Why are the prices I am getting all over the map?

The hardest thing for people researching car moving companies to understand is that the prices they are getting are not hard and fast gaurantees, but rather ESTIMATES of what one company thinks it will take to get a vehicle moved promptly versus another company's opinion of what it will take. Don't be fooled, there are not carriers committed to take your vehicle at these quoted prices, the company you choose will still have to get to work getting a carrier to commit to move it at the price they quote you.

What goes into the prices I am getting quoted?

Your total price breaks down into two parts, the broker's fee (or 'deposit' as everyone calls it) and the carriers fee (your COD amount) Make no mistake about this, EVERYONE YOU ARE GETTING SALES CALLS FROM IS GOING TO BROKER YOUR MOVE. In this industry, there are brokers who try to fool you into thinking that they are the actual carriers and there are an equal amount of carriers who sell themselves on the fact that they have a truck or two but are not being honest about the fact that they broker out 90% of the orders they book. Here is a quick easy way to tell, if a company takes an up front fee, whether they call it a deposit or any other name, they are a broker. Carriers do not take any payment until the vehicle is delivered.

Should I pay a deposit before being given a carriers name and contact info?

In our opinion, you are crazy to do so. Have you ever been paid up front for the work that you perform for your employer? Why would you pay a fee up front when there are reliable and trustworthy companies like ours that won't ask for it until we provide you with your carriers details?

How long does transport take?

The average transit time from pick up to delivery on any vehicle going coast to coast will be between one and two weeks. From there you can figure your transit time based on how far your vehicle is traveling, i.e. from either coast to the Midwest might average 3-7 days.

How to Ship a Car from New York to California

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You’re relocating the family from New York to California and wondering how to ship a car from NY to CA.

Travel is stressful enough without trying to figure out how to bring along your vehicle, not to mention the miles you’ll add and the wear and tear. You’ve decided to use an auto transport service instead of making it a family road trip.

Good choice! Let Shipacardirect.com do all the heavy lifting for you. The following article outlines all of your options:

Open or Closed Transport to Ship a Car from New York to California

Ship A Car Direct offers its customers the option of an enclosed or open vehicle transport.

Open transport is the standard choice for most of our customers who own a family vehicle. It’s a much quicker transport and multiple vehicles can be serviced on our trailers simultaneously.

Usually booked for sports and luxury cars, the enclosed option is a little more expensive and takes a bit longer. However, you get all the peace of mind that comes with your car being transported in a secure and safe way, enclosed from the elements and dangerous freeways.

How Much is it to transport a car from New York to California?

The cost to transport a car from New York to California is anywhere from $1000-$1500. California is a big state.

Traveling to Los Angeles is a lot different than traveling to San Francisco - a difference of approximately 381 miles or $100. This makes the cost to ship a car from New York to California vary.

The following specific factors contribute to the overall cost to ship a car from NY to CA:

Overall distance
Make/Model of the vehicle
Type of transport (open/closed)
Supply and Demand
Season

The answer to how much to ship a car from NY to CA will also vary depending on your auto transport company. With us, the best way to know what you may pay is to call one of our agents or request an estimate online. There, you will need to factor in all of the details we mentioned above. The agent can provide you with an accurate quote for car shipping rates from New York to California.

Can I Pack my Stuff?

We understand your desire to move as many of your household items as efficiently as possible. It seems like a smart-move to pack the vehicle you are shipping to the till. But, unfortunately, the cost does not cover household items, only the vehicle. We are not responsible for anything other than the vehicle you have entrusted us with.

Clean and Prepare Your Vehicle for Transport

Before handing over your car to the transport company, you need to make sure it is clean, documented, and prepared for transportation.

Take pictures of your car's current condition from multiple angles and record any damages, scratches, or dents. Then, remove all personal items from the car, including any tech devices like your GPS or car charger, and empty the gas tank to ¼ or ⅛ full.

Don't forget to deactivate the alarm and provide the keys to the transport company.

Find a Reliable Auto Transport Company

A very important step in transporting your car from NY to CA is to find a reputable company. Conduct thorough research, read online reviews, and gather quotes from different companies to compare prices, services, and experience.

Consider Ship a Car Direct, which employs a white-glove service and gives you guaranteed car protection. Call ahead and ask us anything, including “How much is it to ship a car from New York to California.”

Once you've made your selection, contact the company to discuss payment, insurance coverage, and pickup arrangements.

Schedule Pickup and Delivery Dates

Once you've decided on the transport company and the shipping method, you need to schedule the pickup and delivery dates.

Your auto transport company will give you an estimated date range for both pickup and delivery, depending on your preferred timeline to ship your car from New York to California.

Confirm Your Paperwork and Insurance Coverage

Before shipping your car, make sure you have all the necessary paperwork, including your car's registration, insurance coverage, and shipping agreement. Get all of your paperwork together and make copies if necessary.

Consider Ship a Car Direct

Ship A Car Direct not only offers a thorough screening (we weed out over 8,000 carriers that don’t meet our criteria!), but we also provide door-to-door service, no upfront deposit required, and a damage-free guarantee! Contact us today for a free quote!

Michael Strickland

Michael starting working in car shipping over 20 years ago, in 2002; back in the days when fax machines ruled the roost, being the first name listed in the yellow pages was King and google wasn’t yet a verb. Sometimes he foolishly thinks he’s seen every situation imaginable when it comes to shipping a car, but about once a year he’s proven wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

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