New Mexico to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,010 miles from New Mexico to California ranges from $813 to $1,275 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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  • Price lock promise
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  • Established in 2007
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  • Services all 50 states
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to New Mexico car shipping guide.

The best New Mexico to California car shipping companies

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

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
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  • 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 discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
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  • 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
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  • 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
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

Alternative ways to ship your car from New Mexico to California

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,010 miles on your car going from New Mexico 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 New Mexico 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 New Mexico 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!

NM 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 New Mexico and California. The average travel distance is about 1,010 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days .

Cost to ship a car from Albuquerque, NM to California

From New Mexico to California Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Albuquerque, NM to Los Angeles, CA $769 – $1,167 787 miles 2 – 7 days
Albuquerque, NM to San Diego, CA $833 – $1,113 771 miles 2 – 7 days
Albuquerque, NM to San Jose, CA $805 – $1,249 1,043 miles 2 – 8 days
Albuquerque, NM to San Francisco, CA $789 – $1,314 1,085 miles 2 – 8 days
Albuquerque, NM to Fresno, CA $795 – $1,272 912 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Las Cruces, NM to California

From New Mexico to California Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Las Cruces, NM to Los Angeles, CA $833 – $1,148 760 miles 2 – 7 days
Las Cruces, NM to San Diego, CA $778 – $1,093 683 miles 1 – 6 days
Las Cruces, NM to San Jose, CA $813 – $1,249 1,099 miles 2 – 8 days
Las Cruces, NM to San Francisco, CA $895 – $1,442 1,141 miles 2 – 8 days
Las Cruces, NM to Fresno, CA $858 – $1,344 978 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Rio Rancho, NM to California

From New Mexico to California Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Rio Rancho, NM to Los Angeles, CA $769 – $1,179 792 miles 2 – 7 days
Rio Rancho, NM to San Diego, CA $785 – $1,226 776 miles 2 – 7 days
Rio Rancho, NM to San Jose, CA $805 – $1,314 1,048 miles 2 – 8 days
Rio Rancho, NM to San Francisco, CA $854 – $1,262 1,090 miles 2 – 8 days
Rio Rancho, NM to Fresno, CA $861 – $1,284 917 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Santa Fe, NM to California

From New Mexico to California Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Santa Fe, NM to Los Angeles, CA $836 – $1,275 848 miles 2 – 7 days
Santa Fe, NM to San Diego, CA $836 – $1,251 832 miles 2 – 7 days
Santa Fe, NM to San Jose, CA $877 – $1,442 1,104 miles 2 – 8 days
Santa Fe, NM to San Francisco, CA $859 – $1,331 1,146 miles 2 – 8 days
Santa Fe, NM to Fresno, CA $795 – $1,334 972 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Roswell, NM to California

From New Mexico to California Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Roswell, NM to Los Angeles, CA $812 – $1,233 949 miles 2 – 7 days
Roswell, NM to San Diego, CA $800 – $1,169 871 miles 2 – 7 days
Roswell, NM to San Jose, CA $1,004 – $1,508 1,240 miles 2 – 8 days
Roswell, NM to San Francisco, CA $995 – $1,523 1,283 miles 3 – 8 days
Roswell, NM to Fresno, CA $868 – $1,331 1,110 miles 2 – 8 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from New Mexico 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 New Mexico to California you should expect to pay between $1,016 and $1,594.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from NM to CA

When transporting your vehicle from the Land of Enchantment 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 New Mexico to California spans approximately 1,010 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 New Mexico, 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 New Mexico 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 New Mexico 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 New Mexico

More than 39 million people call New Mexico home. Nicknamed the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico has long been reputable for its pleasant, temperate climate. The eastern third of the state receives the most rainfall while the western third receives the least amount. New Mexico's stable climate and sparse population provide for clearer skies and less light pollution.

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 New Mexico 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 New Mexico and when dropping it off in California.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from New Mexico to California?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from New Mexico 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 New Mexico.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Out-of-state insurance is acceptable in New Mexico, provided it meets the state's minimums $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage. To comply, submit a signed Affidavit of Non-Use/Out-of-State insurance to the New Mexico Insurance Identification Database (IIDB). Ensure legal coverage with a submitted affidavit.

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 New Mexico to California?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from New Mexico to California is about 1,010 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from New Mexico to California.

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

Individuals relocating to New Mexico from another state must have their vehicle inspected for its VIN at a certified MVD facility.

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 New Mexico, 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 New Mexico, 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 New Mexico 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 New Mexico and California to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from New Mexico to California?

The cheapest way to ship a car from New Mexico 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 New Mexico to California?

Shipping a car from New Mexico to California costs $813 to $1,275.

Helpful New Mexico resources