California to New Mexico Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,005 miles from California to New Mexico ranges from $781 to $1,367 and takes two–eight 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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  • Price lock promise
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  • Established in 2007
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  • Services all 50 states
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our New Mexico to California car shipping guide.

The best California to New Mexico car shipping companies

We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from California to New Mexico:

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
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  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Check prices (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (224) 206-5633
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  • No upfront payment
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Competitive pricing
  • Door-to-door shipping
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Check prices (224) 206-5633
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (864) 492-1221
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  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Check prices (864) 492-1221
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (888) 259-6046
At A Glance
  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Check prices (888) 259-6046

Alternative ways to ship your car from California to New Mexico

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,005 miles on your car going from California to New Mexico. 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 New Mexico, 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 New Mexico 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 NM 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 New Mexico. The average travel distance is about 1,005 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days .

Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to New Mexico

From California to New Mexico Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Los Angeles, CA to Albuquerque, NM $825 – $1,167 790 miles 2 – 7 days
Los Angeles, CA to Las Cruces, NM $785 – $1,159 760 miles 2 – 7 days
Los Angeles, CA to Rio Rancho, NM $825 – $1,238 792 miles 2 – 7 days
Los Angeles, CA to Santa Fe, NM $780 – $1,215 848 miles 2 – 7 days
Los Angeles, CA to Roswell, NM $779 – $1,259 949 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to New Mexico

From California to New Mexico Cost Distance Estimated transit time
San Diego, CA to Albuquerque, NM $825 – $1,101 771 miles 2 – 7 days
San Diego, CA to Las Cruces, NM $725 – $1,147 682 miles 1 – 6 days
San Diego, CA to Rio Rancho, NM $777 – $1,191 775 miles 2 – 7 days
San Diego, CA to Santa Fe, NM $820 – $1,215 830 miles 2 – 7 days
San Diego, CA to Roswell, NM $857 – $1,169 871 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to New Mexico

From California to New Mexico Cost Distance Estimated transit time
San Jose, CA to Albuquerque, NM $773 – $1,314 1,042 miles 2 – 8 days
San Jose, CA to Las Cruces, NM $781 – $1,353 1,098 miles 2 – 8 days
San Jose, CA to Rio Rancho, NM $846 – $1,249 1,048 miles 2 – 8 days
San Jose, CA to Santa Fe, NM $904 – $1,401 1,102 miles 2 – 8 days
San Jose, CA to Roswell, NM $957 – $1,406 1,240 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to New Mexico

From California to New Mexico Cost Distance Estimated transit time
San Francisco, CA to Albuquerque, NM $805 – $1,353 1,085 miles 2 – 8 days
San Francisco, CA to Las Cruces, NM $868 – $1,318 1,140 miles 2 – 8 days
San Francisco, CA to Rio Rancho, NM $813 – $1,353 1,090 miles 2 – 8 days
San Francisco, CA to Santa Fe, NM $912 – $1,456 1,145 miles 2 – 8 days
San Francisco, CA to Roswell, NM $995 – $1,449 1,283 miles 3 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to New Mexico

From California to New Mexico Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Fresno, CA to Albuquerque, NM $779 – $1,196 912 miles 2 – 7 days
Fresno, CA to Las Cruces, NM $841 – $1,357 977 miles 2 – 7 days
Fresno, CA to Rio Rancho, NM $820 – $1,196 917 miles 2 – 7 days
Fresno, CA to Santa Fe, NM $852 – $1,244 972 miles 2 – 7 days
Fresno, CA to Roswell, NM $904 – $1,345 1,109 miles 2 – 8 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from California to New Mexico

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 New Mexico you should expect to pay between $976 and $1,709.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from CA to NM

When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Land of Enchantment, 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 New Mexico.
  • Distance and route: The journey from California to New Mexico spans approximately 1,005 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 New Mexico 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 New Mexico should take between two and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

New Mexico vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: Out-of-state insurance is acceptable in New Mexico, provided it meets the state's minimums $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage. To comply, submit a signed Affidavit of Non-Use/Out-of-State insurance to the New Mexico Insurance Identification Database (IIDB). Ensure legal coverage with a submitted affidavit.
  • Vehicle inspection: Individuals relocating to New Mexico from another state must have their vehicle inspected for its VIN at a certified MVD facility.
  • Driver’s license: To get your New Mexico driver's license, visit MVD Express with the required documents. A driver's license serves as both a legal permit to drive and an ID, so you must prove your residency and identity. Bring your current out-of-state driver's license, an ID number such as your social security card, two forms of proof of New Mexico address.
  • Additional taxes: If a vehicle is purchased in a different state and a tax similar to a gross receipts or sales tax has already been paid, the amount of that tax may be applied towards the MVET (motor vehicle excise tax) owed on that same vehicle.

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 New Mexico

About 22 million people are living in the Land of Enchantment. New Mexico has long been reputable for its pleasant, temperate climate. The eastern third of the state receives the most rainfall while the western third receives the least amount. New Mexico's stable climate and sparse population provide for clearer skies and less light pollution.

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in California and delivery in New Mexico?

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 New Mexico.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to New Mexico?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to New Mexico, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to New Mexico, 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.

Out-of-state insurance is acceptable in New Mexico, provided it meets the state's minimums $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage. To comply, submit a signed Affidavit of Non-Use/Out-of-State insurance to the New Mexico Insurance Identification Database (IIDB). Ensure legal coverage with a submitted affidavit.

How long does it take to ship a car from California to New Mexico?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to New Mexico is about 1,005 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from California to New Mexico.

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.

Individuals relocating to New Mexico from another state must have their vehicle inspected for its VIN at a certified MVD facility.

If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in New Mexico?

To get your New Mexico driver's license, visit MVD Express with the required documents. A driver's license serves as both a legal permit to drive and an ID, so you must prove your residency and identity. Bring your current out-of-state driver's license, an ID number such as your social security card, two forms of proof of New Mexico address.

If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in New Mexico after shipping it there?

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to New Mexico after purchasing it.

If a vehicle is purchased in a different state and a tax similar to a gross receipts or sales tax has already been paid, the amount of that tax may be applied towards the MVET (motor vehicle excise tax) owed on that same vehicle.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and New Mexico to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from California to New Mexico?

The cheapest way to ship a car from California to New Mexico 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 New Mexico?

Shipping a car from California to New Mexico costs $781 to $1,367.

Helpful California resources