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Route guide · CA → ID
Car shipping from California to Idaho
Car transport from California to Idaho runs 790 road miles between the biggest metros. Shipping a running sedan from Los Angeles to Boise costs about $775–$1,175 on an open carrier and $1,150–$1,750 in an enclosed trailer, with 2–4 days in transit. It ranks #93 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $975
- Road miles
- 790
- Days in transit
- 2–4
- People moving a year
- 16.4K
- Companies at both ends
- 98
City to city
Cost to ship a car from California to Idaho, city to city
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose and Boise, Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Coeur d'Alene — 620 to 1,210 road miles apart.
| From | Boise | Idaho Falls | Pocatello | Coeur d'Alene |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $775–$1,175790 mi · 2–4 days | $800–$1,200870 mi · 2–4 days | $775–$1,175820 mi · 2–4 days | $900–$1,3001,120 mi · 3–5 days |
| San Francisco | $700–$1,075640 mi · 2–3 days | $775–$1,175830 mi · 2–4 days | $750–$1,150780 mi · 2–4 days | $800–$1,200890 mi · 2–4 days |
| San Diego | $800–$1,200880 mi · 2–4 days | $825–$1,225930 mi · 2–4 days | $800–$1,200870 mi · 2–4 days | $925–$1,3251,210 mi · 3–5 days |
| San Jose | $675–$1,075620 mi · 2–3 days | $775–$1,175790 mi · 2–4 days | $750–$1,150740 mi · 2–4 days | $800–$1,200900 mi · 2–4 days |
Estimate, not a quote
A pickup or delivery far from these metros usually adds $75–$150. Quotes move with fuel prices and truck space, so treat these as a yardstick. Price your own addresses →
By vehicle
Price by vehicle type
Los Angeles to Boise, 790 miles. Bigger and heavier vehicles take more room and weight on the trailer, so they cost more.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan or small car | $775–$1,175 | $1,150–$1,750 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $850–$1,300 | $1,275–$1,950 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $950–$1,450 | $1,425–$2,175 |
| Pickup truck | $1,000–$1,525 | $1,500–$2,275 |
| Motorcycle | $450–$700 | $700–$1,050 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in December (the holidays and winter weather up north), running about 10% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from California to Idaho is March–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $975 Peak: about $1,075
About this route
Why so many cars go from California to Idaho
About 16,362 people moved from California to Idaho in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (17,338 in 2023, 15,385 in 2024). That is 2.4% of everyone who left California for another state.
Traffic is lopsided: only about 4,578 people a year go the other way, Idaho to California. Trucks heading into Idaho fill up quickly, so pickups are usually fast — but carriers have less reason to discount in peak months.
How the price compares
At a typical $975, shipping from California to Idaho costs more than sending a car to Utah ($925) and Arizona ($775) but less than to Colorado ($1,050) and Oregon ($1,050). That works out to about $1.23 a mile.
Distance and transit time
Los Angeles to Boise is about 790 road miles — 2–4 days on the truck. On a run this short, many people weigh shipping against driving it themselves. The car heads north and crosses one time zone — from Pacific to Mountain time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
On the road
- The route crosses mountain passes in the West; from November to March, snow and chain laws can hold trucks for a day or two.
- Winter storms in Idaho can slow pickups and deliveries in December through February — leave slack in your schedule.
Companies
Car transport companies from California to Idaho
Companies headquartered at either end of the route usually run this lane often. Filter by services, company type and safety record — every listing is matched to its FMCSA record.
- Pickup end California 88 companies · 67 carriers · 24 brokers · 1,921 trucks · 12 yrs avg.
- Delivery end Idaho 10 companies · 10 carriers · 0 brokers · 47 trucks · 15 yrs avg.
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San Jose auto transport broker operating as CarHauler247, with instant online quotes and booking.
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We are a family owned and operated business. Our goal is to get your vehicle to its destination safely and on time. With our several years of pertinence we…
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At Nationwide United Auto Transport our goal is simple, provide fast, safe and reliable vehicle transport.
Revoway was founded for one reason: to revolutionize the industry and address existing gaps. Committed to constant growth, we have developed outstanding and…
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Tempus Logix has a vast network of mandatory insured and bonded carriers with whom we continually work.
Cross-border car shipping between the USA and Canada with customs handling, in business since 1985.
H&
Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport Inc
FMCSA verifiedLarge Los Alamitos, CA auto carrier with 30+ years of experience, moving new and remarketed vehicles coast to coast.
DA
Deluxe Auto Carriers
FMCSA verifiedSouthern California car carrier in the Proficient Auto Logistics group, moving finished vehicles to dealerships.
DA
DBN Auto Transport
FMCSA verifiedWoman-owned Anaheim car carrier established in 2012, with soft-tie trailers and camera/GPS on every truck.
QC
Quality Car Shippers LLC
FMCSA verifiedFamily-owned Murrieta, CA car carrier serving dealers, rental companies, auctions and OEMs across the lower 48.
AL
Auto Line Express Inc
FMCSA verifiedGardena, CA car carrier moving thousands of finished vehicles a year across the U.S. and Canada since 2013.
IL
Intercity Lines, Inc
FMCSA verifiedAP
A Plus Auto Shippers LLC
FMCSA verifiedLicensed and bonded auto carrier from the Phoenix and Palm Desert area shipping cars and trucks nationwide.
AS
All Star Auto Transport
FMCSA verifiedChino, California auto carrier moving vehicles in California and Texas since 2005.
CA
CA Auto Express Inc
FMCSA verifiedSouthern California motor carrier shipping vehicles on its own trucks, coast to coast and within California.
GK
Golden Key Express
FMCSA verifiedLS
Lucky Star Auto Transport
FMCSA verifiedFamily-owned San Jose car carrier offering open, door-to-door auto transport nationwide since 2012.
AC
ABC Car Shipping
FMCSA verifiedAt ABC Car Shipping, our objective is to make safe vehicle shipments across the U.S. affordable to everyone, regardless of their location or shipping distances
AW
All Wheelz Transport, INC.
FMCSA verifiedAA
American Auto Line
FMCSA verifiedCalifornia auto transport broker with 15+ years of experience, pairing customers with vetted carriers.
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Try fewer filters, or include companies from other states that serve this route.
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Idaho but not into it — or coming from somewhere near California? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From California to states near Idaho
FAQ
California to Idaho car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Idaho's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Idaho?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $775–$1,175 from Los Angeles to Boise (790 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $675–$1,325. An SUV costs about $850–$1,300, a pickup $1,000–$1,525, and an enclosed trailer $1,150–$1,750 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Idaho?
Transit is usually 2–4 days after pickup for the 790-mile trip from Los Angeles to Boise. Getting the car picked up takes another 1–5 days on a standard booking; expedited pickup within 1–2 days costs about 30% more.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from California to Idaho?
March–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in December, up to about 10% more. Whatever the month, a flexible pickup date booked 2–3 weeks out gets the best price.
How soon do I have to register my car in Idaho after moving?
Idaho requires new residents to register once you become a resident. Register when you become an Idaho resident; the county assessor or sheriff inspects the VIN of out-of-state cars.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from California to Idaho?
Driving 790 miles takes about 2 days: roughly $100 in gas and 1 night of hotels and meals (about $140). Shipping a sedan costs about $775–$1,175. Over this distance driving usually costs less, if you can spare the day.
Which car shipping companies go from California to Idaho?
Our directory lists 88 companies based in California and 10 based in Idaho, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 190 that ship nationwide.