California to Pennsylvania Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 2,733 miles from California to Pennsylvania usually costs between $1,321 and $2,202. Transit time is about seven–fifteen days, depending on the type of transport you choose and the season. For a more specific estimate, try our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania car shipping companies
Through more than 400 hours of analysis of car shippers, we found that these are the top car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from California to Pennsylvania:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- 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
- 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
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
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 Pennsylvania:
- Jp Logistics & Motorsports: 3.94 out of 5 stars
- 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
Jp Logistics & Motorsports
11582 Sheldon St, Sun Valley, CA 91352 US
jplogistics.net
3.94 / 5.0
Customers consistently praise JP Logistics for their excellent communication and reliable service. While there are no significant complaints, some note that pricing is slightly higher, which is justified by the quality of service received.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- Trailers
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1975227
Alternative Business Names
- JP Logistics
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
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 Pennsylvania
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from California for a move to Pennsylvania, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
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4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 2,733 extra miles on your car to travel from California to Pennsylvania. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from California to Pennsylvania 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
Shipping by train can be a cost-effective and reliable method of moving your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the least expensive way to move a vehicle.
California to Pennsylvania auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in California and Pennsylvania. The average journey covers about 2,733 miles and takes roughly seven to fifteen days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Pennsylvania
| From California to Pennsylvania | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Philadelphia, PA | $1,431 – $2,073 | 2,709 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Pittsburgh, PA | $1,343 – $1,948 | 2,425 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Erie, PA | $1,216 – $2,030 | 2,444 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Allentown, PA | $1,332 – $2,079 | 2,688 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Reading, PA | $1,413 – $2,100 | 2,666 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Pennsylvania
| From California to Pennsylvania | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA to Philadelphia, PA | $1,386 – $2,121 | 2,692 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Pittsburgh, PA | $1,331 – $1,989 | 2,408 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Erie, PA | $1,292 – $1,989 | 2,462 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Allentown, PA | $1,332 – $2,016 | 2,672 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Diego, CA to Reading, PA | $1,345 – $2,037 | 2,650 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Pennsylvania
| From California to Pennsylvania | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA to Philadelphia, PA | $1,461 – $2,411 | 2,907 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Pittsburgh, PA | $1,292 – $2,184 | 2,609 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Erie, PA | $1,332 – $2,059 | 2,593 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Allentown, PA | $1,447 – $2,106 | 2,878 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Jose, CA to Reading, PA | $1,461 – $2,261 | 2,863 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bakersfield, CA to Pennsylvania
| From California to Pennsylvania | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA to Philadelphia, PA | $1,445 – $2,073 | 2,725 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Pittsburgh, PA | $1,292 – $1,989 | 2,441 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Erie, PA | $1,279 – $2,133 | 2,460 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Allentown, PA | $1,403 – $2,051 | 2,704 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Reading, PA | $1,386 – $2,163 | 2,682 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Pennsylvania
| From California to Pennsylvania | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA to Philadelphia, PA | $1,377 – $2,284 | 2,874 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Pittsburgh, PA | $1,307 – $2,100 | 2,576 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Erie, PA | $1,332 – $1,936 | 2,561 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Allentown, PA | $1,419 – $2,195 | 2,845 miles | 7 – 15 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Reading, PA | $1,405 – $2,284 | 2,831 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Pennsylvania
SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.
For a larger vehicle going from California to Pennsylvania, the price usually falls between $1,651 and $2,753.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from California to Pennsylvania
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Keystone State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Common choices include open carriers, enclosed carriers, and top-loading. Open carriers are the least expensive, while enclosed shipping is better for classic or high-end cars. More details are available in our open vs. enclosed car shipping guide.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping costs are higher for bigger and heavier vehicles. Your car’s weight and dimensions play a direct role in the total cost to ship it to Pennsylvania.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to Pennsylvania spans approximately 2,733 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 California, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between California and Pennsylvania.
- 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 California to Pennsylvania should take between seven and fifteen days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Pennsylvania vehicle regulations you need to know
Once you arrive in Pennsylvania, registering your vehicle and ensuring it’s road-legal will require a few specific actions. The list below outlines the most important requirements.
- Car insurance requirements: When relocating to Pennsylvania, ensure compliance with state regulations by obtaining car insurance with minimum liability coverage: $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 for property damage per accident. Consider enhancing your coverage with options like collision and comprehensive coverage. It's crucial to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times.
- Vehicle inspection: If you are moving to Pennsylvania and bringing a vehicle with you, you will need to have it inspected within 10 days of establishing residency. This includes safety and emission test. You can find a list of inspection stations on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation website or by searching for "vehicle inspection near me". It's a good idea to schedule an appointment in advance and bring your vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
- Driver’s license: When moving to Pennsylvania, you will need to obtain a Pennsylvania driver's license within 60 days of establishing residency. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and pass a written test, a vision test and a road test. You may also be required to surrender your out-of-state license.
- Additional taxes: New residents must apply for PA title and registration of their vehicle within 20 days of moving to PA, and must surrender the out-of-state title to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when doing so.
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 Pennsylvania
About 13.0 million people are living in the Keystone State. Pennsylvania experiences cold winters and humid summers. Summers are generally hot and humid. Moving toward the mountainous interior of the state, the winter climate becomes colder, the number of cloudy days increases, and snowfall amounts are greater. Tornadoes occur annually in the state, sometimes in large numbers, such as 30 recorded tornadoes in 2011; generally speaking, these tornadoes do not cause significant damage.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in California and delivery in Pennsylvania?
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 Pennsylvania.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Pennsylvania?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Pennsylvania, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Pennsylvania, 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.
When relocating to Pennsylvania, ensure compliance with state regulations by obtaining car insurance with minimum liability coverage: $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 for property damage per accident. Consider enhancing your coverage with options like collision and comprehensive coverage. It's crucial to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Pennsylvania?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to Pennsylvania is about 2,733 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 Pennsylvania.
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 moving to Pennsylvania and bringing a vehicle with you, you will need to have it inspected within 10 days of establishing residency. This includes safety and emission test. You can find a list of inspection stations on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation website or by searching for "vehicle inspection near me". It's a good idea to schedule an appointment in advance and bring your vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in Pennsylvania?
When moving to Pennsylvania, you will need to obtain a Pennsylvania driver's license within 60 days of establishing residency. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and pass a written test, a vision test and a road test. You may also be required to surrender your out-of-state license.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in Pennsylvania after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to Pennsylvania after purchasing it.
New residents must apply for PA title and registration of their vehicle within 20 days of moving to PA, and must surrender the out-of-state title to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when doing so.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and Pennsylvania to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from California to Pennsylvania?
The cheapest way to ship a car from California to Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
Shipping a car from California to Pennsylvania costs $1,321 to $2,202.
