Minnesota Auto Transport: Daily Car Shipping Routes in Minneapolis, St. Paul & Rochester

• Pickup and delivery at your address across all 87 Minnesota counties, or a nearby meetpoint where the truck cannot fit
• Open and enclosed transport on every major route
• Licensed broker MC-796224, USDOT 2336907, matched to FMCSA-compliant carriers
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees at pickup

Minnesota Auto Transport Routes, Transit Times, and Pricing

Depending on the car's location, most pickup windows are 24 to 72 hours from when the vehicle is ready to be picked up. This window could take up to 5 days in remote areas. Minnesota car shipping turnaround time for a destination under 1,000 miles is 2 to 3 days. From 1,000 to 1,750 miles, the transit time is estimated to be 4 to 6 days. From 1,750 to 2,500 miles, the transit time is estimated at 7 to 10 days.

Major Minnesota Cities Served

Every city below is covered on the same terms, and so is every town between them.

• Minneapolis
• St. Paul
• Rochester
• Bloomington
• Duluth
• Brooklyn Park
• Woodbury
• Lakeville
• Plymouth
• Blaine
• Maple Grove
• St. Cloud
• Eagan
• Burnsville
• Coon Rapids
• Eden Prairie
• Apple Valley
• Edina
• Minnetonka
• St. Louis Park

Shipping a Car to Minnesota

The most popular lanes into Minnesota, with the transit windows this page has always published.

Prices on the New York to Minnesota row are from our New York to Minnesota route page. No other page on our site prices the Florida, California, Texas, or Nebraska lane into Minnesota, so those rows read Get a quote.

Shipping a Car from Minnesota

The most popular lanes out of Minnesota. Transit windows are this page's own.

No page on our site prices these five lanes in this direction, so each one reads Get a quote. Your quote comes back with a real, locked number.

Popular City-to-City Minnesota Routes

City-pair pricing for the lanes we publish. Standard sedans on open or enclosed carriers.

All six pairs are published on our New York to Minnesota route guide. No other page on our site prices a Minnesota city pair yet.

Per-Mile Pricing Guide for Minnesota Routes

The same per-mile guide appears on our Texas, New York, California, and Florida pages. A simple way to sanity check any Minnesota quote.

• Short distance (under 500 miles)

  $1.00 to $1.75 per mile

• Medium distance (500 to 1,000 miles)

  $0.75 to $1.00 per mile

• Long distance (1,000+ miles)

  $0.50 to $0.75 per mile

• Distance: The length of your journey is a crucial factor affecting costs, playing a significant role in determining your quote.
• Locations: Specific cities matter, with considerations such as local traffic conditions, proximity to major highways, and ease of pickup/drop-off contributing to pricing variations.
• Trailer Type: Opt for open-air transport for a more budget-friendly choice, or consider enclosed trailers for added protection, albeit at a higher cost.
• Vehicle Details: The dimensions and weight of your car are significant factors influencing the auto transport rate.
• Seasonality: Prices fluctuate throughout the year, influenced by the demand for car shipping. More active seasons might lead to slightly higher costs, depending on the chosen route.

For the most accurate Minnesota auto transport rate, provide the following details:

• Your car's specifications and type
• Origin and destination cities
• If possible, flexibility with shipping dates
• Preferred trailer type (open or enclosed)

By supplying this information, you'll receive a personalized car shipping rate tailored to meet your specific needs when transporting your vehicle to or from Minnesota.

Minnesota Route Guides

Full pages on the lanes we run most, with city-pair pricing, transit windows, and what to do after the car arrives. The complete list is on our popular routes page.

• New York to Minnesota

Minnesota Military Installations We Serve

• Camp Ripley Training Center

  Little Falls, MN. A 53,000-acre training installation for the military and state agencies.

• Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station

  Minneapolis, MN. Home of the 934th Airlift Wing, an Air Force Reserve C-130 wing.

• 133rd Airlift Wing

  St. Paul, MN. Minnesota Air National Guard airlift wing, trading its C-130H fleet for the C-130J.

• 148th Fighter Wing

  Duluth, MN. Minnesota Air National Guard wing flying the Block 50 F-16.

• Arden Hills Army Training Site

  Arden Hills, MN. Minnesota National Guard site with the General John W. Vessey Readiness Center.

• 175th Regiment Regional Training Institute

  Camp Ripley, MN. Officer Candidate School and Warrant Officer Candidate School for the Minnesota Guard.

• Minnesota National Guard Joint Force Headquarters

  St. Paul, MN. Headquarters of the Minnesota National Guard, Army and Air.

