California to New Mexico Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 1,005 miles from California to New Mexico usually costs between $792 and $1,192. Transit time is about two–eight days, depending on the type of transport you choose and the season. For a more specific estimate, try our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our New Mexico to California car shipping guide.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
The best California to New Mexico car shipping companies
After spending over 400 hours analyzing the key players in the car shipping industry, we determined that these are the best car shipping companies for moving your car from California to New Mexico:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in California
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in California that can transport your vehicle to New Mexico:
- Jp Logistics & Motorsports: 3.94 out of 5 stars
- Auto Express Inc.: 3.88 out of 5 stars
- King Of The Road Transport Inc: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- A To Z Auto Shipping: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc.: 3.78 out of 5 stars
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 New Mexico
Ship it with your movers
When moving from California to New Mexico, it can be helpful to hire a moving company that includes car shipping services. A number of long-distance moving companies work directly with reliable car shippers to arrange transport.
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Drive it yourself
While it’s straightforward, this choice isn’t always possible, and it will add roughly 1,005 miles to your vehicle on the route from California to New Mexico. 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 New Mexico, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
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!
California to New Mexico auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below highlight the average shipping costs and estimated timelines for transporting a car between popular cities in California and New Mexico. The trip typically spans 1,005 miles and takes about two–eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to New Mexico
| From California to New Mexico | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Albuquerque, NM | $795 – $1,102 | 786 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Las Cruces, NM | $795 – $1,117 | 758 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Rio Rancho, NM | $772 – $1,091 | 792 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Santa Fe, NM | $822 – $1,182 | 847 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Roswell, NM | $759 – $1,287 | 948 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to New Mexico
| From California to New Mexico | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA to Albuquerque, NM | $803 – $1,106 | 770 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| San Diego, CA to Las Cruces, NM | $706 – $1,095 | 681 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| San Diego, CA to Rio Rancho, NM | $803 – $1,136 | 775 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| San Diego, CA to Santa Fe, NM | $767 – $1,136 | 830 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| San Diego, CA to Roswell, NM | $818 – $1,174 | 871 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to New Mexico
| From California to New Mexico | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA to Albuquerque, NM | $792 – $1,229 | 1,042 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| San Jose, CA to Las Cruces, NM | $784 – $1,204 | 1,097 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| San Jose, CA to Rio Rancho, NM | $815 – $1,242 | 1,047 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| San Jose, CA to Santa Fe, NM | $854 – $1,283 | 1,102 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| San Jose, CA to Roswell, NM | $940 – $1,397 | 1,240 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bakersfield, CA to New Mexico
| From California to New Mexico | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA to Albuquerque, NM | $762 – $1,119 | 802 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Las Cruces, NM | $786 – $1,234 | 870 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Rio Rancho, NM | $754 – $1,108 | 808 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Santa Fe, NM | $755 – $1,174 | 863 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Roswell, NM | $823 – $1,254 | 1,000 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to New Mexico
| From California to New Mexico | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA to Albuquerque, NM | $815 – $1,217 | 1,084 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Las Cruces, NM | $811 – $1,390 | 1,139 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Rio Rancho, NM | $815 – $1,317 | 1,090 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Santa Fe, NM | $828 – $1,283 | 1,145 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Roswell, NM | $913 – $1,383 | 1,282 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to New Mexico
Transporting bigger vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans is usually more expensive than shipping a sedan due to increased weight and space requirements.
For this route from California to New Mexico, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $990–$1,490.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from California to New Mexico
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Land of Enchantment, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options include open carriers, enclosed transport, and top-loading. Open carriers are less expensive, while enclosed transport is best for luxury or classic cars. See our comparison of open vs. enclosed auto transport for more details.
- Vehicle size and type: Larger and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from California to New Mexico.
- Distance and route: Traveling from California to New Mexico involves roughly 1,005 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- 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: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between California and New Mexico.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within two–eight days, but expedited options cost more.
New Mexico vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to New Mexico, 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: Out-of-state insurance is acceptable in New Mexico, provided it meets the state's minimums $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage. To comply, submit a signed Affidavit of Non-Use/Out-of-State insurance to the New Mexico Insurance Identification Database (IIDB). Ensure legal coverage with a submitted affidavit.
- Vehicle inspection: Individuals relocating to New Mexico from another state must have their vehicle inspected for its VIN at a certified MVD facility.
- Driver’s license: To get your New Mexico driver's license, visit MVD Express with the required documents. A driver's license serves as both a legal permit to drive and an ID, so you must prove your residency and identity. Bring your current out-of-state driver's license, an ID number such as your social security card, two forms of proof of New Mexico address.
- Additional taxes: If a vehicle is purchased in a different state and a tax similar to a gross receipts or sales tax has already been paid, the amount of that tax may be applied towards the MVET (motor vehicle excise tax) owed on that same vehicle.
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 New Mexico
About 2.1 million people are living in the Land of Enchantment. New Mexico has long been reputable for its pleasant, temperate climate. The eastern third of the state receives the most rainfall while the western third receives the least amount. New Mexico's stable climate and sparse population provide for clearer skies and less light pollution.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in California and delivery in New Mexico?
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 New Mexico.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to New Mexico?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to New Mexico, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to New Mexico, 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.
Out-of-state insurance is acceptable in New Mexico, provided it meets the state's minimums $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage. To comply, submit a signed Affidavit of Non-Use/Out-of-State insurance to the New Mexico Insurance Identification Database (IIDB). Ensure legal coverage with a submitted affidavit.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to New Mexico?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to New Mexico is about 1,005 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from California to New Mexico.
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.
Individuals relocating to New Mexico from another state must have their vehicle inspected for its VIN at a certified MVD facility.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in New Mexico?
To get your New Mexico driver's license, visit MVD Express with the required documents. A driver's license serves as both a legal permit to drive and an ID, so you must prove your residency and identity. Bring your current out-of-state driver's license, an ID number such as your social security card, two forms of proof of New Mexico address.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in New Mexico after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to New Mexico after purchasing it.
If a vehicle is purchased in a different state and a tax similar to a gross receipts or sales tax has already been paid, the amount of that tax may be applied towards the MVET (motor vehicle excise tax) owed on that same vehicle.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and New Mexico to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from California to New Mexico?
The cheapest way to ship a car from California to New Mexico 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 New Mexico?
Shipping a car from California to New Mexico costs $792 to $1,192.
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