$1,490 Car Shippers from California to Tennessee (2024 Guide)

Quick Answer: The average cost to ship a car the 2159 miles from California to Tennessee ranges from $1,490 to $2,342 and takes 4-12 days.

Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Tennessee to California car shipping guide.

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The average cost to ship a car from California to Tennessee

Because the distance between California to Tennessee is about 2159 miles, it’ll take from 4 to 12 days to complete your car shipment.

Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Tennessee

  • Los Angeles to Nashville: $1,534 to $2,211
  • Los Angeles to Memphis: $1,375 to $1,975
  • Los Angeles to Clarksville: $1,490 to $2,258
  • Los Angeles to Knoxville: $1,460 to $2,342
  • Los Angeles to Chattanooga: $1,505 to $2,318

Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Tennessee

  • San Diego to Nashville: $1,395 to $2,117
  • San Diego to Memphis: $1,389 to $2,209
  • San Diego to Clarksville: $1,519 to $2,328
  • San Diego to Knoxville: $1,455 to $2,348
  • San Diego to Chattanooga: $1,490 to $2,342

Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Tennessee

  • San Jose to Nashville: $1,470 to $2,468
  • San Jose to Memphis: $1,490 to $2,397
  • San Jose to Clarksville: $1,561 to $2,372
  • San Jose to Knoxville: $1,489 to $2,387
  • San Jose to Chattanooga: $1,444 to $2,395

Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Tennessee

  • San Francisco to Nashville: $1,581 to $2,299
  • San Francisco to Memphis: $1,430 to $2,444
  • San Francisco to Clarksville: $1,470 to $2,372
  • San Francisco to Knoxville: $1,550 to $2,533
  • San Francisco to Chattanooga: $1,565 to $2,362

Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Tennessee

  • Fresno to Nashville: $1,505 to $2,295
  • Fresno to Memphis: $1,409 to $2,184
  • Fresno to Clarksville: $1,475 to $2,271
  • Fresno to Knoxville: $1,520 to $2,420
  • Fresno to Chattanooga: $1,546 to $2,444

Shipping an SUV or Truck from California to Tennessee

Since vehicles such as 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 California to Tennessee you should expect to pay between $1,863 and $2,928.

Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from California to Tennessee

  • Open Carrier or Enclosed Trailer – Most new cars from ports and factories are moved on open auto carriers, while race cars, vintage collector’s cars, and high-dollar luxury cars get enclosed transport. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs enclosed car shipping.
  • Time of the year – Due to demand, prices to ship your car from California to Tennessee tend to be a little higher in the summer.
  • Size, Weight, and Type of Vehicle – The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more shipping your car to Tennessee will cost.
  • 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 Tennessee should take between 4 and 12 days.
  • Pick up and Drop-Off Options – Instead of door-to-door service, consider taking your vehicle to the nearest company terminal in California and having it delivered to the one closest to your new home in Tennessee. It’s more work for you, but it could save you a bundle.

Resources for Shipping a Car from California to Tennessee

The following resources can help with you shipping your car from California to Tennessee:

Stick around for more details on costs, tips, and California car shippers you should use.

The best car shipping from California to Tennessee

A good car shipping company should cover the basics. These are the things to look out for in a quality transport company:

  • Insurance: Make sure the insurance covers both the company and the hauler the company contracts with to ship the car.
  • Experience: Look for a company that has multiple years of experience and a good track record.
  • Shipping options: Good car shipping companies will offer open and closed transport, expedited delivery, shipment tracking, and more.
  • Added Perks: Damage coverage, no initial deposits, rental car assistance, free car wash, and guaranteed pricing are some additional options great car shippers offer.
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Transparent pricing
  • Fully insured
Check prices (864) 492-1221

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup
Check prices (888) 259-6046

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
Check prices (833) 775-1461

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.35 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Rental car option
  • Ship inoperable
Check prices (866) 563-0804

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.55 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 13 yrs experience
  • Ship boat, RV, ATV
Check prices (224) 206-5633

% of users select this mover

How car shipping from California to Tennessee works

  • After you’ve received your quote, book your vehicle transport from California to Tennessee.
  • Once booked, you’ll schedule your vehicle to be picked up in California where it will be loaded onto the carrier.
  • Your vehicle will be safely unloaded from the carrier in Tennessee on your delivery date.

What else should you know about shipping a car from California to Tennessee?

  • Car Insurance requirements: Tennessee drivers need to fulfill liability insurance criteria of 25/50/15 ($25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident). Valid proof of insurance is crucial for registration and may be requested by law enforcement during traffic stops. Motorists have the flexibility to choose additional coverage for an added layer of vehicle protection.
  • Vehicle Inspection: In Tennessee, vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspection. Cost is around $15 and more information can be found at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.
  • Driver’s License: To obtain a driver's license in Tennessee, individuals must be at least 15 years old (with a Learner's Permit) or 16 years old (with a regular driver's license), pass written, vision and driving tests, provide proof of identity, residency, legal presence, and social security number, pass a medical examination if required, pay the required fee, Hold the Learner's Permit for at least 180 days before taking the skills test for the driver's license and comply with the graduated licensing system restrictions for the first 6 months.
  • Additional Taxes: When moving to Tennessee, you will be required to pay state income tax and property tax. The state income tax rate in Tennessee is a flat rate of 3%. Property taxes in Tennessee are determined by the county in which the property is located, and can vary widely depending on the area. Additionally, sales tax in Tennessee is 7%, but varies depending on the local area. Some cities and counties in Tennessee also have additional local sales taxes.

Alternative ways to ship your car from California to Tennessee

Learn more with our car shipping checklist

Shipping Your Car from California to Tennessee FAQs

Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in California and when dropping off my car in Tennessee?

Most companies will require someone that is at least 18-years-old to be present when picking up your car in California and when dropping it off in Tennessee.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Tennessee?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Tennessee, it’s not required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Tennessee, which you should verify before loading your car in California.

How long does it take to ship a car from California to Tennessee?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. With the trip from California to Tennessee being about 2159 miles, that’s as fast as about 5 days. But most car transporting companies will take 4-12 days to go from California to Tennessee.