Route guide · WA → MN
Shipping a car from Washington to Minnesota
Shipping a running sedan from Seattle to Minneapolis costs about $1,050–$1,500 on an open carrier and $1,575–$2,250 in an enclosed trailer, with 4–6 days in transit. It ranks #249 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,275
- Road miles
- 1,640
- Days in transit
- 4–6
- People moving a year
- 4.1K
- Companies at both ends
- 52
City to city
What it costs between Washington and Minnesota cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver and Yakima and Minneapolis, Rochester, Duluth and St. Cloud — 1,310 to 1,740 road miles apart.
| From | Minneapolis | Rochester | Duluth | St. Cloud |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $1,050–$1,5001,640 mi · 4–6 days | $1,075–$1,5251,710 mi · 4–7 days | $1,050–$1,5251,660 mi · 4–7 days | $1,050–$1,4751,580 mi · 4–6 days |
| Spokane | $975–$1,4001,370 mi · 3–6 days | $1,000–$1,4251,440 mi · 3–6 days | $1,000–$1,4001,400 mi · 3–6 days | $975–$1,3751,310 mi · 3–5 days |
| Vancouver | $1,050–$1,5251,670 mi · 4–7 days | $1,075–$1,5501,740 mi · 4–7 days | $1,075–$1,5251,710 mi · 4–7 days | $1,050–$1,5001,610 mi · 4–6 days |
| Yakima | $1,025–$1,4751,550 mi · 4–6 days | $1,050–$1,5001,610 mi · 4–6 days | $1,050–$1,4751,580 mi · 4–6 days | $1,025–$1,4501,490 mi · 3–6 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
Seattle to Minneapolis, 1,640 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 | $1,050–$1,500 | $1,575–$2,250 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,175–$1,675 | $1,775–$2,525 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,325–$1,875 | $1,975–$2,825 |
| Pickup truck | $1,375–$1,950 | $2,050–$2,925 |
| Motorcycle | $625–$900 | $950–$1,350 |
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 Washington to Minnesota is March–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,275 Peak: about $1,400
About this route
Why so many cars go from Washington to Minnesota
About 4,124 people moved from Washington to Minnesota in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (3,400 in 2023, 4,847 in 2024). That is 2% of everyone who left Washington for another state.
Only about 2,908 people a year go back from Minnesota to Washington, 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 $1,275, shipping from Washington to Minnesota costs more than sending a car to Arizona ($1,175) and Colorado ($1,125) but less than to Texas ($1,400) and Georgia ($1,625). That works out to about 78¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
Your car spends 4–6 days on the road for the roughly 1,640 miles from Seattle to Minneapolis, after a pickup window of a few days while the carrier assembles a full load. The car heads east 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 Washington 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 Washington and Minnesota, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end Washington
36 companies based in Washington: 36 carriers, 0 brokers, 237 trucks in total, 9 years in business on average.
- Diesel Auto Express Vancouver · 97 trucks · since 2009 · USDOT 1885300
- DC Trucking Enumclaw · 30 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 3001374
- U Save Auto Transport LLC Moxee · 8 trucks · since 2007 · USDOT 1625792
- DC Auto Carrier LLC Bonney Lake · 7 trucks · since 2022 · USDOT 3871099
- Advanced Auto Transport LLC Kelso · 6 trucks · since 2016 · USDOT 2943372
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 Washington? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Washington to states near Minnesota
To Minnesota from states near Washington
FAQ
Washington 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 Washington to Minnesota?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,050–$1,500 from Seattle to Minneapolis (1,640 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $975–$1,550. An SUV costs about $1,175–$1,675, a pickup $1,375–$1,950, and an enclosed trailer $1,575–$2,250 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Washington to Minnesota?
Transit is usually 4–6 days after pickup for the 1,640-mile trip from Seattle 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 Washington 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 Washington to Minnesota?
Driving 1,640 miles takes about 4 days: roughly $210 in gas and 3 nights of hotels and meals (about $420). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,050–$1,500. Add wear on the car and 4 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from Washington to Minnesota?
Our directory lists 36 companies based in Washington and 16 based in Minnesota, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.