Best California Car Shipping Companies (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: After comparing costs, services, and customer satisfaction, our team rated Sherpa Auto Transport as the best car shipping company in California, giving them 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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Key takeaways
- While there are several factors that influence the cost of transporting your vehicle, the average cost of shipping your car out of California ranges from $689 to $1,373.
- 102.3% of California auto transport companies offer open transport options, which is the most common (and cheapest) method of shipping your vehicle out of state.
- Only 22% of car shipping companies in California offer guaranteed delivery. If you need your vehicle delivered on a specific day, we recommend using Sherpa Auto Transport.
Our track record
Best car shipping companies in California
Our team has dedicated over 400 hours to gathering and analyzing unique car shipping data, including quotes. We regularly review this information to bring you up-to-date, honest recommendations for the best car shipping companies near you.
Need to ship a car from Los Angeles or anywhere else in California? Check out our top choices for auto transport in the area:
Sherpa Auto Transport
sherpaautotransport.com
Sherpa Auto Transport is known for providing competitive pricing and strong communication throughout the car shipping process. Available in the Lower 48, Sherpa guarantees you won’t pay more than you are quoted, so you don’t have to worry about any hidden fees or other price changes. The company ships standard passenger cars, trucks, and SUVS, and can provide expedited transport, if needed. They’ll even give you a free car wash if your vehicle arrives at its destination dirty.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Price Lock Promise keeps pricing fixed
- Pay by credit card available
- Free car wash at delivery
- No deposit upfront to schedule
- $100k in cargo insurance
- Will ship inoperable vehicles as long as they can brake, roll and steer
- Ship cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans
Cons
- Online instant quote not available
- Cars only. Cannot ship boats, motorcycles, RVs, or trailers
- No international shipping
- No shipping to Alaska or Hawaii
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Insured shipping
AmeriFreight
amerifreight.net
AmeriFreight Car Transport is a true auto shipping broker. They work with a network of licensed, insured, and verified auto carriers to try and find you the best price to ship your car. AmeriFreight acts as an intermediary between you and the car carrier to ensure any problems are quickly resolved. If you’re looking for the most affordable option to ship your car, definitely check out AmeriFreight.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last minute car shipments
- Offer guaranteed and expedited shipments
- Offer AFta PLAN gap insurance coverage
- Boat, trailer, RV, and motorcycle shipping available
Cons
- Must contact to receive a formal quote
- Require deposit at booking
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Hawaii and Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
Montway Auto Transport
montway.com
After 13 years in business and over four hundred thousand cars shipped, Montway Auto Transport knows a thing or two about how to ship cars long distance.
Montway is the preferred choice for some of the largest corporate relocation companies in the world as well as the exclusive transport partner for Auto Trader Classics.
Their competitive pricing and easy booking process earn them the number one spot in auto transport.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Additional insurance provided on every shipment
- No deposit required, pay at delivery
- Expedited delivery available
- Guaranteed delivery available
- Ship up to 100lbs in the car for free
- Special discounts for return customers and military
- Ships classic cars, motorcycles, ATVs, boats, RVs and trailers
Cons
- Quotes expire sometimes within 1 week
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Long-distance and international shipping
- Hawaii and Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
SGT Auto Transport
sgtautotransport.com
SGT Auto Transport is a top-rated long-distance vehicle shipper available in every state except Alaska. SGT Auto offers open or enclosed carriers for cars and motorcycles, and provides door-to-door service standard in the contiguous U.S. Get a free quote easily and quickly online, and be sure to ask about SGT’s price-matching guarantee and discounts for military members, students, and senior citizens.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Open and enclosed auto transport options available
- Car shipping to Hawaii
- Motorcycle shipping available
- Free cancellation
- Full insurance coverage included in the price
- Nothing to pay up front
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Limited international shipping
- Doesn’t ship RVs
- No digital tracking
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Long-distance and international shipping
- Hawaii and Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
Easy Auto Ship
diytransport.com
Founded in 2012, Easy Auto Ship has built a stellar reputation in the industry, with excellent ratings on the BBB, Google reviews, and other consumer feedback sites. The company ships cars, SUVS, RVs, boats, and heavy equipment nationwide and provides guaranteed pickup dates and expedited shipping. If your shipment is delayed for more than 14 days, Easy Auto will reimburse you for the cost of a rental car.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free contingency cargo insurance
- No deposit upfront to schedule
- Expedited Shipping Available
- Ship an additional 100lbs in the car for Free
- Guaranteed pick-up and delivery available
- Military, Senior, and Student discounts
- Free car wash on delivery
- Free rental car should transport take more than 14 days
Cons
- Do not ship boats or heavy equipment
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Long-distance and international shipping
- Hawaii and Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
King Of The Road Transport Inc
King Of The Road Transport Inc (DOT: DOT#2248724) provides a comprehensive array of car shipping services. They are highly versatile, offering interstate, classic car, motorcycle, trailer, RV, heavy equipment, electric vehicle, and even ATV shipping. Customers can also benefit from expedited delivery, military discounts, and senior discounts. The company has a commendable BBB rating of A+, although it has yet to establish ratings on Yelp and Google.
