Vermont to California Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 3,079 miles from Vermont to California typically falls between $1,533 and $2,568. The process usually takes seven–fifteen 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 Vermont 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 Vermont 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 Vermont 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 Vermont
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Vermont who can get your vehicle to California:
- A to Z Auto Transport: 3.72 out of 5 stars
- 1st Choice Auto Transport: 3.58 out of 5 stars
A to Z Auto Transport
362 N Main St, Barre, VT 05641 US
atozauto.com
3.72 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- Motorcycles
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 675504
Alternative Business Names
- A to Z auto Shipping, Inc.
1st Choice Auto Transport
38 Park St, Essex Junction, VT 05452 US
firstchoiceautotransport.com
3.58 / 5.0
This company is praised for its effective vehicle pickup and delivery service. Customers appreciate their efforts to accommodate various budgets and the timely handling of vehicle movements. Overall, feedback is positive regarding their flexibility and efficiency.
Services Offered
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- Motorcycles
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 3299872
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 Vermont to California
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Vermont 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
This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 3,079 miles on your car to travel between Vermont and California. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Vermont to California is an alternative you might want to consider. However, it typically comes with a high price tag, and you’ll need to rely on the driver to care for your car.
Ship by train
Shipping a car by train is a safe and low-cost way to move a car. Transporting by train is actually the cheapest shipping option available, on average.
Vermont 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 Vermont and California. The trip typically spans 3,079 miles and takes about seven–fifteen days.
Cost to ship a car from Burlington, VT to California
| From Vermont to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington, VT to Los Angeles, CA | $1,490 – $2,235 | 2,898 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Burlington, VT to San Diego, CA | $1,534 – $2,435 | 2,954 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Burlington, VT to San Jose, CA | $1,533 – $2,445 | 3,043 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Burlington, VT to Bakersfield, CA | $1,429 – $2,315 | 2,914 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Burlington, VT to San Francisco, CA | $1,517 – $2,519 | 3,011 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Essex, VT to California
| From Vermont to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essex, VT to Los Angeles, CA | $1,429 – $2,387 | 2,906 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Essex, VT to San Diego, CA | $1,444 – $2,411 | 2,962 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Essex, VT to San Jose, CA | $1,486 – $2,346 | 3,052 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Essex, VT to Bakersfield, CA | $1,579 – $2,315 | 2,922 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Essex, VT to San Francisco, CA | $1,595 – $2,396 | 3,020 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from South Burlington, VT to California
| From Vermont to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Burlington, VT to Los Angeles, CA | $1,431 – $2,305 | 2,899 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| South Burlington, VT to San Diego, CA | $1,564 – $2,435 | 2,954 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| South Burlington, VT to San Jose, CA | $1,642 – $2,371 | 3,045 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| South Burlington, VT to Bakersfield, CA | $1,474 – $2,387 | 2,914 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| South Burlington, VT to San Francisco, CA | $1,642 – $2,371 | 3,013 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Colchester, VT to California
| From Vermont to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colchester, VT to Los Angeles, CA | $1,444 – $2,483 | 2,929 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Colchester, VT to San Diego, CA | $1,504 – $2,435 | 2,960 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Colchester, VT to San Jose, CA | $1,548 – $2,445 | 3,074 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Colchester, VT to Bakersfield, CA | $1,504 – $2,508 | 2,944 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Colchester, VT to San Francisco, CA | $1,595 – $2,445 | 3,042 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rutland, VT to California
| From Vermont to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutland, VT to Los Angeles, CA | $1,505 – $2,235 | 2,882 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Rutland, VT to San Diego, CA | $1,579 – $2,483 | 2,937 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Rutland, VT to San Jose, CA | $1,627 – $2,494 | 3,028 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Rutland, VT to Bakersfield, CA | $1,549 – $2,281 | 2,897 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Rutland, VT to San Francisco, CA | $1,564 – $2,483 | 2,993 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Vermont 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 Vermont to California you should expect to pay between $1,916 and $3,210.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Vermont to California
Transporting your vehicle from the Green Mountain State to the Golden State comes with a number of cost considerations, including:
- 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 journey from Vermont to California spans about 3,079 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 Vermont 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 Vermont and California may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within seven–fifteen 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 Vermont
More than 647,064 people call Vermont home. Nicknamed the Green Mountain State. Vermont has warm to hot summer and cold winters, with muddy springs, in general, a mild early summer, hot Augusts; it has colorful autumns. If you are moving in the winter be prepared for heavy snowfall.
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 Vermont 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 Vermont and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Vermont to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Vermont 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 Vermont.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Drivers in Vermont must possess liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 for individual injuries or fatalities, $50,000 for injuries or fatalities involving two or more persons, and $10,000 for property damage in a single accident. Adhering to these essential insurance requirements ensures legal compliance and optimal protection on the road.
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 Vermont to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Vermont to California is about 3,079 miles, and that’s as fast as about 7 days. However, most car transport companies will take seven to fifteen days to travel from Vermont to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Vehicle safety and emission inspections are required annually in Vermont, as well as a one-time VIN inspection for any out-of-state vehicle being registered for the first time.
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 Vermont, 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 Vermont, 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 Vermont 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 Vermont and California to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Vermont to California?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Vermont 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 Vermont to California?
Shipping a car from Vermont to California costs $1,533 to $2,568.
