Michigan to Idaho Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,964 miles from Michigan to Idaho ranges from $1,246 to $1,872 and takes three–eleven 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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  • Established in 2007
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  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup

Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Idaho to Michigan car shipping guide.

The best Michigan to Idaho car shipping companies

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

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
At A Glance
  • 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
At A Glance
  • 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 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
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
At A Glance
  • 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

Alternative ways to ship your car from Michigan to Idaho

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,964 miles on your car going from Michigan to Idaho. 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 Michigan for a move to Idaho, 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 Michigan to Idaho 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!

MI to ID auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Michigan and Idaho. The average travel distance is about 1,964 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from three to eleven days .

Cost to ship a car from Detroit, MI to Idaho

From Michigan to Idaho Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Detroit, MI to Boise, ID $1,298 – $2,010 1,959 miles 3 – 11 days
Detroit, MI to Meridian, ID $1,363 – $1,912 1,967 miles 3 – 11 days
Detroit, MI to Nampa, ID $1,363 – $1,951 1,975 miles 3 – 11 days
Detroit, MI to Idaho Falls, ID $1,179 – $1,801 1,737 miles 3 – 9 days
Detroit, MI to Caldwell, ID $1,246 – $1,951 1,983 miles 3 – 11 days

Cost to ship a car from Grand Rapids, MI to Idaho

From Michigan to Idaho Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Grand Rapids, MI to Boise, ID $1,330 – $1,859 1,855 miles 3 – 11 days
Grand Rapids, MI to Meridian, ID $1,215 – $1,954 1,863 miles 3 – 11 days
Grand Rapids, MI to Nampa, ID $1,215 – $1,878 1,872 miles 3 – 11 days
Grand Rapids, MI to Idaho Falls, ID $1,235 – $1,743 1,633 miles 3 – 9 days
Grand Rapids, MI to Caldwell, ID $1,343 – $1,821 1,879 miles 3 – 11 days

Cost to ship a car from Warren, MI to Idaho

From Michigan to Idaho Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Warren, MI to Boise, ID $1,337 – $2,030 1,968 miles 3 – 11 days
Warren, MI to Meridian, ID $1,311 – $1,971 1,976 miles 3 – 11 days
Warren, MI to Nampa, ID $1,259 – $1,872 1,984 miles 3 – 11 days
Warren, MI to Idaho Falls, ID $1,303 – $1,891 1,745 miles 3 – 9 days
Warren, MI to Caldwell, ID $1,337 – $1,931 1,992 miles 3 – 11 days

Cost to ship a car from Sterling Heights, MI to Idaho

From Michigan to Idaho Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Sterling Heights, MI to Boise, ID $1,233 – $2,010 1,971 miles 3 – 11 days
Sterling Heights, MI to Meridian, ID $1,350 – $1,990 1,979 miles 3 – 11 days
Sterling Heights, MI to Nampa, ID $1,311 – $1,951 1,988 miles 3 – 11 days
Sterling Heights, MI to Idaho Falls, ID $1,191 – $1,765 1,749 miles 3 – 9 days
Sterling Heights, MI to Caldwell, ID $1,272 – $1,931 1,995 miles 3 – 11 days

Cost to ship a car from Ann Arbor, MI to Idaho

From Michigan to Idaho Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Ann Arbor, MI to Boise, ID $1,324 – $2,069 1,918 miles 3 – 11 days
Ann Arbor, MI to Meridian, ID $1,259 – $1,912 1,926 miles 3 – 11 days
Ann Arbor, MI to Nampa, ID $1,272 – $2,030 1,934 miles 3 – 11 days
Ann Arbor, MI to Idaho Falls, ID $1,211 – $1,760 1,695 miles 3 – 9 days
Ann Arbor, MI to Caldwell, ID $1,272 – $1,872 1,942 miles 3 – 11 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Michigan to Idaho

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 Michigan to Idaho you should expect to pay between $1,558 and $2,340.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from MI to ID

When transporting your vehicle from the Wolverine State to the Gem 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 Idaho.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Michigan to Idaho spans approximately 1,964 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 Michigan, 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 Michigan and Idaho 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 Michigan to Idaho should take between three and eleven days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Idaho vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: Idaho's minimum insurance mandates include $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident.
  • Vehicle inspection: In Idaho, all vehicles in Ada and Canyon Counties are required to pass an emissions test every two years. Additionally, out-of-state vehicle registrations must go through a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection.
  • Driver’s license: If you're moving to Idaho with an out-of-state driver's license, you must transfer it to an Idaho license within 90 days. If you have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), the transfer must be completed within 30 days.
  • Additional taxes: New residents in Idaho must register their out-of-state vehicle with the Idaho DMV within 90 days of moving. Note that if you bought the vehicle prior to moving, you may owe a use tax.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist.

Transporting your vehicle from Michigan

More than 39 million people call Michigan home. Nicknamed the Wolverine State, 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.

Transporting your vehicle to Idaho

About 22 million people are living in the Gem State. The climate in Idaho varies widely. In the west cloud cover, humidity, and precipitation are at their maximum extent. Idaho can be hot but have relatively low humidity and cooler evenings during the summer months. It is important to know that winters in Idaho can be cold.

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Michigan and delivery in Idaho?

Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Michigan and when dropping it off in Idaho.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Michigan to Idaho?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Michigan to Idaho, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Idaho, which you should verify before loading your car in Michigan.

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.

Idaho's minimum insurance mandates include $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident.

How long does it take to ship a car from Michigan to Idaho?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Michigan to Idaho is about 1,964 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eleven days to travel from Michigan to Idaho.

Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?

Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.

In Idaho, all vehicles in Ada and Canyon Counties are required to pass an emissions test every two years. Additionally, out-of-state vehicle registrations must go through a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection.

If I have a driver’s license in Michigan, will I need one in Idaho?

If you're moving to Idaho with an out-of-state driver's license, you must transfer it to an Idaho license within 90 days. If you have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), the transfer must be completed within 30 days.

If I bought a car in Michigan, will I be required to pay sales tax in Idaho after shipping it there?

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

New residents in Idaho must register their out-of-state vehicle with the Idaho DMV within 90 days of moving. Note that if you bought the vehicle prior to moving, you may owe a use tax.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Michigan and Idaho to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Michigan to Idaho?

The cheapest way to ship a car from Michigan to Idaho 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 Michigan to Idaho?

Shipping a car from Michigan to Idaho costs $1,246 to $1,872.

Helpful Michigan resources