California Car Shipping Services
Safely ship your vehicle to or from California with Montway, the nation’s top-rated auto transport service provider.
Top-rated California auto transport company
There are many reasons to search for car shipping near you. Do you need to ship a vehicle to a kid at college? Have you purchased a vehicle from a seller across the country? Or maybe you’re planning to move for a new job? Trust Montway Auto Transport with your California vehicle shipping needs. Montway is a fully licensed and insured auto logistics provider, arranging safe vehicle shipping in California and all 50 states. Most shipments to or from California take between 5 and 9 days depending on distance and route. For example, a typical shipment from Texas to California is about 1,565 miles, takes 5–7 days on average, and costs around $895–$1,200, while shipping from California to Florida is around 2,660 miles, can take 7–9 days, and costs roughly $1,450. No matter where you are headed, Montway’s experienced carrier network and customer‑focused service make the process straightforward, so you can rest easy knowing your vehicle is in good hands.
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Shipping a car TO California
Whether you’re adding to your classic car collection, moving for work, or you’re a service member with change of station orders, shipping a vehicle to California requires professional skills. Leave your California auto transport to the experts at Montway. Since our founding in 2007, we have provided car shipping services for nearly one million people.
Shipping a car FROM California
Finding California car shipping near you is easy with Montway. Our expansive car carrier network transports vehicles across the country or just over the California state line. We have experience arranging transport for cars, trucks, exotic and collector vehicles, EVs, motorcycles, ATVs, powersports and more
What customers say about shipping a car to or from California with Montway:
Everything went smoothly. My car arrived in great time and went without a hitch. They were quick to answer any questions. Shipped from California to Florida.
Montway Auto Transport is the truth! Don’t waste your time with other companies. I needed to transport my Ford Excursion from CA to FL. It was picked up and delivered to the front door 8 days later.
I shipped my 2025 Honda from South Carolina to our grandson who is a U.S. Marine in California. It was a great experience!
I chose Montway to move my Porsche Carrera S from CA to FL in an enclosed trailer. I am very particular and there was not a scratch on my vehicle or any kind of issue when it was delivered.
We shipped two vehicles from CA to MN and everything went smoothly. My car was delivered the very next day after I arrived, which was a huge relief and made the transition much easier for our family.
Easy process and affordable price for a California to Florida transport. The driver was professional and showed up on time.
1019000+
Satisfied customers
16 + years
Experience
30,000+
Carriers
Trusted by world's largest brands
How does California car shipping work with Montway?
Transporting your vehicle from point A to point B is easier than you may think! In fact, there are just three simple steps - watch the video to learn more.
The car transport process
Step 1: Quote & book order
Step 2: Vehicle pickup
Step 3: Vehicle delivery
Ready to book California auto transport services?
Even if you’re still researching auto transport near you or you don’t have a moving date yet, now is the time to get a California car shipping estimate. Fill in your pickup and drop-off locations, vehicle type, and other details into our online rate calculator to get an instant quote. If you have questions about the auto transport process or how your specific estimate is calculated, call a Montway shipping advisor at (888) 666-8929. A member of our experienced team will provide a quote based on your specific vehicle type, timeframe and transport type.
How much does California car shipping cost?
Many factors go into calculating the cost of your California car shipment, including:
- Total travel distance
- Pickup and delivery locations
- Trailer type (open or enclosed)
- Vehicle details
- Seasonal fluctuations
What these factors mean in practice: The distance of your move has the biggest impact—long‑haul routes cost more overall but are cheaper per mile. Trailer choice also matters: enclosed shipping usually adds about 30–50% to the price because it provides extra protection, while inoperable vehicles or those with modifications may require special equipment and additional fees. Pickup and delivery locations play a role too; remote areas or congested urban centers can lengthen lead times and raise costs, whereas scheduling during off‑peak seasons can often save you money.
For the most accurate estimate, provide your vehicle type, origin and destination locations, first available shipping date and specific trailer type (open or enclosed).
How long does it take to ship a car to or from California?
The actual transit time of your vehicle generally depends on the travel distance between your locations. In general, your timeline can be affected by:
- Weather
- Seasonal demand
- Pickup & delivery location
- Route construction
- Route traffic
Understanding transit times: Cross‑country shipments to and from California generally take between five and nine days once the vehicle is on the truck, but pickup windows and total travel time can vary widely based on distance and route. Seasonal factors like winter storms or summer demand may lengthen transit, while heavy traffic or road construction near your pickup or delivery location can add an extra day or two. Rural or hard‑to‑reach areas often require a longer lead time for carrier scheduling, whereas metropolitan pickups along major corridors are usually faster.
