North Dakota to California Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 1,717 miles from North Dakota to California usually costs between $1,158 and $1,801. Transit time is about three–nine days, depending on the type of transport you choose and the season. For a more specific estimate, try our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in North Dakota can deliver your vehicle to California:
- Xpress Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Auto Driveaway: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Xpress Auto Transport
3003 32nd Ave S #205, Fargo, ND 58103 US
xpressautoship.com
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 3878126
Auto Driveaway
3332 4th Ave S Suite 2D2, Fargo, ND 58103 US
autodriveaway.com
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Storage solutions
- Trailers
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1335807
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 North Dakota to California
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from North Dakota to California, you may find it convenient to work with a moving company that also handles car shipping. Many interstate movers partner with experienced car shipping services to arrange auto transport.
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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 1,717 extra miles on your car to travel from North Dakota to California. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from North Dakota to California, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
Ship by train
Shipping by train can be a cost-effective and reliable method of moving your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the least expensive way to move a vehicle.
North Dakota 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 North Dakota and California. The trip typically spans 1,717 miles and takes about three–nine days.
Cost to ship a car from Fargo, ND to California
| From North Dakota to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND to Los Angeles, CA | $1,217 – $1,715 | 1,799 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Fargo, ND to San Diego, CA | $1,267 – $1,788 | 1,861 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Fargo, ND to San Jose, CA | $1,170 – $1,752 | 1,805 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Fargo, ND to Bakersfield, CA | $1,182 – $1,770 | 1,814 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Fargo, ND to San Francisco, CA | $1,229 – $1,801 | 1,773 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bismarck, ND to California
| From North Dakota to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND to Los Angeles, CA | $1,107 – $1,578 | 1,605 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bismarck, ND to San Diego, CA | $1,187 – $1,627 | 1,666 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bismarck, ND to San Jose, CA | $1,096 – $1,725 | 1,612 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bismarck, ND to Bakersfield, CA | $1,176 – $1,709 | 1,617 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bismarck, ND to San Francisco, CA | $1,043 – $1,521 | 1,579 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Grand Forks, ND to California
| From North Dakota to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND to Los Angeles, CA | $1,231 – $1,770 | 1,853 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Grand Forks, ND to San Diego, CA | $1,236 – $1,952 | 1,915 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Grand Forks, ND to San Jose, CA | $1,206 – $1,879 | 1,861 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Grand Forks, ND to Bakersfield, CA | $1,231 – $1,897 | 1,871 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Grand Forks, ND to San Francisco, CA | $1,255 – $1,770 | 1,830 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Minot, ND to California
| From North Dakota to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minot, ND to Los Angeles, CA | $1,153 – $1,643 | 1,680 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Minot, ND to San Diego, CA | $1,146 – $1,646 | 1,742 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Minot, ND to San Jose, CA | $1,164 – $1,594 | 1,637 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Minot, ND to Bakersfield, CA | $1,130 – $1,561 | 1,695 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Minot, ND to San Francisco, CA | $1,142 – $1,627 | 1,606 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from West Fargo, ND to California
| From North Dakota to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Fargo, ND to Los Angeles, CA | $1,241 – $1,715 | 1,788 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| West Fargo, ND to San Diego, CA | $1,182 – $1,861 | 1,853 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| West Fargo, ND to San Jose, CA | $1,194 – $1,629 | 1,797 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| West Fargo, ND to Bakersfield, CA | $1,182 – $1,842 | 1,806 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| West Fargo, ND to San Francisco, CA | $1,205 – $1,732 | 1,765 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from North Dakota 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 North Dakota to California you should expect to pay between $1,448 and $2,251.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from North Dakota to California
When moving your vehicle from the Peace Garden State to the Golden State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- Type of transport: Options include open carriers, enclosed transport, and top-loading. Open carriers are less expensive, while enclosed transport is best for luxury or classic cars. See our comparison of open vs. enclosed auto transport for more details.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping costs are higher for bigger and heavier vehicles. Your car’s weight and dimensions play a direct role in the total cost to ship it to California.
- Distance and route: The trip from North Dakota to California covers roughly 1,717 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of North Dakota more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between North Dakota and California.
- Delivery expectations: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is three–nine days, but you can pay for expedited service.
California vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to California, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- 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 North Dakota
More than 783,926 people call North Dakota home. Nicknamed the Peace Garden State. North Dakota has warm summers and cold winters. The temperature differences are significant because of its far inland position and being roughly equal distance from the North Pole and the Equator.
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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from North Dakota to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from North Dakota 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 North Dakota.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. North Dakota mandates that all vehicles carry minimum liability insurance coverage, which includes $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and property damage. Additionally, drivers must have $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Basic personal injury protection is also required, providing $150 per week with a maximum of $30,000.
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 North Dakota to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from North Dakota to California is about 1,717 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to nine days to travel from North Dakota to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
As a new resident in North Dakota, you have 90 days to have your vehicle inspected and registered in the state. There is no requirement for smog or emissions testing in North Dakota.
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 North Dakota, 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 North Dakota, 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota and California to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from North Dakota to California?
The cheapest way to ship a car from North Dakota 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 North Dakota to California?
Shipping a car from North Dakota to California costs $1,158 to $1,801.
