Route guide · MA → CA
Shipping a car from Massachusetts to California
Shipping a running sedan from Boston to Los Angeles 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 #66 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
- 12.9K
- Companies at both ends
- 196
City to city
What it costs between Massachusetts and California cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Boston, Worcester, Springfield and New Bedford and Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose — 2,950 to 3,230 road miles apart.
| From | Los Angeles | San Francisco | San Diego | San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $1,475–$2,1003,070 mi · 7–11 days | $1,525–$2,1753,220 mi · 7–11 days | $1,475–$2,1003,040 mi · 7–11 days | $1,500–$2,1503,160 mi · 7–11 days |
| Worcester | $1,475–$2,1003,020 mi · 7–11 days | $1,500–$2,1503,170 mi · 7–11 days | $1,450–$2,0752,990 mi · 6–11 days | $1,500–$2,1253,110 mi · 7–11 days |
| Springfield | $1,450–$2,0752,980 mi · 6–11 days | $1,500–$2,1253,130 mi · 7–11 days | $1,450–$2,0502,950 mi · 6–10 days | $1,475–$2,1003,070 mi · 7–11 days |
| New Bedford | $1,475–$2,1003,080 mi · 7–11 days | $1,525–$2,1753,230 mi · 7–11 days | $1,475–$2,1003,050 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
Boston to Los Angeles, 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 Massachusetts to California 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 Massachusetts to California
About 12,911 people moved from Massachusetts to California in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (10,101 in 2023, 15,720 in 2024). That is 7% of everyone who left Massachusetts for another state, making California its #4 destination.
Traffic runs both ways — about 12,985 people a year move from California back to Massachusetts — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,800, shipping from Massachusetts to California is among the most expensive routes out of Massachusetts; Texas ($1,350) and Florida ($1,225) 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
Count on 7–11 days on the truck for the 3,070 road miles from Boston to Los Angeles — 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 west and crosses 3 time zones — from Eastern to Pacific 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 Massachusetts and California, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup 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
Delivery 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
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to California but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Massachusetts? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Massachusetts to states near California
To California from states near Massachusetts
FAQ
Massachusetts to California car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and California's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Massachusetts to California?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,475–$2,100 from Boston to Los Angeles (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 Massachusetts to California?
Transit is usually 7–11 days after pickup for the 3,070-mile trip from Boston to Los Angeles. 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 Massachusetts to California?
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 California after moving?
California requires new residents to register within 20 days of becoming a resident. The car must pass a California smog check, and it has to meet California emission standards to be registered at all.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Massachusetts to California?
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 Massachusetts to California?
Our directory lists 74 companies based in Massachusetts and 122 based in California, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.