Transit time does not include vehicle pickup or delivery time, or any scheduled stops the driver may have while en route. Once your order is dispatched, you’ll receive estimated pickup and delivery dates.
Calculate your California car shipping costs
There are many factors that go into calculating a car shipping cost. Enter basic details about your vehicle, pickup and drop-off locations and transit date for the most accurate estimate.
Popular California auto transport routes
To better understand what your California car shipping cost and transit time could be, we’ve created a table highlighting the most common routes to and from California. Keep in mind that these are general estimates based on internal data from 2024-2025. For the most accurate cost of California car shipping near you, Montway will need your exact vehicle type and location details.
Top 10 routes for car shipping TO California
| Car Shipping Route | Average distance | Time estimate | Price estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas to California | 1565 miles | 5 - 7 days | $895 |
| Florida to California | 2650 miles | 7 - 9 days | $1310 |
| New York to California | 2820 miles | 7 - 9 days | $1510 |
| Illinois to California | 2060 miles | 6 - 8 days | $1200 |
| New Jersey to California | 2820 miles | 7 - 9 days | $1400 |
| Massachusetts to California | 3040 miles | 7 - 9 days | $1510 |
| Virginia to California | 2715 miles | 7 - 9 days | $1375 |
| Georgia to California | 2320 miles | 6 - 8 days | $1265 |
| Pennsylvania to California | 2675 miles | 7 - 9 days | $1415 |
| Washington to California | 1075 miles | 4 - 6 days | $890 |
Top 10 routes for car shipping FROM California
| Car Shipping Route | Average distance | Time estimate | Price estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| California to Texas | 1565 miles | 5 - 7 days | $1200 |
| California to Florida | 2660 miles | 7 - 9 days | $1450 |
| California to New York | 2800 miles | 7 - 9 days | $1550 |
| California to Illinois | 2050 miles | 6 - 8 days | $1250 |
| California to New Jersey | 2835 miles | 7 - 9 days | $1455 |
| California to North Carolina | 2600 miles | 7 - 9 days | $1455 |
| California to Georgia | 2300 miles | 6 - 8 days | $1335 |
| California to to Virginia | 2700 miles | 7 - 9 days | $1430 |
| California to Massachusetts | 3050 miles | 7 - 9 days | $1530 |
| California to Hawaii | 2550 miles | 14 - 21 days | $2040 |
Transport your vehicle to or from any city in California
Whether you are shipping your car to or from Sacramento, San Jose, San Diego, San Francisco, Merced, Los Angeles, or any other city in California, Montway, the nation’s top-rated auto transport service provider, has you covered.
| Los Angeles | San Diego | San Fransico |
| Sacramento | San Jose | Fresno |
Los Angeles
and surrounding areas
90001, 90002, 90003, 90004, 90005, 90006, 90007, 90008, 90010, 90011, 90012, 90013, 90014, 90015, 90016, 90017, 90018, 90019, 90020, 90021, 90022, 90023, 90024, 90025, 90026, 90027, 90028, 90029, 90031, 90032, 90033, 90034, 90035, 90036, 90037, 90038, 90039, 90040, 90041, 90042, 90043, 90044, 90045, 90046, 90047, 90048, 90049, 90056, 90057, 90058, 90059, 90061, 90062, 90063, 90064, 90065, 90066, 90067, 90068, 90069, 90071, 90077, 90079, 90089, 90090, 90094, 90095, 90096, 90189
San Francisco
91911, 91914, 91915, 91932, 91941, 91942, 91945, 91950, 92014, 92025, 92027, 92029, 92037, 92054, 92056, 92057, 92064, 92065, 92071, 92075, 92078, 92081, 92083, 92084, 92091, 92101, 92102, 92103, 92104, 92105, 92106, 92107, 92108, 92109, 92110, 92111, 92113, 92114, 92115, 92116, 92117, 92118, 92119, 92120, 92121, 92122, 92123, 92124, 92126, 92127, 92128, 92129, 92130, 92131, 92139, 92154, 92173
San Diego
94102, 94103, 94104, 94105, 94107, 94108, 94109, 94110, 94111, 94112, 94114, 94115, 94116, 94117, 94118, 94121, 94122, 94123, 94124, 94127, 94129, 94130, 94131, 94132, 94133, 94134
San Jose
94089, 95002, 95008, 95013, 95014, 95020, 95030, 95032, 95035, 95037, 95046, 95050, 95051, 95054, 95070, 95110, 95111, 95112, 95113, 95116, 95117, 95118, 95119, 95120, 95121, 95122, 95123, 95124, 95125, 95126, 95127, 95128, 95129, 95130, 95131, 95132, 95133, 95134, 95135, 95136, 95138, 95139, 95140, 95148
Fresno
93650, 93701, 93702, 93703, 93704, 93705, 93706, 93710, 93711, 93720, 93721, 93722, 93723, 93725, 93726, 93727, 93728, 93730
