Shipping a Car from New York City, NY to Minneapolis, MN
Ship from New York City and the car covers about 1,209 miles northwestbound to Minneapolis, across six states, from New York to Minnesota. A carrier needs about three days on the road at the usual 500 miles a day, and we estimate 2–3 days in transit once the car is loaded. Demand is moderate, so pickup windows are usually easy to fill.
What New York City to Minneapolis Costs
Over 1,209 miles, a standard sedan on open transport runs $725–$1,030 ($0.73 per mile). Enclosed shipping adds about 45% ($1,050–$1,495), while SUV and truck surcharges bring open pricing to $810–$1,155. Delivery to St. Paul, 11 miles from Minneapolis, would be $720–$1,020. Loading in Philadelphia, about 81 miles from New York City, is $25 cheaper at $700–$995. A comparable-length trip, El Paso, TX to San Francisco, CA (1,215 mi), is priced at $730–$1,035.
| Transport Type | Car Type | Typical Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $725–$1,030 | Standard choice for everyday cars |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $810–$1,155 | Larger vehicles, same trailers |
| Open | Minivan | $810–$1,155 | Larger vehicles, same trailers |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $1,050–$1,495 | High-value or low cars |
Estimates are for a standard sedan; actual quotes vary with exact addresses, condition and season.
The Route and Corridor
Along the way the route touches New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. In New York, the Thruway (I-90, I-87) is tolled and New York City bridges add tolls and truck limits. Wisconsin: I-94, I-90 and I-43 connect Milwaukee and Madison. New Jersey: the tolled New Jersey Turnpike and the Newark port area create heavy truck traffic. Pickup is on Eastern time and delivery on Central time, so a driver's call can come an hour off your clock. Toll roads in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are built into carrier pricing.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in New York City. The nation's densest market; tolls, bridges and truck-route restrictions usually mean meeting the driver at an accessible lot. Carriers usually load around I-278, I-495 and I-95. New York City has port activity, so imported or exported vehicles may need extra release time. Expect to meet the driver at an open lot because of street and tunnel limits.
Delivery in Minneapolis. Upper Midwest hub on I-35W/I-94 where deep winter cold shapes scheduling. Trucks serving Minneapolis lean on I-35W and I-94. Minneapolis is a freight crossroads, so there is usually a truck passing through.
Timing and Seasonality
Snow in the northern tier of states can push dates back from December to February; spring and fall run smoothest. Three weeks of lead time works well for 1,209 miles. Across New York expect lake-effect snow in the west and nor'easters downstate; across Minnesota, deep winter cold and heavy snow.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Vet the carrier. Check the MC number on safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and get insurance terms in writing before paying a deposit.
- Keep the tank low. About a quarter tank keeps weight down for the trip to Minneapolis.
- Plan the meeting point. In New York City, agree early on a wide lot because curbside loading is often impossible.