10 Best Car Shipping Companies in Oakland, CA
Fact Checked by:
Quick answer: If you're looking for an excellent car shipping company in Oakland, CA, Nexus Auto Transport stands out for its impressive 4.7 out of 5 stars rating, affordable rates, and lineup of services. While prices vary, you can usually expect to pay between $615 and $1,387 to ship your car from Oakland.
- Discounts Available
- Refundable Deposit
- GPS Tracking
- Price Lock Promise
- Ships inoperable vehicles
- Multiple discounts
- Price matching
- One-day pickup
- New customer discount
| Company | Contact | Our rating | Best for | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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4.7 |
Best overall value |
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4.5 |
Most accurate pricing |
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4.4 |
Best for budget-conscious shippers |
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4.9 |
Best for Exact Pickup Dates |
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4.4 |
Best for Damage Protection |
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Need an auto transport company in a different city? Check out our California car shipping guide.
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Top car shipping companies in Oakland, CA
Considering moving your vehicle locally or out of California? Here's a list of the premier car transport companies located in Oakland:
Nexus Auto Transport
http://www.nexusautotransport.com
Nexus Auto Transport, established in 2015, has rapidly become a trusted name in vehicle shipping across the US. With a network of more than 30,000 carriers, they offer services in all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. They offer open and enclosed transport, expedited shipping, and door-to-door delivery, as well as discounts for multi-vehicle shipments, cash payments, students, military members, and seniors, among others. Their Moving Season Package includes special deals and services catered to residential and commercial relocations. Customers appreciate their transparent pricing, real-time tracking, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Nexus boasts high customer satisfaction ratings, with an average of 4.7 stars across various platforms. Their user-friendly online quote system provides instant estimates, and a refundable $25 deposit secures your booking.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Live shipment tracking
- Fast, no-hassle quotes
- Door-to-door pickup
- Competitive discounts
Cons
- No international shipping
- Pay more with debit/credit card
Services Offered
- Door-to-door deliveries
- Open and enclosed trailers
- Hawaii/Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
Sherpa Auto Transport
https://www.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.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Price Lock Promise keeps pricing fixed
- Pay by credit card available
- 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
Navi Auto Transport
https://naviautotransport.com
Navi Auto Transport is an experienced vehicle shipping company offering nationwide service across the US, including door-to-door delivery and both open and enclosed transport options. Known for its reliable scheduling and attentive customer support, Navi has earned strong customer satisfaction ratings, with many reviewers highlighting the company's transparent pricing and consistent communication. They offer instant online quotes, and their expedited shipping option makes them a solid choice for time-sensitive moves.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Price match policy
- Quick turnaround
- Discounts
- White-glove transport
- 24/7 tracking
Cons
- Limited international shipping
- No guaranteed pickup date
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Hawaii and Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
SGT Auto Transport
http://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
Ship A Car Direct
https://shipacardirect.com
Ship A Car Direct works with a widespread network of carriers to provide long-distance auto transport with quick turnaround times for cars, trucks, and SUVs. This highly-rated company also provides a Damage-Free Guarantee, which is a free contingent insurance policy that covers up to $500 of your deductible if a carrier's cargo insurance falls short. Ship A Car Direct is a great choice if you’re in a rush, since they can easily handle last-minute requests.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Home of the industry’s only 'Damage Free Guarantee'
- No deposit upfront to schedule
- Expedited Shipping Available
- Pay by credit card available
- Ship an additional 100lbs in the car for Free
- $500 complimentary damage or loss coverage
- Rental car assistance should transport take more than 14 days
Cons
- Quotes expire sometimes within 1 week
- Do not ship boats or heavy equipment
- No international shipping
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Hawaii shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc.
45125 Industrial Dr, Fremont, CA, 94538
https://www.mccollisters.com
McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc. (DOT: 289344) offers interstate and international car shipping with open and enclosed transport options. The company supports classic car shipping, expedited delivery, trailer and heavy equipment transport, storage solutions, shipment tracking, and a damage-free guarantee. It is rated 3.2 on Yelp and 4.2 on Google, and it holds an A+ rating with the BBB. A potential downside is that it does not offer transport for cars that don’t run, motorcycles, boats, or RVs.
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
Car Shipping Carriers
39899 Balentine Dr #200, Newark, CA, 94560
https://carshippingcarriers.com
Car Shipping Carriers (DOT: DOT# 2249744) offers interstate and international car shipping with open and enclosed transport options. They can handle classic cars, electric vehicles, motorcycles, ATVs, multiple vehicles, and cars that don’t run, with services like shipment tracking, expedited delivery, guaranteed delivery, and detailed inspection reports. The company has a 5.0 Google rating and an A+ BBB rating, though its Yelp rating is 1.0. A potential downside is that they do not offer boat, RV, trailer, or heavy equipment shipping.
