Colorado to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,138 miles from Colorado to California ranges from $1,046 to $1,738 and takes 2–8 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 Colorado car shipping guide.
Colorado 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 Colorado and California. The average travel distance is about 1,138 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 2 to 8 days.
Cost to ship a car from Denver, CO to California
| From Colorado to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO to Los Angeles, CA | 1,017 miles | $980–$1,552 | 2–8 days |
| Colorado Springs, CO to San Diego, CA | 1,077 miles | $1,000–$1,520 | 2–8 days |
| Aurora, CO to San Jose, CA | 1,271 miles | $1,106–$1,835 | 3–8 days |
| Fort Collins, CO to San Francisco, CA | 1,250 miles | $1,141–$1,728 | 3–8 days |
| Fruita, CO to Fresno, CA | 1,140 miles | $1,046–$1,654 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Colorado Springs, CO to California
| From Colorado to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO to Los Angeles, CA | 1,084 miles | $980–$1,663 | 2–8 days |
| Colorado Springs, CO to San Diego, CA | 1,144 miles | $1,056–$1,738 | 2–8 days |
| Aurora, CO to San Jose, CA | 1,338 miles | $1,248–$1,828 | 3–8 days |
| Fort Collins, CO to San Francisco, CA | 1,317 miles | $1,186–$1,847 | 3–8 days |
| Fruita, CO to Fresno, CA | 1,207 miles | $1,164–$1,693 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Aurora, CO to California
| From Colorado to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO to Los Angeles, CA | 1,035 miles | $1,029–$1,631 | 2–8 days |
| Colorado Springs, CO to San Diego, CA | 1,091 miles | $980–$1,520 | 2–8 days |
| Aurora, CO to San Jose, CA | 1,291 miles | $1,106–$1,764 | 3–8 days |
| Fort Collins, CO to San Francisco, CA | 1,259 miles | $1,152–$1,853 | 3–8 days |
| Fruita, CO to Fresno, CA | 1,156 miles | $1,110–$1,755 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fort Collins, CO to California
| From Colorado to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO to Los Angeles, CA | 1,076 miles | $1,029–$1,663 | 2–8 days |
| Colorado Springs, CO to San Diego, CA | 1,138 miles | $1,035–$1,603 | 2–8 days |
| Aurora, CO to San Jose, CA | 1,219 miles | $1,106–$1,799 | 2–8 days |
| Fort Collins, CO to San Francisco, CA | 1,185 miles | $1,024–$1,772 | 2–8 days |
| Fruita, CO to Fresno, CA | 1,203 miles | $1,199–$1,799 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fruita, CO to California
| From Colorado to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO to Los Angeles, CA | 767 miles | $936–$1,340 | 2–7 days |
| Colorado Springs, CO to San Diego, CA | 825 miles | $958–$1,493 | 2–7 days |
| Aurora, CO to San Jose, CA | 1,018 miles | $960–$1,663 | 2–8 days |
| Fort Collins, CO to San Francisco, CA | 1,005 miles | $980–$1,600 | 2–8 days |
| Fruita, CO to Fresno, CA | 890 miles | $986–$1,591 | 2–7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Colorado 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 Colorado to California you should expect to pay between $1,308 and $2,173.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Colorado to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Centennial 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 Colorado to California spans approximately 1,138 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 Colorado, 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 Colorado 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 Colorado to California should take between 2 and 8 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Colorado 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 Colorado 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 Colorado to California
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,138 miles on your car going from Colorado 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 Colorado 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 Colorado 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 Colorado
Over 39 million people call Colorado home. Nicknamed the Centennial State, Colorado has a relatively complex climate. Ranging from the famous mountain region of the state to desert. Therefore, keep track of the weather of your new city on move day. The most extreme weather that happens in Colorado happens in the least populated areas of the state but you may drive through these regions to get to your new home so be wary of that too.
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 Colorado 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 Colorado and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Colorado to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Colorado 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 Colorado.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. To drive in Colorado, you must have insurance with minimum 25/50/10 liability limits, covering $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage. While meeting the state's minimum requirement, it's advisable to consider factors for determining optimal coverage levels.
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 Colorado to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Colorado to California is about 1138 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take 2-8 days to travel from Colorado to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
To register and title your vehicle in Colorado within 90 days of moving, you'll need to provide the DMV with an out-of-state vehicle title, proof of a valid Colorado auto insurance policy, verifiable identification, and documentation of the vehicle's weight.
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 Colorado, 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 Colorado, 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 Colorado 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 Colorado and California to avoid any hidden costs.
