California to New Jersey Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 2,886 miles from California to New Jersey falls between $1,443 and $2,208. Delivery typically takes seven–fifteen days. The timeline can vary based on the type of transport you opt for and the time of year. To get a tailored quote, check out our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our New Jersey to California car shipping guide.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
The best California to New Jersey car shipping companies
After putting more than 400 hours of research into the car shipping industry, we identified the best car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from California to New Jersey:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for safety & reliability: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- Door-to-door service
- Price matching
- One-day pickup
- New customer discount
- White-glove service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Top local car shippers in California
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in California that can transport your vehicle to New Jersey:
- Auto Express Inc.: 3.88 out of 5 stars
- King Of The Road Transport Inc: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- A To Z Auto Shipping: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc.: 3.78 out of 5 stars
- Golden Key Express: 3.72 out of 5 stars
Auto Express Inc.
501 W Broadway Ste. 800, San Diego, CA 92101 US
autoexpressinc-car-shipping-san-diego.com
3.88 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 3428899
King Of The Road Transport Inc
7316 Lindley Ave, Reseda, CA 91335 US
kingoftheroadtransport.com
3.86 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
- Senior
- Student
- Teacher
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: DOT#2248724
A To Z Auto Shipping
30101 Agoura Court, Suite 109, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 US
atozauto.com
3.86 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Motorcycles
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 675504
Alternative Business Names
- A to Z auto Shipping, Inc.
McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc.
45125 Industrial Dr, Fremont, CA 94538 US
mccollisters.com
3.78 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- Trailers
- Heavy equipment
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 289344
Alternative Business Names
- McCollister's Transportation Group, Inc
- McCollister's Transportation
Golden Key Express
7234 N Traverse Ave, Clovis, CA 93619 US
goldenkeyexpress.com/auto-transport
3.72 / 5.0
Golden Key Express provides highly reliable and professional service, frequently recommended by customers for their efficiency and support throughout the transport process. No major complaints have been evidenced.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Detailed inspection reports
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- DOT #: 966726
How we chose the best car shipping companies
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.
Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
- Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
- Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.
Alternative ways to ship your car from California to New Jersey
Ship it with your movers
When moving from California to New Jersey, it can be helpful to hire a moving company that includes car shipping services. A number of long-distance moving companies work directly with reliable car shippers to arrange transport.
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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
Driving is simple but not always practical, and it adds about 2,886 miles to your car on the trip from California to New Jersey. If you’re weighing the options, check out the pros and cons of driving versus shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from California to New Jersey is an alternative you might want to consider. However, it typically comes with a high price tag, and you’ll need to rely on the driver to care for your car.
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!
California to New Jersey auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below highlight the average shipping costs and estimated timelines for transporting a car between popular cities in California and New Jersey. The trip typically spans 2,886 miles and takes about seven–fifteen days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to New Jersey
| From California to New Jersey | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Trenton, NJ | $1,442 – $2,352 | 2,729 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Newark, NJ | $1,399 – $2,218 | 2,779 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Jersey City, NJ | $1,428 – $2,263 | 2,772 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Paterson, NJ | $1,499 – $2,330 | 2,777 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Elizabeth, NJ | $1,356 – $2,352 | 2,767 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to New Jersey
| From California to New Jersey | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA to Trenton, NJ | $1,356 – $2,195 | 2,713 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Newark, NJ | $1,385 – $2,307 | 2,749 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Jersey City, NJ | $1,456 – $2,128 | 2,756 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Paterson, NJ | $1,485 – $2,352 | 2,772 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Elizabeth, NJ | $1,442 – $2,330 | 2,751 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to New Jersey
| From California to New Jersey | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA to Trenton, NJ | $1,412 – $2,287 | 2,926 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Newark, NJ | $1,501 – $2,454 | 2,928 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Jersey City, NJ | $1,427 – $2,406 | 2,935 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Paterson, NJ | $1,560 – $2,287 | 2,925 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Elizabeth, NJ | $1,471 – $2,382 | 2,935 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bakersfield, CA to New Jersey
| From California to New Jersey | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA to Trenton, NJ | $1,413 – $2,128 | 2,745 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Newark, NJ | $1,413 – $2,330 | 2,781 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Jersey City, NJ | $1,499 – $2,218 | 2,789 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Paterson, NJ | $1,370 – $2,263 | 2,793 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Elizabeth, NJ | $1,456 – $2,128 | 2,783 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to New Jersey
| From California to New Jersey | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA to Trenton, NJ | $1,530 – $2,300 | 2,894 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Newark, NJ | $1,516 – $2,254 | 2,896 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Jersey City, NJ | $1,560 – $2,263 | 2,902 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Paterson, NJ | $1,443 – $2,346 | 2,893 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Elizabeth, NJ | $1,456 – $2,263 | 2,903 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to New Jersey
Larger vehicles such as SUVs, trucks, and vans are heavier and bulkier, making them more expensive to transport than sedans.
