Route guide · CA → MN
Shipping a car from California to Minnesota
Shipping a running sedan from Los Angeles to Minneapolis costs about $1,100–$1,575 on an open carrier and $1,650–$2,350 in an enclosed trailer, with 4–7 days in transit. It ranks #174 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,350
- Road miles
- 1,810
- Days in transit
- 4–7
- People moving a year
- 5.7K
- Companies at both ends
- 138
City to city
What it costs between California and Minnesota cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose and Minneapolis, Rochester, Duluth and St. Cloud — 1,770 to 1,990 road miles apart.
| From | Minneapolis | Rochester | Duluth | St. Cloud |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $1,100–$1,5751,810 mi · 4–7 days | $1,100–$1,5751,820 mi · 4–7 days | $1,125–$1,6251,920 mi · 4–7 days | $1,100–$1,5501,770 mi · 4–7 days |
| San Francisco | $1,125–$1,6001,900 mi · 4–7 days | $1,125–$1,6251,940 mi · 4–7 days | $1,150–$1,6501,990 mi · 4–8 days | $1,125–$1,6001,860 mi · 4–7 days |
| San Diego | $1,100–$1,5751,800 mi · 4–7 days | $1,100–$1,5751,810 mi · 4–7 days | $1,125–$1,6251,920 mi · 4–7 days | $1,100–$1,5501,770 mi · 4–7 days |
| San Jose | $1,100–$1,6001,850 mi · 4–7 days | $1,125–$1,6001,880 mi · 4–7 days | $1,125–$1,6251,940 mi · 4–7 days | $1,100–$1,5751,810 mi · 4–7 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 Minneapolis, 1,810 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 | $1,100–$1,575 | $1,650–$2,350 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,225–$1,775 | $1,850–$2,650 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,375–$1,975 | $2,050–$2,950 |
| Pickup truck | $1,425–$2,050 | $2,150–$3,075 |
| Motorcycle | $650–$950 | $1,000–$1,425 |
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 Minnesota is March–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,325 Peak: about $1,475
About this route
Why so many cars go from California to Minnesota
About 5,717 people moved from California to Minnesota in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (4,505 in 2023, 6,928 in 2024). That is 0.8% of everyone who left California for another state.
Only about 3,119 people a year go back from Minnesota to California, so demand here is mostly one-way. With trucks toward Minnesota in steady demand, expect quick pickups and little room to haggle.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,325, shipping from California to Minnesota costs more than sending a car to Missouri ($1,275) and Texas ($1,225) but less than to Illinois ($1,425) and Wisconsin ($1,425). That works out to about 73¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
Count on 4–7 days on the truck for the 1,810 road miles from Los Angeles to Minneapolis — federal rules cap drivers at 11 hours a day behind the wheel, and a full carrier makes several stops on the way. The car heads northeast and crosses 2 time zones — from Pacific to Central 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota, 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 Minnesota
16 companies based in Minnesota: 16 carriers, 2 brokers, 325 trucks in total, 23 years in business on average.
- Advanced Auto Transport Inc Lake Elmo · 205 trucks · since 1998 · USDOT 752871
- Carstensen & Sons Trucking Inc Cannon Falls · 42 trucks · since 1987 · USDOT 285579
- Express Auto Transport Inc Farmington · 37 trucks · since 1996 · USDOT 653539
- Becker Auto Transport Inc Hayward · 6 trucks · since 1995 · USDOT 589012
- Dreckmans Auto Transport Inc Balaton · 4 trucks · since 2006 · USDOT 1552868
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Minnesota but not into it — or coming from somewhere near California? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From California to states near Minnesota
To Minnesota from states near California
FAQ
California to Minnesota car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Minnesota's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Minnesota?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,100–$1,575 from Los Angeles to Minneapolis (1,810 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,100–$1,650. An SUV costs about $1,225–$1,775, a pickup $1,425–$2,050, and an enclosed trailer $1,650–$2,350 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Minnesota?
Transit is usually 4–7 days after pickup for the 1,810-mile trip from Los Angeles to Minneapolis. The wait for pickup is separate: typically 1–5 days, or 1–2 days if you pay about 30% more for expedited service.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from California to Minnesota?
March–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in December, up to about 10% more. If you must ship in peak months, book three to four weeks ahead.
How soon do I have to register my car in Minnesota after moving?
Minnesota requires new residents to register within 60 days of becoming a resident. Register at a deputy registrar office or by mail.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from California to Minnesota?
Driving 1,810 miles takes about 4 days: roughly $230 in gas and 3 nights of hotels and meals (about $420). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,100–$1,575. Add wear on the car and 4 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from California to Minnesota?
Our directory lists 122 companies based in California and 16 based in Minnesota, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.