California Car Shipping Services

California is one of the strictest states for new residents. You are required to register your vehicle with the DMV within 20 days of establishing residency. Because California considers "establishing residency" as anything from starting a job to paying for a home, we recommend scheduling your car shipment to arrive within your first week to ensure you have time for the mandatory Smog Check and VIN verification.

While you don't need a Smog Check to ship the car, you must have one to register it in California. Almost all out-of-state vehicles (except certain hybrid/electric and older models) must pass a California Smog Check at a licensed station. If you are shipping a car that has been modified, ensure it is compliant with CARB (California Air Resources Board) standards to avoid registration issues upon delivery.

Large multi-car carriers often struggle with narrow streets, low-hanging trees, and steep hills in areas like San Francisco’s Nob Hill or dense neighborhoods in West Hollywood. If your home is in a restricted area, your driver will coordinate a meeting at a nearby large parking lot or a wide commercial street to ensure a safe and legal offload of your vehicle.

Yes! We specialize in "Port-to-Door" and "Door-to-Port" services. We frequently move vehicles through the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Oakland for customers shipping to Hawaii or overseas. We handle the logistics of getting your car to the terminal and can assist with the specific TWIC-escort requirements often needed for port access.

Carriers must comply with federal rules and state guidance from the California Department of Motor Vehicles and related agencies. We ensure our partners are licensed and in good standing.

We provide California car shipping services in all major cities and corridors statewide, including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, Fresno, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Riverside, Stockton, Irvine, Santa Ana, Chula Vista, Modesto, Oxnard, Fontana, San Bernardino, Oceanside, Ventura, Redding, Temecula, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, and Napa/Sonoma.

While Open Transport is the most popular and affordable choice for the I-5 or Hwy 101 corridors, we highly recommend Enclosed Auto Transport for luxury vehicles and classics. California’s highways, especially during high-wind events or near coastal "salt air" zones, can expose your car to road debris and brine. Enclosed shipping provides 360-degree protection for your investment.

If you are a California resident and buy a vehicle from an out-of-state dealer, it must be "California Certified" if it has fewer than 7,500 miles on the odometer. Shipping a "49-state" vehicle that isn't California-certified may prevent you from registering it in the state. If you are moving to CA as a new resident, there are exemptions, ask our team for details before you book.

California is the highest-volume state for auto transport. Typical transit times include:

• New York to Los Angeles: 7–10 days.

• Chicago to San Francisco: 5–7 days.

• Dallas to San Diego: 3–5 days.

• Seattle to Los Angeles: 2–4 days.