Quick Answer
Shipping a car within California typically runs $500–$900 on an open carrier. Shipping to or from California typically runs $500–$1,900 depending on the lane — for example, Los Angeles to Dallas is typically $1,000–$1,500 and Los Angeles to New York City $1,500–$1,900. Most in-state moves take 1–2 days; cross-country shipments take 3–8 days depending on the lane.
Shipping a car in California, without the runaround
California moves more vehicles than any state in the country — and not just because it's the biggest. People relocate here for work, leave here for work, send cars to kids in college, bring classics home from auctions, and winter in the desert by the tens of thousands. Whatever the reason, the pattern is the same: the car needs to get there safely and on a schedule.
That's the job we do at Freedom Transport Service. We're a nationwide auto transport broker with a 100% USA-based team — real people who answer the phone, no outsourced call centers — and a network of vetted, insured carriers running California lanes every day. We're open 6 days a week, and the way we price is simple: no bait-and-switch.
Most California shipments fall into a handful of buckets. Job relocations move families between the coastal metros and the rest of the country, especially as tech, entertainment, logistics, and healthcare employers shuffle people between Southern California, the Bay Area, Texas, and the Midwest. Military families ship on PCS orders to and from Camp Pendleton, Naval Base San Diego, and Travis Air Force Base. Students send cars to campus in the fall and home again in the spring. Seasonal residents — snowbirds who spend the cold months in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley — ship cars south and west in the fall and back again in the spring rather than driving both ways. Add online car purchases, a deep collector-car culture, and constant dealer and auction traffic, and you get a state where carriers run full, frequent routes — which is good news for your price and your schedule.
We ship daily drivers, family SUVs, and pickup trucks; classics and exotics (enclosed, always recommended); motorcycles and golf carts (enclosed only, for full protection); UTVs; and vans and heavy-duty trucks, which our team quotes individually. If it rolls, we can almost certainly move it.
Popular routes to California
These are the lanes Californians book most often inbound, with the typical ranges we see for a standard sedan in running condition. Your exact price depends on the specific pickup and delivery cities and ZIPs, the vehicle, and your dates — the ranges below are honest planning numbers, not a quote. Season is a factor too: prices run higher when demand peaks — snowbird season in the fall and spring, the summer moving season, and the year-end holidays — and lower in quieter months.
| Route | Open typically | Enclosed typically | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX to Los Angeles, CA car shipping | $1,100–$1,500 | $1,600–$2,200 | 3–5 days |
| Las Vegas, NV to Los Angeles, CA car shipping | $500–$900 | $700–$1,300 | 1–2 days |
| Portland, OR to Los Angeles, CA car shipping | $900–$1,300 | $1,300–$1,900 | 2–4 days |
| Seattle, WA to Los Angeles, CA car shipping | $900–$1,300 | $1,400–$2,000 | 2–4 days |
| Miami to Los Angeles car shipping | $1,500–$1,900 | $2,200–$2,800 | 5–7 days |
| Miami to San Francisco car shipping | $1,600–$2,000 | $2,400–$3,000 | 6–8 days |
| Orlando to Los Angeles car shipping | $1,400–$1,800 | $2,200–$2,800 | 5–7 days |
| Orlando to San Francisco car shipping | $1,500–$1,900 | $2,200–$2,800 | 6–8 days |
| Phoenix to Los Angeles car shipping | $500–$900 | $800–$1,400 | 1–2 days |
| Phoenix to San Francisco car shipping | $800–$1,200 | $1,200–$1,800 | 2–3 days |
Typical ranges for a standard sedan in running condition. Larger vehicles, non-running vehicles, and rural pickups or deliveries can price higher.
Popular routes from California
Leaving California — or sending a car out to family, a buyer, or a second home — runs on the same busy corridors in reverse. Texas and Arizona lanes stay active year-round thanks to relocations and seasonal residents, and the Los Angeles–New York City lane is one of the longest and strongest cross-country routes in the network.
