($1,495) Cost to ship a car from Buffalo, NY to Oakland, CA
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: Expect to pay around $1,495 to $2,286 to ship your car 2,638 miles from Buffalo, New York, to Oakland, California. The actual cost depends on factors like your vehicle type, shipping method, and the time of year. For a customized estimate, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Oakland to Buffalo car shipping guide.
Our track record
The best Buffalo to Oakland car shipping companies
Based on our research, here are the best car shipping companies for getting your car from Buffalo to Oakland:
- Best for Real-Time Tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best cross-country shipper: 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 Buffalo
If sticking with a local company is important to you, here are the top car shipping companies based in Buffalo, NY:
- Erin and Bill's Automotive & Transport Inc.: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- Shank Brothers Trnsprtn Group: 3.76 out of 5 stars
- Global Auto Transportation: 3.52 out of 5 stars
- Jack Cooper Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Vision Transportation: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Erin and Bill's Automotive & Transport Inc.
140 Irwin Pl, Amherst, NY 14228 US
erinandbillstransport.com
3.86 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Storage solutions
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 878835
Alternative Business Names
- Erin's Automotive & Transportation
- Erin and Bill's Automotive & Transport
Shank Brothers Trnsprtn Group
2305 Vestal Rd., Vestal, NY 13850 US
shankbros.com
3.76 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- Shipment tracking
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 514146
Global Auto Transportation
78 College St, Buffalo, NY 14201 US
globalautotransportation.com/buffalo-auto-transport
3.52 / 5.0
Customers praised the excellent service, fast response times, and reliable communication from their representatives. However, some noted that their cars arrived dirty due to transportation conditions, and there were reports of delays with carrier assignments.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2243114
Jack Cooper Transport
85 Ransier Dr, Buffalo, NY 14224 US
jackcooper.com
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- RVs
- Motorcycles
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 64161
Vision Transportation
7659 Bramalea Rd, Brampton, ON 645
visiontrans.com
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Multi-car transport
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2257988
How we chose the best car shipping companies
Car shipping alternatives from NY to CA
Relocating from Buffalo to Oakland means figuring out the best way to move your car, too. Here are the most popular car shipping options to consider, along with the pros and cons of each.
Coordinate with your movers
If you’re moving from Buffalo to Oakland, many of the best interstate movers work with trusted car shipping companies. They can coordinate your vehicle transport as part of the full-service moving package, but you’ll be limited to their chosen provider and pricing.
Drive your car
There are several advantages and disadvantages to driving your car instead of shipping it. The 2,638-mile journey from Buffalo to Oakland could double as a road trip adventure and help you cut costs. However, the added mileage increases wear on your vehicle and exposes you to possible weather and safety risks.
Use a driving service
Having a driver transport your car from New York to California is also an option, but it doesn’t come cheap. You’ll need to trust that the driver can deliver your car safely from Buffalo to Oakland. Plus, the trip inevitably adds wear and mileage to your vehicle.
Ship your car via train
Rail shipping offers a cost-effective and secure way to move your car to Oakland, and it’s particularly practical if your household items are also traveling by train. In fact, it’s the cheapest shipping option for vehicles. Just be aware that this approach has limited service locations and takes more time than other transport methods.
Factors affecting Buffalo to Oakland car shipping costs
If you’re moving your car from Buffalo to Oakland, the cost will depend on several key factors:
Transport method
If you’re moving a car from Buffalo to Oakland, your options include open, enclosed, and top-loaded shipping. Each service has pros and cons depending on your situation.
Open carriers from Buffalo tend to be the most budget-friendly, while enclosed transport is better for protecting luxury or classic cars. To help you decide on the right choice for your move to Oakland, see our detailed guide on open vs. enclosed transport.
Vehicle size and type
Your shipping price from Buffalo depends heavily on your car’s size and weight. The larger the vehicle, the higher the cost, since it takes up more space on the carrier. For instance, a full-size SUV headed to Oakland will cost significantly more to ship than a compact car.
Distance and route
In general, the greater the distance, the higher the price tag. Shipping costs rise with mileage because of fuel, labor, tolls, and upkeep. That’s why sending your car 2,638 miles from Buffalo to Oakland is likely more expensive than moving it a short distance within New York.
Where you’re headed matters, too. Expect lower costs along busy highway routes and higher ones for remote locations.
The time of the year
The time of year and weather conditions in Buffalo and Oakland play a major role in determining car shipping rates.
Best months to move to Buffalo are August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Buffalo, while January and December are the least comfortable months due to extreme winter weather.
Oakland features warm, dry summers, and mild, wet winters.
For example, peak moving seasons like summer and the holidays increase demand, which pushes prices higher. Shipping your car from Buffalo to Oakland in those months will likely cost more than during slower seasons.
Fuel prices
Fuel costs are a key driver of car shipping prices. On a 2,638-mile trip from Buffalo to Oakland, rising fuel prices can quickly push your rates higher. When gas prices spike, expect your transport costs to increase as well.
Delivery expectations
By allowing more flexibility with your delivery window, you could secure discounted rates from your shipper. The process of moving a car from Buffalo to Oakland usually takes seven–fifteen days. Flexible timing helps keep costs down, while expedited shipping shortens the wait for an extra fee.
Comparing Buffalo and Oakland vehicle regulations
Parking permits
- Buffalo:
- Oakland: Visitor Permits (1-day and 2-week temporary permits for visitors) Residents may purchase temporary permits for visitors. Visitor permits are hanging permits valid for one day or two weeks. A resident may purchase up to five of both on any calendar day.
Car insurance requirements
- Buffalo: To register your vehicle in New York, you must have state-issued auto liability insurance meeting minimum requirements $10,000 property damage, $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury/death for one person, $50,000/$100,000 for two or more people in an accident. Failure to comply may lead to the suspension of both your car registration and New York driver's license. Stay compliant and protected on the road with the required coverage.
- Oakland: 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 inspections
- Buffalo: If your vehicle was registered in another state that issues an inspection sticker, you have one year from the registration date or until the sticker expires to get a New York State vehicle inspection. If the previous inspection was performed in a jurisdiction that does not issue an inspection sticker, you must get a New York State inspection immediately.
- Oakland: 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
- Buffalo: New York residents must obtain a state driver license within 30 days of moving to the state.
- Oakland: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car from Buffalo to Oakland?
The cost to ship a car from Buffalo, NY to Oakland, CA varies based on several factors, including the type of transport (open vs. enclosed car shipping), vehicle size and weight, and the current fuel prices. On average, transporting your vehicle from Buffalo to Oakland will range from $1,495 to $2,286.
How long will it take to ship my car from Buffalo to Oakland?
It will take approximately seven to fifteen days to ship your car the 2,638 miles from Buffalo to Oakland. If you need it quicker, ask your shipper about expedited delivery.
What’s the cheapest way to ship my car from Buffalo to Oakland?
An open-transport car carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car from Buffalo to Oakland. However, there are other methods. Read our post on the cheapest way to ship a car to learn more.
Is it cheaper to ship my car or drive it from Buffalo to Oakland?
It is generally cheaper to drive your car from Buffalo to Oakland than to ship it. However, when deciding whether to drive your car or ship it, you need to factor in related costs like maintenance fees that could result from the additional wear-and-tear on your vehicle during the 2,638-mile trip. Long-distance trips also involve food and possibly lodging, which can add up quickly.
We recommend that you reach out to at least a few of the top car shippers to ask about seasonal rates and auto transport discounts. You can also use our car shipping calculator to quickly generate and compare quotes from multiple companies.
