California Car Shipping for Cross-Country Relocations and PCS Moves
Top Route
California to Texas
Avg. Transit Time
2 to 9 days
Avg. Cost
$975 to $1,275
(2903 reviews)
4.7
BBB
(3876 reviews)
4.6
Birdeye
(3895 reviews)
4.5
Confirmed pickup window usually happens within 2 to 3 days on short West Coast routes and up to 7 to 9 days out on cross-country runs to the East Coast, per our car shipping transit times guide.
Key Takaways
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from California?
Shipping a car from California costs between $750 and $1,610, depending on the distance and the state you are headed to. Shorter regional routes land toward the lower end of that range, while cross country moves to the East Coast run higher, as the table below shows.
Cost to Ship Your Car to California
| Route | Distance | Cost | Estimated Transit | Get A Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama to California | 2,032 miles | $1,116 | 5–7 days | Get a Quote |
| Arizona to California | 736.8 miles | $415 | 2–3 days | Get a Quote |
| Arkansas to California | 1,669 miles | $1,060 | 4–6 days | Get a Quote |
| Colorado to California | 1,118.4 miles | $655 | 3–4 days | Get a Quote |
| Connecticut to California | 2,845 miles | $1,217 | 6–8 days | Get a Quote |
| Delaware to California | 2,705 miles | $1,138 | 6–8 days | Get a Quote |
| Florida to California | 2,703.8 miles | $1,135 | 7–8 days | Get a Quote |
Cost to Ship Your Car from California
| Route | Distance | Cost | Estimated Transit | Get A Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California to Alabama | 2,031 miles | $1,145 | 5–7 days | Get a Quote |
| California to Arizona | 736.8 miles | $515 | 2–3 days | Get a Quote |
| California to Arkansas | 1,668 miles | $1,132 | 4–6 days | Get a Quote |
| California to Colorado | 1,118.4 miles | $875 | 3–4 days | Get a Quote |
| California to Connecticut | 2,846 miles | $1,323 | 6–8 days | Get a Quote |
| California to Delaware | 2,705 miles | $1,267 | 6–8 days | Get a Quote |
| California to Florida | 2,703.8 miles | $1,305 | 7–8 days | Get a Quote |
Open vs. Enclosed Transport Costs
"We treat every car that we ship as if it was our own personal vehicle. We want you to be comfortable, we want you to be educated, and we're here to provide that for you."
SHIPYOURCARNOW FIXED PRICE PROMISE
The price we quote is the price you pay. Locked from quote to delivery.
No surprises. No exceptions.
Trusted Nationwide California Vehicle Shipping
Licensed, Insured, and Vetted
Know Your Trucker and In-House Claims
Our Know Your Trucker program texts you your driver’s photo, license, and equipment details on pickup day. Our claims team is in-house and never outsourced.
How California Car Shipping Works
Step 01: Request Your Instant Quote
Tell us your vehicle type and other vehicle details, your pickup and delivery locations, and the delivery dates that work for you. You get a real number back in about 20 seconds, not a rough estimate that changes later.
Step 02: Schedule Pickup and Vehicle Inspection
Step 03: Transport, Tracking, and Delivery
Your transport driver will likely use I-5, I-10, I-15, I-40, or I-80 depending on the destination, and will call 2 to 4 hours before arrival. This part of the vehicle transportation process moves fast once your car is dispatched. Ask about GPS tracking so you always know where your vehicle is along the way, as clear communication about your schedule and any delays matter as much as the drive itself. If your street is unsuitable for a large carrier to access, your driver may ask to meet at a nearby wider road to deliver. At delivery, compare the car against your pickup photos and note any new damage on the Bill of Lading before you sign it, so you have peace of mind the moment your car arrives.
California Military PCS Car Shipping
Corporate and Tech Relocation Vehicle Shipping
Why Ship a Car To or From California
California Vehicle Registration and Driver Requirements
California’s Department of Motor Vehicles oversees registration for all motor vehicles brought into the state as part of any California vehicle transport move, and the requirements below apply whether your car arrived by carrier or you drove it yourself.
Registration Deadline
New residents must register an out-of-state vehicle within 20 days of establishing residency, according to the California DMV new resident portal.
Emissions Testing Requirements
A biennial smog check is required in most urban counties for older vehicles, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Orange, Santa Clara, and more under the California DMV smog inspection program. Only certain zip codes in counties El Dorado, Placer, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Sonoma require a biennial smog check. Roughly 18 rural counties are exempt, including Alpine, Amador, Inyo, Mariposa, Plumas, Sierra, and Trinity.
Driver's License Transfer Deadline
New residents should apply for a California driver’s license within 10 days of establishing residency.
Title Transfer Fee
The California DMV title transfer process carries a $15 fee, plus applicable use tax based on your county.
Insurance Requirements
California requires minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $15,000 for property damage, per the California DMV’s insurance requirements page. This is the minimum car insurance every driver in the state must carry, separate from the cargo insurance your shipping carrier provides.
Ready to Ship Your Car From or to California
Car Shipping Services Available for California Moves
Open Auto Transport
Enclosed Car Shipping
Expedited Vehicle Shipping
Military PCS Shipping
Corporate Relocation
Luxury and Exotic Car Transport
Motorcycle Shipping
Door-to-Door Car Shipping
How to Prepare Your Car for California Shipping
Complete this checklist before vehicle pickup so nothing holds up your driver on the day.
1
Remove all personal items from the vehicle.
2
Keep a quarter tank of fuel in your vehicle.
3
Take timestamped photos of all four sides and the roof.
4
Disable your alarm system.
5
6
Check tire pressure is correct on all four tires.
7
Have one working key ready for the driver.
SHIPYOURCARNOW FIXED PRICE PROMISE
The price we quote is the price you pay. Locked from quote to delivery.
No surprises. No exceptions.
Popular Car Shipping Routes From California
California From New York Car Shipping
California from Florida Car Shipping
California from North Carolina Car Shipping
Popular Car Shipping Routes To California
Heading to one of these states? Our Texas, New York, Florida, and North Carolina pages cover registration rules and typical transit windows on the receiving end.
What Our Customers Say About Their Car Shipping Experience
Thousands of customers across the United States have trusted us with vehicles they care about. Here is what they have to say.
Satisfied customers
Experience
Carriers
(2903 reviews)
4.5
BBB
(3876 reviews)
4.6
Birdeye
(3895 reviews)
4.5
California Car Shipping FAQ
"We treat every car that we ship as if it was our own personal vehicle. We want you to be comfortable, we want you to be educated, and we're here to provide that for you."
Ready to Ship Your Car from California?
Whether you are on PCS orders, starting a new job, or sending a car to a kid at college, we handle the driver vetting, tracking, and paperwork so the process stays stress-free from quote to delivery. You get one clear price up front and a real person to call if anything changes. That is what California car shipping should feel like.
Thousands of vehicles shipped nationwide every year.