| Route | Open typically | Enclosed typically | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL car shipping | $1,200–$1,600 | $1,900–$2,400 | 4–6 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Dallas, TX car shipping | $1,000–$1,500 | $1,500–$2,200 | 3–5 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Denver, CO car shipping | $900–$1,300 | $1,400–$2,000 | 2–4 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Las Vegas, NV car shipping | $500–$900 | $700–$1,300 | 1–2 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to New York City, NY car shipping | $1,500–$1,900 | $2,200–$2,800 | 6–8 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Phoenix, AZ car shipping | $500–$900 | $800–$1,400 | 1–2 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Las Vegas, NV car shipping | $700–$1,100 | $1,000–$1,600 | 1–2 days |
| Los Angeles to Miami car shipping | $1,500–$1,900 | $2,200–$2,800 | 5–7 days |
| Los Angeles to Orlando car shipping | $1,400–$1,800 | $2,200–$2,800 | 5–7 days |
| San Diego to Phoenix car shipping | $500–$900 | $800–$1,400 | 1–2 days |
| San Francisco to Miami car shipping | $1,600–$2,000 | $2,400–$3,000 | 6–8 days |
| San Francisco to Orlando car shipping | $1,500–$1,900 | $2,200–$2,800 | 6–8 days |
| San Francisco to Phoenix car shipping | $800–$1,200 | $1,200–$1,800 | 2–3 days |
Typical ranges for a standard sedan in running condition. Get a free quote for your lane.
Shipping within California
Plenty of California shipping never leaves California. San Francisco to Los Angeles is about 380 miles — a long day of driving each way once you count Bay Area and Los Angeles traffic, and still hard on a car you'd rather keep miles off. In-state shipping is core business for us, because Californians move between these metros constantly: job transfers, college moves, cars bought from a seller at the other end of the state, and second vehicles headed to a desert home, a wine-country place, or the coast.
In-state moves on the main corridors are also some of the fastest things we do. Carriers run I-5 and US-101 daily, pickup is usually quick, and most intrastate shipments on the corridor below deliver in 1–2 days. Open transport typically runs $500–$900 on the route below; enclosed runs $800–$1,400 and is the right call for classics and exotics even on a shorter hop, thanks to California sun and road dust. Longer in-state hauls — San Diego to Sacramento, or anything into the far north of the state — price by their real distance, and your free quote reflects your specific addresses.
| Route | Open typically | Enclosed typically | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA car shipping | $500–$900 | $800–$1,400 | 1–2 days |
Typical ranges for a standard sedan in running condition. Larger vehicles, non-running vehicles, and rural pickups or deliveries can price higher.
California cities we serve
We pick up and deliver door-to-door in every California metro and most smaller communities along the main corridors. Cities with a dedicated route guide link straight to it; everywhere else, your free quote gives you a price for your specific address.
The California car shipping guide
Shipping the car is the easy part. Owning it legally at the other end — and getting it through a California summer — takes a little local knowledge. Here's what we tell every customer moving a vehicle into, out of, or across the state.
Registering your car after a move to California
New residents have 20 days from becoming a resident — or from bringing the vehicle into California — to register it with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). That first registration usually involves more than paperwork: most out-of-state vehicles need a VIN verification and, for most gasoline and many diesel vehicles, a smog certification before the DMV will complete it. Twenty days goes fast when a car ships a week after you do, so line up a smog appointment as soon as your delivery date is set, and handle registration as soon as the car arrives.
Smog Check: the emissions test most cars need
California's Smog Check program, run by the Bureau of Automotive Repair, is the state's emissions inspection — and it is more layered than a simple statewide yes or no. In the state's Enhanced and Basic program areas, which cover most populated counties, most vehicles need a Smog Check every two years at registration renewal. In more rural change-of-ownership areas, a Smog Check is generally required when a vehicle changes hands or is first registered in California, rather than on the biennial cycle. A Smog Check is also required for most vehicles registering in California for the first time.
The broad strokes: gasoline vehicles from 1976 and newer are in the program, as are diesel vehicles from 1998 and newer up to 14,000 pounds GVWR; gasoline vehicles from 1975 and older, electric vehicles, and motorcycles are exempt. Newer gasoline vehicles are exempt from the biennial check for their first several model years and pay a smog abatement fee instead — but a vehicle that sailed through inspection in another state can still need attention first here, because an aging catalytic converter, an EVAP leak, or a check-engine light will fail it. Your DMV renewal notice tells you whether a Smog Check is due for your vehicle and your area, so treat that notice as the final word.
Insurance minimums
California law requires minimum liability coverage of 30/60/15 — $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. Those limits took effect January 1, 2025, when Senate Bill 1107 doubled the old 15/30/5 minimums that had stood for decades. If your current policy was written in a state with lower minimums, your insurer will adjust it when you update your garaging address. (While your car is on one of our carriers, it ships with the transport insurance coverage included with every shipment.)
Toll roads, bridges, and FasTrak
California tolling runs on FasTrak, the electronic system used on the Bay Area's toll bridges including the Golden Gate Bridge, on express lanes in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego, and on Orange County's toll roads — and carriers use those lanes too. Before pickup, remove or pause your toll tag — a FasTrak transponder left in the car can keep charging your account as the carrier passes toll points on the trailer. The same goes for out-of-state transponders like E-ZPass. It's a two-minute job that saves a month of mystery charges.
