California to Massachusetts Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 3,095 miles from California to Massachusetts ranges from $1,463 to $2,477 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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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.4 / 5
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  • Price matching
  • One-day pickup

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

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Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

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The best California to Massachusetts car shipping companies

Through more than 400 hours of analysis of car shippers, we found that these are the top car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from California to Massachusetts:

Best for Real-Time Tracking
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.7 / 5
Get a quote (224) 310-1412
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking
  • Instant online quotes
  • Economy option
  • Ships nationwide
  • Easy online scheduling
read our full review
Get a quote (224) 310-1412
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 for Exact Pickup Dates
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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 Insurance Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
Get a quote (866) 563-0804
At A Glance
  • Damage-free guarantee
  • $500 damage or loss coverage
  • No deposit
  • Rental car assistance
  • Inoperable car shipping
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Get a quote (866) 563-0804

Top local car shippers in California

Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in California ready to move your vehicle to Massachusetts:

  1. Auto Express Inc.: 3.88 out of 5 stars
  2. King Of The Road Transport Inc: 3.86 out of 5 stars
  3. A To Z Auto Shipping: 3.86 out of 5 stars
  4. McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc.: 3.78 out of 5 stars
  5. Golden Key Express: 3.72 out of 5 stars

Auto Express Inc.

501 W Broadway Ste. 800, San Diego, CA 92101 US

starstarstarstarstar3.88 / 5.0
Get a Quote (877) 428-8697

Services Offered

  • Door-to-door service
  • Open transport
  • Enclosed transport
  • International shipping
  • Insured shipping
  • Shipment tracking
  • Storage solutions
  • Classic cars
  • RVs
  • ATVs
  • Trailers
  • Motorcycles
  • Heavy equipment
  • Boats
  • Electric vehicles
  • Inoperable cars

Additional Information

King Of The Road Transport Inc

7316 Lindley Ave, Reseda, CA 91335 US

starstarstarstarstar3.86 / 5.0
Get a Quote (800) 955-0644

Services Offered

  • Open transport
  • Enclosed transport
  • Interstate shipping
  • International shipping
  • Insured shipping
  • Shipment tracking
  • Expedited delivery
  • Multi-car transport
  • Detailed inspection reports
  • Classic cars
  • RVs
  • ATVs
  • Trailers
  • Motorcycles
  • Heavy equipment
  • Electric vehicles
  • Inoperable cars

Discounts

  • Military
  • Senior
  • Student
  • Teacher

Additional Information

A To Z Auto Shipping

30101 Agoura Court, Suite 109, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 US

starstarstarstarstar3.86 / 5.0
Get a Quote (818) 991-9904

Services Offered

  • Open transport
  • Enclosed transport
  • Interstate shipping
  • Insured shipping
  • Multi-car transport
  • Classic cars
  • RVs
  • ATVs
  • Motorcycles
  • Electric vehicles
  • Inoperable cars

Discounts

  • Military

Additional Information

Alternative Business Names

  • A to Z auto Shipping, Inc.

McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc.

45125 Industrial Dr, Fremont, CA 94538 US

starstarstarstarstar3.78 / 5.0
Get a Quote (800) 257-9595

Services Offered

  • Open transport
  • Enclosed transport
  • Interstate shipping
  • International shipping
  • Insured shipping
  • Shipment tracking
  • Expedited delivery
  • Storage solutions
  • Classic cars
  • Trailers
  • Heavy equipment

Additional Information

Alternative Business Names

  • McCollister's Transportation Group, Inc
  • McCollister's Transportation

Golden Key Express

7234 N Traverse Ave, Clovis, CA 93619 US

starstarstarstarstar3.72 / 5.0

Golden Key Express provides highly reliable and professional service, frequently recommended by customers for their efficiency and support throughout the transport process. No major complaints have been evidenced.

Get a Quote (559) 299-7288

Services Offered

  • Open transport
  • Enclosed transport
  • Interstate shipping
  • Insured shipping
  • Shipment tracking
  • Detailed inspection reports
  • Storage solutions
  • Classic cars

Discounts

  • Military

Additional Information

How we chose the best car shipping companies

We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.

Here’s what we considered:

  • Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
  • Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
  • Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
  • Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
  • Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.

Alternative ways to ship your car from California to Massachusetts

Ship it with your movers

If your move takes you from California to Massachusetts, you might want to look for a moving company that can coordinate car shipping. Many interstate moving companies already partner with established auto transport services.