Sacramento
95605, 95608, 95610, 95616, 95621, 95624, 95626, 95628, 95630, 95652, 95655, 95660, 95670, 95673, 95691, 95811, 95814, 95815, 95816, 95817, 95818, 95819, 95820, 95821, 95822, 95823, 95824, 95825, 95826, 95827, 95828, 95829, 95831, 95832, 95833, 95834, 95835, 95837, 95838, 95841, 95842, 95864
Long Beach
90745, 90802, 90803, 90804, 90805, 90806, 90807, 90808, 90810, 90813, 90814, 90815, 90822
Oakland
94601, 94602, 94603, 94605, 94606, 94607, 94609, 94610, 94611, 94612, 94618, 94619, 94621
Bakersfield
93220, 93301, 93304, 93305, 93306, 93307, 93308, 93309, 93311, 93312, 93313, 93314
Anaheim
90620, 92801, 92802, 92804, 92805, 92806, 92807, 92808, 92821, 92823
Santa Ana
92701, 92703, 92704, 92705, 92706, 92707, 92708, 92780, 92782
Riverside
92501, 92503, 92504, 92505, 92506, 92507, 92508, 92509, 92518, 92553, 92555, 92557
Stockton
95202, 95203, 95204, 95205, 95206, 95207, 95209, 95210, 95212, 95215, 95219, 95231
Chula Vista
91910, 91911, 91913, 91914, 91915
Irvine
92602, 92603, 92604, 92606, 92612, 92614, 92617, 92618, 92620, 92623, 92697
San Bernardino
92401, 92404, 92405, 92407, 92408, 92410, 92411, 92412, 92415, 92423, 92427
Modesto
95350, 95351, 95354, 95355, 95356, 95357, 95358
Oxnard
93030, 93033, 93035, 93036
Fontana
92335, 92336, 92337
Moreno Valley
92551, 92553, 92555, 92557
California car shipping to or from any U.S. state
Looking to ship a car to another state or across the country? Montway ships cars to all 50 states. Select a state to learn more about auto transport services in that area.
- Nebraska Car Shipping
- Nevada Car Shipping
- New Hampshire Car Shipping
- New Jersey Car Shipping
- New Mexico Car Shipping
- New York Car Shipping
- North Carolina Shipping
- North Dakota Car Shipping
- Ohio Car Shipping
- Oklahoma Car Shipping
- Oregon Car Shipping
- Pennsylvania Car Shipping
- Rhode Island Car Shipping
OPEN car shipping
An open trailer is a safe and reliable option and the most common type of transport used for California car shipping near you. With open transport, cars can easily be arranged and quickly loaded and unloaded, making this option efficient and cost-effective. Vehicles are not protected from weather and road conditions and may accumulate a bit of dirt during their journey, which is to be expected.
Learn more about open car shipping.
Pros
- More affordable than shipping in an enclosed trailer
- Higher availability, making it easier to book your preferred date
- More fuel efficient than enclosed transportation
Cons
- Vehicles are exposed to the elements during transit
- Trailers often cannot accommodate vehicles with low ground clearance
- Less security and protection from vandalism
ENCLOSED car shipping
Enclosed transport is best for classic, exotic or luxury cars as well as motorcycles and powersports. Vehicles with low ground clearance will also require enclosed shipping, as the driver may need a hydraulic lift gate or ramp to load them onto the truck. Enclosed transport protects your vehicle from most weather and road hazards, offering additional peace of mind when shipping your prized possession.
Learn more about enclosed car shipping.
Pros
- Vehicles are more protected from the elements and vandalism
- Often equipped with ramps to load vehicles with lower ground clearance
- Accommodates multiple vehicle types, including motorcycles
Cons
- Less affordable than shipping a vehicle on an open trailer
- Lower availability can make scheduling pickup and dropoff more difficult
- Enclosed carriers move fewer cars at once, which may drive up the cost
Montway offers top-notch California auto transport services
Door-to-door car shipping
Door-to-door car shipping is a convenient way to ship your car to or from California. You provide specific addresses and the truck driver will pick up and drop off your vehicle as close to your door as safely and legally possible. Keep in mind that some cities have restrictions on large trucks that prohibit them from entering some residential areas.
Hawaii car shipping
Leaving California and heading to the islands? Shipping your vehicle to Hawaii is less complicated than you may think. The key is selecting an auto transport provider with experience arranging door-to-port, port-to-door and port-to-port auto transport. Montway can safely get your vehicle to or from Hawaii, while delivering peace of mind.
