Car shipping from California to Michigan.

Most shipments from California to Michigan take 4 to 7 days and cost $1,600 to $2,200 for open transport.

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Shipping a car from California to Michigan typically takes 4 to 7 days and costs $1,600 to $2,200 for open transport.

Reference pricing by specific origin and destination. Your quote is locked at booking for 28 days.

Updated October 2026
Route Open Enclosed
San Francisco to Detroit $1,750 to $2,200 $3,000 to $3,750
San Diego to Detroit $1,750 to $2,150 $3,000 to $3,700
Sacramento to Detroit $1,700 to $2,100 $2,900 to $3,600
San Francisco to Grand Rapids $1,700 to $2,100 $2,900 to $3,600
Los Angeles to Detroit $1,700 to $2,100 $2,900 to $3,600
Los Angeles to Grand Rapids $1,600 to $2,000 $2,750 to $3,400

Why another company can quote you 40% less.

Quotes well below the typical range are almost always bait-and-switch. You are quoted a low price to pay the deposit, and then the price is bumped at the last minute.

Four things that set us apart.

Insured Transport

Insured under federal cargo liability requirements. Coverage is part of the quote, not an add-on.

The Price is the Price

Your quote is locked for 28 days. Cancel free up to 7 days before pickup.

Door-to-Door

Most shipments run door to door. If access is tight (narrow streets, low clearance), we will arrange a nearby meeting point.

1% for the Planet

One percent of every booking funds Clean Air Task Force, a nonprofit working on transport and energy emissions.

Trusted by people who've shipped a car before.

4.9
Reviews on Google
Nikolay, customer of Sequoia

Professional service and reasonable price considering they had to winch my car on the trailer.

Nikolay Land Rover Series III | CO → CA
Piper, customer of Sequoia

It is a really professional company, and the service was great, and we also really value the environmental contributions they are doing. Thank you guys!! Will move my car again with you ❤️

Piper Hyundai Tucson | AZ → TX
Andrew, customer of Sequoia

Really nice company, the whole process was fast and easy peasy.

Andrew Morris Mini Cooper | WA → CA

Cars we've moved

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Ship your car from California to Michigan.

Locked for 28 days. Nothing charged at booking.

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What to know about shipping a car from California to Michigan.

A California car has nothing to pass when it gets to Michigan, because Michigan doesn’t test cars at all, so on this move the timing of the delivery deserves more thought than the paperwork. It’s a common move, too, since more people come to Michigan from California than from any state except Florida. The trip is about 2,300 miles from Los Angeles to Detroit, across the Plains and in through Chicago.

Can a car hauler reach my street in Michigan in spring?

Usually, but between March and May the handover may happen on a bigger road nearby. As the frost comes out of the ground, Michigan cuts the weight a truck may carry on roads marked as seasonal, by a quarter on concrete and by about a third on everything else, and cities can start before March if the thaw comes early, as Dearborn did in February 2026. The all season routes keep their full limits, so a loaded truck in spring may keep to them, and a delivery to a county road or a quiet residential street can end with a short drive to meet it. If that’s where you live, mention it when you book.

Reviewed by Andrey Zhe, Sequoia founder.

What does a car need after it arrives in Michigan?

If the move makes you a Michigan resident, these are the state's rules for the car.

Deadline
Title and register the car as soon as you become a Michigan resident. The 90 days a car can run on out-of-state plates apply only to nonresidents.
Where
In person at a Secretary of State office, with your out-of-state registration or title. Visits can be booked online or by phone.
Inspection
None. Michigan has no emissions or safety inspection for private cars, and its checklist for a car titled in another state has no VIN check.
Insurance
Michigan no-fault insurance on the car before you title or register it.
Tax
A car bought in another state owes Michigan's 6% use tax, less the sales tax paid to that state when it gives Michigan the same credit.

Checked September 2026 against Michigan Department of State, Michigan Legislature. Rules change; the state's own site has the final word.

Car hauling burns diesel. We fund the work to clean it up.

One percent of every booking goes to Clean Air Task Force, a nonprofit working on policy and technology to clean up transport and energy emissions.

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Our giving is independently verified each year.

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Common questions, plainly answered.

How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Michigan?

Shipping a car from California to Michigan costs between $1,600 and $2,200 for open transport. Enclosed transport costs about 40 to 70% more, rising with distance. Los Angeles to Grand Rapids sits near the bottom of that range and San Francisco to Detroit near the top, and once you book, the price holds for 28 days.

How long does it take to ship a car from California to Michigan?

Shipping a car from California to Michigan takes an estimated 4 to 7 days. Los Angeles to Detroit is about 2,300 miles, and the truck crosses the Plains and comes in through Chicago on I-94 for the last stretch.

What if my car is damaged?

If you find damage at delivery, note it on the bill of lading before signing. We will manage the claim with the carrier from there.

Is my car insured during transport?

Every shipment is insured by the carrier under federal cargo liability requirements.

Should I choose open or enclosed transport?

Open transport is the standard choice for most vehicles. Enclosed transport costs 40 to 70% more and is appropriate for high-value vehicles, classics, low-clearance sports cars, and any car where weather exposure or road debris is a real concern.

How do I ship a car?

To ship a car, request a quote with your origin, destination, and vehicle details. Sequoia matches you with a driver according to your pickup window, the driver picks up your vehicle, and delivers it at your destination.

Are tolls included in the price?

Yes. Every toll, bridge and congestion charge the truck pays on the way is already in your quote, and nothing is added for them after you book.

When am I charged?

Nothing is charged at booking. The deposit is charged 7 days before your pickup window opens, and the remaining balance is paid to the driver at delivery.

Ready to ship your car from California to Michigan?

Locked for 28 days. Nothing charged at booking.

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