$1,459 Car Shippers from California to Michigan (2024 Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick Answer: The average cost to ship a car the 2404 miles from California to Michigan ranges from $1,459 to $2,411 and takes 5-13 days.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Michigan to California car shipping guide.
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The average cost to ship a car from California to Michigan
Because the distance between California to Michigan is about 2404 miles, it’ll take from 5 to 13 days to complete your car shipment.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Michigan
- Los Angeles to Detroit: $1,546 to $2,348
- Los Angeles to Grand Rapids: $1,505 to $2,366
- Los Angeles to Ann Arbor: $1,531 to $2,516
- Los Angeles to Lansing: $1,501 to $2,277
- Los Angeles to Flint: $1,531 to $2,516
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Michigan
- San Diego to Detroit: $1,520 to $2,541
- San Diego to Grand Rapids: $1,470 to $2,396
- San Diego to Ann Arbor: $1,444 to $2,299
- San Diego to Lansing: $1,591 to $2,325
- San Diego to Flint: $1,444 to $2,420
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Michigan
- San Jose to Detroit: $1,443 to $2,557
- San Jose to Grand Rapids: $1,520 to $2,347
- San Jose to Ann Arbor: $1,536 to $2,516
- San Jose to Lansing: $1,460 to $2,468
- San Jose to Flint: $1,535 to $2,557
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Michigan
- San Francisco to Detroit: $1,444 to $2,516
- San Francisco to Grand Rapids: $1,576 to $2,301
- San Francisco to Ann Arbor: $1,520 to $2,371
- San Francisco to Lansing: $1,581 to $2,541
- San Francisco to Flint: $1,444 to $2,299
Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Michigan
- Fresno to Detroit: $1,535 to $2,387
- Fresno to Grand Rapids: $1,576 to $2,301
- Fresno to Ann Arbor: $1,581 to $2,516
- Fresno to Lansing: $1,460 to $2,516
- Fresno to Flint: $1,566 to $2,395
Shipping an SUV or Truck from California to Michigan
Since vehicles such as 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 Michigan you should expect to pay between $1,824 and $3,014.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from California to Michigan
- Open Carrier or Enclosed Trailer – Most new cars from ports and factories are moved on open auto carriers, while race cars, vintage collector’s cars, and high-dollar luxury cars get enclosed transport. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs enclosed car shipping.
- Time of the year – Due to demand, prices to ship your car from California to Michigan tend to be a little higher in the summer.
- Size, Weight, and Type of Vehicle – The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more shipping your car to Michigan will cost.
- 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 Michigan should take between 5 and 13 days.
- Pick up and Drop-Off Options – Instead of door-to-door service, consider taking your vehicle to the nearest company terminal in California and having it delivered to the one closest to your new home in Michigan. It’s more work for you, but it could save you a bundle.
Resources for Shipping a Car from California to Michigan
The following resources can help with you shipping your car from California to Michigan:
- The best car shipping companies: Don’t run the risk of using an unreliable company to transport your car from California to Michigan. Using the right company can save you many headaches.
- Best California to Michigan movers: Moving too? We’ve handpicked the best moving companies between California and Michigan.
- How much do movers cost?: Use our moving calculator to get a more accurate estimate of moving costs.
- California to Michigan movers & costs: Everything you should know about moving from California to Michigan.
Stick around for more details on costs, tips, and California car shippers you should use.
The best car shipping from California to Michigan
A good car shipping company should cover the basics. These are the things to look out for in a quality transport company:
- Insurance: Make sure the insurance covers both the company and the hauler the company contracts with to ship the car.
- Experience: Look for a company that has multiple years of experience and a good track record.
- Shipping options: Good car shipping companies will offer open and closed transport, expedited delivery, shipment tracking, and more.
- Added Perks: Damage coverage, no initial deposits, rental car assistance, free car wash, and guaranteed pricing are some additional options great car shippers offer.
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How car shipping from California to Michigan works
- After you’ve received your quote, book your vehicle transport from California to Michigan.
- Once booked, you’ll schedule your vehicle to be picked up in California where it will be loaded onto the carrier.
- Your vehicle will be safely unloaded from the carrier in Michigan on your delivery date.
What else should you know about shipping a car from California to Michigan?
- Car Insurance requirements: Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
- Vehicle Inspection: Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
- Driver’s License: Michigan law requires new residents to promptly title and register their vehicles, with no grace period provided. A person is considered a resident if they live in the state and prove their legal presence in the US. To comply with these requirements, new residents should visit a Secretary of State office to obtain a Michigan driver's license, title, and registration as soon as they establish residency.
- Additional Taxes: In Michigan, a 6% sales tax is imposed on all vehicle purchases.
Alternative ways to ship your car from California to Michigan
- Drive it yourself: Straightforward but not always an option and it will put about 2404 miles on your car going from California to Michigan. 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 Michigan for you. It’s an option…
- 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!
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Shipping Your Car from California to Michigan FAQs
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in California and when dropping off my car in Michigan?
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 Michigan.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Michigan?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Michigan, it’s not required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Michigan, which you should verify before loading your car in California.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Michigan?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. With the trip from California to Michigan being about 2404 miles, that’s as fast as about 5 days. But most car transporting companies will take 5-13 days to go from California to Michigan.
