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Best Car Shipping Companies In Indiana

From our #1 rated provider,

844-601-0286

08/05/2024 08:00 AM

If you need to move temporarily or permanently, shipping your car to or from Indiana should be easy. In this article, we’ll provide a look at the five best auto transport companies in Indiana that offer peace of mind and competitive costs. We will also explain the costs of shipping for both open and enclosed transport services, and give you tips on how to easily ship your car.

The Gist:

  • Our team found that Montway Auto Transport is the best Indiana car shipping company, though it’s best to compare rates with those from Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, American Auto Shipping and AmeriFreight.
  • 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 size, nearby traffic patterns, and weather conditions.

5 Best Car Shipping Companies In Indiana

We have dedicated more than 300 hours to studying the auto transport industry in order to offer an unbiased assessment of the top car shipping companies. 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. Montway Auto Transport: Best Overall

We chose Montway Auto Transport as our favorite auto transport company of 2023 because they offer dependable service and reasonable prices. While Montway may not have the lowest prices, their excellent customer service and wide variety of options make them stand out from their competitors.

Montway Auto Transport is a big and well-liked company for moving cars across the country. They serve all 50 states and even do international shipping. Because they have lots of carriers to choose from, Montway can give customers lower prices than most.

Read more: Montway Auto Transport review

Montway Auto Transport Best Reputation
BBB Rating : A+ Phone : 844-601-0286 Coverage : 50 states
Pros & Cons
Pros Strong reputation, customer satisfaction, and industry ratings Carrier vetting Large network of 30,000+ carriers Offers expedited delivery Competitive pricing Cons No real-time tracking or mobile-app; must contact company for tracking info No guaranteed pricing $249 cancellation fee No specialty shipping services for recreational vehicles (RVs), boats, trailers, or other watercraft Intrusive Pop-up Ads
Summary

Montway Auto Transport is a reputable auto transport broker offering several car shipping services and cheap car shipping rates. We named it the Best Reputation car shipping company for 2024.

2. Sherpa Auto Transport: Best For Locked-In Rates

According to our research team’s special rating system, Sherpa Auto Transport receives a score of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars. This high rating is due to their fixed prices, satisfied customers, and wide range of services. On top of that, Sherpa also provides a $20 reimbursement for car washes as part of their Clean Car Guarantee.

Sherpa Auto Transport makes shipping a breeze and guarantees a fair and fixed price. With their Price Lock Promise, the initial quote you receive is the exact amount you’ll pay. In fact, if needed, they’ll even pitch in up to $300 so your rate remains unchanged.

Read more: Sherpa Auto Transport review

Sherpa Auto Transport
4.5
BBB Rating : A+ Phone : 888-202-7706 Coverage : 49 states
Pros & Cons
Pros Locked-in shipping rates through the Price Lock Promise Vetted network of reliable and friendly carriers Strong customer service ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Offers a Clean Car Guarantee Cons Slightly higher prices than competitors Does not provide terminal-to-terminal shipping
Summary

Sherpa Auto Transport has many strengths, from excellent customer service to the added security of the Price Lock Promise.

3. SGT Auto Transport: Best Price-Match Guarantee

We gave SGT Auto Transport a rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars because they give you different choices for shipping your car at good prices. They got a high score for their services because they offer different ways to transport your car, like using an open or enclosed truck, bringing it directly to your door, and getting it delivered quickly with a guaranteed pickup date.

You can wait to pay until the carrier comes to get your vehicle with SGT Auto Transport. And if you find a cheaper price from another company, SGT Auto Transport will give you the same price. Our team discovered that most customers had a good experience with this provider.

Read more: SGT Auto Transport review

SGT Auto Transport Best Price-Match Guarantee
4.5
BBB Rating : B Phone : 864-635-4879 Coverage : 49 states
Pros & Cons
Pros Available in 49 states Offers price matching Has an option for a guaranteed pickup date Cons Doesn’t offer real-time tracking No terminal-to-terminal shipping option
Summary

We give SGT Auto Transport an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5.0 stars. This shipping broker has an outstanding reputation and offers affordable options for car transport services. Price matching, express shipping, and guaranteed pickups are other great features of SGT Auto Transport.

4. American Auto Shipping: Best Service Availability

American Auto Shipping provides various car transportation services to ensure your vehicle arrives at its desired location. With an outstanding rating of 5.0 in the services category, this provider offers door-to-door shipping, both open and enclosed auto transport, shipping to Hawaii, motorcycle shipping, military vehicle shipping, heavy equipment transport, and additional services.

American Auto Shipping strives to offer customers a pleasant experience with perks like a covered rental car if your shipment is delayed over 14 days past the delivery date. Another benefit is your choice of pickup times from three different options–standard, priority, or expedited.

