Car Shipping Costs and Delivery Time for Popular Auto Transport Routes to and from California
| FROM | TO | DELIVERY TIME | PRICE* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Florida | 4 - 5 days | $1200 - $1500 | |
| California | New York | 6 - 8 days | $1200 - $1500 | |
| California | Illinois | 3 - 5 days | $1100 - $1200 | |
| California | Washington | 3 - 5 days | $900 - $1100 | |
| California | Georgia | 4 - 5 days | $1100 - $1300 | |
| Florida | California | 4 - 5 days | $1000 - $1250 | |
| New York | California | 6 - 8 days | $1200 - $1500 | |
| Illinois | California | 3 - 5 days | $1000 - $1100 | |
| Washington | California | 3 - 5 days | $700 - $900 | |
| Georgia | California | 4 - 5 days | $700 - $900 |
* The Prices shown up above are reflective of current market conditions as of 2025. The prices are subject to change due to seasonal fluctuations, price of gas, pick-up/delivery locations, etc.
See SGT Auto Transport Reviews in California
Word of mouth is always some of the best kind of advertising, and you can think of online customer reviews as being a 21st century version of word of mouth. We invite you to take a look through the testimonials on our website, as well as the hundreds of positive reviews that you can find on Trustpilot, Google, Angies, uShip and elsewhere. You’ll see a lot of common threads through those reviews: professionalism, punctuality, flexibility, transparency and responsive, friendly customer service. Don’t just take our word for it; the customers tell the story about their experiences much better than we can.
Get your quote fast in simple steps, calculate your vehicle transportation cost, and ship your car to another state with SGT Auto Transport!
Transport Your Car Across Country To or From California
Diverse and fascinating, California is home to the tallest trees on earth; redwoods can grow over 300 feet tall. California also produces 80% of the world’s almonds and a huge part of America’s vegetables and produce; it’s at the heart of the technology industry and is the entertainment capitol of the world. Then on the other hand, California boasts more national parks than any other state and claims some of the most productive ecosystems on earth.
California is served by Interstate highways I-5, I-7, I-8, I-9, I-10, I-15, I-40 and I-80 as well as numerous auxiliary interstates and a network of state and US highways. That kind of road system makes cross country auto transport to or from California more efficient and streamlined. If you’re looking for a California auto shipping company, we’re glad that you chose us here at SGT Auto Transport; let’s take a quick look at what we can do for you to help with your auto logistics needs
Car Shipping Quote on Transportation to and from California
You wouldn’t consider making a big expenditure on a product or service without getting some estimates on what you can expect to spend; it’s just part of your due diligence. At SGT Auto Transport, we’ve made that process a lot easier. No need to wait on the phone with a customer service rep; just locate the Quote Calculator feature on our website and put in the few bits of information it needs for your auto logistics job. After you enter those details, wait a few seconds and the calculator will serve up an accurate quote for what you need done. Every quote from SGT Auto Transport is considered valid for 7 calendar days, and all quotes are final: no hidden charges, no surprise fees.
How does vehicle transport to/from California work?
SGT Auto Transport is one of the best car shipping companies in California. We’ve got years of experience shipping cars and a knowledgeable team. It's our priority to ensure you get an efficient service. To make the shipping process straightforward, we handle everything for you, from the moment you get in touch.
The service we provide is convenient, flexible, and safe. It’s been streamlined to make it much easier for you and we can tailor it to meet your needs.
All it takes are 3 steps. Check out how easy we’ve made it to enjoy auto transport in California:
Car Transportation Areas We Serve in California
| 90001 | 90002 | 90003 | 90004 | 90005 |
| 90006 | 90007 | 90008 | 90009 | 90010 |
| 90011 | 90012 | 90013 | 90014 | 90015 |
| 90016 | 90017 | 90018 | 90019 | 90020 |
| 90021 | 90022 | 90023 | 90024 | 90025 |
| 90026 | 90027 | 90028 | 90029 | 90030 |
| 90031 | 90032 | 90033 | 90034 | 90035 |
| 90036 | 90037 | 90038 | 90039 | 90040 |
How much does car transport to/from California cost?
When calculating the cost of auto transport, car shipping companies in California consider several things. The key factor is how far you want to ship your vehicle, closely followed by the type of vehicle you want to ship. The following factors also make a difference in the cost of car shipping services.
