California to Colorado Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,138 miles from California to Colorado ranges from $1,056 to $1,721 and takes 2–8 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 Colorado to California car shipping guide.
California to Colorado 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 Colorado. The average travel distance is about 1,138 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 2 to 8 days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Colorado
| From California to Colorado | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Denver, CO | 1,017 miles | $950–$1,600 | 2–8 days |
| San Diego, CA to Colorado Springs, CO | 1,084 miles | $980–$1,631 | 2–8 days |
| San Jose, CA to Aurora, CO | 1,035 miles | $960–$1,663 | 2–8 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Fort Collins, CO | 1,076 miles | $980–$1,568 | 2–8 days |
| Fresno, CA to Fruita, CO | 767 miles | $1,013–$1,481 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Colorado
| From California to Colorado | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Denver, CO | 1,077 miles | $970–$1,647 | 2–8 days |
| San Diego, CA to Colorado Springs, CO | 1,144 miles | $1,110–$1,772 | 2–8 days |
| San Jose, CA to Aurora, CO | 1,091 miles | $1,000–$1,615 | 2–8 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Fort Collins, CO | 1,138 miles | $1,099–$1,671 | 2–8 days |
| Fresno, CA to Fruita, CO | 825 miles | $1,008–$1,434 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Colorado
| From California to Colorado | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Denver, CO | 1,271 miles | $1,199–$1,693 | 3–8 days |
| San Diego, CA to Colorado Springs, CO | 1,338 miles | $1,186–$1,922 | 3–8 days |
| San Jose, CA to Aurora, CO | 1,291 miles | $1,129–$1,710 | 3–8 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Fort Collins, CO | 1,219 miles | $1,117–$1,817 | 2–8 days |
| Fresno, CA to Fruita, CO | 1,018 miles | $980–$1,663 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Colorado
| From California to Colorado | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Denver, CO | 1,251 miles | $1,152–$1,871 | 3–8 days |
| San Diego, CA to Colorado Springs, CO | 1,322 miles | $1,260–$1,959 | 3–8 days |
| San Jose, CA to Aurora, CO | 1,259 miles | $1,141–$1,746 | 3–8 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Fort Collins, CO | 1,187 miles | $1,067–$1,755 | 2–8 days |
| Fresno, CA to Fruita, CO | 1,005 miles | $1,029–$1,504 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Colorado
| From California to Colorado | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Denver, CO | 1,140 miles | $1,078–$1,603 | 2–8 days |
| San Diego, CA to Colorado Springs, CO | 1,207 miles | $1,106–$1,728 | 2–8 days |
| San Jose, CA to Aurora, CO | 1,156 miles | $1,121–$1,755 | 2–8 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Fort Collins, CO | 1,203 miles | $1,222–$1,728 | 2–8 days |
| Fresno, CA to Fruita, CO | 890 miles | $966–$1,500 | 2–7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Colorado
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 Colorado you should expect to pay between $1,320 and $2,151.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from California to Colorado
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Centennial 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 Colorado.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to Colorado spans approximately 1,138 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 Colorado 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 Colorado should take between 2 and 8 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best California to Colorado 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 Colorado:
- 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 Colorado
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,138 miles on your car going from California to Colorado. 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 Colorado 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 Colorado?
- Car insurance requirements: To drive in Colorado, you must have insurance with minimum 25/50/10 liability limits, covering $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage. While meeting the state's minimum requirement, it's advisable to consider factors for determining optimal coverage levels.
- Vehicle inspection: To register and title your vehicle in Colorado within 90 days of moving, you'll need to provide the DMV with an out-of-state vehicle title, proof of a valid Colorado auto insurance policy, verifiable identification, and documentation of the vehicle's weight.
- Driver’s license: To obtain a Colorado driver's license, new residents must visit a Colorado DMV office in person. The process cannot be done online or by phone. A valid out-of-state license is required, with no suspensions, revocations, or cancellations, and must not have been deemed unfit to drive by CO DMV or a court.
- Additional taxes: Vehicles purchased outside Colorado are not taxed, but if they are registered in Colorado, the buyer must pay use and local taxes. If the buyer has already paid taxes in the state of purchase, they may claim credit towards the use tax. No use tax applies to vehicles brought into Colorado by a nonresident becoming a resident, but rules may differ for those who lease vehicles.
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 Colorado
About 22 million people are living in the Centennial State of Colorado. Colorado has a relatively complex climate. Ranging from the famous mountain region of the state to desert. Therefore, keep track of the weather of your new city on move day. The most extreme weather that happens in Colorado happens in the least populated areas of the state but you may drive through these regions to get to your new home so be wary of that too.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in California and when dropping off my car in Colorado?
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 Colorado.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Colorado?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Colorado, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Colorado, 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. To drive in Colorado, you must have insurance with minimum 25/50/10 liability limits, covering $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage. While meeting the state's minimum requirement, it's advisable to consider factors for determining optimal coverage levels.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Colorado?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to Colorado is about 1138 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take 2-8 days to travel from California to Colorado.
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.
To register and title your vehicle in Colorado within 90 days of moving, you'll need to provide the DMV with an out-of-state vehicle title, proof of a valid Colorado auto insurance policy, verifiable identification, and documentation of the vehicle's weight.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in Colorado?
To obtain a Colorado driver's license, new residents must visit a Colorado DMV office in person. The process cannot be done online or by phone. A valid out-of-state license is required, with no suspensions, revocations, or cancellations, and must not have been deemed unfit to drive by CO DMV or a court.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in Colorado after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to Colorado after purchasing it.
Vehicles purchased outside Colorado are not taxed, but if they are registered in Colorado, the buyer must pay use and local taxes. If the buyer has already paid taxes in the state of purchase, they may claim credit towards the use tax. No use tax applies to vehicles brought into Colorado by a nonresident becoming a resident, but rules may differ for those who lease vehicles.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and Colorado to avoid any hidden costs.
