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Crash Course:
- You can ship a car in California for a price range of $700 to $1,500
- uShip and Montway Auto Transport are our recommendations for California car shipping companies
- Time of year, vehicle size, and shipping method will all impact your cost to ship a car in California
If you’ve got a new home in California and need to move your car there, consider booking a car transport service so you don’t have to drive your vehicle all the way there yourself.
In this article, we’ll discuss the process of car shipping in California, what to expect, and the average costs and requirements. We will also recommend two of the best car shipping companies for your California auto transport needs.
Featured Car Shipping Companies
We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:
Our #1 Rated Provider
Montway
Best for Locked-In Pricing
Sherpa
Best for Affordable Services
Nexus
What To Expect When Shipping A Car In California
Since California has high traffic levels and generally poor road conditions, some issues could occur during your vehicle’s delivery. Your car shipment could be delayed, or your vehicle could arrive dirty from the trip.
You should also factor in the time of year when shipping a car to California. The peak season is usually during the summer, so try to get a locked-in price well beforehand.
As expected, long-distance moves will have higher price tags. So, if you’re headed from Florida to the Bay Area or from New York to Southern California, expect a larger overall cost even if your price per mile goes down.
How Much To Ship a Car to California?
Vehicle transport costs largely depend on the origin and destination of your vehicle, but prices will generally range from $700 to $1,500 for vehicle shipping to California.
Here are factors that often affect car shipping costs in California:
- Vehicle size and weight: Large cars cost more to ship than smaller ones.
- Vehicle type and operability: Luxury vehicles and inoperable cars take extra work to move, so shipping them costs more.
- Distance: The longer the distance between pickup and delivery locations, the more expensive overall but the cheaper per mile.
- Shipping method: Enclosed transport offers more protection than open transport but comes with a higher price tag.
- Time of year: The summer months and January are priciest for vehicle transport.
- Popularity of route: Car shipments out of Los Angeles, San Jose, and Oakland will be pretty affordable. Similarly, deliveries to Nevada, Oregon, and Arizona will cost less.
To give you a better idea of how much car shipping to California costs, we gathered a few shipping quotes from uShip and Montway Auto Transport, two of the best car transport companies for cheap car shipping in California.
uShip California
The cost of California car shipping increases for out-of-state transport, but city-to-city moving costs within California are very affordable with uShip.
| Car Shipping Route | Cost |
|---|---|
| Bakersfield, Calif., to Los Angeles (113 miles) | $218 |
| Sacramento, Calif., to Reno, Nev. (132 miles) | $329 |
| Fresno, Calif., to Phoenix (591 miles) | $779 |
| Long Beach, Calif., to Miami (2,741 miles) | $1,246 |
*These examples from uShip’s quote tool are based on the lowest rate offered for an operable 2014 Honda Accord.
Montway Auto Transport California
Long-distance transport can cost up to $1,500, but car shipping within the state of California can cost less than $700 with Montway Auto Transport.
| Car Shipping Route | Cost |
|---|---|
| Sacramento, Calif., to Los Angeles (386 miles) | $479 |
| San Diego to Fresno, Calif. (338 miles) | $609 |
| San Francisco to Portland, Ore. (634 miles) | $769 |
| Orlando, Fla., to Long Beach, Calif. (2,514 miles) | $939 |
| New York City to Riverside, Calif. (2,756 miles) | $1,509 |
*These examples from Montway Auto Transport’s quote tool are based on the lowest rate offered for an operable 2015 Toyota Corolla.
Requirements For California Car Shipping
Before booking a car shipping service, you will need to have a few documents and pieces of information in hand. It’s important that you meet all of the requirements ahead of time so you won’t have any issues during the vehicle transport process.
Required Documents To Ship a Car From California
Make sure you have the following materials ready to go before booking your car shipment in California:
- Photo identification such as a driver’s license or passport
- Vehicle details such as make, model, year, vehicle identification number (VIN), and license plate number
- Proof of car insurance
- Proof of ownership, such as vehicle registration or title
- Shipper and consignee information
These are the basic requirements for how to ship a car in California, but each company has slightly different requirements and standards.
California Car Shipping: Conclusion
This article reviewed the requirements, costs, and companies of California car shipping. If you need to ship a car to California, this is a great guide to get you started on your journey. Take a deeper look at some recommended companies below:
Car Shipping Companies California
We researched the best auto transportation companies and found which ones offer the best service for car shipping in California. Our research found that Montway Auto Transport and uShip lead the pack for quality service and affordable pricing.
Montway Auto Transport: Best Overall
Montway Auto Transport is a popular choice for car shipping in California because of its variety of shipping services, such as door-to-door transport, expedited delivery, guaranteed pickup dates, and options for shipping a car to Hawaii or Alaska.
The company holds an A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Customers enjoy using Montway Auto Transport, as seen by its 4.5-star out of 5.0 rating on Google Reviews. In our review of the best car shipping companies, we gave Montway Auto Transport 4.6 out of 5.0 stars for its excellent customer service and reputation.
Learn more about the company by checking out our Montway Auto Transport review.
uShip: Best Car Shipping Marketplace
You can get car shipping quotes online through uShip’s marketplace, which reveals a wide range of rates to choose from. The average cost of transporting your vehicle to California with uShip ranges from $500 up to $1,500, depending on the distance between pickup and delivery locations.
With its strong reputation and excellent customer service ratings, uShip stands out as one of the industry’s best car shipping companies. We gave uShip 4.4 out of 5.0-stars for its marketplace platform and affordable car shipping rates.
See whether uShip could cover your California car shipping needs in our full uShip review.
Car Shipping California: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about California car shipping:
How much does it cost to ship a car?
The cost of shipping a car can depend on various factors, but the price typically ranges from $700 to $1,500. Shipments that cover less than 500 miles average around $1 per mile, while costs per mile decrease as distance goes up.
How long is an auto transport quoted price good for?
Auto transport prices are constantly in flux, so rates only remain the same once a customer accepts a car shipping offer. Even then, certain companies may unexpectedly raise costs mid-shipment. By choosing car carriers that offer guaranteed pricing, you can eliminate this potential issue.
How long does it take to ship a vehicle?
The average shipment length will range from one to six days, but there are many variables that can affect pickup and delivery dates. If you choose enclosed transport or have a long-distance delivery, the shipping process might take longer.
Can I leave personal items in my vehicle?
Most vehicle transport companies won’t let you leave personal items in your vehicle, as they are not covered under standard carrier or cargo insurance. Even if a company doesn’t stop you from transporting personal items in your car, it’s still a risky move to make.
Our Methodology
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best car shipping companies.
- Prices: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team performs ongoing secret shopper analyses for different vehicles, services, and shipping routes to give this rating.
- Services: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that an auto transport company offers an array of services. We take into account the availability of services, ability to guarantee pickup and drop-off dates, and insurance coverage options.
- Reputation: Our team considers BBB ratings, a company’s history of service, and years in business when giving this score.
- Customer Service: Reputable car shippers operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We take into account customer reviews, BBB complaints, and the responsiveness of the customer service team.
