Utah to California Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 812 miles from Utah to California typically falls between $823 and $1,185. 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 Utah 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 Utah to California car shipping companies
Through more than 400 hours of analysis of car shippers, we found that these are the top car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Utah to California:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for safety & reliability: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- 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
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- 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
Top local car shippers in Utah
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in Utah can deliver your vehicle to California:
- Redman Van & Storage: 3.84 out of 5 stars
- Freight Tec Management Group: 3.78 out of 5 stars
- Auto Transport Group LLC: 3.52 out of 5 stars
- AMPM Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Ceva Logistics: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Redman Van & Storage
2571 W 2590 S, West Valley City, UT 84119 US
redmanvan.com
3.84 / 5.0
Customers consistently praised Redman Van and Storage for their exceptional service, efficiency, and professionalism. Positive remarks highlighted the crew's care in handling items and timely communications. However, some customers expressed discontent with certain placement of items after delivery, indicating a need for improvement in final positioning during move-ins.
Services Offered
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 877758
Freight Tec Management Group
190 N. Main St, Ste 225 Bountiful, UT 84010 US
freight-tec.com
3.78 / 5.0
Freight Tec receives significant negative feedback regarding unexpected charges and poor communication, while some customers praise their personalized and efficient service.
Services Offered
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- Trailers
- Heavy equipment
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 179548
Alternative Business Names
- Freight Tec Management Group Inc
- Freight Tec Express Transport
- Freight Tec
- AFL/Advantage Rail Program
Auto Transport Group LLC
1621 W 2550 N, Ogden, UT 84404 US
atglc.com
3.52 / 5.0
The overall sentiment for the company is predominantly negative due to several complaints about incompetency and disrespect in customer interactions, particularly related to transport and storage mishandlings.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
AMPM Auto Transport
165 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 US
ampmautotransport.com
3.5 / 5.0
Needed to get a car shipped across the country in a rush. AMPM was able to get it done very easily! Geo needs a raise he was very helpful during the whole process, he is exactly who you want to speak with when handling something of this nature. 5 Stars for Geo! Getting my car shipped was a mission. After 2 companies flaked on me just because they gave me a ridiculously low quote, so they can bait and switch me, or cancel. Luckily I contacted these guys in Salt Lake City and they actually did their Job! John gave me ...ound AMPM Auto. We are really glad to trust them our vehicles. We will work again soon. Not recommended for car transport. We scheduled 3 weeks in advance. We were told that someone would pick up on a specific date. It had not been scheduled for that day...
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
- Student
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2247310
Alternative Business Names
- AMPM Auto Transport, Inc.
Ceva Logistics
6792 W 700 N # 7, Salt Lake City, UT 84116 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
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 Utah to California
Ship it with your movers
If you’re relocating from Utah to California, consider choosing a moving company that also offers car shipping. Many long-distance movers partner with trusted auto transport providers to coordinate the process.
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 rating
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 812 miles on your car going from Utah 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 Utah 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 service provides a secure and budget-friendly option for transporting your car. Car shipping by train is actually the most economical choice.
Utah to California auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in Utah and California. Average distances are close to 812 miles, with delivery usually taking two–seven days.
Cost to ship a car from Salt Lake City, UT to California
| From Utah to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UT to Los Angeles, CA | $771 – $1,038 | 688 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Salt Lake City, UT to San Diego, CA | $769 – $1,136 | 750 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Salt Lake City, UT to San Jose, CA | $825 – $1,136 | 768 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Salt Lake City, UT to Bakersfield, CA | $805 – $1,060 | 704 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Salt Lake City, UT to San Francisco, CA | $761 – $1,161 | 735 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from St. George, UT to California
| From Utah to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. George, UT to Los Angeles, CA | $551 – $769 | 387 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| St. George, UT to San Diego, CA | $591 – $835 | 449 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| St. George, UT to San Jose, CA | $759 – $1,042 | 644 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| St. George, UT to Bakersfield, CA | $611 – $845 | 402 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| St. George, UT to San Francisco, CA | $794 – $1,104 | 685 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from West Valley City, UT to California
| From Utah to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Valley City, UT to Los Angeles, CA | $748 – $1,114 | 687 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| West Valley City, UT to San Diego, CA | $745 – $1,127 | 749 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| West Valley City, UT to San Jose, CA | $809 – $1,205 | 763 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| West Valley City, UT to Bakersfield, CA | $751 – $1,083 | 702 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| West Valley City, UT to San Francisco, CA | $800 – $1,138 | 731 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from West Jordan, UT to California
| From Utah to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Jordan, UT to Los Angeles, CA | $733 – $1,093 | 678 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| West Jordan, UT to San Diego, CA | $816 – $1,127 | 740 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| West Jordan, UT to San Jose, CA | $753 – $1,148 | 771 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| West Jordan, UT to Bakersfield, CA | $763 – $1,114 | 694 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| West Jordan, UT to San Francisco, CA | $769 – $1,195 | 739 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Provo, UT to California
| From Utah to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provo, UT to Los Angeles, CA | $708 – $1,000 | 645 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Provo, UT to San Diego, CA | $790 – $1,071 | 706 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Provo, UT to San Jose, CA | $775 – $1,221 | 806 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Provo, UT to Bakersfield, CA | $773 – $1,111 | 660 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Provo, UT to San Francisco, CA | $801 – $1,182 | 774 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Utah to California
Because of their added size and weight, SUVs, trucks, and vans generally cost more to ship than smaller cars.
Shipping a larger vehicle from Utah to California usually runs between $1,029 and $1,481.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Utah to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Beehive State to the Golden State, these factors will influence your final price:
- 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: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to California.
- Distance and route: The journey from Utah to California spans approximately 812 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand drives prices up. Moves from Utah in summer or over the holidays are often more expensive.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between Utah and California.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within two–seven days, but expedited options cost more.
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 Utah
More than 3.4 million people call Utah home. Nicknamed the Beehive State. Utah's temperatures are extreme, with cold temperatures in winter due to its elevation, and very hot summers statewide (with the exception of mountain areas and high mountain valleys). Utah is usually protected from major blasts of cold air by mountains lying north and east of the state. Utah, like most of the western United States, has few days of thunderstorms. On average there are fewer than 40 days of thunderstorm activity during the year, although these storms can be briefly intense when they do occur.
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 Utah 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 Utah and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Utah to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Utah 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 Utah.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In Utah, it is mandatory for drivers to maintain liability insurance with minimum coverage, including $25,000 for individual injury or death, $50,000 for injury or death involving multiple individuals, and $20,000 for property damage. Additionally, uninsured motorist coverage with identical limits is required.
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 Utah to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Utah to California is about 812 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Utah to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Vehicles in the state of Utah are mandated to pass an annual safety inspection to ensure that key components such as brakes, lights and tires are in good working condition. Additionally, vehicles older than 6 years are also required to pass an emissions inspection to confirm that they are not emitting excessive levels of pollutants. If a vehicle fails either of these inspections, it must be repaired and retested before it can be legally driven on the road.
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 Utah, 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 Utah, 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 Utah 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 Utah and California to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Utah to California?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Utah 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 Utah to California?
Shipping a car from Utah to California costs $823 to $1,185.