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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
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  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
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  • 24/7 cust. service
  • Competitive rates
  • 10% discounts

Drive it yourself

While it’s straightforward, this choice isn’t always possible, and it will add roughly 3,095 miles to your vehicle on the route from California to Massachusetts. For guidance, review the advantages and disadvantages of driving or shipping.

Hire a driver

You can hire someone to drive your car from California to Massachusetts, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.

Ship by train

Shipping by train can be a cost-effective and reliable method of moving your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the least expensive way to move a vehicle.

California to Massachusetts auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in California and Massachusetts. The average travel distance is about 3,095 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from seven to fifteen days.

Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Massachusetts

From California to Massachusetts Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Los Angeles, CA to Boston, MA $1,378 – $2,348 2,984 miles 7 – 15 days
Los Angeles, CA to Worcester, MA $1,465 – $2,372 2,944 miles 7 – 15 days
Los Angeles, CA to Springfield, MA $1,451 – $2,155 2,899 miles 7 – 15 days
Los Angeles, CA to Cambridge, MA $1,479 – $2,325 2,979 miles 7 – 15 days
Los Angeles, CA to Lowell, MA $1,479 – $2,255 2,985 miles 7 – 15 days

Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Massachusetts

From California to Massachusetts Cost Distance Estimated transit time
San Diego, CA to Boston, MA $1,508 – $2,325 2,998 miles 7 – 15 days
San Diego, CA to Worcester, MA $1,407 – $2,348 2,960 miles 7 – 15 days
San Diego, CA to Springfield, MA $1,436 – $2,279 2,917 miles 7 – 15 days
San Diego, CA to Cambridge, MA $1,392 – $2,302 2,995 miles 7 – 15 days
San Diego, CA to Lowell, MA $1,493 – $2,286 3,002 miles 7 – 15 days

Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Massachusetts

From California to Massachusetts Cost Distance Estimated transit time
San Jose, CA to Boston, MA $1,553 – $2,405 3,130 miles 7 – 15 days
San Jose, CA to Worcester, MA $1,478 – $2,310 3,091 miles 7 – 15 days
San Jose, CA to Springfield, MA $1,493 – $2,310 3,048 miles 7 – 15 days
San Jose, CA to Cambridge, MA $1,493 – $2,310 3,127 miles 7 – 15 days
San Jose, CA to Lowell, MA $1,463 – $2,310 3,133 miles 7 – 15 days

Cost to ship a car from Bakersfield, CA to Massachusetts

From California to Massachusetts Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Bakersfield, CA to Boston, MA $1,523 – $2,279 2,998 miles 7 – 15 days
Bakersfield, CA to Worcester, MA $1,392 – $2,395 2,960 miles 7 – 15 days
Bakersfield, CA to Springfield, MA $1,421 – $2,372 2,915 miles 7 – 15 days
Bakersfield, CA to Cambridge, MA $1,465 – $2,348 2,994 miles 7 – 15 days
Bakersfield, CA to Lowell, MA $1,569 – $2,358 3,001 miles 7 – 15 days

Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Massachusetts

From California to Massachusetts Cost Distance Estimated transit time
San Francisco, CA to Boston, MA $1,493 – $2,453 3,098 miles 7 – 15 days
San Francisco, CA to Worcester, MA $1,448 – $2,262 3,059 miles 7 – 15 days
San Francisco, CA to Springfield, MA $1,538 – $2,429 3,016 miles 7 – 15 days
San Francisco, CA to Cambridge, MA $1,553 – $2,477 3,094 miles 7 – 15 days
San Francisco, CA to Lowell, MA $1,553 – $2,477 3,101 miles 7 – 15 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Massachusetts

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 California to Massachusetts you should expect to pay between $1,829 and $3,096.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from California to Massachusetts

If you’re shipping a car from the Golden State to the Bay State, keep these cost factors in mind:

  • 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 3,095 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
  • Time of the year: Seasonal demand drives prices up. Moves from California in summer or over the holidays are often more expensive.
  • 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: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is seven–fifteen days, but you can pay for expedited service.

Massachusetts vehicle regulations you need to know

After relocating to Massachusetts, you’ll need to complete a few important steps to register your vehicle and make it legal to drive. Below is an overview of the main requirements to help with the process.

  • 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

More than 39.0 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 7.0 million people are living in the Bay State. 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 you ship a car for pickup in California and delivery in Massachusetts?

Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age 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.

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 3,095 miles, and that’s as fast as about 7 days. However, most car transport companies will take seven to fifteen 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.

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

The cheapest way to ship a car from California to Massachusetts 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 California to Massachusetts?

Shipping a car from California to Massachusetts costs $1,463 to $2,477.

Helpful California resources