$1,809 Car Shippers from Delaware to California (2024 Guide)

Quick Answer: The average cost to ship a car the 2850 miles from Delaware to California ranges from $1,809 to $2,743 and takes 7-15 days.

Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to Delaware car shipping guide.

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The average cost to ship a car from Delaware to California

Because the distance between Delaware to California is about 2850 miles, it’ll take from 7 to 15 days to complete your car shipment.

Cost to ship a car from Wilmington, DE to California

  • Wilmington to Los Angeles: $1,807 to $2,780
  • Wilmington to San Diego: $1,665 to $2,651
  • Wilmington to San Jose: $1,808 to $2,899
  • Wilmington to San Francisco: $1,827 to $2,855
  • Wilmington to Fresno: $1,703 to $2,911

Cost to ship a car from Hockessin, DE to California

  • Hockessin to Los Angeles: $1,766 to $2,783
  • Hockessin to San Diego: $1,631 to $2,704
  • Hockessin to San Jose: $1,721 to $2,855
  • Hockessin to San Francisco: $1,685 to $2,771
  • Hockessin to Fresno: $1,791 to $2,827

Cost to ship a car from Smyrna, DE to California

  • Smyrna to Los Angeles: $1,754 to $2,862
  • Smyrna to San Diego: $1,650 to $2,862
  • Smyrna to San Jose: $1,808 to $2,783
  • Smyrna to San Francisco: $1,736 to $2,812
  • Smyrna to Fresno: $1,791 to $2,939

Cost to ship a car from Pike Creek Valley, DE to California

  • Pike Creek Valley to Los Angeles: $1,766 to $2,757
  • Pike Creek Valley to San Diego: $1,682 to $2,783
  • Pike Creek Valley to San Jose: $1,738 to $2,939
  • Pike Creek Valley to San Francisco: $1,809 to $2,911
  • Pike Creek Valley to Fresno: $1,756 to $2,911

Cost to ship a car from Milford, DE to California

  • Milford to Los Angeles: $1,772 to $2,726
  • Milford to San Diego: $1,824 to $2,644
  • Milford to San Jose: $1,826 to $2,957
  • Milford to San Francisco: $1,772 to $3,044
  • Milford to Fresno: $1,862 to $2,855

Shipping an SUV or Truck from Delaware to California

Since vehicles such as SUV, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?

If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from Delaware to California you should expect to pay between $2,261 and $3,429.

Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Delaware to California

  • Open Carrier or Enclosed Trailer – Most new cars from ports and factories are moved on open auto carriers, while race cars, vintage collector’s cars, and high-dollar luxury cars get enclosed transport. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs enclosed car shipping.
  • Time of the year – Due to demand, prices to ship your car from Delaware to California tend to be a little higher in the summer.
  • Size, Weight, and Type of Vehicle – The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more shipping your car to California will cost.
  • Delivery Expectations – Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from Delaware to California should take between 7 and 15 days.
  • Pick up and Drop-Off Options – Instead of door-to-door service, consider taking your vehicle to the nearest company terminal in Delaware and having it delivered to the one closest to your new home in California. It’s more work for you, but it could save you a bundle.

Resources for Shipping a Car from Delaware to California

The following resources can help with you shipping your car from Delaware to California:

Stick around for more details on costs, tips, and Delaware car shippers you should use.

The best car shipping from Delaware to California

A good car shipping company should cover the basics. These are the things to look out for in a quality transport company:

  • Insurance: Make sure the insurance covers both the company and the hauler the company contracts with to ship the car.
  • Experience: Look for a company that has multiple years of experience and a good track record.
  • Shipping options: Good car shipping companies will offer open and closed transport, expedited delivery, shipment tracking, and more.
  • Added Perks: Damage coverage, no initial deposits, rental car assistance, free car wash, and guaranteed pricing are some additional options great car shippers offer.
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Transparent pricing
  • Fully insured
Check prices (864) 492-1221

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup
Check prices (888) 259-6046

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
Check prices (833) 775-1461

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.35 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Rental car option
  • Ship inoperable
Check prices (866) 563-0804

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.55 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Established in 2007
  • No upfront payment
Check prices (224) 206-5633

% of users select this mover

How car shipping from Delaware to California works

  • After you’ve received your quote, book your vehicle transport from Delaware to California.
  • Once booked, you’ll schedule your vehicle to be picked up in Delaware where it will be loaded onto the carrier.
  • Your vehicle will be safely unloaded from the carrier in California on your delivery date.

What else should you know about shipping a car from Delaware to California?

  • Car Insurance requirements: The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
  • Vehicle Inspection: California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
  • Driver’s License: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
  • Additional Taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.

Alternative ways to ship your car from Delaware to California

Learn more with our car shipping checklist

Shipping Your Car from Delaware to California FAQs

Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Delaware and when dropping off my car in California?

Most companies will require someone that is at least 18-years-old to be present when picking up your car in Delaware and when dropping it off in California.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Delaware to California?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Delaware to California, it’s not required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, which you should verify before loading your car in Delaware.

How long does it take to ship a car from Delaware to California?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. With the trip from Delaware to California being about 2850 miles, that’s as fast as about 6 days. But most car transporting companies will take 7-15 days to go from Delaware to California.