Minnesota to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,987 miles from Minnesota to California ranges from $1,483 to $2,417 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 California to Minnesota car shipping guide.
Minnesota 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 Minnesota and California. The average travel distance is about 1,987 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 3 to 11 days.
Cost to ship a car from Minneapolis, MN to California
From Minnesota to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
---|---|---|---|
Minneapolis, MN to Los Angeles, CA | 1,930 miles | $1,608–$2,393 | 3–11 days |
St. Paul, MN to San Diego, CA | 1,987 miles | $1,639–$2,393 | 3–11 days |
Mounds View, MN to San Jose, CA | 2,010 miles | $1,631–$2,549 | 4–12 days |
Rogers, MN to San Francisco, CA | 1,978 miles | $1,498–$2,488 | 3–11 days |
Vadnais Heights, MN to Fresno, CA | 2,050 miles | $1,584–$2,499 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from St. Paul, MN to California
From Minnesota to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
---|---|---|---|
Minneapolis, MN to Los Angeles, CA | 1,930 miles | $1,623–$2,370 | 3–11 days |
St. Paul, MN to San Diego, CA | 1,990 miles | $1,514–$2,393 | 3–11 days |
Mounds View, MN to San Jose, CA | 2,018 miles | $1,663–$2,400 | 4–12 days |
Rogers, MN to San Francisco, CA | 1,986 miles | $1,623–$2,298 | 3–11 days |
Vadnais Heights, MN to Fresno, CA | 2,054 miles | $1,647–$2,598 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Mounds View, MN to California
From Minnesota to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
---|---|---|---|
Minneapolis, MN to Los Angeles, CA | 1,942 miles | $1,514–$2,464 | 3–11 days |
St. Paul, MN to San Diego, CA | 1,998 miles | $1,530–$2,441 | 3–11 days |
Mounds View, MN to San Jose, CA | 2,021 miles | $1,584–$2,499 | 4–12 days |
Rogers, MN to San Francisco, CA | 1,989 miles | $1,514–$2,488 | 3–11 days |
Vadnais Heights, MN to Fresno, CA | 2,062 miles | $1,536–$2,499 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rogers, MN to California
From Minnesota to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
---|---|---|---|
Minneapolis, MN to Los Angeles, CA | 1,872 miles | $1,507–$2,326 | 3–11 days |
St. Paul, MN to San Diego, CA | 1,928 miles | $1,530–$2,275 | 3–11 days |
Mounds View, MN to San Jose, CA | 2,023 miles | $1,504–$2,351 | 4–12 days |
Rogers, MN to San Francisco, CA | 1,991 miles | $1,483–$2,346 | 3–11 days |
Vadnais Heights, MN to Fresno, CA | 1,991 miles | $1,483–$2,322 | 3–11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Vadnais Heights, MN to California
From Minnesota to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
---|---|---|---|
Minneapolis, MN to Los Angeles, CA | 1,941 miles | $1,498–$2,370 | 3–11 days |
St. Paul, MN to San Diego, CA | 1,998 miles | $1,498–$2,464 | 3–11 days |
Mounds View, MN to San Jose, CA | 2,025 miles | $1,600–$2,450 | 4–12 days |
Rogers, MN to San Francisco, CA | 1,993 miles | $1,592–$2,464 | 3–11 days |
Vadnais Heights, MN to Fresno, CA | 2,061 miles | $1,504–$2,573 | 4–12 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Minnesota 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 Minnesota to California you should expect to pay between $1,854 and $3,021.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Minnesota to California
When transporting your vehicle from the North Star 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 Minnesota to California spans approximately 1,987 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 Minnesota, 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota to California should take between 3 and 11 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota to California
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,987 miles on your car going from Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota
Over 39 million people call Minnesota home. Nicknamed the North Star State, Minnesota experiences temperature extremes characteristic of its continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers. Minnesota does experience weather such as: rain, snow, blizzards, thunderstorms, hail, derechos, tornadoes, and high-velocity straight-line winds.
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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Minnesota to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Minnesota 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 Minnesota.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Drivers in Minnesota must maintain a minimum insurance coverage, including $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, and $10,000 for property damage liability, ensuring financial protection in case of accidents and aligning with state regulations for responsible driving practices.
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 Minnesota to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Minnesota to California is about 1987 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take 3-11 days to travel from Minnesota to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Minnesota does not have a mandate for regular safety inspections on personal vehicles.
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 Minnesota, 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 Minnesota, 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota and California to avoid any hidden costs.