California to Utah Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 791 miles from California to Utah ranges from $974 to $1,420 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 Utah to California car shipping guide.
California to Utah 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 Utah. The average travel distance is about 791 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 2 to 7 days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Utah
| From California to Utah | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Salt Lake City, UT | 688 miles | $975–$1,383 | 1–6 days |
| San Diego, CA to St. George, UT | 387 miles | $712–$1,004 | 1–4 days |
| San Jose, CA to Ogden, UT | 724 miles | $942–$1,317 | 1–6 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Smithfield, UT | 777 miles | $974–$1,391 | 2–7 days |
| Fresno, CA to Grantsville, UT | 677 miles | $966–$1,316 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Utah
| From California to Utah | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Salt Lake City, UT | 755 miles | $1,013–$1,382 | 2–7 days |
| San Diego, CA to St. George, UT | 454 miles | $789–$1,093 | 1–4 days |
| San Jose, CA to Ogden, UT | 791 miles | $935–$1,463 | 2–7 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Smithfield, UT | 843 miles | $1,008–$1,537 | 2–7 days |
| Fresno, CA to Grantsville, UT | 744 miles | $954–$1,357 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Utah
| From California to Utah | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Salt Lake City, UT | 767 miles | $926–$1,354 | 2–7 days |
| San Diego, CA to St. George, UT | 642 miles | $915–$1,217 | 1–6 days |
| San Jose, CA to Ogden, UT | 802 miles | $1,021–$1,486 | 2–7 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Smithfield, UT | 808 miles | $962–$1,472 | 2–7 days |
| Fresno, CA to Grantsville, UT | 740 miles | $945–$1,399 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Utah
| From California to Utah | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Salt Lake City, UT | 736 miles | $945–$1,399 | 1–6 days |
| San Diego, CA to St. George, UT | 685 miles | $966–$1,303 | 1–6 days |
| San Jose, CA to Ogden, UT | 769 miles | $917–$1,396 | 2–7 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Smithfield, UT | 777 miles | $1,003–$1,377 | 2–7 days |
| Fresno, CA to Grantsville, UT | 708 miles | $989–$1,426 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Utah
| From California to Utah | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Salt Lake City, UT | 813 miles | $972–$1,457 | 2–7 days |
| San Diego, CA to St. George, UT | 512 miles | $831–$1,045 | 1–6 days |
| San Jose, CA to Ogden, UT | 849 miles | $988–$1,522 | 2–7 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Smithfield, UT | 856 miles | $983–$1,453 | 2–7 days |
| Fresno, CA to Grantsville, UT | 788 miles | $926–$1,420 | 2–7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Utah
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 Utah you should expect to pay between $1,218 and $1,775.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from California to Utah
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Beehive 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 Utah.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to Utah spans approximately 791 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 Utah 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 Utah should take between 2 and 7 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best California to Utah 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 Utah:
- 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 Utah
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 791 miles on your car going from California to Utah. 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 Utah 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 Utah?
- Car insurance requirements: In Utah, it is mandatory for drivers to maintain liability insurance with minimum coverage, including $25,000 for individual injury or death, $50,000 for injury or death involving multiple individuals, and $20,000 for property damage. Additionally, uninsured motorist coverage with identical limits is required.
- Vehicle inspection: Vehicles in the state of Utah are mandated to pass an annual safety inspection to ensure that key components such as brakes, lights and tires are in good working condition. Additionally, vehicles older than 6 years are also required to pass an emissions inspection to confirm that they are not emitting excessive levels of pollutants. If a vehicle fails either of these inspections, it must be repaired and retested before it can be legally driven on the road.
- Driver’s license: In order to get a driver's license in Utah, a person must pass a written test, a driving skills test, and a vision test, as well as provide proof of identity and residency, and pay the required fees. Those under 18 years of age must also complete driver education and have a learner's permit before being eligible for a full license.
- Additional taxes: When moving to Utah, you must register your vehicle with the DMV within 60 days. You will need to pay a vehicle tax, called sales and use tax, when registering. The amount will depend on the purchase price and county of residence. Additional fees and taxes may apply. Check with the Utah DMV or a local auto dealership for more information.
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 Utah
About 22 million people are living in the Beehive State of Utah. Utah's temperatures are extreme, with cold temperatures in winter due to its elevation, and very hot summers statewide (with the exception of mountain areas and high mountain valleys). Utah is usually protected from major blasts of cold air by mountains lying north and east of the state. Utah, like most of the western United States, has few days of thunderstorms. On average there are fewer than 40 days of thunderstorm activity during the year, although these storms can be briefly intense when they do occur.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in California and when dropping off my car in Utah?
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 Utah.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Utah?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Utah, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Utah, 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 Utah, it is mandatory for drivers to maintain liability insurance with minimum coverage, including $25,000 for individual injury or death, $50,000 for injury or death involving multiple individuals, and $20,000 for property damage. Additionally, uninsured motorist coverage with identical limits is required.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Utah?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to Utah is about 791 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take 2-7 days to travel from California to Utah.
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.
Vehicles in the state of Utah are mandated to pass an annual safety inspection to ensure that key components such as brakes, lights and tires are in good working condition. Additionally, vehicles older than 6 years are also required to pass an emissions inspection to confirm that they are not emitting excessive levels of pollutants. If a vehicle fails either of these inspections, it must be repaired and retested before it can be legally driven on the road.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in Utah?
In order to get a driver's license in Utah, a person must pass a written test, a driving skills test, and a vision test, as well as provide proof of identity and residency, and pay the required fees. Those under 18 years of age must also complete driver education and have a learner's permit before being eligible for a full license.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in Utah after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to Utah after purchasing it.
When moving to Utah, you must register your vehicle with the DMV within 60 days. You will need to pay a vehicle tax, called sales and use tax, when registering. The amount will depend on the purchase price and county of residence. Additional fees and taxes may apply. Check with the Utah DMV or a local auto dealership for more information.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and Utah to avoid any hidden costs.
