California to Rhode Island Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 3,079 miles from California to Rhode Island ranges from $1,545 to $2,343 and takes seven–fifteen 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 Rhode Island to California car shipping guide.
The best California to Rhode Island car shipping companies
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from California to Rhode Island:
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best cross-country shipper: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for discounts: AmeriFreight Car Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for quick pickup: Easy Auto Ship
- 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
- 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
- No upfront deposit
- Expedited shipping
- No hidden fees
- Ships motorcycles & RVs
- Discount for cash payments
Alternative ways to ship your car from California to Rhode Island
- Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 3,079 miles on your car going from California to Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island 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 RI 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 Rhode Island. The average travel distance is about 3,079 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from seven to fifteen days .
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Rhode Island
| From California to Rhode Island | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Providence, RI | $1,560 – $2,430 | 2,968 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Warwick, RI | $1,531 – $2,359 | 2,961 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Cranston, RI | $1,560 – $2,430 | 2,965 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Pawtucket, RI | $1,471 – $2,430 | 2,975 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to East Providence, RI | $1,412 – $2,335 | 2,970 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Rhode Island
| From California to Rhode Island | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA to Providence, RI | $1,531 – $2,478 | 2,962 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Warwick, RI | $1,501 – $2,263 | 2,955 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Cranston, RI | $1,427 – $2,454 | 2,959 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Pawtucket, RI | $1,501 – $2,454 | 2,966 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Diego, CA to East Providence, RI | $1,427 – $2,335 | 2,963 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Rhode Island
| From California to Rhode Island | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA to Providence, RI | $1,468 – $2,440 | 3,116 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Warwick, RI | $1,468 – $2,416 | 3,109 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Cranston, RI | $1,561 – $2,513 | 3,114 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Pawtucket, RI | $1,592 – $2,489 | 3,124 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to East Providence, RI | $1,623 – $2,513 | 3,117 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Rhode Island
| From California to Rhode Island | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA to Providence, RI | $1,484 – $2,367 | 3,084 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Warwick, RI | $1,515 – $2,391 | 3,078 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Cranston, RI | $1,623 – $2,538 | 3,081 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Pawtucket, RI | $1,530 – $2,416 | 3,091 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to East Providence, RI | $1,515 – $2,489 | 3,085 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Rhode Island
| From California to Rhode Island | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno, CA to Providence, RI | $1,623 – $2,562 | 3,093 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Warwick, RI | $1,499 – $2,416 | 3,086 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Cranston, RI | $1,468 – $2,538 | 3,090 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Pawtucket, RI | $1,530 – $2,465 | 3,099 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Fresno, CA to East Providence, RI | $1,545 – $2,538 | 3,094 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island you should expect to pay between $1,931 and $2,929.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from CA to RI
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Ocean 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 Rhode Island.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to Rhode Island spans approximately 3,079 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island should take between seven and fifteen days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Rhode Island vehicle regulations you need to know
- Car insurance requirements: When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.
- Vehicle inspection: All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.
- Driver’s license: If you are moving to Rhode Island from another state, you have 60 days to obtain a Rhode Island driver's license. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and legal presence in the U.S. This can include documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card.
- Additional taxes: When moving to Rhode Island and registering a vehicle, you will likely be required to pay taxes and fees, even if you have already paid similar taxes in your previous state. It's best to check with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles for the specific taxes and fees that may apply when registering your vehicle in Rhode Island.
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 Rhode Island
About 22 million people are living in the Ocean State. Rhode Island has warm summers and cold winters. The state's southern coastal portions have hot summers and cool winters with a mix of rain and snow.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in California and delivery in Rhode Island?
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 Rhode Island.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Rhode Island?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Rhode Island, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Rhode Island, 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.
When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Rhode Island?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to Rhode Island is about 3,079 miles, and that’s as fast as about 7 days. However, most car transport companies will take seven to fifteen days to travel from California to Rhode Island.
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.
All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in Rhode Island?
If you are moving to Rhode Island from another state, you have 60 days to obtain a Rhode Island driver's license. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and legal presence in the U.S. This can include documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in Rhode Island after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to Rhode Island after purchasing it.
When moving to Rhode Island and registering a vehicle, you will likely be required to pay taxes and fees, even if you have already paid similar taxes in your previous state. It's best to check with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles for the specific taxes and fees that may apply when registering your vehicle in Rhode Island.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and Rhode Island to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from California to Rhode Island?
The cheapest way to ship a car from California to Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?
Shipping a car from California to Rhode Island costs $1,545 to $2,343.
