Car Transport California

Why Car Transport Demand Is High in California

California has the largest vehicle registration count in the US: over 35 million registered vehicles, and one of the most active auto transport markets in the country. A few things drive that volume:

• Outbound relocation. Outbound migration. California has seen net population loss for several consecutive years, with residents relocating to Texas, Nevada, Arizona, and Florida. Most take their car with them without driving it cross-country.
• Military PCS moves. Naval Base San Diego, Camp Pendleton, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Travis AFB, and Naval Air Station Lemoore all generate consistent inbound and outbound vehicle transport demand on a rotating basis.
• Online car sales. Online vehicle purchases. California’s dealer network, concentrated in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and Sacramento, ships purchased vehicles nationwide. Buyers on the East Coast regularly purchase cars from California dealers and ship them home.
• Snowbird reverse flow. While Florida sees the classic snowbird influx, California’s Palm Springs, Palm Desert, and Coachella Valley markets see seasonal vehicle movement from Pacific Northwest residents who winter there.
• CARB compliance. Vehicles registered in California must meet CARB emissions standards within 90 days of registration. This makes it more practical to ship a vehicle you already own than to buy locally and deal with smog certification on arrival.

Open and Enclosed Car Hauling Options

Open transport loads your vehicle onto a multi-car carrier, the same type you see hauling new cars from manufacturers to dealerships. It’s the most widely used and most cost-effective option. Your vehicle is exposed to weather and road elements, though damage rates are extremely low and all carriers in our network are fully insured.

Enclosed transport ships your vehicle inside a sealed trailer, protected from weather, road debris, and dust. It costs more  (typically 30-50% above open rates) but is the right call for classic cars, exotics, modified vehicles, and anything you’d rather not have exposed on an LA-to-NYC haul.

If you’re shipping a daily driver or a standard vehicle for a relocation, open transport is the right choice. If you’re shipping a vehicle you’d never park on the street, enclosed is worth the premium.

We work with a network of licensed drivers and carriers through Central Dispatch and Central Transport. This allows us to match you with the right equipment and ensure your vehicle arrives safely and on time.

Most Common California Car Transport Routes

California to Texas

One of the highest-volume corridors in the country. The LA-to-Dallas and LA-to-Houston routes run daily with multiple carriers. Driven by the ongoing relocation of California residents to the Texas Triangle. Typical transit is 3-5 days.

California to New York

Coast-to-coast shipping at its most common. Carriers run the I-40 and I-80 corridors regularly, making this a well-serviced route. Transit averages 7-9 days. Popular with remote workers relocating east and vehicle buyers shipping west-coast dealer purchases home.

California to Florida

High volume year-round with a seasonal spike in the fall as people relocate or move for winter. The LA-Miami route runs roughly 2,700 miles and takes 7-9 days. The San Diego-Tampa corridor is also common among military families.

Within California

LA to San Francisco, San Diego to Sacramento, and Bay Area to Central Valley are the most common intrastate moves. These are short-haul jobs that can typically be scheduled with 24-48 hours notice.

Inbound to California

Vehicle shipments into California require the receiving owner to initiate CARB smog compliance within 90 days of registration. This applies to most gasoline vehicles over a certain model year. Electric vehicles are exempt. Check with the California DMV before shipping if your vehicle is older or modified.

Why Ship With We Will Transport It

We’ve been moving vehicles for over 25 years, which means we’ve run the California corridors long enough to know which carriers are reliable and which routes have seasonal bottlenecks. We don’t broker your job to whoever bids lowest. We expertly match your vehicle to a carrier with a real track record on your specific route.

California is a high-volume state with a lot of competition in the auto transport market. That’s good for pricing but it means there are a lot of low-quality brokers who will take your deposit and then scramble to find a carrier. We build relationships with drivers who run California routes regularly, LA to New York, San Diego to Dallas, Bay Area to Seattle. So when you book, there’s already a qualified carrier available.

We’re licensed, bonded, and insured. Every carrier in our network is vetted. You get a real person when you call, not a call center, and you get updates on your vehicle’s status without having to chase anyone down.

How California Car Transport Works

Step 1: Get a Quote

Call (855) 600-1118 or complete the online form. We need your pickup and delivery locations, vehicle make and model, preferred dates, and whether you want open or enclosed transport. We give you a real price not a bait-and-switch estimate that changes at pickup.

Step 2: Book and Schedule

Once you confirm, we assign a carrier through our dispatch network. For California routes, typical lead time from booking to pickup is 1-3 business days for open transport. Enclosed transport may take slightly longer depending on carrier availability along your route.

