Idaho to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 910 miles from Idaho to California ranges from $988 to $1,471 and takes 2–7 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 Idaho car shipping guide.
Idaho 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 Idaho and California. The average travel distance is about 910 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 2 to 7 days.
Cost to ship a car from Boise, ID to California
| From Idaho to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise, ID to Los Angeles, CA | 891 miles | $976–$1,440 | 2–7 days |
| Nampa, ID to San Diego, CA | 953 miles | $1,037–$1,592 | 2–7 days |
| Jerome, ID to San Jose, CA | 671 miles | $914–$1,300 | 1–6 days |
| Blackfoot, ID to San Francisco, CA | 639 miles | $933–$1,268 | 1–6 days |
| Garden City, ID to Fresno, CA | 720 miles | $923–$1,426 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Nampa, ID to California
| From Idaho to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise, ID to Los Angeles, CA | 825 miles | $968–$1,448 | 2–7 days |
| Nampa, ID to San Diego, CA | 969 miles | $1,027–$1,498 | 2–7 days |
| Jerome, ID to San Jose, CA | 653 miles | $914–$1,326 | 1–6 days |
| Blackfoot, ID to San Francisco, CA | 621 miles | $888–$1,248 | 1–6 days |
| Garden City, ID to Fresno, CA | 701 miles | $933–$1,399 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Jerome, ID to California
| From Idaho to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise, ID to Los Angeles, CA | 779 miles | $964–$1,506 | 2–7 days |
| Nampa, ID to San Diego, CA | 840 miles | $988–$1,434 | 2–7 days |
| Jerome, ID to San Jose, CA | 718 miles | $933–$1,399 | 1–6 days |
| Blackfoot, ID to San Francisco, CA | 686 miles | $882–$1,276 | 1–6 days |
| Garden City, ID to Fresno, CA | 766 miles | $955–$1,425 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Blackfoot, ID to California
| From Idaho to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise, ID to Los Angeles, CA | 874 miles | $973–$1,438 | 2–7 days |
| Nampa, ID to San Diego, CA | 935 miles | $1,028–$1,625 | 2–7 days |
| Jerome, ID to San Jose, CA | 835 miles | $998–$1,478 | 2–7 days |
| Blackfoot, ID to San Francisco, CA | 803 miles | $1,002–$1,442 | 2–7 days |
| Garden City, ID to Fresno, CA | 883 miles | $1,026–$1,591 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Garden City, ID to California
| From Idaho to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise, ID to Los Angeles, CA | 897 miles | $1,036–$1,485 | 2–7 days |
| Nampa, ID to San Diego, CA | 958 miles | $957–$1,545 | 2–7 days |
| Jerome, ID to San Jose, CA | 670 miles | $950–$1,352 | 1–6 days |
| Blackfoot, ID to San Francisco, CA | 638 miles | $933–$1,217 | 1–6 days |
| Garden City, ID to Fresno, CA | 718 miles | $952–$1,331 | 1–6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Idaho 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 Idaho to California you should expect to pay between $1,235 and $1,839.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Idaho to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Gem 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 Idaho to California spans approximately 910 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 Idaho, 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 Idaho 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 Idaho to California should take between 2 and 7 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Idaho 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 Idaho 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 Idaho to California
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 910 miles on your car going from Idaho 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 Idaho 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 Idaho 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 Idaho
Over 39 million people call Idaho home. Nicknamed the Gem State, The climate in Idaho varies widely. In the west cloud cover, humidity, and precipitation are at their maximum extent. Idaho can be hot but have relatively low humidity and cooler evenings during the summer months. It is important to know that winters in Idaho can be cold.
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 Idaho 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 Idaho and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Idaho to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Idaho 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 Idaho.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Idaho's minimum insurance mandates include $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per 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 Idaho to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Idaho to California is about 910 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take 2-7 days to travel from Idaho to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Idaho, all vehicles in Ada and Canyon Counties are required to pass an emissions test every two years. Additionally, out-of-state vehicle registrations must go through a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 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.
If I have a driver’s license in Idaho, 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 Idaho, 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 Idaho 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 Idaho and California to avoid any hidden costs.