Distance
Pick-up date
Route
Vehicle (Make and Model)
Vehicle condition
Transport method
Seasonality
Discount
Route Overview and Driving Distance
| Route Segment | Approx. Distance (miles) | Key Route Used |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego → Los Angeles | ~120 | I-5 / I-405 |
| Los Angeles → Sacramento | ~385 | I-5 |
| San Francisco → Los Angeles | ~380 | I-5 |
| San Francisco → San Diego | ~500 | I-5 |
| San Francisco → Sacramento | ~90 | I-5 |
| Orange County → Los Angeles | ~40 | I-405 |
| Ventura → Los Angeles | ~65 | US-101 |
| Los Angeles → Bakersfield | ~110 | I-5 |
| Bakersfield → Sacramento | ~275 | I-5 |
| San Diego → Irvine | ~45 | I-405 |
| Los Angeles → San Jose (via I-5) | ~340 | I-5 + connectors |
| Ventura → San Francisco (via SR-1) | ~450 | SR-1 (scenic) |
How long does vehicle transport to or from California take?
For shorter distances, such as under 200 miles, car shipping to/from California is considerably quick. This method only takes around a couple of days. For distances of more than 2,000 miles, vehicle shipping to/from California can take up to 9 days. But, don’t let this concern you. We’ll do everything in our power to ensure you receive a smooth, quick, and hassle-free service.
Several factors can affect how long it takes for car carriers in California to ship your car. Weather conditions, distance, driver’s hours, road construction, traffic, detours, and seasonality can affect auto transport to/from California. There is, however, the option of a guaranteed pick-up or express shipping if you’re pushed for time.
Neighboring Areas Served
| Major City/Region | Neighboring Areas Served |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Orange County, Inland Empire, Ventura, San Fernando Valley |
| San Francisco | East Bay (Oakland, Berkeley), Peninsula, Marin |
| San Diego | Imperial County, Coastal Orange County |
| Sacramento | Central Valley cities (Stockton, Modesto) |
| Bakersfield | Central Valley, Tehachapi, Kern County |
| Irvine | OC cities: Newport Beach, Anaheim, Costa Mesa |
| Ventura | Santa Barbara County, Oxnard |
| Fresno | Central Valley, nearby State Routes |
| San Jose | Silicon Valley cities (Santa Clara, Sunnyvale) |
| Redding | Northern California towns |
| Tejon Pass region | Grapevine, Lebec |
Our ratings make us one of the best auto transport companies shipping in the California
Gas Stations Along the Route
| Route Segment | Notable Fuel Stops |
|---|---|
| I-5 near Tejon Pass | Gorman, Lebec—mountain fuel options |
| I-405 through LA | Westchester, Sepulveda Blvd, Sherman Oaks |
| I-5 through Central Valley | Grapevine area stops; Bakersfield fuel |
| US-101 Ventura | Oxnard, Ventura city fuel stations |
| SR-1 Big Sur | Limited fuel—plan ahead |
| San Diego corridor | I-5/I-405 interchange gas along OC coast |
| Bay Area routes | I-80/US-101 junctions: Richmond, Oakland |
| Fresno mid-Valley | Highway 99 exits |
| Redding corridor | Gas near major interchanges |
| Sacramento fringe | Downtown and airport area |
Car Shipping Quote
- Get your quote fast and simple
- Instant car shipping cost calculator
- High accuracy in price estimation
- Check delivery time based on distance
Common Pickup & Dropoff Zones
| City/Region | Typical Pickup or Dropoff Zones |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Ports, major dealerships, central warehouses |
| San Francisco | Downtown, port, depot near I-80 |
| San Diego | Airport vicinity, downtown, Otay Mesa |
| Sacramento | Arena area, downtown, freeway exits |
| Orange County | Irvine Spectrum, Anaheim industrial zones |
| Ventura | Warehouse districts, US-101 interchanges |
| Bakersfield | Freight terminals, central east/west corridors |
| Tejon Pass/Grapevine | Truck stops, rest areas |
| Fresno | Central Valley interchange zones |
| San Jose | Santa Clara, Silicon Valley tech parks |
Why Should You Choose Us? What Makes SGT Auto Transport one the best Car Shipping companies in California?
We like to think there are plenty of reasons to pick SGT Auto Transport for your vehicle shipping needs:
Everyone wants to feel valued and respected in any interaction, and that’s something we’ve really taken to heart at SGT Auto Transport.
As a car shipping company in California, everything we do revolves around customers; without them, we’d have no reason to exist.
It’s reflected in how we do things; we put customers first and foremost in every transaction, from start to finish.
We’ve put together a team of 25,000 transport drivers around the country, all carefully handpicked for their professionalism and experience, and that customer-centric applies to everyone from sales and admin to dispatch to customer service.
It’s what’s given us a remarkable ten years in the business, and it’s a model we intend to carry forward.
