Louisiana to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,956 miles from Louisiana to California ranges from $1,545 to $2,251 and takes 3–11 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to Louisiana car shipping guide.
Louisiana to California auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Louisiana and California. The average travel distance is about 1,956 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 3 to 11 days.
Cost to ship a car from New Orleans, LA to California
| From Louisiana to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA to Los Angeles, CA | 1,893 miles | $1,569–$2,303 | 3–11 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to San Diego, CA | 1,816 miles | $1,507–$2,189 | 3–11 days |
| Shreveport, LA to San Jose, CA | 2,192 miles | $1,617–$2,591 | 4–12 days |
| Lafayette, LA to San Francisco, CA | 2,233 miles | $1,595–$2,420 | 4–12 days |
| Lake Charles, LA to Fresno, CA | 2,061 miles | $1,631–$2,450 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Baton Rouge, LA to California
| From Louisiana to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA to Los Angeles, CA | 1,813 miles | $1,600–$2,280 | 3–11 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to San Diego, CA | 1,736 miles | $1,477–$2,208 | 3–9 days |
| Shreveport, LA to San Jose, CA | 2,112 miles | $1,585–$2,465 | 4–12 days |
| Lafayette, LA to San Francisco, CA | 2,153 miles | $1,617–$2,440 | 4–12 days |
| Lake Charles, LA to Fresno, CA | 1,978 miles | $1,608–$2,298 | 3–11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Shreveport, LA to California
| From Louisiana to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA to Los Angeles, CA | 1,623 miles | $1,456–$1,992 | 3–9 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to San Diego, CA | 1,545 miles | $1,441–$2,079 | 3–9 days |
| Shreveport, LA to San Jose, CA | 1,873 miles | $1,584–$2,280 | 3–11 days |
| Lafayette, LA to San Francisco, CA | 1,916 miles | $1,639–$2,370 | 3–11 days |
| Lake Charles, LA to Fresno, CA | 1,741 miles | $1,537–$2,165 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lafayette, LA to California
| From Louisiana to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA to Los Angeles, CA | 1,763 miles | $1,492–$2,252 | 3–11 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to San Diego, CA | 1,685 miles | $1,441–$1,971 | 3–9 days |
| Shreveport, LA to San Jose, CA | 2,079 miles | $1,552–$2,573 | 4–12 days |
| Lafayette, LA to San Francisco, CA | 2,119 miles | $1,585–$2,465 | 4–12 days |
| Lake Charles, LA to Fresno, CA | 1,946 miles | $1,608–$2,441 | 3–11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lake Charles, LA to California
| From Louisiana to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA to Los Angeles, CA | 1,690 miles | $1,398–$1,992 | 3–9 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to San Diego, CA | 1,611 miles | $1,441–$2,178 | 3–9 days |
| Shreveport, LA to San Jose, CA | 2,028 miles | $1,600–$2,573 | 4–12 days |
| Lafayette, LA to San Francisco, CA | 2,070 miles | $1,647–$2,376 | 4–12 days |
| Lake Charles, LA to Fresno, CA | 1,907 miles | $1,561–$2,393 | 3–11 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Louisiana to California
Since vehicles like 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 Louisiana to California you should expect to pay between $1,931 and $2,814.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Louisiana to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Pelican State to the Golden State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to California.
- Distance and route: The journey from Louisiana to California spans approximately 1,956 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Louisiana, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Louisiana and California and the varying gas prices across the country.
- 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 Louisiana to California should take between 3 and 11 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Louisiana to California car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Louisiana to California:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from Louisiana to California
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,956 miles on your car going from Louisiana to California. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from Louisiana to California for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
- Ship by train: If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
What else should you know about shipping a car from Louisiana 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.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from Louisiana
Over 39 million people call Louisiana home. Nicknamed the Pelican State, Louisiana has long hot humid summers and short mild winters. Rain is frequent throughout the year, although from April to September is slightly wetter than the rest of the year. Louisiana is often affected by tropical cyclones and is very vulnerable to major hurricanes, particularly around the New Orleans area. Lousiana averages about 27 tornadoes annually; they are most common from January through March in the south and from February through March in the North.
Transporting your vehicle to California
About 22 million people are living in the Golden State of California. California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Louisiana 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 Louisiana and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Louisiana to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Louisiana to California, you aren't 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 Louisiana.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Louisiana to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Louisiana to California is about 1956 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take 3-11 days to travel from Louisiana to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
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.
If I have a driver’s license in Louisiana, will I need one in California?
If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
If I bought a car in Louisiana, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Louisiana to California after purchasing it.
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.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Louisiana and California to avoid any hidden costs.
