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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.

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:

1,019,000+
Satisfied customers
16+ years
Experience
15,000+
Carriers

Trusted by the 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

Step 1: Quote & book order

step_2

Step 2: Vehicle pickup

step_3

Step 3: Vehicle delivery

How Auto Transport Works

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 transit time and cost could be, we’ve created a chart highlighting a few of the most common routes to and from California. Keep in mind that these are general estimates based on annual data. 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

Shipping fromShipping toAverage distanceTime estimatePrice estimate
FloridaCalifornia2,650 miles7 - 9 days$1,310 
New YorkCalifornia2,820 miles7 - 9 days$1,510 
IllinoisCalifornia2,060 miles6 - 8 days$1,200 
New JerseyCalifornia2,820 miles7 - 9 days$1,400 
MassachusettsCalifornia3,040 miles7 - 9 days$1,510 
VirginiaCalifornia2,715 miles7 - 9 days$1,375 
GeorgiaCalifornia2,320 miles6 - 8 days$1,265 
PennsylvaniaCalifornia2,675 miles7 - 9 days$1,415 
WashingtonCalifornia1,075 miles4 - 6 days$890 

Top 10 routes for car shipping FROM California

Shipping fromShipping toAverage distanceTime estimatePrice estimate
CaliforniaTexas1,565 miles5 - 7 days$1,200 
CaliforniaFlorida2,660 miles7 - 9 days$1,450 
CaliforniaNew York2,800 miles7 - 9 days$1,550 
CaliforniaIllinois2,050 miles6 - 8 days$1,250 
CaliforniaNew Jersey2,835 miles7 - 9 days$1,455 
CaliforniaNorth Carolina2,600 miles7 - 9 days$1,455 
CaliforniaGeorgia2,300 miles6 - 8 days$1,335 
CaliforniaVirginia2,700 miles7 - 9 days$1,430 
CaliforniaMassachusetts3,050 miles7 - 9 days$1,530 
CaliforniaHawaii2,550 miles14 - 21 days$2,040 

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, San Bernardino, Oakland, Riverside, Anaheim, Bakersfield, Irvine, Long Beach, Stockton or Fresno, Montway, the nation’s top-rated auto transport service provider, has you covered.

Los Angeles San Diego San Francisco
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
and surrounding areas
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
and surrounding areas
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

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.

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.

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!

California car shipping FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Montway is widely considered one of the best car moving companies with nearly 20 years of service excellence and thousands of positive online reviews. Montway Auto Transport offers a variety of shipping services to fit your California to Michigan car shipping needs.

California to Texas car shipping costs are estimated between $1,000-$1,200. Factors that impact car shipping prices include pickup and delivery locations, shipping dates, trailer type, vehicle details, and seasonal fluctuations. To learn more explore our detailed car shipping cost guide.

California to New York car shipping typically takes between 7-9 days. Factors that impact car shipping transit time include weather, seasonal demand, pickup and delivery location, route construction, and traffic.

Yes, shipping a car from California to West Virginia is a common, well-established route. Our experienced carrier network utilizes major interstates for cross-country transport like this. 

Ready to get a car shipping quote with Montway?

Our car shipping advisors are available by calling (888) 666-8929 to answer all your questions.

State - California Car Shipping