Massachusetts to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 3,105 miles from Massachusetts to California ranges from $1,787 to $3,118 and takes 7–15 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 California to Massachusetts car shipping guide.
Massachusetts to California auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Massachusetts and California. The average travel distance is about 3,105 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 7 to 15 days.
Cost to ship a car from Boston, MA to California
| From Massachusetts to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA to Los Angeles, CA | 2,983 miles | $1,808–$2,754 | 7–15 days |
| New Bedford, MA to San Diego, CA | 2,999 miles | $1,826–$2,754 | 7–15 days |
| Barnstable, MA to San Jose, CA | 3,131 miles | $1,862–$2,851 | 7–15 days |
| Oxford, MA to San Francisco, CA | 3,099 miles | $1,805–$2,851 | 7–15 days |
| Harwich, MA to Fresno, CA | 3,107 miles | $1,918–$2,999 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from New Bedford, MA to California
| From Massachusetts to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA to Los Angeles, CA | 2,997 miles | $1,790–$2,899 | 7–15 days |
| New Bedford, MA to San Diego, CA | 2,993 miles | $1,899–$2,928 | 7–15 days |
| Barnstable, MA to San Jose, CA | 3,145 miles | $1,805–$3,058 | 7–15 days |
| Oxford, MA to San Francisco, CA | 3,113 miles | $1,918–$2,851 | 7–15 days |
| Harwich, MA to Fresno, CA | 3,122 miles | $1,881–$2,910 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Barnstable, MA to California
| From Massachusetts to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA to Los Angeles, CA | 3,041 miles | $1,899–$2,880 | 7–15 days |
| New Bedford, MA to San Diego, CA | 3,036 miles | $1,918–$2,851 | 7–15 days |
| Barnstable, MA to San Jose, CA | 3,190 miles | $1,881–$2,999 | 7–15 days |
| Oxford, MA to San Francisco, CA | 3,158 miles | $1,862–$3,058 | 7–15 days |
| Harwich, MA to Fresno, CA | 3,166 miles | $1,805–$2,821 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Oxford, MA to California
| From Massachusetts to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA to Los Angeles, CA | 2,943 miles | $1,754–$2,928 | 7–15 days |
| New Bedford, MA to San Diego, CA | 2,959 miles | $1,772–$3,015 | 7–15 days |
| Barnstable, MA to San Jose, CA | 3,091 miles | $1,937–$2,940 | 7–15 days |
| Oxford, MA to San Francisco, CA | 3,060 miles | $1,975–$3,058 | 7–15 days |
| Harwich, MA to Fresno, CA | 3,068 miles | $1,956–$3,029 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Harwich, MA to California
| From Massachusetts to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA to Los Angeles, CA | 3,060 miles | $1,805–$3,088 | 7–15 days |
| New Bedford, MA to San Diego, CA | 3,049 miles | $1,787–$2,821 | 7–15 days |
| Barnstable, MA to San Jose, CA | 3,203 miles | $1,975–$3,058 | 7–15 days |
| Oxford, MA to San Francisco, CA | 3,171 miles | $1,787–$2,910 | 7–15 days |
| Harwich, MA to Fresno, CA | 3,180 miles | $1,918–$3,118 | 7–15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Massachusetts to California
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 Massachusetts to California you should expect to pay between $2,234 and $3,898.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Massachusetts to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Bay 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 Massachusetts to California spans approximately 3,105 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 Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts to California should take between 7 and 15 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Massachusetts to California 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 Massachusetts to California:
- 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 Massachusetts to California
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 3,105 miles on your car going from Massachusetts 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 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 Massachusetts 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!
What else should you know about shipping a car from Massachusetts to California?
- 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 Massachusetts
Over 39 million people call Massachusetts home. Nicknamed the Bay State, Most of Massachusetts has a humid continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers. Far southeast coastal areas are the broad transition zone to Humid Subtropical climates. The warm to hot summers render the oceanic climate rare in this transition, only applying to exposed coastal areas such as on the peninsula of Barnstable County. The climate of Boston is quite representative for the commonwealth, characterized by summer highs of around 81 °F (27 °C) and winter highs of 35 °F (2 °C), and is quite wet. Frosts are frequent all winter, even in coastal areas due to prevailing inland winds. Due to its location near the Atlantic, Massachusetts is vulnerable to nor'easters, hurricanes, and tropical storms.
Transporting your vehicle to California
About 22 million people are living in the Golden State of California. 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 picking up my car in Massachusetts and when dropping off my car in California?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Massachusetts and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Massachusetts to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Massachusetts mandates minimum car insurance coverage, including $20,000/$40,000 for bodily injury liability, $5,000 for property damage, $20,000/$40,000 for uninsured motorist bodily injury, and $8,000 for personal injury protection.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Massachusetts to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Massachusetts to California is about 3105 miles, and that’s as fast as about 7 days. However, most car transport companies will take 7-15 days to travel from Massachusetts to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Every year, all vehicles in Massachusetts must undergo a safety inspection. New cars registered in the state must be inspected within 7 days of their registration date.
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 Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts and California to avoid any hidden costs.
