Vermont to California Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 3,066 miles from Vermont to California ranges from $1,630 to $2,549 and takes seven–fifteen 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
  • Free car wash
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  • Door-to-door service
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  • Services all 50 states
  • Ships most vehicles

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

The best Vermont to California car shipping companies

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

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (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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Get a quote (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (224) 206-5633
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Guaranteed pickup dates available
  • Door-to-door service
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Get a quote (224) 206-5633
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Get a quote (770) 501-9057
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Get a quote (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (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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Get a quote (864) 492-1221
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (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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Get a quote (888) 259-6046

Alternative ways to ship your car from Vermont to California

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 3,066 miles on your car going from Vermont 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 Vermont 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 Vermont 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!

VT 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 Vermont and California. The average travel distance is about 3,066 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from seven to fifteen days .

Cost to ship a car from Burlington, VT to Californiatoggle

From Vermont to California Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Burlington, VT to Los Angeles, CA $1,508 – $2,356 2,899 miles 7 – 15 days
Burlington, VT to San Diego, CA $1,507 – $2,464 2,915 miles 7 – 15 days
Burlington, VT to San Jose, CA $1,662 – $2,574 3,043 miles 7 – 15 days
Burlington, VT to Bakersfield, CA $1,491 – $2,464 2,914 miles 7 – 15 days
Burlington, VT to San Francisco, CA $1,646 – $2,449 3,012 miles 7 – 15 days

Cost to ship a car from Essex, VT to Californiatoggle

From Vermont to California Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Essex, VT to Los Angeles, CA $1,507 – $2,513 2,907 miles 7 – 15 days
Essex, VT to San Diego, CA $1,491 – $2,513 2,924 miles 7 – 15 days
Essex, VT to San Jose, CA $1,551 – $2,399 3,051 miles 7 – 15 days
Essex, VT to Bakersfield, CA $1,522 – $2,415 2,922 miles 7 – 15 days
Essex, VT to San Francisco, CA $1,583 – $2,499 3,019 miles 7 – 15 days

Cost to ship a car from South Burlington, VT to Californiatoggle

From Vermont to California Cost Distance Estimated transit time
South Burlington, VT to Los Angeles, CA $1,448 – $2,474 2,899 miles 7 – 15 days
South Burlington, VT to San Diego, CA $1,598 – $2,440 2,917 miles 7 – 15 days
South Burlington, VT to San Jose, CA $1,504 – $2,399 3,043 miles 7 – 15 days
South Burlington, VT to Bakersfield, CA $1,491 – $2,562 2,915 miles 7 – 15 days
South Burlington, VT to San Francisco, CA $1,583 – $2,424 3,012 miles 7 – 15 days

Cost to ship a car from Colchester, VT to Californiatoggle

From Vermont to California Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Colchester, VT to Los Angeles, CA $1,461 – $2,415 2,906 miles 7 – 15 days
Colchester, VT to San Diego, CA $1,507 – $2,440 2,923 miles 7 – 15 days
Colchester, VT to San Jose, CA $1,583 – $2,374 3,050 miles 7 – 15 days
Colchester, VT to Bakersfield, CA $1,491 – $2,415 2,920 miles 7 – 15 days
Colchester, VT to San Francisco, CA $1,599 – $2,374 3,017 miles 7 – 15 days

Cost to ship a car from Rutland, VT to Californiatoggle

From Vermont to California Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Rutland, VT to Los Angeles, CA $1,478 – $2,238 2,881 miles 7 – 15 days
Rutland, VT to San Diego, CA $1,523 – $2,332 2,899 miles 7 – 15 days
Rutland, VT to San Jose, CA $1,567 – $2,499 3,026 miles 7 – 15 days
Rutland, VT to Bakersfield, CA $1,493 – $2,285 2,897 miles 7 – 15 days
Rutland, VT to San Francisco, CA $1,598 – $2,415 2,994 miles 7 – 15 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Vermont to Californiatoggle

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 Vermont to California you should expect to pay between $2,038 and $3,186.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from VT to CA

When transporting your vehicle from the Green Mountain 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 Vermont to California spans approximately 3,066 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 Vermont, 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 Vermont 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 Vermont to California should take between seven and fifteen 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 Vermont

More than 39 million people call Vermont home. Nicknamed the Green Mountain State, Vermont has warm to hot summer and cold winters, with muddy springs, in general, a mild early summer, hot Augusts; it has colorful autumns. If you are moving in the winter be prepared for heavy snowfall.

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 Vermont and delivery in California?toggle

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

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Vermont to California?toggle

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Vermont 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 Vermont.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Drivers in Vermont must possess liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 for individual injuries or fatalities, $50,000 for injuries or fatalities involving two or more persons, and $10,000 for property damage in a single accident. Adhering to these essential insurance requirements ensures legal compliance and optimal protection on the road.

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 Vermont to California?toggle

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Vermont to California is about 3,066 miles, and that’s as fast as about 7 days. However, most car transport companies will take seven to fifteen days to travel from Vermont to California.

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

Vehicle safety and emission inspections are required annually in Vermont, as well as a one-time VIN inspection for any out-of-state vehicle being registered for the first time.

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 Vermont, will I need one in California?toggle

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 Vermont, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?toggle

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Vermont 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 Vermont and California to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Vermont to California?toggle

The cheapest way to ship a car from Vermont 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 Vermont to California?toggle

Shipping a car from Vermont to California costs $1,630 to $2,549.

Helpful Vermont resources