Traffic Patterns and Timing
| Route/Area | Busiest Periods & Traffic Issues |
|---|---|
| I-405 (LA) | Morning/evening rush; as low as 5 mph at times — busiest CA freeway |
| I-5 Grapevine | Closures from snow, rockfall, landslides, wildfires — highly unpredictable |
| I-5 Central Valley | Steady freight traffic, lower congestion than LA or SF |
| US-101 Hollywood/Ventura | Frequent peak-hour slowdowns, esp. near Downtown LA |
| SR-1 (coastal) | Tourist season congestion along Big Sur |
| San Francisco Bay Area | Severe congestion costing billions; Bay Area ranks among most congested |
| Sacramento freeway junctions | Rush-hour delays near capital |
| Fresno intersections | Moderate delays during commute peaks |
| San Diego/OC corridor | Heavy commuter volume during weekday mornings/late afternoons |
Types of Vehicle Transportation Services we provide in California
We’ve developed a whole menu of different auto transport services, all of which can be customized according to your vehicle, your budget and your needs:
Open car transport: you’ve seen the double decker transport trailers that deliver multiple vehicles to dealerships, and that’s what open car transport is about. Your car shares the ride with several others (for efficient dispatch and routing); while it leaves the vehicles exposed to the elements, it’s by far the most cost-effective and popular way to get a car from point A to point B.
Enclosed car transport: for many customers with rare, very valuable, delicate or incomplete vehicles, it’s desirable to have an extra measure of security and monitoring while it’s in transit. Enclosed car transport is the solution; your car is loaded into a closed trailer and locked in for its trip. Enclosed car transport is actually recommended for exotics and sports cars with low ground clearance. Note that enhanced costs do apply, and that availability of trucks and trailers can be difficult.
Guaranteed pickup service: does anyone like waiting around all afternoon for a service provider? Of course not, and guaranteed pickup is our assurance that your transport driver will be at your address at a specified time and date to load your vehicle.
Cross country auto transport: any delivery that has to cover hundreds of miles will be expensive, regardless of the cargo, since cost/mile is a big part of the formula for billing. With SGT Auto Transport, cost/mile starts to drop for very long runs, making cross country auto transport a solid value.
Express auto transport: we always ask for a couple of weeks lead time for any auto transport job, since there are a lot of details to be worked out. At the same time, we know that’s not always possible and we do offer express auto transport services for last-minute deliveries (premium costs apply)
White glove transport: for a very rare or valuable car (think a 1910s antique or a Rolls), white glove transport is the ultimate in enhanced care in handling and monitoring.
Seasonal Road & Weather Impact
| Season / Region | Impact on Delivery Time & Costs |
|---|---|
| Winter – Grapevine (I-5) | Snow closures, rockslides, landslides |
| Spring – Central Valley | Spring thaw may impose weight restrictions |
| Summer – Coastal (SR-1) | Tourist traffic delays |
| Summer – LA basin | Wildfires near highways, occasional closures |
| Autumn – Statewide | Relatively stable conditions; good shipping window |
| Rainy season – Hillsides (I-5, Grapevine) | Landslides, mudslides risk |
| All seasons – Bay Area | Chronic congestion persists year-round |
| Winter – Mountain roads | Chain requirements, slower freight movement |
| Spring – SR-1 | Occasional closures from landslides or washouts |
| Summer – Inland Valley | High temperatures requiring AC running—fuel cost up |
Prepare Your Vehicle for a cross-country Auto Transportation to or from California
When the time comes to load up your car and get it on to its destination, here are some ways to ensure that will be a glitch-free experience:
Please ship your car with a quarter tank of fuel or less. Curb weight is a big factor in shipping costs, and fuel weighs about 6 lbs per gallon, hence less fuel means lower costs.
What does your neighborhood look like? If you live in an urban or suburban area with congested, curvy streets, it could be difficult (or even illegal) to get a commercial transport truck to your address. If that’s the case, consider hooking up with your driver at an easier spot, such as an open parking lot.
Please remember your driver will need a copy of the car’s ignition key.
Don’t forget to remove any external accessories such as antennas, cargo carriers, bike racks.
Please be sure your car’s battery is charged, all four tires are fully inflated, and headlights and taillights work.
If your car can’t start, run, steer and stop under its own power, please let us know in advance. It’s not a problem, since we do ship non-running cars pretty frequently, but special arrangements have to be made.
Advantages of working with SGT Auto Transport for California Vehicle Shipping
There are all kinds of good reasons for picking SGT Auto Transport as your Wyoming car shipping company:
Transparency and no-nonsense pricing
Ease of getting an accurate quote
Friendly and responsive customer service, accessible 24/7/365
Range of transport options available
Customer-first attitude
Top tips for anyone moving to California
Make your move to the Golden State hassle-free with these insights from auto transport companies like SGT Auto Transport.