The corridors carriers actually run
Four interstates do most of the work in California. I-5 is the state's spine, running from San Diego through Los Angeles, up the Central Valley, through Sacramento and Redding to Oregon. I-10 crosses Southern California from Santa Monica through Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, and Palm Springs on its way to Arizona and Texas. I-80 runs from San Francisco through Sacramento and over the Sierra Nevada toward Reno and the Midwest. I-40 starts in Barstow and heads east across the Mojave toward Arizona and Oklahoma. Add US-101 along the coast and I-15 from San Diego to Las Vegas, and you have the map carriers actually drive. If your pickup or delivery sits on or near one of these corridors, scheduling is fast and pricing is at its best. Off-corridor addresses — mountain communities, the far North Coast, deep desert towns — simply need a little more lead time.
Inland heat, open vs. enclosed
California heat is the weather factor that matters most on inland lanes. On an open carrier, your car rides through Central Valley and desert stretches that can top triple digits in summer, with direct sun and road dust — fine for a daily driver, and what the vast majority of California shipments use. For a classic, an exotic, a fresh paint job, or anything with a soft top, enclosed transport keeps the car sealed away from the heat and grit entirely. Either way, don't leave anything heat-sensitive inside the vehicle.
Wildfire season and winter mountain passes
California's wildfire season, which runs through the summer and fall, can affect pickups and deliveries in and near fire areas: when a fire closes a stretch of I-5, Highway 99, or a canyon road, carriers reroute or pause, and pickup windows can move by a few days. Winter brings the mirror image in the mountains — snow on the Grapevine section of I-5, on I-80 over Donner Pass, and on the passes into the mountain communities can slow a run or shift it by a day. If you're shipping in season or in winter, a little schedule flexibility goes a long way — and we'll always tell you honestly if weather is about to affect your dates.
Military moves & college shipping
Two groups ship more cars in California than anyone else — and both move on somebody else's calendar, which makes planning ahead worth real money.
Military & PCS moves
California hosts some of the largest installations in the country, and we ship to and from all of them:
- Camp Pendleton (Oceanside) — the Marine Corps' major West Coast base
- Naval Base San Diego — one of the Navy's largest homeports
- Travis Air Force Base (Fairfield) — a major air mobility hub
- Fort Irwin (Barstow) — the Army's National Training Center in the Mojave
Carriers can't always enter the installation itself, so pickup or delivery usually happens at a visitor center or a convenient spot just outside the gate — we coordinate that with you in advance. Ask about our military pricing when you book.
Students & families
Shipping a car to campus beats a two-day drive and a flight home. We serve every major California school, including:
- UCLA and USC (Los Angeles)
- UC San Diego and San Diego State
- UC Berkeley and Stanford University
- UC Davis and UC Irvine — plus Cal Poly, San Jose State, and Fresno State
Book fall and spring moves early — the first and last weeks of the term are the busiest of the year. Ask about student pricing when you book.
Special pricing — just ask
We offer special pricing for select groups, including military members, students, seasonal travelers, and healthcare professionals. Mention it when you request your quote and we'll apply whatever you're eligible for.
How California car shipping works
Three steps, start to finish. We handle the carrier, the scheduling, and the updates — you just hand over the keys.
Get your quote & book
Get your free quote and book with $0 due upfront.
We assign your carrier
We match your vehicle with a vetted, insured carrier already running your lane, and confirm your pickup window with you.
Pickup & delivery
The driver inspects and loads your vehicle at your door, and delivers it at the other end with updates along the way.
Open vs. enclosed transport in California
Open transport is the standard multi-car carrier you see on every interstate — and it's the right choice for most California shipments. It's the most affordable option, the easiest to schedule, and your shipment includes insurance coverage in transit either way. Daily drivers, family vehicles, trucks, and SUVs ship open every day of the year.
Enclosed transport puts your vehicle inside a covered trailer, protected from weather, sun, dust, and road debris. California makes the case for enclosed better than most states: summer runs cross hundreds of miles of inland heat and blowing dust, the collector-car scene is as serious as anywhere in the country, and a car headed to or from an auction or a show deserves to arrive exactly as it left. For classics, exotics, collectibles, show cars, and anything with significant value or fresh paint, enclosed is the honest recommendation — and for motorcycles and golf carts, enclosed is the only way we ship them. Expect enclosed to run roughly 40–60% more than open on the same lane, as the tables above show.
Not sure which fits your car? Tell us what you're shipping when you get your quote and we'll give you a straight answer — including when open is all you need.
