California to Michigan Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,404 miles from California to Michigan ranges from $1,615 to $2,563 and takes 5–13 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 Michigan to California car shipping guide.
California to Michigan 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 Michigan. The average travel distance is about 2,404 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 5 to 13 days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Michigan
| From California to Michigan | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Detroit, MI | 2,281 miles | $1,692–$2,522 | 5–13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Grand Rapids, MI | 2,175 miles | $1,520–$2,591 | 4–12 days |
| San Jose, CA to Ann Arbor, MI | 2,239 miles | $1,692–$2,675 | 4–12 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Lansing, MI | 2,216 miles | $1,660–$2,446 | 4–12 days |
| Fresno, CA to Flint, MI | 2,271 miles | $1,547–$2,446 | 5–13 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Michigan
| From California to Michigan | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Detroit, MI | 2,344 miles | $1,600–$2,470 | 5–13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Grand Rapids, MI | 2,237 miles | $1,579–$2,420 | 4–12 days |
| San Jose, CA to Ann Arbor, MI | 2,301 miles | $1,665–$2,572 | 5–13 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Lansing, MI | 2,278 miles | $1,595–$2,420 | 5–13 days |
| Fresno, CA to Flint, MI | 2,333 miles | $1,536–$2,701 | 5–13 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Michigan
| From California to Michigan | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Detroit, MI | 2,426 miles | $1,615–$2,641 | 5–13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Grand Rapids, MI | 2,320 miles | $1,633–$2,598 | 5–13 days |
| San Jose, CA to Ann Arbor, MI | 2,384 miles | $1,616–$2,444 | 5–13 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Lansing, MI | 2,361 miles | $1,633–$2,572 | 5–13 days |
| Fresno, CA to Flint, MI | 2,415 miles | $1,664–$2,512 | 5–13 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Michigan
| From California to Michigan | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Detroit, MI | 2,397 miles | $1,552–$2,495 | 5–13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Grand Rapids, MI | 2,288 miles | $1,563–$2,446 | 5–13 days |
| San Jose, CA to Ann Arbor, MI | 2,356 miles | $1,681–$2,495 | 5–13 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Lansing, MI | 2,329 miles | $1,697–$2,598 | 5–13 days |
| Fresno, CA to Flint, MI | 2,384 miles | $1,536–$2,521 | 5–13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Michigan
| From California to Michigan | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Detroit, MI | 2,405 miles | $1,648–$2,538 | 5–13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Grand Rapids, MI | 2,298 miles | $1,563–$2,446 | 5–13 days |
| San Jose, CA to Ann Arbor, MI | 2,362 miles | $1,681–$2,701 | 5–13 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Lansing, MI | 2,339 miles | $1,665–$2,470 | 5–13 days |
| Fresno, CA to Flint, MI | 2,394 miles | $1,600–$2,521 | 5–13 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Michigan
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 Michigan you should expect to pay between $2,019 and $3,204.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from California to Michigan
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Wolverine 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 Michigan.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to Michigan spans approximately 2,404 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 Michigan 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 Michigan should take between 5 and 13 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best California to Michigan 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 Michigan:
- 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 Michigan
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,404 miles on your car going from California to Michigan. 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 Michigan 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 Michigan?
- Car insurance requirements: Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
- Vehicle inspection: Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
- Driver’s license: Michigan law requires new residents to promptly title and register their vehicles, with no grace period provided. A person is considered a resident if they live in the state and prove their legal presence in the US. To comply with these requirements, new residents should visit a Secretary of State office to obtain a Michigan driver's license, title, and registration as soon as they establish residency.
- Additional taxes: In Michigan, a 6% sales tax is imposed on all vehicle purchases.
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 Michigan
About 22 million people are living in the Wolverine State of Michigan. Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in California and when dropping off my car in Michigan?
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 Michigan.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Michigan?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Michigan, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Michigan, 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. Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Michigan?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to Michigan is about 2404 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take 5-13 days to travel from California to Michigan.
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.
Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in Michigan?
Michigan law requires new residents to promptly title and register their vehicles, with no grace period provided. A person is considered a resident if they live in the state and prove their legal presence in the US. To comply with these requirements, new residents should visit a Secretary of State office to obtain a Michigan driver's license, title, and registration as soon as they establish residency.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in Michigan after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to Michigan after purchasing it.
In Michigan, a 6% sales tax is imposed on all vehicle purchases.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and Michigan to avoid any hidden costs.