Make your move to the Golden State hassle-free with these insights from auto transport companies like SGT Auto Transport.
Top 5 hints for transporting/moving to California
There’s more to California than one long beach. There are giant Redwood forests, a sprawling desert, and an enormous mountain range. In total, it spans 163,696 square miles, so you’re going to need a car to get around.
California’s economy is the largest in the country, which means there’s tons of economic opportunity. It’s also very versatile, and the state has probably got whatever kind of work you’re looking for.
The cost of living in California is very high. The state ranks third in the nation for the highest cost of living, just below New York and Hawaii.
Plenty of people move to California just to attend one of the state’s higher learning institutions, for example, USC and Stanford.
It’s much easier to be green in California. You’re likely to get your electricity, at least in part, from renewable energy sources such as solar or wind turbines.
We provide car shipping services to/from California, and across the country
Coast to coast, north to south, and anywhere else you need to ship your car
Coast to coast, north to south, and anywhere else you need to ship your car
Car transport to or from 48 other states
Local Events That May Affect Delivery
| Event / Region | Impact on Shipping |
|---|---|
| SF Giants home games | Traffic congestion near Oracle Park |
| LA large concerts (Staples Center, Hollywood Bowl) | Localized traffic spikes |
| Fairs—Orange County Fair, LA County Fair | Delays in surrounding corridors |
| State Fair (Sacramento) | High inbound/outbound volumes |
| Marathons (LA Marathon, SF Marathon) | Street closures, detours |
| Tourist peaks (summer coastal) | Increased traffic on SR-1 and coastal roads |
| Holiday weekends (July 4, Memorial Day) | Statewide travel surges |
| Music festivals (Coachella) | High traffic near Indio, I-10 impacts |
| Port backlog events | Freight rerouting, delays, permit scrutiny near LA/LB |
| Wildfire evacuations | Rapid closures/detours |
Local Road Permits & Weight Stations
| Route / Area | Permits / Weight Stations / Restrictions |
|---|---|
| Oversize/Overweight (Statewide) | Require permit via Caltrans Office of Commercial Vehicle Operations |
| Spring thaw areas | Seasonal weight restrictions may be enforced |
| I-5 Central Valley | Standard Caltrans weight stations along I-5 |
| Tejon Pass | Truck inspection zones, steep grade—enforcement likely |
| Bay Area highways | Frequent CHP and Caltrans monitoring, congestion management |
| LA freight corridors (I-710) | Heavy truck traffic, port-related weight enforcement |
| Yosemite (El Portal Road) | Vehicle length/height restrictions apply |
| Mountain passes | Occasional chain control zones |
| SF tight streets | Smog/decommissioning rules for pickups |
| Urban LA pier areas | Container truck routes, local permits may be needed |
Types of Vehicle Transportation Services we provide in California
Make your choice for car transport
Make your choice for car transport
Service type:
Local Geographical / Terrain Factors
| Region / Feature | Effect on Delivery |
|---|---|
| Tejon Pass / Grapevine | Steep elevation (~4,100 ft), winding—weather delays, closures |
| Central Valley | Flat terrain—efficient but long distances |
| Coastal SR-1 (Big Sur) | Cliffside, landslide prone, slower scenic route |
| Bay Area hills | Hilly roads, narrow streets—SF pickups tricky |
| Mountain passes (snow prone) | Chain requirements, temporary closures |
| Bay crossings (bridges, tunnels) | Traffic chokepoints, toll impacts |
| LA Basin sprawl | Wide area, variable route options |
| Desert stretches (I-10, I-5 South) | Heat; fuel and cooling considerations |
| Port/LB → Inland | Heavy freight corridors, urban terrain |
| CA coastal cliffs | Weather-related route risks |
Car Shipping Quote
- Get your quote fast and simple
- Instant car shipping cost calculator
- High accuracy in price estimation
- Check delivery time based on distance
Frequently Asked Questions about Car Shipping Services in California
How much does it cost to ship a car from Florida to California?
Getting a car from Florida to California means covering a lot of ground. We estimate 4 to 5 days for this job, and costs of $1200 to $1500.
How much does it cost to ship a car from New York to California?
Auto transit from New York to California means literally traversing the width of the US. Figure on 6 to 8 days, and costs of $1200 to $1500.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Illinois to California?
In our experience, getting a vehicle from Illinois to California should take 3 to 5 days, and cost in the neighborhood of $1100 to $1200.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Washington to California?
From our experience, auto transport from Washington to California is a 3 to 5 day job and should cost $900 to $1100.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Georgia to California?
There are a lot of miles between Georgia and California; we expect this job should take 4 to 5 days and charges should be $1100 to $1300.