Utah to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 791 miles from Utah to California ranges from $974 to $1,391 and takes 2–7 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 Utah car shipping guide.
Utah 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 Utah and California. The average travel distance is about 791 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 2 to 7 days.
Cost to ship a car from Salt Lake City, UT to California
| From Utah to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UT to Los Angeles, CA | 688 miles | $892–$1,263 | 1–6 days |
| St. George, UT to San Diego, CA | 750 miles | $975–$1,340 | 2–7 days |
| Ogden, UT to San Jose, CA | 767 miles | $975–$1,382 | 2–7 days |
| Smithfield, UT to San Francisco, CA | 736 miles | $983–$1,330 | 1–6 days |
| Grantsville, UT to Fresno, CA | 811 miles | $972–$1,457 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from St. George, UT to California
| From Utah to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UT to Los Angeles, CA | 387 miles | $726–$936 | 1–4 days |
| St. George, UT to San Diego, CA | 449 miles | $756–$1,057 | 1–4 days |
| Ogden, UT to San Jose, CA | 642 miles | $852–$1,243 | 1–6 days |
| Smithfield, UT to San Francisco, CA | 685 miles | $892–$1,343 | 1–6 days |
| Grantsville, UT to Fresno, CA | 510 miles | $752–$1,143 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Ogden, UT to California
| From Utah to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UT to Los Angeles, CA | 725 miles | $907–$1,357 | 1–6 days |
| St. George, UT to San Diego, CA | 786 miles | $926–$1,391 | 2–7 days |
| Ogden, UT to San Jose, CA | 801 miles | $1,002–$1,384 | 2–7 days |
| Smithfield, UT to San Francisco, CA | 770 miles | $994–$1,481 | 2–7 days |
| Grantsville, UT to Fresno, CA | 847 miles | $958–$1,478 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Smithfield, UT to California
| From Utah to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UT to Los Angeles, CA | 776 miles | $974–$1,363 | 2–7 days |
| St. George, UT to San Diego, CA | 838 miles | $968–$1,419 | 2–7 days |
| Ogden, UT to San Jose, CA | 808 miles | $943–$1,472 | 2–7 days |
| Smithfield, UT to San Francisco, CA | 776 miles | $1,003–$1,434 | 2–7 days |
| Grantsville, UT to Fresno, CA | 856 miles | $1,023–$1,498 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Grantsville, UT to California
| From Utah to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UT to Los Angeles, CA | 677 miles | $910–$1,343 | 1–6 days |
| St. George, UT to San Diego, CA | 739 miles | $1,002–$1,427 | 1–6 days |
| Ogden, UT to San Jose, CA | 741 miles | $926–$1,357 | 1–6 days |
| Smithfield, UT to San Francisco, CA | 709 miles | $952–$1,317 | 1–6 days |
| Grantsville, UT to Fresno, CA | 789 miles | $974–$1,506 | 2–7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Utah 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 Utah to California you should expect to pay between $1,218 and $1,739.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Utah to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Beehive 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 Utah to California spans approximately 791 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 Utah, 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 Utah 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 Utah to California should take between 2 and 7 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Utah 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 Utah 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 Utah to California
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 791 miles on your car going from Utah 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 Utah 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 Utah 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 Utah
Over 39 million people call Utah home. Nicknamed the Beehive State, Utah's temperatures are extreme, with cold temperatures in winter due to its elevation, and very hot summers statewide (with the exception of mountain areas and high mountain valleys). Utah is usually protected from major blasts of cold air by mountains lying north and east of the state. Utah, like most of the western United States, has few days of thunderstorms. On average there are fewer than 40 days of thunderstorm activity during the year, although these storms can be briefly intense when they do occur.
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 Utah 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 Utah and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Utah to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Utah 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 Utah.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In Utah, it is mandatory for drivers to maintain liability insurance with minimum coverage, including $25,000 for individual injury or death, $50,000 for injury or death involving multiple individuals, and $20,000 for property damage. Additionally, uninsured motorist coverage with identical limits is required.
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 Utah to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Utah to California is about 791 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take 2-7 days to travel from Utah to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Vehicles in the state of Utah are mandated to pass an annual safety inspection to ensure that key components such as brakes, lights and tires are in good working condition. Additionally, vehicles older than 6 years are also required to pass an emissions inspection to confirm that they are not emitting excessive levels of pollutants. If a vehicle fails either of these inspections, it must be repaired and retested before it can be legally driven on the road.
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 Utah, 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 Utah, 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 Utah 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 Utah and California to avoid any hidden costs.
