California to Washington Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 954 miles from California to Washington ranges from $804 to $1,246 and takes two–seven 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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  • Established in 2007
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  • Services all 50 states
  • Ships most vehicles

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

The best California to Washington car shipping companies

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

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
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  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Check prices (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (224) 206-5633
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  • No upfront payment
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Competitive pricing
  • Door-to-door shipping
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Check prices (224) 206-5633
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
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  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (888) 259-6046
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  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Check prices (888) 259-6046
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (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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Check prices (864) 492-1221

Alternative ways to ship your car from California to Washington

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 954 miles on your car going from California to Washington. 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 California for a move to Washington, 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 California to Washington 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!

CA to WA 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 Washington. The average travel distance is about 954 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to seven days .

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

From California to Washington Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Los Angeles, CA to Seattle, WA $896 – $1,333 1,135 miles 2 – 8 days
Los Angeles, CA to Spokane, WA $987 – $1,526 1,202 miles 2 – 8 days
Los Angeles, CA to Tacoma, WA $941 – $1,460 1,104 miles 2 – 8 days
Los Angeles, CA to Vancouver, WA $846 – $1,363 970 miles 2 – 7 days
Los Angeles, CA to Bellevue, WA $852 – $1,460 1,137 miles 2 – 8 days

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

From California to Washington Cost Distance Estimated transit time
San Diego, CA to Seattle, WA $1,007 – $1,556 1,261 miles 3 – 8 days
San Diego, CA to Spokane, WA $986 – $1,536 1,306 miles 3 – 8 days
San Diego, CA to Tacoma, WA $1,007 – $1,482 1,231 miles 2 – 8 days
San Diego, CA to Vancouver, WA $856 – $1,264 1,097 miles 2 – 8 days
San Diego, CA to Bellevue, WA $1,016 – $1,452 1,264 miles 3 – 8 days

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

From California to Washington Cost Distance Estimated transit time
San Jose, CA to Seattle, WA $855 – $1,266 839 miles 2 – 7 days
San Jose, CA to Spokane, WA $805 – $1,287 907 miles 2 – 7 days
San Jose, CA to Tacoma, WA $825 – $1,236 809 miles 2 – 7 days
San Jose, CA to Vancouver, WA $757 – $1,050 675 miles 1 – 6 days
San Jose, CA to Bellevue, WA $797 – $1,205 842 miles 2 – 7 days

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

From California to Washington Cost Distance Estimated transit time
San Francisco, CA to Seattle, WA $792 – $1,175 807 miles 2 – 7 days
San Francisco, CA to Spokane, WA $853 – $1,311 875 miles 2 – 7 days
San Francisco, CA to Tacoma, WA $786 – $1,193 777 miles 2 – 7 days
San Francisco, CA to Vancouver, WA $776 – $1,065 643 miles 1 – 6 days
San Francisco, CA to Bellevue, WA $841 – $1,151 810 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Washington

From California to Washington Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Fresno, CA to Seattle, WA $788 – $1,274 921 miles 2 – 7 days
Fresno, CA to Spokane, WA $868 – $1,374 989 miles 2 – 7 days
Fresno, CA to Tacoma, WA $820 – $1,248 891 miles 2 – 7 days
Fresno, CA to Vancouver, WA $779 – $1,150 757 miles 2 – 7 days
Fresno, CA to Bellevue, WA $813 – $1,274 923 miles 2 – 7 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Washington

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 Washington you should expect to pay between $1,005 and $1,558.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from CA to WA

When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Evergreen 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 Washington.
  • Distance and route: The journey from California to Washington spans approximately 954 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 Washington 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 Washington should take between two and seven days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Washington vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: Drivers in Washington are mandated to maintain a minimum of $25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury in an accident, and $10,000 for property damage to meet legal requirements and enhance on-road protection.
  • Vehicle inspection: In the state of Washington, there are no annual safety inspections, however, vehicles must still comply with strict Clean Car standards.
  • Driver’s license: To register your vehicle in Washington, obtaining a Washington driver's license is necessary. This must be done within 30 days of relocating to the state. If you have a valid driver's license from another state, the process of obtaining a Washington license is straightforward and only requires proof of residency in the state, without the need for any additional exams.
  • Additional taxes: If you have obtained and utilized a "private motor vehicle" in another state for more than 90 days prior to relocating to Washington, you are exempt from paying Washington's use tax.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist.

Transporting your vehicle from California

More than 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 Washington

About 22 million people are living in the Evergreen State. Washington state rarely experiences extreme weather to worry about. Your move should be unaffected by the weather conditions. However, it's always a good idea to check the forecast ahead of time and maybe prepare for a little rain!

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in California and delivery in Washington?

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 Washington.

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

If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Washington, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Washington, 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.

Drivers in Washington are mandated to maintain a minimum of $25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury in an accident, and $10,000 for property damage to meet legal requirements and enhance on-road protection.

How long does it take to ship a car from California to Washington?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to Washington is about 954 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from California to Washington.

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.

In the state of Washington, there are no annual safety inspections, however, vehicles must still comply with strict Clean Car standards.

If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in Washington?

To register your vehicle in Washington, obtaining a Washington driver's license is necessary. This must be done within 30 days of relocating to the state. If you have a valid driver's license from another state, the process of obtaining a Washington license is straightforward and only requires proof of residency in the state, without the need for any additional exams.

If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in Washington after shipping it there?

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to Washington after purchasing it.

If you have obtained and utilized a "private motor vehicle" in another state for more than 90 days prior to relocating to Washington, you are exempt from paying Washington's use tax.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and Washington to avoid any hidden costs.

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

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

Shipping a car from California to Washington costs $804 to $1,246.

Helpful California resources