Nebraska to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,458 miles from Nebraska to California ranges from $1,290 to $1,959 and takes 3–8 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 Nebraska car shipping guide.
Nebraska 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 Nebraska and California. The average travel distance is about 1,458 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 3 to 8 days.
Cost to ship a car from Omaha, NE to California
| From Nebraska to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE to Los Angeles, CA | 1,552 miles | $1,427–$2,079 | 3–9 days |
| Lincoln, NE to San Diego, CA | 1,614 miles | $1,456–$1,992 | 3–9 days |
| Beatrice, NE to San Jose, CA | 1,696 miles | $1,427–$2,158 | 3–9 days |
| Chalco, NE to San Francisco, CA | 1,664 miles | $1,412–$1,992 | 3–9 days |
| Lexington, NE to Fresno, CA | 1,675 miles | $1,412–$2,095 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lincoln, NE to California
| From Nebraska to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE to Los Angeles, CA | 1,496 miles | $1,369–$1,862 | 3–8 days |
| Lincoln, NE to San Diego, CA | 1,558 miles | $1,400–$1,980 | 3–9 days |
| Beatrice, NE to San Jose, CA | 1,641 miles | $1,427–$2,075 | 3–9 days |
| Chalco, NE to San Francisco, CA | 1,609 miles | $1,398–$2,178 | 3–9 days |
| Lexington, NE to Fresno, CA | 1,619 miles | $1,398–$2,116 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Beatrice, NE to California
| From Nebraska to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE to Los Angeles, CA | 1,534 miles | $1,330–$1,920 | 3–9 days |
| Lincoln, NE to San Diego, CA | 1,596 miles | $1,330–$2,039 | 3–9 days |
| Beatrice, NE to San Jose, CA | 1,679 miles | $1,470–$1,992 | 3–9 days |
| Chalco, NE to San Francisco, CA | 1,647 miles | $1,441–$2,012 | 3–9 days |
| Lexington, NE to Fresno, CA | 1,657 miles | $1,427–$2,075 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Chalco, NE to California
| From Nebraska to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE to Los Angeles, CA | 1,539 miles | $1,455–$2,019 | 3–9 days |
| Lincoln, NE to San Diego, CA | 1,600 miles | $1,427–$2,075 | 3–9 days |
| Beatrice, NE to San Jose, CA | 1,683 miles | $1,484–$1,992 | 3–9 days |
| Chalco, NE to San Francisco, CA | 1,651 miles | $1,369–$2,137 | 3–9 days |
| Lexington, NE to Fresno, CA | 1,662 miles | $1,470–$2,178 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lexington, NE to California
| From Nebraska to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE to Los Angeles, CA | 1,335 miles | $1,198–$1,940 | 3–8 days |
| Lincoln, NE to San Diego, CA | 1,396 miles | $1,272–$1,791 | 3–8 days |
| Beatrice, NE to San Jose, CA | 1,479 miles | $1,330–$1,998 | 3–8 days |
| Chalco, NE to San Francisco, CA | 1,447 miles | $1,330–$1,979 | 3–8 days |
| Lexington, NE to Fresno, CA | 1,458 miles | $1,277–$1,862 | 3–8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Nebraska 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 Nebraska to California you should expect to pay between $1,613 and $2,449.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Nebraska to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Cornhusker 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 Nebraska to California spans approximately 1,458 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 Nebraska, 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska to California should take between 3 and 8 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska to California
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,458 miles on your car going from Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska
Over 39 million people call Nebraska home. Nicknamed the Cornhusker State, Nebraska experiences wide seasonal variations in both temperature and precipitation. Nebraska has hot summers and generally cold winters. Nebraska is located in Tornado Alley. Thunderstorms are common during both the spring and the summer.
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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Nebraska to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Nebraska 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 Nebraska.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Nebraska's car insurance mandates include bodily injury liability coverage at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, property damage liability coverage at $25,000, uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, ensuring drivers meet the state's minimum requirements for financial protection in the event of accidents.
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 Nebraska to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Nebraska to California is about 1458 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take 3-8 days to travel from Nebraska to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Emission tests are not required in Nebraska. However, the state requires VIN 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.
If I have a driver’s license in Nebraska, 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 Nebraska, 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska and California to avoid any hidden costs.
