#1 California Car Shipping Company
YOU DON’T TRUST YOUR CAR WITH JUST ANYONE ...AND NEITHER DO WE!
We have the industry’s most trusted and heavily vetted list of California car shipping carriers, all backed by our Ironclad – Damage Free Guarantee

California Car Shipping
Fast, Fully‑Insured Door‑to‑Door Auto Transport Service
Whether you’re relocating for a new job, buying a classic on the West Coast, or sending a student car home, Ship A Car Direct moves thousands of vehicles into and out of California every year—damage‑free. Get an instant quote now and let our hand‑picked, fully insured carriers handle the miles.

I shipped my car from Champaign IL to Seattle WA and the experience was top notch. They did a great job in the communication and my driver took great care of my car. He even helped jump start it when its to too cold that the battery refused to start. The car arrived in time and in great shape. So, totally worth the 5 stars rating 😍

I have used ship a car direct now for the second time and both times everything about the experience was excellent. David was extremely helpful on both occasions and each time the car was picked up and delivered exactly on time in the exact same condition as when picked up.
If I could rate them 10 stars I would!
Awesome experience with Jennifer. Shipped a car from Los Angeles, CA to Champaign, IL. Car arrived in 3 days in perfect condition. The driver was amazing, great communication! Initially I got bids from other companies, but they seem very shady. Ship a Car Direct was very honest, constantly communicated with me via email or text, ...and made a stressful process very easy. Thank you Jennifer! PS: The broker fee is standard across the industry; all brokers use the same marketplace system to find drivers so in the end, it's just about going with a person or company that you trust. Lots of brokers seem to be located NOT in the US; this company is in the US. Read more
Why Californians Trust Ship A Car Direct
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- Damage‑Free Guarantee. If a carrier we assign for car shipping in California causes any new scratches or dents and tries to deny responsibility, we’ll pay your deductible—up to $500—so you’re never out of pocket.
- $0 Up‑Front Deposit. Book today; pay the deposit only after pickup is scheduled.
- Vehicle Tracking. Email and text updates keep you in the loop from loading to delivery.
- Vetted Carrier Network. 100% of the trucks we dispatch into California carry at least $250,000 in cargo insurance.
- 5‑Star Reputation. Last year, 94% of our California customers left a 5‑star review on Google or BBB, with many calling us the best car shipping company in California.
Popular California Car Shipping Routes We Serve
Inbound (to CA)
- Texas → California
- Florida → California
- Colorado → California
- Washington → California
- Illinois → California
- New York → California
Outbound (from CA)
- California → Arizona
- California → Florida
- California → Oregon
- California → Texas
- California → Georgia
- California → North Carolina
- Need a different lane? Whether you’re looking for car shipping to California or from California to another state ur network covers all 48 states plus Hawaii—including military bases like Camp Pendleton and Travis AFB.
How the California Car Shipping Process Works
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- Instant Quote. Enter your zip codes and vehicle details into our Free Car Shipping Quote Calculator—no email required.
- Carrier Match & Dispatch. We confirm your pickup window (average 3‑5 business days) and lock in a vetted driver.
- Photo Inspection & Bill of Lading. Document your vehicle’s condition at load‑up—takes five minutes with our Free Damage Protection app, available on iOS and Android.
- In Transit Tracking. Get email and SMS updates while your vehicle is in transit.
- Delivery & Final Inspection. Check the car against the Bill of Lading; pay the driver the remaining balance. Done!
Timing—How Long Does California Auto Transport Take?
Distance | Typical Transit Time |
---|---|
≤ 500 mi | 1–3 days |
500–1,000 mi | 3–5 days |
1,000–2,000 mi | 5–8 days |
2,000 + mi | 7–11 days |
Heads‑up: Many car shipping companies in California will tell you, LA/OC traffic and Bay Area congestion can add a day to final delivery. During wildfire season (August–October), route detours may extend transit 1–2 days.
Insurance & Our Damage‑Free Guarantee
All California car shipping companies must make sure that their car carriers carry a minimum of $250,000 in cargo coverage. All of ours do as well as list Ship A Car Direct on their certificate. Our Damage‑Free Guarantee kicks in if a claim is denied or under‑paid—covering up to $500 of your deductible. Learn more in our Insurance FAQ.
Research further in our step-by-step guide to California Car Shipping →
California Car Shipping FAQs
How much does it cost to ship a car to California?
Typical open‑carrier rates can run anywhere from $0.30 – $0.75 per mile depending on the length and geography of the routes. Summer peaks can raise prices by 10–15 %. For a rough estimate that is always based on current California Car Transport prices, use our Free Car Shipping Quote Calculator.
Can I put personal items in the car?
Carriers will unofficially allow up to 100 lbs in the trunk. Heavier loads violate DOT weight rules and may incur fees. And, unfortunately, the items will not be covered by insurance, so avoid leaving anything valuable in the car.
Is enclosed transport worth it?
If your vehicle is worth more than $70,000 or is a classic, enclosed is a smart move—adds 40–50 % to the base price.
How early should I book?
For coastal routes, 1–2 weeks before your ideal pickup; for summer moves (June–August), aim for 2–3 weeks.
Do you serve military bases?
Absolutely. We ship to Camp Pendleton, Travis AFB, and all California installations with PPM (DITY) documentation ready.
Cost to Ship a Car to / from California
Sample Lane* | Miles | Open Carrier | Enclosed Carrier |
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Los Angeles → Denver | 1,020 | $925 | $1,295 |
San Francisco → Seattle | 810 | $775 | $1,085 |
San Diego → Miami | 2,600 | $1,550 | $2,275 |
*The above are estimates only. What drives the price? Distance, vehicle size, trailer type, and seasonality. Summer moves and January snowbirds see a 10‑15 % bump. For a personalized rate, hit the quote button above.
California Car Shipping to or from another state
Browse a state to discover additional details about nearby California Auto Transport options
Ready to Move Your Car?
Or call us 7 days a week at 866‑221‑1664.
How long does car shipping from California to Texas take?
California to Texas car shipping will usually take anywhere from 3 to 7 days on average depending on the distance and how many other vehicles the carrier is delivering.
What is the cost for California Car Shipping?
California car shipping costs can vary depending on a number of different factors such as vehicle size, distance, fuel prices and season. To get the most up to date info, try using our free car shipping quote calculator.
Where is Ship a Car Direct located?
Ship a Car Direct was founded in Los Angeles, California in 2008, making it one of the best and most reliable California car shipping companies available.
What are the most popular cities for California Car Shipping?
Some of the most popular cities to ship a car to or from in California include; Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose, Irvine & Riverside, just to name a few.







