741 – $998 480 miles 1 – 4 days
Ankeny, IA to Evansville, IN $722 – $983 519 miles 1 – 6 days
Ankeny, IA to Carmel, IN $719 – $1,059 475 miles 1 – 4 days
Ankeny, IA to Fishers, IN $741 – $968 492 miles 1 – 4 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to Indianatoggle

Since vehicles like SUVs, 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 Iowa to Indiana you should expect to pay between $954 and $1,260.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from IA to IN

When transporting your vehicle from the Hawkeye State to the Hoosier 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 Indiana.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Iowa to Indiana spans approximately 477 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 Iowa, 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 Iowa and Indiana 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 Iowa to Indiana should take between one and four days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Indiana vehicle regulations you need to know

  • 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 Iowa

More than 39 million people call Iowa home. Nicknamed the Hawkeye State, Iowa has a humid continental climate throughout the state. Snowfall is common in Iowa. Spring brings in severe weather season. Iowa has about 50 thunderstorm days per year and has a tornado season. Iowa is known for hot and humid summers. Be sure to check the weather before your move, especially during the springtime.

Transporting your vehicle to Indiana

About 22 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 Iowa and delivery in Indiana?toggle

Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Iowa and when dropping it off in Indiana.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Iowa to Indiana?toggle

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa 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 Iowa.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Iowa requires minimum liability insurance, covering $20,000 for individual injury or death, $40,000 for multiple individuals, and $15,000 for property damage in an accident.

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 Iowa to Indiana?toggle

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to Indiana is about 477 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Iowa to Indiana.

Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?toggle

In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.

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 Iowa, will I need one in Indiana?toggle

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 Iowa, will I be required to pay sales tax in Indiana after shipping it there?toggle

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Iowa 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 Iowa and Indiana to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa to Indiana?toggle

The cheapest way to ship a car from Iowa 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 Iowa to Indiana?toggle

Shipping a car from Iowa to Indiana costs $763 to $1,008.

Helpful Iowa resources