If you’re moving one from California to New Jersey, expect costs to range from $1,804 to $2,760.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from California to New Jersey
When arranging car transport from the Golden State to the Garden State, the following factors will determine your overall cost:
- 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 New Jersey.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to New Jersey spans about 2,886 miles. More miles mean more fuel and labor, raising the cost.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of California in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
- Fuel prices: Varying fuel costs across the country can affect shipping rates. When transporting your car from California to New Jersey, you may see the effect of these fluctuations.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within seven–fifteen days, but expedited options cost more.
New Jersey vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to New Jersey means taking care of certain tasks to get your car registered and ready for the road. Here’s a summary of the key steps involved.
- Car insurance requirements: In New Jersey, meet the minimum auto insurance requirements: $15,000 per person for bodily injury up to $30,000 per accident and $5,000 for property damage. Stay legally covered and financially secure on the road.
- Vehicle inspection: If you are planning to reside in New Jersey for a minimum of 6 months, it is mandatory to transfer the title of your vehicle, register it, and obtain a driver's license from the state. As a new resident, you have 60 days from the date of establishing your residency to register your vehicle. It is important to note that before registering your vehicle, you are required to have liability insurance coverage as per the New Jersey state laws.
- Driver’s license: As per the state laws of New Jersey, new residents are expected to transfer their driver's license and register their vehicles within 60 days of arriving in the state. However, during public health crises, this time frame may be extended to 120 days. It is important to note that there won't be any reminders for this, so it's recommended to keep a record of the date of your arrival in the state.
- Additional taxes: New Jersey law requires residents to transfer their vehicle title and registration within 60 days of moving to the state. The transfer title fee is $60 for standard vehicle, $85 for financed vehicle with one lien, $110 for financed vehicle with two liens and registration fee and tax may apply unless you are eligible for a sales tax exemption.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from California
More than 39.0 million people call California home. Nicknamed the Golden State. 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.
Transporting your vehicle to New Jersey
About 9.3 million people are living in the Garden State. New Jersey summers are typically hot and humid and winters are usually cold. During winter and early spring, New Jersey can experience "nor'easters", which are capable of causing blizzards or flooding throughout the northeastern United States.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in California and delivery in New Jersey?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in California and when dropping it off in New Jersey.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to New Jersey?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to New Jersey, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to New Jersey, which you should verify before loading your car in California.
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.
In New Jersey, meet the minimum auto insurance requirements: $15,000 per person for bodily injury up to $30,000 per accident and $5,000 for property damage. Stay legally covered and financially secure on the road.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to New Jersey?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to New Jersey is about 2,886 miles, and that’s as fast as about 6 days. However, most car transport companies will take seven to fifteen days to travel from California to New Jersey.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
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 you are planning to reside in New Jersey for a minimum of 6 months, it is mandatory to transfer the title of your vehicle, register it, and obtain a driver's license from the state. As a new resident, you have 60 days from the date of establishing your residency to register your vehicle. It is important to note that before registering your vehicle, you are required to have liability insurance coverage as per the New Jersey state laws.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in New Jersey?
As per the state laws of New Jersey, new residents are expected to transfer their driver's license and register their vehicles within 60 days of arriving in the state. However, during public health crises, this time frame may be extended to 120 days. It is important to note that there won't be any reminders for this, so it's recommended to keep a record of the date of your arrival in the state.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in New Jersey after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to New Jersey after purchasing it.
New Jersey law requires residents to transfer their vehicle title and registration within 60 days of moving to the state. The transfer title fee is $60 for standard vehicle, $85 for financed vehicle with one lien, $110 for financed vehicle with two liens and registration fee and tax may apply unless you are eligible for a sales tax exemption.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and New Jersey to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from California to New Jersey?
The cheapest way to ship a car from California to New Jersey is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to New Jersey?
Shipping a car from California to New Jersey costs $1,443 to $2,208.
