Wisconsin to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,171 miles from Wisconsin to California ranges from $1,536 to $2,414 and takes 4–12 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 Wisconsin car shipping guide.
Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin and California. The average travel distance is about 2,171 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 4 to 12 days.
Cost to ship a car from Milwaukee, WI to California
| From Wisconsin to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI to Los Angeles, CA | 2,056 miles | $1,536–$2,499 | 4–12 days |
| Madison, WI to San Diego, CA | 2,119 miles | $1,681–$2,440 | 4–12 days |
| Green Bay, WI to San Jose, CA | 2,206 miles | $1,660–$2,420 | 4–12 days |
| Appleton, WI to San Francisco, CA | 2,175 miles | $1,649–$2,565 | 4–12 days |
| Plover, WI to Fresno, CA | 2,181 miles | $1,681–$2,616 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Madison, WI to California
| From Wisconsin to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI to Los Angeles, CA | 1,974 miles | $1,530–$2,441 | 3–11 days |
| Madison, WI to San Diego, CA | 2,024 miles | $1,600–$2,400 | 4–12 days |
| Green Bay, WI to San Jose, CA | 2,111 miles | $1,633–$2,591 | 4–12 days |
| Appleton, WI to San Francisco, CA | 2,079 miles | $1,647–$2,450 | 4–12 days |
| Plover, WI to Fresno, CA | 2,093 miles | $1,584–$2,499 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Green Bay, WI to California
| From Wisconsin to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI to Los Angeles, CA | 2,108 miles | $1,649–$2,490 | 4–12 days |
| Madison, WI to San Diego, CA | 2,165 miles | $1,552–$2,389 | 4–12 days |
| Green Bay, WI to San Jose, CA | 2,252 miles | $1,563–$2,446 | 5–13 days |
| Appleton, WI to San Francisco, CA | 2,220 miles | $1,611–$2,522 | 4–12 days |
| Plover, WI to Fresno, CA | 2,228 miles | $1,531–$2,573 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Appleton, WI to California
| From Wisconsin to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI to Los Angeles, CA | 2,077 miles | $1,631–$2,351 | 4–12 days |
| Madison, WI to San Diego, CA | 2,134 miles | $1,681–$2,565 | 4–12 days |
| Green Bay, WI to San Jose, CA | 2,221 miles | $1,579–$2,675 | 4–12 days |
| Appleton, WI to San Francisco, CA | 2,188 miles | $1,585–$2,616 | 4–12 days |
| Plover, WI to Fresno, CA | 2,197 miles | $1,552–$2,440 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Plover, WI to California
| From Wisconsin to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI to Los Angeles, CA | 2,077 miles | $1,600–$2,351 | 4–12 days |
| Madison, WI to San Diego, CA | 2,133 miles | $1,665–$2,414 | 4–12 days |
| Green Bay, WI to San Jose, CA | 2,190 miles | $1,617–$2,641 | 4–12 days |
| Appleton, WI to San Francisco, CA | 2,157 miles | $1,568–$2,565 | 4–12 days |
| Plover, WI to Fresno, CA | 2,197 miles | $1,617–$2,616 | 4–12 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin to California you should expect to pay between $1,920 and $3,018.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Wisconsin to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Badger 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 Wisconsin to California spans approximately 2,171 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 Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin to California should take between 4 and 12 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin to California
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,171 miles on your car going from Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
Over 39 million people call Wisconsin home. Nicknamed the Badger State, Wisconsin has warm-summers humid continental climate while the southern and southwestern portions are classified as hot-summer humid continental climate. Wisconsin also receives a large amount of regular snowfall averaging around 40 inches. Be sure to check your local weather station if you are planning your move for the summer.
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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Wisconsin to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Wisconsin requires auto insurance policies to provide a minimum coverage of $10,000 for property damage, $25,000 for individual injury or death, and $50,000 for injury or death involving multiple individuals.
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 Wisconsin to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Wisconsin to California is about 2171 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take 4-12 days to travel from Wisconsin to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Safety and emission inspections are not required in Wisconsin. However, you must take your vehicle for emissions inspection available at select privately owned businesses including vehicle repair facilities, service stations, and car dealerships.
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 Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin and California to avoid any hidden costs.