Services Offered
- ATV Shipping
- Damage Free Guarantee
- Fully Insured
- Inoperable Car Transport
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- Electric Vehicle Shipping
- Military Discount
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Guaranteed Delivery
- Storage Solutions
- Expedited Delivery
- Shipment Tracking
- Pay by Credit Card
- Interstate
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Terminal to Terminal Delivery
- Classic Car Shipping
- Detailed Inspection Reports
Direct Express Auto Transport
Direct Express Auto Transport (DOT: 2231879) is an active, fully insured car shipping company offering interstate and international transport, with open and enclosed options, terminal-to-terminal delivery, and guaranteed or expedited delivery.
It can also handle classic cars, motorcycles, trailers, vehicles that don’t run, and storage solutions, while providing detailed inspection reports and accepting credit card payments.
Customers may appreciate its military and student discounts, and the company has a 4.6-star Google rating, a 2.0-star Yelp rating, and an A+ rating from the BBB.
One potential downside is that it does not offer shipment tracking, RV shipping, boat shipping, or a damage-free guarantee.
Services Offered
- Fully Insured
- Inoperable Car Transport
- Enclosed Transport
- Military Discount
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Guaranteed Delivery
- Storage Solutions
- Expedited Delivery
- Pay by Credit Card
- Trailer Shipping
- Student Discount
- Interstate
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Terminal to Terminal Delivery
- Classic Car Shipping
- Detailed Inspection Reports
Viper Transportation
4600 Malat St, Oakland, CA, 94601
http://vipertransportation.com
Viper Transportation (DOT: 1509528) offers interstate and international car shipping with fully insured transport options, including open and enclosed carriers.
The company can also handle classic cars, motorcycles, RVs, boats, electric vehicles, heavy equipment, and multi-car shipments.
Viper Transportation has a 4.0 rating on Yelp and a 3.6 rating on Google, while its BBB rating is listed as NR.
One potential downside is that it does not offer shipment tracking, expedited delivery, or transport for cars that don’t run.
Services Offered
- Fully Insured
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- Electric Vehicle Shipping
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Pay by Credit Card
- Interstate
- RV Shipping
- Heavy Equipment Shipping
- Boat Shipping
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Classic Car Shipping
Pasha Hawaii ship your car
Pasha Hawaii ship your car (DOT: 2861558) offers interstate and international car shipping, with options like open and enclosed transport, terminal-to-terminal delivery, shipment tracking, and guaranteed delivery. They also handle motorcycles, ATVs, trailers, boats, and heavy equipment, and they offer a military discount. The company has a 2.3 rating on Yelp, a 3.2 rating on Google, and an A rating from the BBB. A potential downside is that they do not offer inoperable car transport, senior discounts, or classic car shipping.
Services Offered
- ATV Shipping
- Fully Insured
- Enclosed Transport
- Military Discount
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Guaranteed Delivery
- Storage Solutions
- Expedited Delivery
- Shipment Tracking
- Pay by Credit Card
- Trailer Shipping
- Interstate
- Heavy Equipment Shipping
- Boat Shipping
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Terminal to Terminal Delivery
Comparing Oakland, CA car auto transport companies
Our review of top auto transport brands extended into an analysis of 16 local car shipping providers in Oakland, 77 throughout California, and more than 517 across the country to compare service options and assist you in selecting the best solution.
Compare by services
Here's how common key car shipping services are among companies in Oakland, across California, and nationwide:
- Damage-free guarantee: 5 in Oakland (29.41%), 23 in California (27.71%), 171 nationwide (27.94%)
- Expedited delivery: 12 in Oakland (70.59%), 51 in California (61.45%), 332 nationwide (54.25%)
- Insurance included: 12 in Oakland (70.59%), 65 in California (78.31%), 471 nationwide (76.96%)
- Open transport: 16 in Oakland (94.12%), 77 in California (92.77%), 517 nationwide (84.48%)
- Enclosed transport: 14 in Oakland (82.35%), 71 in California (85.54%), 495 nationwide (80.88%)
| Company | Damage-free guarantee | Expedited delivery | Insurance included | Open transport | Enclosed transport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc. | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Car Shipping Carriers | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Direct Express Auto Transport | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Viper Transportation | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Pasha Hawaii ship your car | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Compare by discounts
Looking to save money? Here's how many car shipping companies offer each type of discount in Oakland, across California, and nationwide:
- Military discount: 7 in Oakland (41.18%), 30 in California (36.14%), 159 nationwide (25.98%)
- Senior discount: 2 in Oakland (11.76%), 10 in California (12.05%), 38 nationwide (6.21%)
- Student discount: 1 in Oakland (5.88%), 9 in California (10.84%), 32 nationwide (5.23%)
| Company | Military | Senior | Student | Teacher | Law Enforcement | AAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc. | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Car Shipping Carriers | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Direct Express Auto Transport | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Viper Transportation | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Pasha Hawaii ship your car | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Average cost to ship a car out of Oakland, CA
Though not officially a major city, Oakland has a sizeable population of 440,646 and enough regional demand to attract auto transporters. That keeps car shipping rates from Oakland relatively stable and competitive.
