About 1,700 miles, 4–5 days on the truck, and $1,300–$1,500 on an open carrier. Few lanes are as seasonal: busy south in autumn, busy north in spring, quiet in between.
Shipping a car from Minnesota to Arizona costs $1,300–$1,500 on an open carrier and $1,750–$2,100 enclosed, for a standard running vehicle. It is about 1,700 miles and 4–5 days on the truck. Most of these cars go south in October and November and come back in March and April, so when you ship matters as much as where.
What does it cost to ship a car to Arizona and back?
The spring trip home costs more than the autumn trip down, for both open and enclosed.
| Direction | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota to Arizona | $1,300–$1,500 | $1,750–$2,100 |
| Arizona to Minnesota | $1,550–$1,800 | $2,700–$3,000 |
| Winter down and back, open | $2,850–$3,300 |
The band is priced on a Minneapolis 55401 to Phoenix 85004 trip, about 1,700 miles; the Minneapolis to Phoenix route page covers that city pair. St. Paul, Rochester or Duluth pickups, and Scottsdale, Mesa or Tucson deliveries, are different trips; send me both ZIP codes and I will price yours.
When should I ship my car to Arizona for the winter?
October and November are the peak going south, and the lane is quiet outside those weeks. Book ahead if you want a set week in the peak. Try not to leave it until January: a Minnesota pickup in heavy snow can be genuinely difficult.
Which route does the carrier take?
Either I-35 south to Kansas City and then I-40 west, or I-90 west and down through Denver. The driver picks by the weather across the plains, and in winter that is what decides it. You do not have to choose; it is one reason the day range is wider than the miles alone suggest.
Open or enclosed for a snowbird car?
Most cars on this lane are sedans and comfortable SUVs, and they ride fine open at $1,300–$1,500. Enclosed requests are more common here than on similar lanes, because many owners are retirees moving a car they care about; enclosed costs $1,750–$2,100. The open versus enclosed guide explains what you get for the difference.
Shipping a car from Arizona back to Minnesota
The spring trip runs $1,550–$1,800 open and $2,700–$3,000 enclosed. It is the harder leg to book late: most winter residents in the Valley head home in the same six weeks of March and April, and there are only so many trucks. The pickup itself is the easy part, since a Phoenix collection in spring does not wait on weather. If your date has to hold, book the trip home early.
Wintering in the Valley? Price both legs or call (567) 666-4241.
Prices, transit times and both directions for this corridor are on the Minnesota to Arizona route page.
Written by Brian Smith, Auto Transport Manager at Leader Auto Ship LLC — FMCSA licensed property broker, MC #1638331, DOT #4232283. Brian has more than four years of experience and has personally handled about 800 shipments. Verify the licence yourself.