Timing Your Shipment Around PCS Orders

PCS season runs May to August. Carrier supply tightens, prices rise, and pickup dates fill weeks ahead. Book 3 to 4 weeks out once orders are in hand. We can hold a quote for 7 days while you finalize report dates.

Know where the posts sit. Camp Ripley and its Regional Training Institute are near Little Falls in central Minnesota. The 934th flies from Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station, and the 133rd Airlift Wing and Joint Force Headquarters are in St. Paul, with Arden Hills just north. The 148th Fighter Wing is in Duluth on Lake Superior. On our New York to Minnesota route guide, the usual pairings are Fort Drum to Camp Ripley for summer training, Hancock Field and Stewart to the 133rd and the 148th, and Niagara Falls to the 934th.

Military Discount and Who Qualifies

Military rate available for: active duty, reserve, National Guard, retired service members, and veterans. Mention your status on the call or in the quote form. Government bills of lading and DPS reimbursement requests are supported.

What Moves on Lowboy and Step Deck Trailers

• Dozers, graders, and material handlers
• Excavators, backhoes, and wheel loaders
• Cranes, lifts, and aerial booms
• Skid steers and compact track loaders
• Combines, tractors, and farm implements
• Industrial generators and pumps

Why Lowboy and RGN Transport Works for Minnesota

• Height Compliance

  Lowboy decks sit 18 to 24 inches off the ground. Tall machinery clears bridges and overpasses on I-94, I-35, and I-90.

• Stability and Capacity

  Step deck and lowboy trailers carry the weight of full-size dozers, cranes, and combines without straining the suspension.

• Permit and Escort Expertise

  Carriers in our network handle MnDOT oversize and overweight permits, route surveys, escort vehicles, and the spring load restrictions on state highways.

Equipment that does not fit on a step deck moves on a Removable Gooseneck (RGN) trailer. The front detaches so tracked machinery rolls on without ramps. Best for excavators, dozers, and equipment without functional drive systems.

Should You Drive or Ship Your Car to Minnesota?

Driving it yourself looks cheap until you add two days on the road and the flight home. These figures come from our New York to Minnesota route guide, for a one-way drive of 1,000 to 1,450 miles into Minnesota.

The Hidden Cost of Driving It Yourself

Typical figures for a sedan covering 1,000 to 1,450 miles with one or two nights out. Tolls are the Hudson crossing, the Ohio Turnpike, and the Indiana Toll Road. It leaves out the flight back, the miles, tire wear, and two days of your time.

Driving vs. Shipping, Side by Side

Moving to Minnesota: What to Do After Your Car Arrives

Most people shipping into Minnesota are relocating. Minnesota gives you 60 days, and the tax rule surprises almost everyone. Here is what actually applies.

You Probably Owe No Minnesota Sales Tax

Minnesota's motor vehicle sales tax is 6.875 percent. But the Department of Revenue exempts a car you already owned. If you bought and titled it in your name for at least 60 days in the other state, no tax is due when you register it here. Bought it inside the last 60 days? Tax applies, with credit for tax you paid to the other state.

You may read that Minnesota charges a flat $10 tax on a car from another state. That is wrong. The $10 in-lieu tax covers vehicles 10 years or older worth under $3,000. The separate $10 transfer tax is not due when the car is in your name on the out-of-state title or registration card.

No Inspection, No Emissions Test, No VIN Line

There is no safety inspection on the Driver and Vehicle Services requirement list. The only DVS inspection program removes a salvage brand from a title.

Emissions are the same. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says Minnesota has no statewide inspection program. A VIN check is not on the DVS document list either. DVS asks for the out-of-state title, your license or ID, and your insurance company, policy number, and expiration date.

No-Fault Insurance and Your License

Minnesota is a no-fault state. The Minnesota No-Fault Act requires vehicle owners to carry no-fault insurance. The Department of Commerce puts minimum no-fault coverage at $40,000 per injured person: $20,000 for medical bills and $20,000 for other losses. DVS publishes no liability limits, so ask a Minnesota agent what else to carry.

The license runs on the same clock. DVS gives you 60 days after becoming a resident to apply for a Minnesota driver's license or permit. Since August 1, 2023, licensed out-of-state drivers no longer take the written knowledge test.

Bring the out-of-state title or your lienholder's details, your insurance information, and your license. Fees: $8.25 title, $12 filing fee, a $2.25 technology surcharge, and $15.50 for a pair of plates. The yearly registration tax depends on the vehicle, and DVS has an online estimator. Electric vehicles add a surcharge of $150 or more and plug-in hybrids $75 or more, set by age and sticker price. Check current numbers with Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services before you go.

