California to Idaho Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 909 miles from California to Idaho ranges from $855 to $1,211 and takes two–seven days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Idaho to California car shipping guide.
The best California to Idaho car shipping companies
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from California to Idaho:
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best cross-country shipper: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for quick pickup: Easy Auto Ship
- Best for discounts: AmeriFreight Car Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- No upfront payment
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Competitive pricing
- Door-to-door shipping
- No upfront deposit
- Expedited shipping
- No hidden fees
- Ships motorcycles & RVs
- Discount for cash payments
- Competitive pricing
- Last-minute car shipments
- Guaranteed & expedited shipments
- Gap insurance coverage
- Multiple discounts
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Alternative ways to ship your car from California to Idaho
- Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 909 miles on your car going from California to Idaho. 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 need to ship your car from California for a move to Idaho, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
- Hire a driver. Hire someone to drive the car from California to Idaho 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!
CA to ID auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in California and Idaho. The average travel distance is about 909 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to seven days .
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Idaho
| From California to Idaho | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Boise, ID | $814 – $1,180 | 843 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Meridian, ID | $855 – $1,205 | 833 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Nampa, ID | $849 – $1,260 | 824 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Idaho Falls, ID | $820 – $1,223 | 899 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Caldwell, ID | $808 – $1,175 | 820 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Idaho
| From California to Idaho | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA to Boise, ID | $846 – $1,259 | 959 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| San Diego, CA to Meridian, ID | $804 – $1,337 | 967 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| San Diego, CA to Nampa, ID | $818 – $1,282 | 976 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| San Diego, CA to Idaho Falls, ID | $846 – $1,272 | 966 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| San Diego, CA to Caldwell, ID | $855 – $1,223 | 918 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Idaho
| From California to Idaho | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA to Boise, ID | $775 – $1,092 | 671 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| San Jose, CA to Meridian, ID | $737 – $1,070 | 662 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| San Jose, CA to Nampa, ID | $767 – $1,124 | 653 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| San Jose, CA to Idaho Falls, ID | $801 – $1,270 | 861 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| San Jose, CA to Caldwell, ID | $753 – $1,002 | 649 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Idaho
| From California to Idaho | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA to Boise, ID | $731 – $1,013 | 639 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Meridian, ID | $776 – $1,023 | 630 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Nampa, ID | $768 – $986 | 621 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Idaho Falls, ID | $855 – $1,266 | 829 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Caldwell, ID | $753 – $1,007 | 618 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Idaho
| From California to Idaho | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno, CA to Boise, ID | $752 – $1,175 | 719 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Fresno, CA to Meridian, ID | $752 – $1,096 | 710 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Fresno, CA to Nampa, ID | $807 – $1,152 | 702 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Fresno, CA to Idaho Falls, ID | $863 – $1,325 | 909 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Fresno, CA to Caldwell, ID | $796 – $1,139 | 697 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Idaho
Since vehicles like SUVs, 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 Idaho you should expect to pay between $1,069 and $1,514.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from CA to ID
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Gem 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 Idaho.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to Idaho spans approximately 909 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 Idaho 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 Idaho should take between two and seven days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Idaho vehicle regulations you need to know
- Car insurance requirements: Idaho's minimum insurance mandates include $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident.
- Vehicle inspection: In Idaho, all vehicles in Ada and Canyon Counties are required to pass an emissions test every two years. Additionally, out-of-state vehicle registrations must go through a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection.
- Driver’s license: If you're moving to Idaho with an out-of-state driver's license, you must transfer it to an Idaho license within 90 days. If you have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), the transfer must be completed within 30 days.
- Additional taxes: New residents in Idaho must register their out-of-state vehicle with the Idaho DMV within 90 days of moving. Note that if you bought the vehicle prior to moving, you may owe a use tax.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from California
More than 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 Idaho
About 22 million people are living in the Gem State. The climate in Idaho varies widely. In the west cloud cover, humidity, and precipitation are at their maximum extent. Idaho can be hot but have relatively low humidity and cooler evenings during the summer months. It is important to know that winters in Idaho can be cold.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in California and delivery in Idaho?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in California and when dropping it off in Idaho.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Idaho?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Idaho, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Idaho, 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.
Idaho's minimum insurance mandates include $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Idaho?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to Idaho is about 909 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from California to Idaho.
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.
In Idaho, all vehicles in Ada and Canyon Counties are required to pass an emissions test every two years. Additionally, out-of-state vehicle registrations must go through a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in Idaho?
If you're moving to Idaho with an out-of-state driver's license, you must transfer it to an Idaho license within 90 days. If you have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), the transfer must be completed within 30 days.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in Idaho after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to Idaho after purchasing it.
New residents in Idaho must register their out-of-state vehicle with the Idaho DMV within 90 days of moving. Note that if you bought the vehicle prior to moving, you may owe a use tax.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and Idaho to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from California to Idaho?
The cheapest way to ship a car from California to Idaho is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Idaho?
Shipping a car from California to Idaho costs $855 to $1,211.