Read more: American Auto Shipping review

American Auto Shipping Best Service Availability
4.6
BBB Rating : A+ Phone : 800-238-7613
Pros & Cons
Pros Instant online quotes 24/7 customer service A+ rating from the BBB Standard, priority, and expedited service Cons No Alaska service No terminal-to-terminal shipping No GPS tracking
Summary

Considering its service offering, availability, and average rates, we give American Auto Shipping 4.5 out of 5.0 stars overall. It can work with a variety of shipping timelines, whether you need to ship your car next month or tomorrow. We recommend checking out a quote from American Auto Shipping when you plan your car shipment.

5. AmeriFreight: Best For Discounts

AmeriFreight charges prices that are considered normal in the industry. However, customers can pay less by taking advantage of AmeriFreight’s discounts and special pricing groups. Some of the discounts available are for people who have used AmeriFreight before, those who ship multiple vehicles, first responders and medical personnel, seniors, students, and more.

AmeriFreight is one of the best auto shippers, and this is because they offer many discounts, price-match services, and have great customer service. They work with more than 10,000 car carriers and carefully check each one’s background to make sure they are licensed and insured.

Read more: AmeriFreight review

AmeriFreight Best for Discounts
4.8
BBB Rating : A+ Phone : 855-460-6609 Coverage : 50 states
Pros & Cons
Pros Affordable rates and several discount opportunities available Thorough carrier vetting process Excellent reviews on BBB; A+ rating and accreditation Offers a guaranteed price option Delivers coast to coast Cons No real-time GPS tracking or mobile app Charges extra for insurance No locked-in rates No international shipping
Summary

AmeriFreight is a leading car shipping broker that partners with over 10,000 car carriers to deliver a wide range of auto transport services. The company also works with government agencies, vehicle manufacturers, and retailers to deliver outsourced logistics services and shipping on a large scale.

Other Indiana Car Shipping Companies

We mentioned five national providers that are trustworthy before, but there are also some excellent regional choices for car shipping in Indiana. Here is one more provider to think about.

Guardian Auto Transport

Guardian Auto Transport is headquartered in Wheeling, IL. Learn more about this provider on the Guardian Auto Transport website.


Indiana Car Shipping Costs

The price of transporting a car in Indiana can vary a lot based on a few things. Some factors that affect the cost depend on what you want, like which type of auto transport you choose. Most people use either an open trailer or an enclosed trailer, so we have included the average costs for both methods of shipping to and from Indiana below.

Open Car Shipping Costs In Indiana

Open car shipping means using a trailer without walls or a roof to transport multiple vehicles together. This method is cheaper, but it poses more risks compared to enclosed transport services.

The average cost to ship a car to and from Indiana using open auto transport is $873, which is 14 percent 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 RouteTotal Average Cost
Indianapolis to New York$769
Indianapolis to Los Angeles$1,079
Indianapolis to Chicago$409
San Francisco to Indianapolis$1,529
Miami to Indianapolis$819
Fort Wayne to New York$819
Fort Wayne to Los Angeles$1,099
Fort Wayne to Chicago$429
San Francisco to Fort Wayne$1,149
Miami to Fort Wayne$999
Evansville to New York$719
Evansville to Los Angeles$1,099
Evansville to Chicago$509
San Francisco to Evansville$1,299
Miami to Evansville$969

Enclosed Car Shipping Costs In Indiana

Enclosed auto transport services utilize an enclosed carrier that provides the ultimate level of protection from road hazards during transport. While it makes Indiana car shipping much pricier than open auto transport services, owners of classic or luxury cars should consider it.

The average cost to ship a car to and from Indiana using enclosed auto transport is $1,223, which is 40 percent 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 RouteTotal Average Cost
Indianapolis to New York$1,079
Indianapolis to Los Angeles$1,509
Indianapolis to Chicago$569
San Francisco to Indianapolis$2,139
Miami to Indianapolis$1,149
Fort Wayne to New York$1,149
Fort Wayne to Los Angeles$1,539
Fort Wayne to Chicago$599
San Francisco to Fort Wayne$1,609
Miami to Fort Wayne$1,399
Evansville to New York$1,009
Evansville to Los Angeles$1,539
Evansville to Chicago$709
San Francisco to Evansville$1,819
Miami to Evansville$1,359

What Affects Car Shipping Costs In Indiana?

Your exact car shipping costs for Indiana will likely depend on various factors. When you ship a car, factors like the mode of transportation, the delivery location, fuel prices, shipping distance, type of vehicle, and car condition will all impact the cost.

