10 Best Auto Transport Companies in Minnesota For 2024

1. Understand Minnesota Residency

Residency doesn’t depend on a single factor. Therefore, to establish Minnesota residency, you need to:

• Maintain a permanent residence, whether you own or rent, in Minnesota.
• Spend at least 183 days in Minnesota during the year.
• Have family and community connections in Minnesota. 
• Maintain employment and business relationships in MN.
• Maintain an MN-issued driver license and voter registration.
• Have an MN address on legal documents.
• Note that Michigan and North Dakota maintain tax reciprocity agreements with Minnesota residents.

2. Update Insurance to Comply with MN Laws

Minnesota law requires that you maintain required auto insurance and keep proof of the insurance in your automobile. You must purchase a policy from a licensed agent within 60 days of establishing residency. Note that Minnesota is a “no-fault” state. The required coverage includes:

• $40,000 personal injury protection (PIP): Helps with medical expenses, lost wages, and replacement no matter who is at fault for the accident. This coverage is the no-fault portion of your policy. When your PIP benefits run out, the following coverage goes into effect:
• $30,000 bodily injury liability per person/$60,000 per accident: Helps pay medical expenses for those injured in an accident that is your fault.
• $10,000 property damage liability: Helps cover damages to another’s vehicle or property when the accident is your fault.
• $25,000 underinsured motorist coverage per person/$50,000 per accident: This coverage is in addition to your PIP benefits and goes into effect when the other driver is at fault for the accident but doesn’t have enough coverage to cover your medical claims.
• $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person/$50,000 per accident: Helps pay for your medical expenses after your PIP benefits are exhausted and when the other driver is at fault but not covered by insurance.

If you feel you need additional protection, you can increase your coverage and purchase collision or comprehensive insurance. Collision coverage helps cover damage to your vehicle when you have an accident with another car or object. Comprehensive covers loss that is not the result of a collision, such as theft, fire, weather damage, and accidents involving animals.

3. Title and Register Your Vehicle

• You’ll have 60 days after becoming an MN resident to register your vehicle. You’ll need:
• Current vehicle title or registration card
• Proof of required Minnesota auto insurance
• The name and address of any current lien holders
• The odometer reading of your vehicle
• A valid driver's license
• A copy of the lease agreement or power-of-attorney and the MN Tax ID number from the leasing company for leased vehicles
• Payment for the required fees

4. Obtain a Valid Minnesota Driver License

You must obtain your valid Minnesota driver license within 60 days of becoming a resident and:

• Complete the Minnesota driver license application and provide your social security number
• Present one primary and one secondary form of identification
• Present your valid previous state driver license
• Pass a knowledge test about Minnesota driving laws and regulations
• Pass the vision screening
• Have a photo taken
• Pay the required fees

5. Purchase a MnPASS

The MnPASS allows solo motorists to drive for a fee in designated MnPASS Express Lanes. Vehicles with two or more people and motorcycles pay no fee to operate in the express lanes. To open a MnPASS account, you’ll pay an initial $25 plus the price of your MnPASS tag, if applicable. Your account will work like a debit account.

The MnPass works slightly differently than typical toll passes. Sensors, installed in roadways, determine traffic speeds and volumes. As the number of vehicles increases, so does the fee to drive in those lanes. Peak travel-time fees range between $.25 and $8. The system will email you a monthly statement that shows the times, dates, and locations of lanes you used, along with the tolling rates. The express lanes are located on I-394, I-35W, and I-35E.

Are you looking to ship your vehicle to Minnesota from another part of the country? Caravan Auto Transport’s network of vetted, licensed, and insured auto transporters offers safe, efficient transport of your automobile to its destination without running up the miles on the odometer. These reputable Minnesota car shipping companies provide the following services:

Open Car Transport

The most common method of car transportation, open transport carriers are ideal if you’re looking for an affordable shipping option with speedy delivery. As the name suggests, your car is loaded onto an open-air trailer along with several other vehicles headed to the same destination.

Enclosed Auto Transport

If you desire enhanced security or protection for your vehicle, you may wish to arrange enclosed carrier shipping. Inside a covered trailer, your car has protection from harsh weather conditions and road hazards like dust and dirt. Shipping your car in a closed carrier also enhances its safety during transit by keeping the vehicle concealed.

Door-to-Door Car Shipping

With a door-to-door car shipping service, you choose the desired pick-up and drop-off locations rather than having to arrange getting your vehicle to or from a transport terminal. Door-to-door shipping is the most convenient choice for shipping your car to or from Minnesota, saving you time and effort.

Expedited Shipping

In a hurry to get your car from one location to the next? Upgrading to expedited shipping ensures a seamless pick-up and drop-off of your vehicle on your schedule. As a priority customer, you receive fast, timely service so you can get back to driving that much quicker.

Classic and Antique Car Transport

When it comes to transporting a classic car, you want an auto transport company that can deliver your vehicle without a single dent or scratch. From a vintage Mustang to an antique DeVaux Sports Coupe, our network of classic auto transporters has the expertise and equipment to transport your classic car safely, so it arrives in pristine condition.

High End and Luxury Auto Shipping

Exotic car transporters use specialty equipment, like hydraulic lifts and sophisticated tie-downs, along with enclosed trucks, to keep your valuable car safe during every mile of transit. An enclosed car hauler ensures the ultimate protection for your high-end or luxury vehicle, protecting it from dirt, dust, and debris along the way.

From moving off to college to heading South for the winter, there are numerous reasons you may be interested in shipping a car to Minnesota or somewhere outside of the North Star State. Caravan Auto Transport’s network of auto shippers streamlines the car hauling process no matter your reason for transporting your vehicle to or from MN.

Moving and Relocation

When moving cross-country or out-of-state, many people choose to ship their cars rather than add a long road trip to an already stressful and exhausting relocation experience. Leave the logistics of moving your car in the hands of professionals with either open or enclosed vehicle shipping services.

Snowbirds

Do you fly south for the winter? Given Minnesota’s long, cold winters, it’s not hard to understand why you may choose to head to a place with warm temps and sunny days. Start enjoying your escape from frigid Minnesota that much sooner by shipping your car and meeting it at your southern destination – whether you’re wintering in balmy Palm Springs or toney Palm Beach.

Military

Camp Ripley is a 53,000-acre National Guard base in north-central Minnesota. There are no army, air force, marine, or coast guard bases; however, over 600 active-duty military personnel call Minnesota home. If you are one of the brave men or women serving our country, we’re happy to provide you with free quotes and connect you with top-notch car transportation to or from Minnesota.

Online Car Buyers

Whether you’ve found the perfect vehicle on Craigslist, eBay, or AutoTrader, you may need some assistance getting it home, especially if it’s sitting on the other side of the country. Instead of flying out to pick it up and putting hundreds or thousands of miles on the odometer just to get it to your driveway, arrange for a hauler to transport your new car for you.

College Students

From the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis to Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota has no shortage of top-tier colleges and universities for those seeking to further their education. If you have a college student moving to Minnesota from out-of-state (or vice versa), have their vehicle shipped straight to campus with a fast, affordable auto transport service.

On average, it costs between $500-$1500 to ship a car to Minnesota. Anticipate paying around $1 per mile for the first 1-500 miles, then approximately $.75 for every mile after that. Several factors influence the final cost of shipping your vehicle, including the origin and destination zip codes, the method of transport (open vs. enclosed), the speed of shipment, the type of vehicle, and the time of year. The best way to get an accurate estimate of car shipping costs is by requesting free quotes from our network of auto transport companies.