Motorcycle shipping
Montway provides our California motorcycle customers with the best year-round pricing. We use experienced drivers who have the skills and equipment to properly load, secure and transport motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, UTVs and powersports. Call (888) 666-8929 for a custom California motorcycle shipping quote.
Military PCS shipping
Most PCS moves are long distances and require a lot of planning. To make your move to or from California easier, use Montway to transport your personal vehicles. We offer PCS vehicle shipping discounts for those in active duty, Reserves or National Guard along with military dependents and veterans. Thank you for your service
Six things to consider when transporting a car to or from California
- New for 2023, drivers are now required to change into another available lane, when possible, to pass cyclists. This California law builds on the current requirement for drivers to give cyclists at least three feet of space when passing.
- Car insurance is mandatory in California, and the state’s minimum coverage requirements include $15,000 for injury/death of one person, $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person and $5,000 for damage to property.
- California’s smog check program requires certain vehicles to undergo a biennial emissions test. If you think your vehicle will require a smog check, it’s a good idea to schedule it before shipment to avoid legal issues upon arrival.
- If you’ve purchased a vehicle from a private party in California you’ll need to register your vehicle within 10 days. Are you the seller? Then you have five days after the sale to report the transfer of ownership to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
- California is known for beautiful weather, but it’s important to note, if you need to ship your car to California from Texas, or any other states with predictable climates, that sudden weather changes can occur. While rare, wildfires, mudslides and earthquakes are just a few natural occurrences that could affect transportation. When planning a California car shipment, consider allowing extra time for such events.
- With toll roads in San Diego County, the Bay Area and Orange County plus toll bridges throughout the state, it’s important to remove your FasTrak transponder or other toll tag when shipping your car throughout the state. You don’t want to be liable for any fees when you weren’t even driving!
Helpful Links for California Car Transport
California car shipping FAQs
What types of vehicles can I ship to or from California?
Montway ships all standard types of vehicles such as coupes, sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, minivans, and regular cargo and passenger vans. We can even arrange transport for EVs, motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, golf carts, snowmobiles and other vehicle types.
Can I ship a vehicle to or from California even if it isn’t running?
Yes! Even if your car, truck, van or other vehicle is inoperable, we are still able to transport it. Be sure to indicate this when booking your shipment, since specialized equipment will need to be used to load and unload it on and off the truck. If your inoperable vehicle is not able to roll, break and steer it will require added equipment and work, which will be an additional expense.
What’s the cheapest way to ship a car to or from California?
A simple way to save money is by opting for open auto transport rather than enclosed. You can also save money by keeping your pickup date flexible, meeting your truck driver near a main route and avoiding seasonal demand. Discover more interesting cheap car shipping tips to help keep money in your pocket.
Can I have my vehicle delivered directly to my home in California?
With Montway’s door-to-door service, you can have your car picked up anywhere in the U.S. and dropped off at your home address in California. Keep in mind that local streets may need to accommodate a car carrier trailer that can be up to 80 feet in length and weigh 80 tons. Your driver will work with you to find a safe meeting place near your home if your location isn’t legally or physically accessible.
How should I prepare my car for shipment?
We suggest the car is clean so that any existing damage is fully visible. Remove any personal items, especially anything of value. Also remove automatic toll devices and disable any kind of security system which could give the trucker trouble when loading or unloading the vehicle. Finally, leave a quarter tank of gas in the vehicle to be sure there is enough for loading and unloading.
Can I ship personal items in my car?
With Montway you can have one piece of luggage in the trunk free of charge. This could be a box, suitcase or a bag, weighing no more than 100 lbs.
Is my car insured while transporting it to or from California?
Yes, your vehicle will be covered by the carrier’s cargo insurance. Additionally, we have our own contingent cargo insurance which protects you for up to $250,000 should the trucker’s policy fail to fully cover a valid claim.
Is it possible to have a guaranteed pickup date when shipping a vehicle to or from California?
Yes, we offer our guaranteed pickup service. See our Expedited Car Shipping page for more details. Get in touch via live chat or call (888) 666-8929 to inquire about a specialty vehicle shipment quote.
Does time of year affect car shipping costs to or from California?
Yes, time of year can affect the cost of car shipping. Auto transport has fluctuations in seasonal demand and you can save money by shipping during low-volume seasons. Check with a Montway representative to learn more about seasonality and the best time to book a car shipment to save money.
Ready to transport your car with Montway?
Our car shipping advisors are available by calling (888) 666-8929 to answer all your questions.