A visual list of items that affect car shipping prices

How To Ship A Car To And From Indiana

Are you trying to send a car in Indiana but don’t know where to begin? It may seem difficult to have your vehicle moved, but we have made it easy and stress-free by explaining the process of auto transport below.

Choose Your Shipping Method

First, you must choose how you want to transport your vehicle. As previously mentioned, enclosed and open carrier car shipping are the most common types used across the industry. Both have their pros and cons, so comparing enclosed vs. open auto transport will help you determine which best fits your needs.

Compare Indiana Car Shipping Quotes

After deciding on how you will transport your vehicle, it is time to compare the prices of Indiana auto transport. It’s easy to get online quotes for car shipping, and we recommend providing vehicle details to various car shipping companies to find the best price.

Remember that not all companies will honor the price they initially quote you for shipping your car in Indiana. Some might raise the rate due to changes in the market. If having a guaranteed price for your car shipping service in Indiana is important to you, make sure to choose a provider that offers this guarantee.

Select A Transport Provider

After looking at different quotes for transporting cars, you will probably have fewer options for shipping services in Indiana. Now you need to decide if you prefer working with a car shipping broker or an online shipping marketplace. Brokers will find a carrier for you, while shipping marketplaces let you deal with carriers directly.

Make sure to do your research by looking at online reviews and discussion boards. Hearing from other consumers about their experiences with shipping providers can be really helpful when deciding on a company to transport your car in Indiana.

Prepare Your Car And Meet The Carrier

After you’ve scheduled a vehicle transport service, it’s important to prepare your car for shipping. Remove any personal belongings from your vehicle since some transporters in Indiana take into account the weight of the vehicle when determining the costs. It’s also wise to leave your gas tank no more than a quarter full.

It’s now time to meet your carrier at a predetermined time and location. Whether you opted for door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal shipping, you’ll inspect your vehicle for prior damages such as dents, scratches, and dings. Before your car is put on the trailer, make sure to take pictures of it for proper documentation. All you need to do now is sign the bill of lading, which is a receipt that follows your vehicle as it travels to or from Indiana.

Pick Your Car Up

If the transportation company you choose for your vehicle has GPS tracking, you can track your car’s journey to or from Indiana in real-time. However, regardless of this feature, you will receive a message from the company at some point informing you about the pickup date of your vehicle.

When you arrive at the designated pickup location and time, meet your carrier and check your vehicle for any damages. This is especially important if you choose open auto transport. If you find any damages, report them 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.


What To Expect With Indiana Car Shipping

If you need to ship a car to or from Indiana, there are certain things about the state that could affect your experience. The size of the city, the number of people, the traffic, and the bad weather might make your shipment take longer. It’s a good idea to know this in advance so you won’t be surprised when you’re shipping your car.

Population density can also 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-delivery less of a hassle. However, availability may differ in major cities such as Indianapolis and Fort Wayne.

In addition, many cities in Indiana have higher-than-average rainfall and greater chances of extreme weather. Poor weather conditions like storms or flooding could make it more likely for shipments to be delayed when transporting cars in Indiana. It’s a good idea to make arrangements in advance and be willing to adjust delivery schedules to account for potential delays.


Indiana Car Shipping: FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions customers have about Indiana car shipping.

Why would a person want to ship their car?

If you’re moving more than a few hundred miles away, a long-distance road trip might not be worth it. Cross-country car shipping can provide peace of mind while offering protection from risks associated with long drives, such as mechanical breakdowns and car accidents. Getting your car to Indiana from far away states is much easier with auto transport.

What are the benefits of car shipping?

Car shipping is a safe way to get your car to and from Indiana without wasting the time and expenses associated with a long road trip. Choosing to ship your car rather than drive it will also protect your car from the wear and tear that comes along with extended driving periods.

How do I ship a car to Indiana?

You’ll start the shipping process by researching various car shipping companies and getting free quotes online. Next, you’ll choose a provider, book your shipment, and prepare the car for transport. Once your car has made it to or from Indiana, you’ll meet the car carrier for pickup.

How We Rate Indiana Auto Shippers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car shipping companies. While there are multiple qualities that make an auto transport provider successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

  • Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between providers because so many factors impact auto shipping rates. To determine our cost score, we perform a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and routes.
  • Services: Our team of experts looks at the types of services available, as well as insurance coverage and the ability to guarantee pickup and dropoff dates. Ratings also take into account whether the transport company is a broker or a carrier.
  • Reputation: It’s important that a car shipping provider is able to deliver your vehicle in a safe and timely manner. Companies with a strong rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) score well in this category. Established providers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
  • Customer Experience: We comb through consumer reviews on sites like the BBB to learn about customer experiences. Car transport companies with a low volume of complaints score well in this area.

*Data accurate at time of publication.
*Read more about our methodology.