Step 3: Pickup and Inspection

The driver arrives, inspects your vehicle, and documents its condition on the Bill of Lading. You sign off, hand over the keys, and we handle everything from there. We’ll notify you when the vehicle is loaded and on the way.

Step 4: Delivery

We deliver door-to-door whenever road access allows. On arrival the driver completes a final inspection against the Bill of Lading. If anything changed in transit, that’s documented before the driver leaves. Keys are handed over and you’re done.

How to Prepare Your Car for Shipping

• Wash the vehicle before pickup. A clean car makes the pre-transport inspection accurate (existing scratches and dents are documented, not disputed).
• Keep the gas tank at a quarter full. A full tank adds weight to the carrier. A quarter tank is enough for loading and unloading.
• Remove personal items from the interior. Carriers are not licensed to transport personal belongings, and items left inside are not covered by transport insurance.
• Retract or remove the antenna. Roof racks, spoilers, and exterior accessories that extend beyond the vehicle’s normal profile should be removed or noted.
• Document the vehicle’s condition yourself. Take photos from all four sides plus front and rear before the driver arrives. This is your record if anything is disputed at delivery.
• Disable the car alarm or provide the deactivation instructions. An alarm that goes off mid-transport is a problem for everyone on the carrier.
• Check for existing leaks. Carriers can refuse a vehicle that’s actively leaking fluids onto other vehicles on the trailer.

International Car Shipping to and from California

Our agents can help with international car transport. We use either enclosed shipping containers on ships or air freight options. While air transportation offers quicker delivery, it tends to be more costly.

California Special Discounts for Auto Shipping

We provide exclusive discounts for the transportation of vehicles within California. If you are interested, please contact our car shipping experts in California to determine which discounts you may be eligible for and how these can effectively reduce your expenses.

Your safety is our top priority. We follow all necessary safety rules when transporting vehicles, and our team will review our safety procedures with you before your transport to ensure you understand how everything works.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from California?

There is no flat rate for car transport. The price depends on distance, vehicle size, trailer type, time of year, and route demand. California is one of the most active corridors in the country, which generally keeps open carrier rates competitive. The routes below reflect current market estimates for a standard sedan on an open carrier.

Estimates based on current open carrier market rates for a standard 4-door sedan. Enclosed transport adds 30-50%. Oversized vehicles, non-running vehicles, and expedited service cost more. Call (855) 600-1118 for an exact quote on your specific route and vehicle.

California routes tend to peak in summer (June-August) when demand is highest and available carriers are tightest. If you’re moving between May and September, book at least 2 weeks out. The late fall and winter months (October-February) are generally easier to schedule and can run slightly lower in cost.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car in California?

A common question we hear is, How much does it cost to ship a car? The car shipping cost depends on several things:

• The distance between pickup and delivery
• The size and weight of your vehicle
• The type of trailer (open or enclosed)
• How quickly do you need the car shipped
• The starting and ending locations

We Will Transport It serves every city in California. Commonly requested pickup and delivery points include:

• Los Angeles: the single highest-volume auto transport market in the state
• San Diego: major military transport hub; Camp Pendleton and Naval Base San Diego
• San Francisco / Bay Area: active corridor for tech relocation and online vehicle purchases
• Sacramento: Central Valley hub; strong intrastate and cross-country demand
• Fresno: Central Valley agricultural region; farm and utility vehicle transport common
• San Jose Silicon Valley: high concentration of EV and luxury vehicle transport
• Long Beach / Compton: proximity to Port of Long Beach; international vehicle import/export
• Riverside / San Bernardino: Inland Empire; growing distribution and logistics corridor
• Bakersfield: I-5 corridor; common transit point for north-south California routes
• Palm Springs / Palm Desert: seasonal snowbird vehicle movement

Not seeing your city? If you’re wondering how much to ship a car, the best way to find out is by requesting a free quote.

We offer fast and accurate car shipping quotes with no hidden fees. You’ll know exactly what the cost to ship a car will be before you commit. And we’ll help you compare options based on budget and delivery time.

California’s west side is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Mexico. We specialize in shipping throughout all 50 states and internationally, including Mexico. The state has a vast highway system featuring major routes like I-5, I-10, I-15, and I-80 for convenient trucking access.

Trucking in California has its challenges, notably higher diesel prices—around $1 to $3 more per gallon than the national average. With over a decade of experience, We Will Transport It understands the unique rules and regulations for shipping in and out of California. Get your quick quote today!