Colorado to California Car Shipping (With 2023 Costs)

Quick Answer: The average cost to ship a car from Colorado to California ranges from $1,014 to $1,587.

Estimated Cost Distance of Shipment Estimated transit time
$1,014 - $1,587 1118 miles 2 - 8 days
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Shipping a Car from Colorado to California

Use the following resources for more information on your auto transportation needs:

Stick around for more details on costs, tips, and Colorado car shippers you should use.

The best Colorado to California car shippers

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.
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Transparent pricing
  • Fully insured
Check prices (864) 492-1221

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup
Check prices (888) 259-6046

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
Check prices (833) 775-1461

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Rental car option
  • Ship inoperable
Check prices (866) 563-0804

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 13 yrs experience
  • Ship boat, RV, ATV
Check prices (224) 206-5633

% of users select this mover

The average cost to ship a car from Colorado to California

Estimated Cost Distance of Shipment Estimated transit time
$1,014 - $1,587 1118 miles 2 - 8 days

Because the distance between Colorado to California is about 1118 miles, it’ll take from 2 to 8 days to complete your car shipment.

Cost to ship a car from Denver, CO to California

  • Denver to Los Angeles: $931 to $1,490
  • Denver to San Diego: $931 to $1,490
  • Denver to San Jose: $1,095 to $1,676
  • Denver to San Francisco: $1,095 to $1,676
  • Denver to Fresno: $1,014 to $1,587

Cost to ship a car from Colorado Springs, CO to California

  • Colorado Springs to Los Angeles: $931 to $1,490
  • Colorado Springs to San Diego: $1,014 to $1,587
  • Colorado Springs to San Jose: $1,162 to $1,755
  • Colorado Springs to San Francisco: $1,162 to $1,755
  • Colorado Springs to Fresno: $1,095 to $1,676

Cost to ship a car from Aurora, CO to California

  • Aurora to Los Angeles: $931 to $1,490
  • Aurora to San Diego: $931 to $1,490
  • Aurora to San Jose: $1,095 to $1,676
  • Aurora to San Francisco: $1,095 to $1,676
  • Aurora to Fresno: $1,014 to $1,587

Cost to ship a car from Fort Collins, CO to California

  • Fort Collins to Los Angeles: $931 to $1,490
  • Fort Collins to San Diego: $1,014 to $1,587
  • Fort Collins to San Jose: $1,095 to $1,676
  • Fort Collins to San Francisco: $1,014 to $1,587
  • Fort Collins to Fresno: $1,095 to $1,676

Cost to ship a car from Highlands Ranch, CO to California

  • Highlands Ranch to Los Angeles: $931 to $1,490
  • Highlands Ranch to San Diego: $931 to $1,490
  • Highlands Ranch to San Jose: $1,095 to $1,676
  • Highlands Ranch to San Francisco: $1,095 to $1,676
  • Highlands Ranch to Fresno: $1,014 to $1,587

Shipping an SUV or Truck from Colorado to California

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 Colorado to California you should expect to pay between $1,268 and $1,984.

Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Colorado to California

  • 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
  • Time of the year – Due to demand, prices tend to be a little higher in the summer.
  • Size, Weight, and Type of Vehicle – The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more shipping 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, this delivery should take between 2 and 8 days.
  • Pick up and Drop-Off Options – Instead of door-to-door service, consider taking your vehicle to the nearest company terminal at origin and having it delivered to the one closest to your new home. It’s more work for you, but it could save you a bundle.

How car shipping from Colorado to California works

  • After you’ve received your quote, book your vehicle transport from Colorado to California.
  • Once booked, you’ll schedule your vehicle to be picked up in Colorado where it will be loaded onto the carrier.
  • Your vehicle will be safely unloaded from the carrier in California on your delivery date.

What else should you know about shipping a car from Colorado to California?

  • Car Insurance requirements: California’s minimum car insurance requirement is $15,000 for injury to one person, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the event of an accident involving another driver.
  • Vehicle Inspection: 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.
  • Driver’s License: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
  • Additional Taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.

Alternative ways to ship your car

  • Drive it yourself: Straightforward but not always an option and it will put a lot of miles on your car.
  • Ship it with your movers: If you hire a reputable mover, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
  • Drivewaway: Hire someone to drive the car 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 Colorado to California FAQs

Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Colorado and when dropping off my car in California?

Most companies will require someone that is at least 18-years-old to be present when picking up your car in Colorado and when dropping it off in California.

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

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Colorado to California, it’s not required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, which you should verify before loading your car in Colorado.