Arkansas to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,796 miles from Arkansas to California ranges from $1,507 to $2,208 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 Arkansas car shipping guide.
Arkansas 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 Arkansas and California. The average travel distance is about 1,796 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 3 to 11 days.
Cost to ship a car from Little Rock, AR to California
| From Arkansas to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR to Los Angeles, CA | 1,671 miles | $1,398–$2,137 | 3–9 days |
| Forrest City, AR to San Diego, CA | 1,650 miles | $1,384–$2,095 | 3–9 days |
| Harrison, AR to San Jose, CA | 1,921 miles | $1,592–$2,298 | 3–11 days |
| Mountain Home, AR to San Francisco, CA | 1,964 miles | $1,592–$2,275 | 3–11 days |
| Magnolia, AR to Fresno, CA | 1,791 miles | $1,522–$2,143 | 3–11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Forrest City, AR to California
| From Arkansas to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR to Los Angeles, CA | 1,754 miles | $1,462–$2,273 | 3–11 days |
| Forrest City, AR to San Diego, CA | 1,732 miles | $1,462–$2,078 | 3–9 days |
| Harrison, AR to San Jose, CA | 2,004 miles | $1,568–$2,376 | 4–12 days |
| Mountain Home, AR to San Francisco, CA | 2,046 miles | $1,536–$2,499 | 4–12 days |
| Magnolia, AR to Fresno, CA | 1,873 miles | $1,615–$2,326 | 3–11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Harrison, AR to California
| From Arkansas to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR to Los Angeles, CA | 1,616 miles | $1,369–$2,075 | 3–9 days |
| Forrest City, AR to San Diego, CA | 1,594 miles | $1,330–$1,881 | 3–9 days |
| Harrison, AR to San Jose, CA | 1,865 miles | $1,507–$2,258 | 3–11 days |
| Mountain Home, AR to San Francisco, CA | 1,908 miles | $1,577–$2,464 | 3–11 days |
| Magnolia, AR to Fresno, CA | 1,735 miles | $1,477–$2,273 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Mountain Home, AR to California
| From Arkansas to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR to Los Angeles, CA | 1,664 miles | $1,456–$2,178 | 3–9 days |
| Forrest City, AR to San Diego, CA | 1,642 miles | $1,398–$1,992 | 3–9 days |
| Harrison, AR to San Jose, CA | 1,914 miles | $1,623–$2,251 | 3–11 days |
| Mountain Home, AR to San Francisco, CA | 1,957 miles | $1,623–$2,370 | 3–11 days |
| Magnolia, AR to Fresno, CA | 1,784 miles | $1,447–$2,165 | 3–11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Magnolia, AR to California
| From Arkansas to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR to Los Angeles, CA | 1,624 miles | $1,412–$1,971 | 3–9 days |
| Forrest City, AR to San Diego, CA | 1,590 miles | $1,413–$1,999 | 3–9 days |
| Harrison, AR to San Jose, CA | 1,874 miles | $1,554–$2,395 | 3–11 days |
| Mountain Home, AR to San Francisco, CA | 1,917 miles | $1,608–$2,370 | 3–11 days |
| Magnolia, AR to Fresno, CA | 1,744 miles | $1,462–$2,187 | 3–9 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Arkansas 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 Arkansas to California you should expect to pay between $1,884 and $2,760.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Arkansas to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Natural Slate 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 Arkansas to California spans approximately 1,796 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 Arkansas, 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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas to California should take between 3 and 11 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Arkansas 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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas to California
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,796 miles on your car going from Arkansas 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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas
Over 39 million people call Arkansas home. Nicknamed the Natural Slate, Arkansas has hot, humid summers and slightly drier, mild to cool winters. Arkansas is known for extreme weather and frequent storms. A typical year brings thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, snow, and ice storms. Between both the Great Plains and the Gulf States, Arkansas receives around 60 days of thunderstorms. Movers should check their local weather station to make sure they are not being caught in any of these storms.
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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Arkansas to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Arkansas 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 Arkansas.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In Arkansas, all drivers must maintain liability insurance that meets the state's minimum requirements, which are $25,000 per person for bodily injury or death in one accident, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage caused by an auto 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 Arkansas to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Arkansas to California is about 1796 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take 3-11 days to travel from Arkansas to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Arkansas does not require mandatory safety or emissions inspections, but the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality encourages voluntary emissions testing for the benefit of the environment. This means that while getting your car tested for emissions is optional, it is strongly encouraged.
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 Arkansas, 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 Arkansas, 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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas and California to avoid any hidden costs.