What affects your California price
Four things drive the number on any California lane:
- Distance. The biggest factor, always. California distances surprise people — San Diego to Sacramento is a longer drive than Los Angeles to Phoenix and Las Vegas combined, so "in-state" doesn't automatically mean "short." Longer hauls cost more in total but less per mile.
- Corridor vs. off-corridor pickup. Addresses on I-5, I-10, I-80, and US-101 sit on routes carriers already run, so they price at the best rates and schedule fastest. Mountain, far North Coast, and deep desert pickups may need a carrier to detour, which costs more and takes a little longer to arrange.
- Vehicle size and condition. A compact sedan is the baseline. Full-size trucks, large SUVs, and vans take more deck space and weight; non-running vehicles need a winch and extra handling. Heavier and larger prices higher.
- Season and direction. Fall fills up with seasonal residents heading to the desert and spring fills with them heading home; summer is peak relocation season statewide, and the start and end of the college term spike campus towns. Booking a little ahead of the rush — or shipping against it — usually prices better.
The ranges on this page are typical planning numbers — get your free quote for your specific addresses, vehicle, and dates. No bait-and-switch, ever.
Preparing your car for pickup
A few simple steps before the carrier arrives make pickup smooth — and protect you if anything comes up in transit.
- Keep the tank about a quarter fullThat's plenty for loading and unloading, without the extra weight of a full tank.
- Remove personal itemsCarriers aren't insured for belongings left inside the vehicle, so clear out anything you can't replace.
- Wash the car before pickupA clean car makes the pre-shipment inspection photos accurate, so existing marks are documented clearly.
- Note existing damage with the driverWalk the car together at pickup and make sure it's recorded on the bill of lading before you sign.
- Disable alarms and remove toll tagsIt prevents surprise alarms in transit and toll charges piling up along the way.
- Have a spare key readyThe driver needs a working key for loading and unloading at both ends.
California car shipping FAQs
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Texas?
Los Angeles to Dallas typically runs $1,000–$1,500 open and $1,500–$2,200 enclosed, taking 3–5 days. It is one of the busiest lanes in the country, so scheduling is usually fast. Houston to Los Angeles, in the other direction, typically runs $1,100–$1,500 open.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Texas to California?
Houston to Los Angeles typically runs $1,100–$1,500 open and $1,600–$2,200 enclosed, with a 3–5 day transit. Northern California destinations and rural Texas pickups can price a bit differently — get a free quote for your specific addresses.
How much does it cost to ship a car within California?
The busiest in-state lane, San Francisco to Los Angeles, typically runs $500–$900 open and $800–$1,400 enclosed, with delivery in 1–2 days. Longer in-state hauls — Los Angeles to the far north of the state, for example — price higher because the distance is genuinely long-haul scale.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to the East Coast?
Los Angeles to New York City typically runs $1,500–$1,900 open and $2,200–$2,800 enclosed, taking 6–8 days. Los Angeles to Chicago, a shorter cross-country run, typically runs $1,200–$1,600 open.
How long does California car shipping take?
Most in-state moves take 1–2 days. Regional lanes like Los Angeles to Phoenix or Las Vegas run 1–2 days, mid-country shipments to Denver, Dallas, or Chicago typically take 2–6 days, and coast-to-coast shipments take 6–8 days. Your carrier confirms a pickup window when you book and keeps you updated in transit.
Do I need to register my car after moving to California?
Yes. New California residents must register an out-of-state vehicle with the DMV within 20 days of becoming a resident or bringing the vehicle into the state. Most vehicles also need a smog certification and a VIN verification as part of that first registration, and California liability insurance of at least 30/60/15.
Can I ship a car to a military base in California?
Yes — we ship to and from Camp Pendleton, Naval Base San Diego, Travis Air Force Base, Fort Irwin, and other California installations regularly. Because carriers usually can't enter the installation, pickup or delivery typically happens at a visitor center or a spot just outside the gate, coordinated with you in advance. Ask about military pricing when you book.
How do I book, and do I pay anything upfront?
Get your free quote or call us at 800-507-2629 — we're open 6 days a week. There are $0 upfront booking fees: you pay nothing to schedule.
Is my car insured while it's being shipped?
Yes. Every shipment includes insurance coverage while your vehicle is in transit, and we only work with vetted, insured carriers. At pickup, you and the driver document the car's condition together on the bill of lading, which is what protects you if anything comes up along the way.
Can the carrier pick up my car at my home?
Yes — our service is door-to-door wherever a carrier can safely and legally reach. If your street is too narrow for a full-size transport truck, the driver will meet you at a nearby parking lot or wide street, usually within a few minutes of your address.