Colorado to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,118 miles from Colorado to California ranges from $886 to $1,318 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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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to Colorado car shipping guide.
The best Colorado to California car shipping companies
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Colorado to California:
- 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 Colorado to California
- Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,118 miles on your car going from Colorado to California. 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 Colorado for a move to California, 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 Colorado to California 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!
CO to CA auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Colorado and California. The average travel distance is about 1,118 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days .
Cost to ship a car from Denver, CO to California
| From Colorado to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO to Los Angeles, CA | $822 – $1,275 | 1,016 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Denver, CO to San Diego, CA | $789 – $1,275 | 1,078 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Denver, CO to San Jose, CA | $957 – $1,493 | 1,272 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Denver, CO to San Francisco, CA | $995 – $1,479 | 1,255 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Denver, CO to Fresno, CA | $921 – $1,415 | 1,141 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Colorado Springs, CO to California
| From Colorado to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs, CO to Los Angeles, CA | $838 – $1,301 | 1,082 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Colorado Springs, CO to San Diego, CA | $850 – $1,345 | 1,143 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Colorado Springs, CO to San Jose, CA | $1,066 – $1,487 | 1,337 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Colorado Springs, CO to San Francisco, CA | $975 – $1,472 | 1,322 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Colorado Springs, CO to Fresno, CA | $947 – $1,493 | 1,207 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Aurora, CO to California
| From Colorado to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora, CO to Los Angeles, CA | $789 – $1,301 | 1,030 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Aurora, CO to San Diego, CA | $805 – $1,340 | 1,092 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Aurora, CO to San Jose, CA | $976 – $1,420 | 1,292 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Aurora, CO to San Francisco, CA | $966 – $1,523 | 1,260 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Aurora, CO to Fresno, CA | $859 – $1,359 | 1,155 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fort Collins, CO to California
| From Colorado to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins, CO to Los Angeles, CA | $773 – $1,288 | 1,076 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Fort Collins, CO to San Diego, CA | $904 – $1,318 | 1,138 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Fort Collins, CO to San Jose, CA | $976 – $1,435 | 1,220 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Fort Collins, CO to San Francisco, CA | $895 – $1,456 | 1,188 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Fort Collins, CO to Fresno, CA | $918 – $1,493 | 1,200 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lakewood, CO to California
| From Colorado to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakewood, CO to Los Angeles, CA | $838 – $1,249 | 1,012 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Lakewood, CO to San Diego, CA | $805 – $1,327 | 1,074 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Lakewood, CO to San Jose, CA | $1,004 – $1,391 | 1,267 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Lakewood, CO to San Francisco, CA | $995 – $1,449 | 1,260 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Lakewood, CO to Fresno, CA | $912 – $1,401 | 1,136 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Colorado to California
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 Colorado to California you should expect to pay between $1,108 and $1,648.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from CO to CA
When transporting your vehicle from the Centennial State to the Golden 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 California.
- Distance and route: The journey from Colorado to California spans approximately 1,118 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 Colorado, 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 Colorado and California 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 Colorado to California should take between two and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
California vehicle regulations you need to know
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: 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.
- Driver’s license: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Additional taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Colorado
More than 39 million people call Colorado home. Nicknamed the Centennial State, 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.
Transporting your vehicle to California
About 22 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Colorado and delivery in California?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Colorado and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Colorado to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Colorado to California, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, which you should verify before loading your car in Colorado.
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.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Colorado to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Colorado to California is about 1,118 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from Colorado to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
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.
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.
If I have a driver’s license in Colorado, will I need one in California?
If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
If I bought a car in Colorado, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Colorado to California after purchasing it.
You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Colorado and California to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Colorado to California?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Colorado to California 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 Colorado to California?
Shipping a car from Colorado to California costs $886 to $1,318.
