California to Massachusetts Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 3,105 miles from California to Massachusetts ranges from $1,824 to $2,940 and takes 7–15 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 Massachusetts to California car shipping guide.
California to Massachusetts auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in California and Massachusetts. The average travel distance is about 3,105 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 7 to 15 days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Massachusetts
| From California to Massachusetts | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Boston, MA | 2,983 miles | $1,736–$2,870 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to New Bedford, MA | 2,997 miles | $1,772–$2,957 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Barnstable, MA | 3,041 miles | $1,862–$3,118 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Oxford, MA | 2,943 miles | $1,772–$2,841 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Harwich, MA | 3,060 miles | $1,937–$3,088 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Massachusetts
| From California to Massachusetts | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Boston, MA | 2,999 miles | $1,790–$2,841 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to New Bedford, MA | 2,993 miles | $1,718–$2,841 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Barnstable, MA | 3,036 miles | $1,787–$3,088 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Oxford, MA | 2,959 miles | $1,808–$2,812 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Harwich, MA | 3,049 miles | $1,862–$3,088 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Massachusetts
| From California to Massachusetts | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Boston, MA | 3,131 miles | $1,899–$2,851 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to New Bedford, MA | 3,145 miles | $1,899–$3,088 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Barnstable, MA | 3,190 miles | $1,862–$3,029 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Oxford, MA | 3,091 miles | $1,862–$3,058 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Harwich, MA | 3,203 miles | $1,899–$3,088 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Massachusetts
| From California to Massachusetts | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Boston, MA | 3,099 miles | $1,862–$2,940 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to New Bedford, MA | 3,113 miles | $1,975–$2,851 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Barnstable, MA | 3,158 miles | $1,881–$3,058 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Oxford, MA | 3,060 miles | $1,918–$2,880 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Harwich, MA | 3,171 miles | $1,881–$3,029 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Massachusetts
| From California to Massachusetts | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Boston, MA | 3,107 miles | $1,956–$2,851 | 7–15 days |
| San Diego, CA to New Bedford, MA | 3,122 miles | $1,918–$2,940 | 7–15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Barnstable, MA | 3,166 miles | $1,956–$2,940 | 7–15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Oxford, MA | 3,068 miles | $1,899–$3,118 | 7–15 days |
| Fresno, CA to Harwich, MA | 3,180 miles | $1,787–$3,118 | 7–15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Massachusetts
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 California to Massachusetts you should expect to pay between $2,280 and $3,675.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from California to Massachusetts
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Bay 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 Massachusetts.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to Massachusetts spans approximately 3,105 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 California, 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 California and Massachusetts 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 California to Massachusetts should take between 7 and 15 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best California to Massachusetts 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 California to Massachusetts:
- 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 California to Massachusetts
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 3,105 miles on your car going from California to Massachusetts. 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 California to Massachusetts 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 California to Massachusetts?
- Car insurance requirements: Massachusetts mandates minimum car insurance coverage, including $20,000/$40,000 for bodily injury liability, $5,000 for property damage, $20,000/$40,000 for uninsured motorist bodily injury, and $8,000 for personal injury protection.
- Vehicle inspection: Every year, all vehicles in Massachusetts must undergo a safety inspection. New cars registered in the state must be inspected within 7 days of their registration date.
- Driver’s license: As a new resident in Massachusetts, you must convert your out-of-state vehicle registration to the state within 30 days of establishing residency. The vehicle can be titled and registered at the same time.
- Additional taxes: As a buyer, transferee, or user of a motor vehicle or trailer in Massachusetts, you are responsible for paying a sales or use tax of 6.25%.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from California
Over 39 million people call California home. Nicknamed 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.
Transporting your vehicle to Massachusetts
About 22 million people are living in the Bay State of Massachusetts. Most of Massachusetts has a humid continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers. Far southeast coastal areas are the broad transition zone to Humid Subtropical climates. The warm to hot summers render the oceanic climate rare in this transition, only applying to exposed coastal areas such as on the peninsula of Barnstable County. The climate of Boston is quite representative for the commonwealth, characterized by summer highs of around 81 °F (27 °C) and winter highs of 35 °F (2 °C), and is quite wet. Frosts are frequent all winter, even in coastal areas due to prevailing inland winds. Due to its location near the Atlantic, Massachusetts is vulnerable to nor'easters, hurricanes, and tropical storms.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in California and when dropping off my car in Massachusetts?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in California and when dropping it off in Massachusetts.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Massachusetts?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Massachusetts, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Massachusetts, which you should verify before loading your car in California.
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.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Massachusetts mandates minimum car insurance coverage, including $20,000/$40,000 for bodily injury liability, $5,000 for property damage, $20,000/$40,000 for uninsured motorist bodily injury, and $8,000 for personal injury protection.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Massachusetts?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to Massachusetts is about 3105 miles, and that’s as fast as about 7 days. However, most car transport companies will take 7-15 days to travel from California to Massachusetts.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
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.
Every year, all vehicles in Massachusetts must undergo a safety inspection. New cars registered in the state must be inspected within 7 days of their registration date.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in Massachusetts?
As a new resident in Massachusetts, you must convert your out-of-state vehicle registration to the state within 30 days of establishing residency. The vehicle can be titled and registered at the same time.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in Massachusetts after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to Massachusetts after purchasing it.
As a buyer, transferee, or user of a motor vehicle or trailer in Massachusetts, you are responsible for paying a sales or use tax of 6.25%.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and Massachusetts to avoid any hidden costs.
