Idaho to California Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 909 miles from Idaho to California typically falls between $792 and $1,180. The process usually takes two–seven days, depending on variables like the type of transport and seasonal demand. For a personalized estimate, visit our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to Idaho 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 Idaho to California car shipping companies
After putting more than 400 hours of research into the car shipping industry, we identified the best car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Idaho to California:
- 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
- Price matching
- One-day pickup
- New customer discount
- White-glove 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 Idaho
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Idaho who can get your vehicle to California:
- Boise Auto Shipping Group: 3.62 out of 5 stars
- Global Auto Transportation: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Boise Auto Shipping Group
800 W Main St #1460, Boise, ID 83702 US
autoshippinggroup.com/locations/auto-shipping-idaho/auto-shipping-boise
3.62 / 5.0
Auto Shipping Group is generally regarded for their exceptional customer service and communication, though some customers experienced issues with reliability and communication regarding delivery schedules. Overall, most reviews highlight satisfaction with the process, despite some negative experiences with follow-up interactions and delays in service.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Boats
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- AAA
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2239008
Global Auto Transportation
303 N Kimball Pl, Boise, ID 83704 US
globalautotransportation.com/boise-auto-transport
3.5 / 5.0
Customers consistently praised the thorough assistance of the Logistics Coordinator and the professionalism and honesty of the drivers. However, experiences were marred by unexpected fees and unprofessional handling of customer inquiries, particularly regarding vehicle conditions and charges.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2243114
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 Idaho to California
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Idaho to California, 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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4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 909 miles on your car going from Idaho to California. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
You can also hire someone to drive the car from Idaho to California for you. This option could be a very costly one and involves trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
Ship by train
This approach offers an affordable and safe way to transport your vehicle. In fact, shipping a car by train is considered the cheapest car shipping method.
Idaho to California 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 Idaho and California. The trip typically spans 909 miles and takes about two–seven days.
Cost to ship a car from Boise, ID to California
| From Idaho to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise, ID to Los Angeles, CA | $777 – $1,173 | 843 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Boise, ID to San Diego, CA | $759 – $1,264 | 952 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Boise, ID to San Jose, CA | $769 – $1,084 | 671 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Boise, ID to Bakersfield, CA | $784 – $1,209 | 827 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Boise, ID to San Francisco, CA | $734 – $1,017 | 639 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Meridian, ID to California
| From Idaho to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian, ID to Los Angeles, CA | $824 – $1,138 | 834 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Meridian, ID to San Diego, CA | $783 – $1,302 | 961 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Meridian, ID to San Jose, CA | $733 – $1,063 | 662 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Meridian, ID to Bakersfield, CA | $795 – $1,192 | 818 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Meridian, ID to San Francisco, CA | $727 – $987 | 630 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Nampa, ID to California
| From Idaho to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nampa, ID to Los Angeles, CA | $803 – $1,157 | 823 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Nampa, ID to San Diego, CA | $832 – $1,180 | 909 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Nampa, ID to San Jose, CA | $755 – $1,053 | 651 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Nampa, ID to Bakersfield, CA | $795 – $1,110 | 806 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Nampa, ID to San Francisco, CA | $712 – $971 | 619 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Idaho Falls, ID to California
| From Idaho to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Falls, ID to Los Angeles, CA | $840 – $1,253 | 900 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Idaho Falls, ID to San Diego, CA | $767 – $1,314 | 961 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Idaho Falls, ID to San Jose, CA | $772 – $1,213 | 861 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Idaho Falls, ID to Bakersfield, CA | $784 – $1,167 | 915 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Idaho Falls, ID to San Francisco, CA | $777 – $1,138 | 829 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Caldwell, ID to California
| From Idaho to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caldwell, ID to Los Angeles, CA | $811 – $1,180 | 822 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Caldwell, ID to San Diego, CA | $832 – $1,229 | 915 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Caldwell, ID to San Jose, CA | $740 – $1,084 | 650 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Caldwell, ID to Bakersfield, CA | $748 – $1,110 | 806 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Caldwell, ID to San Francisco, CA | $684 – $1,020 | 618 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Idaho to California
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 Idaho to California, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $990–$1,475.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Idaho to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Gem State to the Golden State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are budget-friendly, while enclosed transport is recommended for high-value or classic cars. Top-loading is another option to consider. Learn more in our guide to open vs. enclosed shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Larger vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to California.
- Distance and route: The journey from Idaho to California spans about 909 miles. More miles mean more fuel and labor, raising the cost.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of Idaho in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Idaho and California may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Idaho to California takes two–seven days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
California vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to California, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take to get your vehicle registered and road-ready. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements to make your transition as smooth as possible.
- Car insurance 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.
- 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.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Idaho
More than 2.0 million people call Idaho home. Nicknamed the Gem State. The climate in Idaho varies widely. In the west cloud cover, humidity, and precipitation are at their maximum extent. Idaho can be hot but have relatively low humidity and cooler evenings during the summer months. It is important to know that winters in Idaho can be cold.
Transporting your vehicle to California
About 39.0 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Idaho and delivery in California?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Idaho and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Idaho to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Idaho to California, you aren't 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 Idaho.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Idaho's minimum insurance mandates include $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Idaho to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Idaho to California is about 909 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Idaho to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Idaho, all vehicles in Ada and Canyon Counties are required to pass an emissions test every two years. Additionally, out-of-state vehicle registrations must go through a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 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.
If I have a driver’s license in Idaho, will I need one in California?
If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
If I bought a car in Idaho, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Idaho to California after purchasing it.
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.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Idaho and California to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Idaho to California?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Idaho to California 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 Idaho to California?
Shipping a car from Idaho to California costs $792 to $1,180.