Shipping a car out of Oakland, California usually ranges from $615 to $1,387. Your final price will depend on how far you're going and current fuel costs.
Check out these estimated price ranges for moving a vehicle from Oakland, California to another state:
| Route | Cost |
|---|---|
| California to North Carolina | $1,630 - $2,618 |
| California to Florida | $1,677 - $2,443 |
| California to Michigan | $1,580 - $2,509 |
| California to Arizona | $934 - $1,368 |
| California to Ohio | $1,565 - $2,509 |
| Georgia to California | $1,565 - $2,484 |
| New York to California | $1,769 - $2,591 |
| Texas to California | $1,189 - $1,825 |
| Colorado to California | $1,065 - $1,508 |
| Illinois to California | $1,430 - $2,281 |
Check out all car shipping routes.
Factors influencing car shipping costs from Oakland, CA
The cost of living index in Oakland is 196, which is well above the national average. This can increase the price of car shipping due to higher labor and operational costs in the region.
- Distance matters: Moving your car locally within Oakland or to nearby areas in California is typically more affordable than shipping it across state lines.
- Location type: It's often pricier to transport a car out of busy downtown Oakland compared to moves between quieter suburban neighborhoods.
- Vehicle type and condition: Smaller cars are typically cheaper to move, while classic, luxury, or specialty vehicles from Oakland often need extra care and can bump up the price. Learn more about classic car transport.
- Available shipping options in Oakland: You can choose from standard open-air transport to more secure enclosed car shipping. While the former is more economical, the latter is advised for protecting against potential damage due to weather conditions and roadway hazards.
- Fuel prices: What you'll pay to ship can go up or down depending on current gas rates in Oakland, especially with long-distance trips.
- How fast you need it: Need your car quickly? Expedited or guaranteed delivery from Oakland comes at a higher price tag.
- Weather and season: Auto transport rates rise in summer when demand is highest. Booking during slower months — fall or early winter — is one of the most reliable ways to reduce your cost.
How to ship a car from Oakland, CA
Use this Oakland-specific checklist to compare auto transport companies and book a reliable car shipper.
- Confirm your route from Oakland — Confirm whether you are shipping within California or to another state. Local and regional routes from Oakland are priced differently than long cross-country hauls, and your pickup and delivery ZIP codes drive the final quote.
- Factor in Oakland market conditions — Carrier availability in Oakland depends on route density and local demand. The cost-of-living index is 196 (100 = national average).
- Compare national and local carriers — Compare national auto transport partners with the local Oakland shippers listed on this page. National carriers often cover long interstate routes, while local companies may offer faster pickup in the Oakland metro.
- Pick open vs enclosed transport — Open transport is the budget option for standard vehicles. Choose enclosed transport for classic, luxury, or high-value cars that need extra protection during loading and transit.
- Verify MC/DOT registration — Ask for each carrier's MC and USDOT numbers and verify them on the FMCSA carrier lookup before you sign a contract.
- Get 3+ quotes and schedule off-peak — Request written quotes from at least three companies using the moveBuddha car shipping calculator. Book off-peak when possible — summer and end-of-month dates fill up faster and cost more.
FAQ
Can I track my vehicle's shipment in real time in Oakland?
Many car shipping companies in Oakland, California offer real-time tracking. You can follow your vehicle's journey through the company's website or app, with updates on when it leaves Oakland, the estimated arrival time, and any transit delays.
What are the most efficient routes for shipping cars out of Oakland?
The most efficient routes for shipping a car out of Oakland follow the major interstate corridors running through California. Carriers on high-traffic routes between large metros generally offer faster transit times and better pricing than those on less-traveled roads. Ask your carrier which interstates they use and whether your destination falls on a primary or secondary route.
How do I check the license status of a car shipping company?
To check a car shipping company's license, ask for their motor carrier (MC) number and look it up on the USDOT's FMCSA website. This works for any provider based in Oakland or beyond.
Do I need to have insurance or an inspection to ship my car out of Oakland?
Most carriers don't require an inspection to ship your car out of Oakland. If you're shipping a classic or high-value vehicle, you may be asked to show proof of insurance. Always check the inspection requirements for the delivery state, as regulations vary.
Take California regulations as an example. 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.
How can I estimate car shipping costs from Oakland?
You can use our free car shipping calculator to estimate prices based on your route and vehicle type. It's a fast, easy way to see how much it might cost to ship a car from Oakland to your next destination.
What's the cheapest car shipping company in Oakland?
Oakland car shippers offering economical open transport services at competitive rates include McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc., Car Shipping Carriers (offers military discounts), and Direct Express Auto Transport (offers military, student discounts).
Who ships classic cars out of Oakland?
Professional vintage car transport companies in Oakland offering secure enclosed delivery include McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc., Car Shipping Carriers, and Direct Express Auto Transport.