Despite their impressive range of services, one potential drawback is the lack of a damage-free guarantee. Nonetheless, they ensure detailed inspection reports, accept credit card payments, and do not require a deposit, which adds to their convenience and reliability for customers.
Services Offered
- ATV Shipping
- Fully Insured
- Inoperable Car Transport
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- Electric Vehicle Shipping
- Military Discount
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Expedited Delivery
- Shipment Tracking
- Pay by Credit Card
- Teacher Discount
- Senior Discount
- Trailer Shipping
- Student Discount
- Interstate
- RV Shipping
- Heavy Equipment Shipping
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Classic Car Shipping
- Detailed Inspection Reports
Auto Express Inc.
Auto Express Inc. (DOT: 3428899) is a reputable car shipping company with impressive ratings, including a 4.6 on Yelp, a stellar 4.9 on Google, and an A+ rating from the BBB.
They provide a variety of services such as international shipping, classic car shipping, and transportation for cars that don’t run. For added convenience, they support terminal-to-terminal delivery and offer storage solutions. Customers can also choose between open and enclosed transport, depending on their needs.
While Auto Express Inc. offers many valuable services, they do not provide a damage-free guarantee, which may be a point of concern for some customers. Additionally, the company does not accept cryptocurrency as a payment method.
Services Offered
- ATV Shipping
- Fully Insured
- Inoperable Car Transport
- Enclosed Transport
- Electric Vehicle Shipping
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Storage Solutions
- Shipment Tracking
- Pay by Credit Card
- Trailer Shipping
- RV Shipping
- Heavy Equipment Shipping
- Boat Shipping
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Terminal to Terminal Delivery
- Classic Car Shipping
A To Z Auto Shipping
A To Z Auto Shipping (DOT: 675504) is a highly-rated car shipping company, featuring a Google rating of 4.6 and a BBB rating of A+, although it has a more moderate Yelp rating of 3.6. They provide a range of services including interstate transport, classic car shipping, electric vehicle transport, and shipping for inoperable cars. Additionally, they cater to specific needs like RV, motorcycle, and ATV shipping, with options for both open and enclosed transport.
However, it’s worth noting that A To Z Auto Shipping does not offer a damage-free guarantee or expedited delivery services, which may be a downside for some customers. Despite this, their commitment to providing high-quality service is evident through their fully insured transport and military discounts.
Services Offered
- ATV Shipping
- Fully Insured
- Inoperable Car Transport
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- Electric Vehicle Shipping
- Military Discount
- Open Transport
- Pay by Credit Card
- Interstate
- RV Shipping
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Classic Car Shipping
San Diego Auto Shipping Group
San Diego Auto Shipping Group (DOT: 2239008) offers a range of specialized services, including classic car shipping, inoperable car transport, and motorcycle shipping, ensuring a comprehensive transport solution for various needs. They boast a stellar Google rating of 4.5 and an A+ rating with the BBB, reflecting their commitment to quality service. One potential downside is that they do not accept cryptocurrency, which may be inconvenient for customers preferring this payment method.
Services Offered
- ATV Shipping
- Damage Free Guarantee
- Fully Insured
- Inoperable Car Transport
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- Military Discount
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Expedited Delivery
- Shipment Tracking
- Pay by Credit Card
- Trailer Shipping
- Interstate
- RV Shipping
- Boat Shipping
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Terminal to Terminal Delivery
- Classic Car Shipping
- Detailed Inspection Reports
McCollister’s Transportation Group,Inc.
McCollister’s Transportation Group, Inc. (DOT: 289344) offers a variety of car shipping services with a focus on reliability and customer satisfaction.
