Route guide · CA → NM
Shipping a car from California to New Mexico
Shipping a running sedan from Los Angeles to Albuquerque 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 #129 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
- 8.4K
- Companies at both ends
- 125
City to city
What it costs between California and New Mexico cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose and Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Santa Fe and Roswell — 710 to 1,280 road miles apart.
| From | Albuquerque | Las Cruces | Santa Fe | Roswell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $775–$1,175790 mi · 2–4 days | $775–$1,175800 mi · 2–4 days | $775–$1,175840 mi · 2–4 days | $825–$1,225940 mi · 2–4 days |
| San Francisco | $875–$1,2751,090 mi · 3–5 days | $925–$1,3251,170 mi · 3–5 days | $900–$1,3001,130 mi · 3–5 days | $950–$1,3501,280 mi · 3–5 days |
| San Diego | $750–$1,150730 mi · 2–4 days | $725–$1,125710 mi · 2–4 days | $775–$1,175790 mi · 2–4 days | $800–$1,200860 mi · 2–4 days |
| San Jose | $850–$1,2501,010 mi · 3–5 days | $875–$1,2751,080 mi · 3–5 days | $875–$1,2751,050 mi · 3–5 days | $925–$1,3251,190 mi · 3–5 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 Albuquerque, 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 June–August (the summer moving peak), running about 8% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from California to New Mexico is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $975 Peak: about $1,050
About this route
Why so many cars go from California to New Mexico
About 8,413 people moved from California to New Mexico in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (8,126 in 2023, 8,699 in 2024). That is 1.2% of everyone who left California for another state.
Only about 3,740 people a year go back from New Mexico to California, so demand here is mostly one-way. With trucks toward New Mexico in steady demand, expect quick pickups and little room to haggle.
How the price compares
At a typical $975, shipping from California to New Mexico 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
The 790-mile run from Los Angeles to Albuquerque takes 2–4 days on a carrier — short enough that driving yourself is a real option. The car heads east and crosses one time zone — from Pacific to Mountain time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in California and New Mexico, 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 New Mexico
3 companies based in New Mexico: 3 carriers, 0 brokers, 12 trucks in total, 15 years in business on average.
- Ray Vickers Auto Transport LLC Farmington · 8 trucks · since 1990 · USDOT 423771
- Southwest Truck Transport Hope · 2 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 3023731
- Thoroughbred Lock & Haul LLC Raton · 2 trucks · since 2025 · USDOT 4435786
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to New Mexico but not into it — or coming from somewhere near California? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From California to states near New Mexico
To New Mexico from states near California
FAQ
California to New Mexico car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and New Mexico's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to New Mexico?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $775–$1,175 from Los Angeles to Albuquerque (790 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $725–$1,350. 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 New Mexico?
Transit is usually 2–4 days after pickup for the 790-mile trip from Los Angeles to Albuquerque. 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 New Mexico?
January–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in June–August, up to about 8% more. If you must ship in peak months, book three to four weeks ahead.
How soon do I have to register my car in New Mexico after moving?
New Mexico requires new residents to register once you become a resident. The first registration is done in person at an MVD office, with a VIN inspection for cars from another state.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from California to New Mexico?
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 New Mexico?
Our directory lists 122 companies based in California and 3 based in New Mexico, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.