Minnesota Auto Transport Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about our Minnesota car shipping service. For everything else, see our auto transport FAQ.

• What is the cost of shipping a car to Minnesota?

  The cost of shipping a car to Minnesota depends on several factors, including distance, location, trailer type, vehicle details, and seasonality. Prices fluctuate throughout the year, and busy seasons may lead to slightly higher costs. In order to get the most accurate quote, you should provide the following information: your car's type and specifications, origin and destination cities, flexible shipping dates (if possible), and preferred trailer type (open or enclosed).

• How long does it take to ship a car to or from Minnesota?

  Most pickup windows are 24 to 72 hours from when the vehicle is ready to be picked up. In remote areas, it could take up to 5 days. Here are some estimated transit times based on distance: under 1,000 miles, 2 to 3 days. 1,000 to 1,750 miles, 4 to 6 days. 1,750 to 2,500 miles, 7 to 10 days.

• What types of vehicles can I transport to or from Minnesota?

  Number 1 Auto Transport handles all your vehicle relocation needs, from everyday cars and trucks like coupes, sedans, SUVs, and pickups to minivans and passenger vans. We've got you covered for specialty vehicles too, including electric cars, motorcycles, and all-terrain rides like ATVs and UTVs. Need your golf cart or a John Deere Tractor shipped? If it has wheels, we can ship it!

• Can I transport a car to or from Minnesota if it's not running?

  Yes, carriers in our network are equipped with a winch to help pull the vehicle onto the trailer. Please let your dedicated shipping agent know if the car breaks, rolls, and steers.

• Can I pack my car when transporting it to or from Minnesota?

  While some personal belongings can be transported inside your vehicle for your convenience, there are restrictions. The total weight must be under 100 pounds, and for security reasons, they should be stored in the trunk or back seat, remaining below the window line. It's important to note that any personal belongings shipped within the car are not covered by the standard transport insurance in case of damage or loss.

• Does my vehicle need to have plates when shipping it to or from Minnesota?

  No, but sometimes a carrier will have to meet in a parking lot due to the size of his truck and the destination street layout. If so, you will most likely have to drive the car a few blocks.

• How should I prep my car before shipping it?

  It's recommended to wash your car so the transport carrier can do a proper inspection at pickup. Remove any toll tags so you don't incur fees while in transit. It's also best to remove any loose parts to prevent any damage during transport.

• What is the cheapest way to transport a car to or from Minnesota?

  The cheapest way to ship a car to or from Minnesota is on an open car trailer.

• Should I drive or ship my car to Minnesota?

  If the trip is a short distance, you should consider driving it to save money. Shipping is ideal for long distances, valuable cars, or if you don't want the hassle of driving yourself.

• Is my vehicle insured when using a Minnesota car shipping service?

  Yes, all the carriers in our network are vetted and screened with the DOT and FMCSA to make sure they have up to date and adequate cargo coverage to fully protect your car during transport.

• How do I get a quote for shipping my car to Minnesota?

  Most car shipping carriers request a 3-day (weekday) window for pickup. Once you have your desired pickup window, provide us with the year, make, model, and we will be able to provide you with a Minnesota car shipping rate.

• How do I pay for my Minnesota auto transport service?

  Number 1 Auto Transport offers a variety of convenient payment methods to ensure a smooth transaction for our customers. We accept all major credit cards for your convenience. Additionally, we facilitate secure electronic transfers through established platforms (Zelle, Venmo, Cashapp, Paypal) as well as ACH and wire transfers. For alternative payment preferences, certified and bank checks are also accepted.

• What documents do I need to provide to ship my car?

  You do not need to provide any documents to ship your car. However, it is recommended to sign a Bill of Lading before the carrier leaves.

• What happens upon pick-up and delivery of my car?

  The transport carrier will conduct a thorough inspection with you at the predetermined pickup location, noting any existing dents or scratches. The same inspection will be done upon delivery.

• How far in advance do I need to schedule my Minnesota car shipping service?

  To ensure we can fulfill your preferred delivery timeframe, scheduling your car shipment with ample lead time is highly recommended. Ideally, booking your transport at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance allows for optimal planning and execution.

• Do I have to register my car in Minnesota after it arrives?

  Yes, if you are moving here. You have 60 days to register a passenger vehicle, or right away if the out-of-state registration has expired. No Minnesota sales tax is due if you bought and titled the car in your name at least 60 days before the move. There is no safety inspection or emissions test, and you have 60 days to apply for a Minnesota driver's license.