California to Arkansas Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,798 miles from California to Arkansas ranges from $1,552 to $2,165 and takes 3–11 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 Arkansas to California car shipping guide.
California to Arkansas auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in California and Arkansas. The average travel distance is about 1,798 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 3 to 11 days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Arkansas
| From California to Arkansas | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Little Rock, AR | 1,665 miles | $1,412–$2,033 | 3–9 days |
| San Diego, CA to Forrest City, AR | 1,749 miles | $1,477–$2,230 | 3–9 days |
| San Jose, CA to Harrison, AR | 1,612 miles | $1,513–$2,033 | 3–9 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Mountain Home, AR | 1,660 miles | $1,369–$2,095 | 3–9 days |
| Fresno, CA to Magnolia, AR | 1,619 miles | $1,412–$2,137 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Arkansas
| From California to Arkansas | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Little Rock, AR | 1,650 miles | $1,427–$2,033 | 3–9 days |
| San Diego, CA to Forrest City, AR | 1,734 miles | $1,492–$2,078 | 3–9 days |
| San Jose, CA to Harrison, AR | 1,596 miles | $1,358–$1,940 | 3–9 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Mountain Home, AR | 1,645 miles | $1,384–$2,012 | 3–9 days |
| Fresno, CA to Magnolia, AR | 1,591 miles | $1,358–$1,980 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Arkansas
| From California to Arkansas | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Little Rock, AR | 1,921 miles | $1,498–$2,298 | 3–11 days |
| San Diego, CA to Forrest City, AR | 2,005 miles | $1,615–$2,573 | 4–12 days |
| San Jose, CA to Harrison, AR | 1,867 miles | $1,584–$2,395 | 3–11 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Mountain Home, AR | 1,916 miles | $1,498–$2,251 | 3–11 days |
| Fresno, CA to Magnolia, AR | 1,874 miles | $1,615–$2,395 | 3–11 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Arkansas
| From California to Arkansas | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Little Rock, AR | 1,964 miles | $1,561–$2,298 | 3–11 days |
| San Diego, CA to Forrest City, AR | 2,047 miles | $1,600–$2,499 | 4–12 days |
| San Jose, CA to Harrison, AR | 1,909 miles | $1,514–$2,417 | 3–11 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Mountain Home, AR | 1,958 miles | $1,639–$2,251 | 3–11 days |
| Fresno, CA to Magnolia, AR | 1,916 miles | $1,530–$2,298 | 3–11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Arkansas
| From California to Arkansas | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Little Rock, AR | 1,788 miles | $1,492–$2,057 | 3–11 days |
| San Diego, CA to Forrest City, AR | 1,874 miles | $1,584–$2,372 | 3–11 days |
| San Jose, CA to Harrison, AR | 1,737 miles | $1,432–$2,100 | 3–9 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Mountain Home, AR | 1,785 miles | $1,417–$2,273 | 3–11 days |
| Fresno, CA to Magnolia, AR | 1,742 miles | $1,432–$2,143 | 3–9 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Arkansas
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 California to Arkansas you should expect to pay between $1,940 and $2,706.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from California to Arkansas
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Natural Slate, 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 Arkansas.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to Arkansas spans approximately 1,798 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 California, 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 California and Arkansas 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 California to Arkansas should take between 3 and 11 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best California to Arkansas 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 California to Arkansas:
- 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 California to Arkansas
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,798 miles on your car going from California to Arkansas. 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 California to Arkansas 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 California to Arkansas?
- Car insurance requirements: In Arkansas, all drivers must maintain liability insurance that meets the state's minimum requirements, which are $25,000 per person for bodily injury or death in one accident, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage caused by an auto accident.
- Vehicle inspection: Arkansas does not require mandatory safety or emissions inspections, but the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality encourages voluntary emissions testing for the benefit of the environment. This means that while getting your car tested for emissions is optional, it is strongly encouraged.
- Driver’s license: If you establish residency in Arkansas, you are required to obtain an Arkansas driver's license within 30 days.
- Additional taxes: In Arkansas, all car sales are subject to a state tax rate of 6.5%, with the potential for additional county and local taxes up to 5%, resulting in an average total car sales tax rate of 9.133%.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from California
Over 39 million people call California home. Nicknamed the Golden State, 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.
Transporting your vehicle to Arkansas
About 22 million people are living in the Natural Slate of Arkansas. Arkansas has hot, humid summers and slightly drier, mild to cool winters. Arkansas is known for extreme weather and frequent storms. A typical year brings thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, snow, and ice storms. Between both the Great Plains and the Gulf States, Arkansas receives around 60 days of thunderstorms. Movers should check their local weather station to make sure they are not being caught in any of these storms.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in California and when dropping off my car in Arkansas?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in California and when dropping it off in Arkansas.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Arkansas?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Arkansas, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Arkansas, which you should verify before loading your car in California.
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.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In Arkansas, all drivers must maintain liability insurance that meets the state's minimum requirements, which are $25,000 per person for bodily injury or death in one accident, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage caused by an auto accident.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Arkansas?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to Arkansas is about 1798 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take 3-11 days to travel from California to Arkansas.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either 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.
Arkansas does not require mandatory safety or emissions inspections, but the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality encourages voluntary emissions testing for the benefit of the environment. This means that while getting your car tested for emissions is optional, it is strongly encouraged.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in Arkansas?
If you establish residency in Arkansas, you are required to obtain an Arkansas driver's license within 30 days.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in Arkansas after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to Arkansas after purchasing it.
In Arkansas, all car sales are subject to a state tax rate of 6.5%, with the potential for additional county and local taxes up to 5%, resulting in an average total car sales tax rate of 9.133%.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and Arkansas to avoid any hidden costs.