They provide damage-free guarantees, fully insured shipping, and specialized services for classic cars, heavy equipment, and expedited delivery. Customers will appreciate that they also offer international shipping and enclosed transport for added security. The company boasts impressive ratings with a Yelp rating of 3.2, a Google rating of 4.2, and an A+ rating from the BBB.
One potential downside is their lack of services for inoperable car transport, which might be a consideration for some customers. Additionally, they do not offer any specific discounts, such as senior or military discounts.
Services Offered
- Damage Free Guarantee
- Fully Insured
- Enclosed Transport
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Storage Solutions
- Expedited Delivery
- Shipment Tracking
- Pay by Credit Card
- Trailer Shipping
- Interstate
- Heavy Equipment Shipping
- Classic Car Shipping
Local car shippers in California cities
Looking for a more local company to work with? Check out these resources:
- Alum Rock
- Anaheim
- Antioch
- Apple Valley
- Avocado Heights
- Big Bear City
- Bonita
- Chula Vista
- Commerce
- Concord
- Dublin
- El Sobrante
- Emeryville
- Fairfield
- Fontana
- Fremont
- Fresno
- Grand Terrace
- Hemet
- Hesperia
- Home Gardens
- Irvine
- Kingsburg
- Lake Los Angeles
- Lakeland Village
- Lancaster
- Larkspur
- Livermore
- Long Beach
- Los Angeles
- Marysville
- Mendota
- Modesto
- Moreno Valley
- Newman
- Oakland
- Ontario
- Oxnard
- Palmdale
- Palos Verdes Estates
- Pleasanton
- Riverside
- Roseville
- Sacramento
- Salinas
- San Anselmo
- San Bernardino
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- San Marino
- Santa Ana
- Santa Clarita
- Santa Cruz
- Santa Rosa
- Scotts Valley
- Solana Beach
- Stockton
- Sun Village
- Tamalpais-Homestead Valley
- Thousand Oaks
- Vallejo
- Victorville
- Visalia
How we chose the best car shipping companies
moveBuddha’s car shipping company reviews
For more in-depth information on each company, see our full company reviews:
Average cost of transporting a car out of CA
On average, it’ll cost you around $872 to ship a car out of California. But keep in mind, prices can vary depending on how far you’re going and which transport method you use.
Check out these typical price ranges by distance:
- Short (under 500 miles): $380 to $879
- Mid-range (500–1,500 miles): $607 to $879
- Long-distance (1,500+ miles): $770 to $1,263
Here’s what it might cost to ship a car out of the Golden State:
| Route | Open | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| California to Arizona | $936 | $1,481 |
| California to Texas | $1,356 | $1,959 |
| California to Pennsylvania | $1,737 | $2,808 |
| California to Michigan | $1,535 | $2,693 |
| California to Florida | $1,668 | $2,753 |
| North Carolina to California | $1,614 | $2,757 |
| Ohio to California | $1,583 | $2,667 |
| New York to California | $1,790 | $2,783 |
| Illinois to California | $1,631 | $2,524 |
| Georgia to California | $1,583 | $2,589 |
Cost factors for shipping your car from California:
- Your move distance: How far your car needs to go plays a big part in the price. Shipping within California or nearby states is usually easier on your wallet than sending your vehicle across the country.
- Location: City versus country makes a difference. Moving your car from busy Los Angeles or major hubs tends to be less expensive, while pick-ups or drop-offs in remote parts of California can bump up your costs.
- Your car’s make, model, and year: What you drive affects your quote. Compact cars cost less to move, but transporting a classic or specialty vehicle, especially one that needs extra protection in California, usually means a higher price tag.
- Shipping options in the Golden State: From budget-friendly open transport to fully enclosed trailers, you’ve got choices. Open carriers save money, but enclosed options are great for keeping your ride safe from California’s unpredictable weather, though they cost a bit more.
- Gas prices: Don’t forget fuel costs. Gas prices in California can change quickly and might bump your car shipping price up, particularly if you’re moving long distance.
- Delivery time frame: Need your car by a specific date, or want it there ASAP? Expedited shipping or guaranteed dates will cost extra.
- Discounts: Many California auto shippers offer deals for military members, students, and customers moving more than one vehicle. Check out our discount guide for all the ways to save.
Want the most accurate estimate? Use our car shipping calculator. For more details, browse all the top car shipping routes in California.
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