Louisiana to California Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 1,962 miles from Louisiana to California falls between $1,187 and $1,896. Delivery typically takes three–eleven 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 California to Louisiana 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 Louisiana to California 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 Louisiana to California:
- 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 Louisiana
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Louisiana ready to move your vehicle to California:
- Auto Driveaway: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Speedy Car Shipping: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Auto Driveaway
140 James Dr E Suite A, St Rose, LA 70087 US
autodriveaway.com/locations/new-orleans-auto-shipping
3.56 / 5.0
Customers report excellent service and communication when moving vehicles, highlighting value and friendliness from the staff. However, there are serious complaints regarding vehicle conditions, particularly concerning pest infestations in trucks used for transport, along with unprofessional behavior and lack of support for drivers. These contrasting experiences suggest a need for significant improvements in driver treatment and vehicle maintenance.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Storage solutions
- Trailers
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1335807
Alternative Business Names
- Auto Driveaway Systems, LLC
- AD Acquisition, LLC
- Auto Driveaway Franchise Systems, LLC
Speedy Car Shipping
141 Allen Toussaint Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124 US
speedycarshipping.com/car-shipping-service/auto-transport-new-orleans-la
3.5 / 5.0
Customers frequently praise Speedy Car Shipping New Orleans for their excellent customer service, easy and transparent pricing, and timely vehicle delivery. However, some experienced issues locating the premises due to unclear directions.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Motorcycles
- Boats
Discounts
- Military
- Senior
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2297446
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 Louisiana to California
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Louisiana to California, 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
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 1,962 extra miles on your car to travel from Louisiana to California. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Louisiana to California 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!
Louisiana to California auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in Louisiana and California. Average distances are close to 1,962 miles, with delivery usually taking three–eleven days.
Cost to ship a car from New Orleans, LA to California
| From Louisiana to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA to Los Angeles, CA | $1,206 – $1,824 | 1,893 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| New Orleans, LA to San Diego, CA | $1,243 – $1,897 | 1,815 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| New Orleans, LA to San Jose, CA | $1,242 – $1,992 | 2,195 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| New Orleans, LA to Bakersfield, CA | $1,298 – $1,933 | 1,954 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| New Orleans, LA to San Francisco, CA | $1,238 – $1,957 | 2,237 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Baton Rouge, LA to California
| From Louisiana to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA to Los Angeles, CA | $1,157 – $1,861 | 1,814 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to San Diego, CA | $1,158 – $1,715 | 1,737 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to San Jose, CA | $1,204 – $1,932 | 2,116 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to Bakersfield, CA | $1,279 – $1,842 | 1,876 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to San Francisco, CA | $1,293 – $2,052 | 2,158 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Shreveport, LA to California
| From Louisiana to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shreveport, LA to Los Angeles, CA | $1,176 – $1,561 | 1,622 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Shreveport, LA to San Diego, CA | $1,065 – $1,599 | 1,545 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Shreveport, LA to San Jose, CA | $1,206 – $1,879 | 1,876 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Shreveport, LA to Bakersfield, CA | $1,084 – $1,594 | 1,636 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Shreveport, LA to San Francisco, CA | $1,175 – $1,858 | 1,919 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Metairie, LA to California
| From Louisiana to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metairie, LA to Los Angeles, CA | $1,218 – $1,752 | 1,888 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Metairie, LA to San Diego, CA | $1,231 – $1,897 | 1,810 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Metairie, LA to San Jose, CA | $1,255 – $2,012 | 2,190 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Metairie, LA to Bakersfield, CA | $1,187 – $1,933 | 1,949 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Metairie, LA to San Francisco, CA | $1,238 – $2,099 | 2,232 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lafayette, LA to California
| From Louisiana to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette, LA to Los Angeles, CA | $1,134 – $1,732 | 1,762 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Lafayette, LA to San Diego, CA | $1,107 – $1,676 | 1,685 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Lafayette, LA to San Jose, CA | $1,317 – $1,960 | 2,081 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Lafayette, LA to Bakersfield, CA | $1,206 – $1,806 | 1,841 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Lafayette, LA to San Francisco, CA | $1,242 – $2,032 | 2,123 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Louisiana to California
Because of their added size and weight, SUVs, trucks, and vans generally cost more to ship than smaller cars.
Shipping a larger vehicle from Louisiana to California usually runs between $1,484 and $2,370.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Louisiana to California
If you’re shipping a car from the Pelican State to the Golden State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are the most economical, while enclosed transport offers greater protection for valuable or classic cars. Another option you might want to consider is top-loading. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on open vs. enclosed shipping.
- 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 California.
- Distance and route: The trip from Louisiana to California covers roughly 1,962 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from Louisiana around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Louisiana and California may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Louisiana to California takes three–eleven days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
California vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to California, you’ll need to complete a few important steps to register your vehicle and make it legal to drive. Below is an overview of the main requirements to help with the process.
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: 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.
- Driver’s license: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Additional taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Louisiana
More than 4.6 million people call Louisiana home. Nicknamed the Pelican State. Louisiana has long hot humid summers and short mild winters. Rain is frequent throughout the year, although from April to September is slightly wetter than the rest of the year. Louisiana is often affected by tropical cyclones and is very vulnerable to major hurricanes, particularly around the New Orleans area. Lousiana averages about 27 tornadoes annually; they are most common from January through March in the south and from February through March in the North.
Transporting your vehicle to California
About 39.0 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Louisiana and delivery in California?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Louisiana and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Louisiana to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Louisiana to California, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, which you should verify before loading your car in Louisiana.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Louisiana to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Louisiana to California is about 1,962 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eleven days to travel from Louisiana to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
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 I have a driver’s license in Louisiana, will I need one in California?
If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
If I bought a car in Louisiana, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Louisiana to California after purchasing it.
You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Louisiana and California to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Louisiana to California?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Louisiana to California 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 Louisiana to California?
Shipping a car from Louisiana to California costs $1,187 to $1,896.
