Minnesota to California Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 1,986 miles from Minnesota to California typically falls between $1,286 and $1,971. The process usually takes three–eleven 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in Minnesota that can transport your vehicle to California:
- Auto Driveaway: 3.62 out of 5 stars
- Minneapolis Auto Shipping Group: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Ceva Logistics: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Express Auto Transport Inc: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Global Auto Transportation: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Auto Driveaway
4570 West 77th Street, Suite 215, Edina, MN 55435 US
autodriveaway.com
3.62 / 5.0
Reviews highlight significant issues regarding the company's service and staff behavior, with many customers expressing strong dissatisfaction. However, there are also individual accounts of positive interactions with specific employees who provided helpful support.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Storage solutions
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1335807
Alternative Business Names
- MWW Ltd.
Minneapolis Auto Shipping Group
80 S 8th St Suite 900, Minneapolis, MN 55402 US
autoshippinggroup.com/locations/auto-shipping-minnesota/minneapolis
3.58 / 5.0
Overall, the company receives high praise for its vehicle shipping services, particularly for the excellence in customer service and communication provided by employees such as Felicia Williams and Jason Brackens. Felicia is repeatedly mentioned for her outstanding communication, ensuring customers are well-informed throughout the shipping process. Similarly, Jason is lauded for his proactive updates and excellent customer service. Common themes across the reviews include the efficiency of the shipping process, vehicles arriving in good condition, and the process being smoother and more affordable than expected. Customer satisfaction is evidently high, with many praising the company's reliability and professionalism. The four most frequent sentences that encapsulate the positive experiences shared by customers are likely to include commendations of the exceptional service provided by Felicia and Jason, the smoothness of the transportation process, and the condition of the vehicles upon arrival.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2239008
Ceva Logistics
3169 Dodd Rd, St Paul, MN 55121 US
cevalogistics.com
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Storage solutions
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 187774
Express Auto Transport Inc
22015 Canton Ct, Farmington, MN 55024 US
expressautotrans.com
3.5 / 5.0
Express Auto Transport offers knowledgeable service with mechanics like Tony, but customer safety and accountability of drivers are major concerns as reported by some customers.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 653539
Global Auto Transportation
1620 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 US
globalautotransportation.com/minneapolis-auto-transport
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Boats
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 Minnesota to California
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Minnesota 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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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 1,986 extra miles on your car to travel from Minnesota to California. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from Minnesota to California. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.
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.
Minnesota 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 Minnesota and California. The trip typically spans 1,986 miles and takes about three–eleven days.
Cost to ship a car from Minneapolis, MN to California
| From Minnesota to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN to Los Angeles, CA | $1,249 – $1,896 | 1,925 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Minneapolis, MN to San Diego, CA | $1,249 – $1,952 | 1,989 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Minneapolis, MN to San Jose, CA | $1,254 – $1,921 | 2,008 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Minneapolis, MN to Bakersfield, CA | $1,286 – $1,821 | 1,943 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Minneapolis, MN to San Francisco, CA | $1,286 – $1,877 | 1,976 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from St. Paul, MN to California
| From Minnesota to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Paul, MN to Los Angeles, CA | $1,212 – $1,783 | 1,932 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| St. Paul, MN to San Diego, CA | $1,273 – $1,952 | 1,991 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| St. Paul, MN to San Jose, CA | $1,279 – $1,921 | 2,014 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| St. Paul, MN to Bakersfield, CA | $1,199 – $1,952 | 1,947 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| St. Paul, MN to San Francisco, CA | $1,204 – $2,019 | 2,011 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rochester, MN to California
| From Minnesota to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN to Los Angeles, CA | $1,194 – $1,734 | 1,892 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Rochester, MN to San Diego, CA | $1,224 – $1,933 | 1,954 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Rochester, MN to San Jose, CA | $1,242 – $2,019 | 2,005 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Rochester, MN to Bakersfield, CA | $1,212 – $1,877 | 1,907 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Rochester, MN to San Francisco, CA | $1,298 – $1,933 | 1,973 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bloomington, MN to California
| From Minnesota to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, MN to Los Angeles, CA | $1,175 – $1,914 | 1,915 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Bloomington, MN to San Diego, CA | $1,175 – $1,952 | 1,976 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Bloomington, MN to San Jose, CA | $1,242 – $1,882 | 2,028 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Bloomington, MN to Bakersfield, CA | $1,249 – $1,802 | 1,930 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Bloomington, MN to San Francisco, CA | $1,286 – $1,802 | 1,996 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Duluth, MN to California
| From Minnesota to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN to Los Angeles, CA | $1,254 – $1,882 | 2,077 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Duluth, MN to San Diego, CA | $1,268 – $1,972 | 2,138 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Duluth, MN to San Jose, CA | $1,217 – $1,921 | 2,045 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Duluth, MN to Bakersfield, CA | $1,204 – $2,019 | 2,092 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Duluth, MN to San Francisco, CA | $1,192 – $1,921 | 2,025 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Minnesota to California
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 Minnesota to California you should expect to pay between $1,608 and $2,464.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Minnesota to California
When moving your vehicle from the North Star State to the Golden State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- 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: Larger vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to California.
- Distance and route: The route from Minnesota to California is about 1,986 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of Minnesota in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between Minnesota and California.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within three–eleven days, but expedited options cost more.
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 Minnesota
More than 5.7 million people call Minnesota home. Nicknamed the North Star State. Minnesota experiences temperature extremes characteristic of its continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers. Minnesota does experience weather such as: rain, snow, blizzards, thunderstorms, hail, derechos, tornadoes, and high-velocity straight-line winds.
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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Minnesota to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Minnesota 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 Minnesota.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Drivers in Minnesota must maintain a minimum insurance coverage, including $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, and $10,000 for property damage liability, ensuring financial protection in case of accidents and aligning with state regulations for responsible driving practices.
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 Minnesota to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Minnesota to California is about 1,986 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eleven days to travel from Minnesota to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Minnesota does not have a mandate for regular safety inspections on personal vehicles.
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 Minnesota, 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 Minnesota, 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota and California to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Minnesota to California?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Minnesota 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 Minnesota to California?
Shipping a car from Minnesota to California costs $1,286 to $1,971.
