Route guide · CA → MA
Shipping a car from California to Massachusetts
Shipping a running sedan from Los Angeles to Boston costs about $1,475–$2,100 on an open carrier and $2,225–$3,150 in an enclosed trailer, with 7–11 days in transit. It ranks #65 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,800
- Road miles
- 3,070
- Days in transit
- 7–11
- People moving a year
- 13.0K
- Companies at both ends
- 196
City to city
What it costs between California and Massachusetts cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose and Boston, Worcester, Springfield and New Bedford — 2,950 to 3,230 road miles apart.
| From | Boston | Worcester | Springfield | New Bedford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $1,475–$2,1003,070 mi · 7–11 days | $1,475–$2,1003,020 mi · 7–11 days | $1,450–$2,0752,980 mi · 6–11 days | $1,475–$2,1003,080 mi · 7–11 days |
| San Francisco | $1,525–$2,1753,220 mi · 7–11 days | $1,500–$2,1503,170 mi · 7–11 days | $1,500–$2,1253,130 mi · 7–11 days | $1,525–$2,1753,230 mi · 7–11 days |
| San Diego | $1,475–$2,1003,040 mi · 7–11 days | $1,450–$2,0752,990 mi · 6–11 days | $1,450–$2,0502,950 mi · 6–10 days | $1,475–$2,1003,050 mi · 7–11 days |
| San Jose | $1,500–$2,1503,160 mi · 7–11 days | $1,500–$2,1253,110 mi · 7–11 days | $1,475–$2,1003,070 mi · 7–11 days | $1,500–$2,1503,170 mi · 7–11 days |
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 Boston, 3,070 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 | $1,475–$2,100 | $2,225–$3,150 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,650–$2,350 | $2,500–$3,550 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,850–$2,625 | $2,775–$3,950 |
| Pickup truck | $1,925–$2,750 | $2,900–$4,100 |
| Motorcycle | $900–$1,275 | $1,325–$1,900 |
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 Massachusetts is March–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,800 Peak: about $1,975
About this route
Why so many cars go from California to Massachusetts
About 12,985 people moved from California to Massachusetts in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (12,160 in 2023, 13,810 in 2024). That is 1.9% of everyone who left California for another state.
Traffic runs both ways — about 12,910 people a year move from Massachusetts back to California — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,800, shipping from California to Massachusetts is among the most expensive routes out of California; Connecticut ($1,750) and New York ($1,725) cost less. That works out to about 59¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
Los Angeles to Boston runs about 3,070 road miles. With drivers limited to 11 hours of driving a day and stops for other cars on the load, that is 7–11 days on the truck. The car heads east-northeast and crosses 3 time zones — from Pacific to Eastern 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 Massachusetts can slow pickups and deliveries in December through February — leave slack in your schedule.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in California and Massachusetts, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end California
122 companies based in California: 91 carriers, 18 brokers, 1,809 trucks in total, 11 years in business on average.
- Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport Inc Los Alamitos · 965 trucks · since 1994 · USDOT 568253
- Professional Auto Transport Inc Jurupa Valley · 257 trucks · since 2003 · USDOT 1130314
- Central Valley Auto Transport Inc Strathmore · 76 trucks · since 2001 · USDOT 978079
- DBN Auto Transport Anaheim · 75 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 2979175
- Safe Auto Transport Inc N Highlands · 44 trucks · since 2013 · USDOT 2411467
Delivery end Massachusetts
74 companies based in Massachusetts: 74 carriers, 1 brokers, 259 trucks in total, 7 years in business on average.
- Corja Auto Hauling Inc Agawam · 26 trucks · since 2015 · USDOT 2781912
- Best Choice Trucking LLC Dedham · 9 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 3062896
- Gorilla Transport Inc West Springfield · 9 trucks · since 2018 · USDOT 3087227
- Phoenix Auto Relocation Corp Malden · 8 trucks · since 2025 · USDOT 4371018
- S & P Auto Logistics Inc Chicopee · 8 trucks · since 2019 · USDOT 3288192
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Massachusetts but not into it — or coming from somewhere near California? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From California to states near Massachusetts
To Massachusetts from states near California
FAQ
California to Massachusetts car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Massachusetts's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Massachusetts?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,475–$2,100 from Los Angeles to Boston (3,070 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,450–$2,175. An SUV costs about $1,650–$2,350, a pickup $1,925–$2,750, and an enclosed trailer $2,225–$3,150 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Massachusetts?
Transit is usually 7–11 days after pickup for the 3,070-mile trip from Los Angeles to Boston. Before that, allow 1–5 days for a carrier to be assigned — or pay roughly 30% extra to have it collected within 48 hours.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from California to Massachusetts?
March–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in December, up to about 10% more. In any month, giving the carrier a wide pickup window lowers the quote.
How soon do I have to register my car in Massachusetts after moving?
Massachusetts requires new residents to register once you become a resident. Transfer your registration and title through the Massachusetts RMV; the car then needs a Massachusetts inspection.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from California to Massachusetts?
Driving 3,070 miles takes about 7 days: roughly $390 in gas and 6 nights of hotels and meals (about $840). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,475–$2,100. Add wear on the car and 7 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from California to Massachusetts?
Our directory lists 122 companies based in California and 74 based in Massachusetts, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.