Shipping a Car from Massachusetts to California (With 2023 Costs)
Quick Answer: The average cost to ship a car the 3096 miles from Massachusetts to California ranges from $1,769 to $2,793 and takes 7-15 days.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to Massachusetts car shipping guide.
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The average cost to ship a car from Massachusetts to California
Because the distance between Massachusetts to California is about 3096 miles, it’ll take from 7 to 15 days to complete your car shipment.
Cost to ship a car from Boston, MA to California
- Boston to Los Angeles: $1,701 to $2,727
- Boston to San Diego: $1,769 to $2,793
- Boston to San Jose: $1,769 to $2,793
- Boston to San Francisco: $1,769 to $2,793
- Boston to Fresno: $1,769 to $2,793
Cost to ship a car from New Bedford, MA to California
- New Bedford to Los Angeles: $1,701 to $2,727
- New Bedford to San Diego: $1,701 to $2,727
- New Bedford to San Jose: $1,769 to $2,793
- New Bedford to San Francisco: $1,769 to $2,793
- New Bedford to Fresno: $1,769 to $2,793
Cost to ship a car from Barnstable, MA to California
- Barnstable to Los Angeles: $1,769 to $2,793
- Barnstable to San Diego: $1,769 to $2,793
- Barnstable to San Jose: $1,769 to $2,793
- Barnstable to San Francisco: $1,769 to $2,793
- Barnstable to Fresno: $1,769 to $2,793
Cost to ship a car from Pittsfield, MA to California
- Pittsfield to Los Angeles: $1,668 to $2,633
- Pittsfield to San Diego: $1,668 to $2,633
- Pittsfield to San Jose: $1,701 to $2,727
- Pittsfield to San Francisco: $1,701 to $2,727
- Pittsfield to Fresno: $1,701 to $2,727
Cost to ship a car from Plymouth, MA to California
- Plymouth to Los Angeles: $1,769 to $2,793
- Plymouth to San Diego: $1,769 to $2,793
- Plymouth to San Jose: $1,769 to $2,793
- Plymouth to San Francisco: $1,769 to $2,793
- Plymouth to Fresno: $1,769 to $2,793
Shipping an SUV or Truck from Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts to California you should expect to pay between $2,211 and $3,491.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Massachusetts 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. 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 Massachusetts to California 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 California 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 Massachusetts to California should take between 7 and 15 days.
- Pick up and Drop-Off Options – Instead of door-to-door service, consider taking your vehicle to the nearest company terminal in Massachusetts and having it delivered to the one closest to your new home in California. It’s more work for you, but it could save you a bundle.
Resources for Shipping a Car from Massachusetts to California
The following resources can help with you shipping your car from Massachusetts to California:
- The best car shipping companies: Don’t run the risk of using an unreliable company to transport your car from Massachusetts to California. Using the right company can save you many headaches.
- Best Massachusetts to California movers: Moving too? We’ve handpicked the best moving companies between Massachusetts and California.
- How much do movers cost?: Use our moving calculator to get a more accurate estimate of moving costs.
- Massachusetts to California movers & costs: Everything you should know about moving from Massachusetts to California.
Stick around for more details on costs, tips, and Massachusetts car shippers you should use.
The best Massachusetts 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.
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How car shipping from Massachusetts to California works
- After you’ve received your quote, book your vehicle transport from Massachusetts to California.
- Once booked, you’ll schedule your vehicle to be picked up in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 from Massachusetts to California
- Drive it yourself: Straightforward but not always an option and it will put about 3096 miles on your car going from Massachusetts to California. 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 Massachusetts to California 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 Massachusetts to California FAQs
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Massachusetts to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts.
How long does it take to ship a car from Massachusetts to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. With the trip from Massachusetts to California being about 3096 miles, that’s as fast as about 7 days. But most car transporting companies will take 7-15 days to go from Massachusetts to California.
