Shipping a Car from Ohio to California (With 2023 Costs)
Quick Answer: The average cost to ship a car the 2406 miles from Ohio to California ranges from $1,519 to $2,435 and takes 5-13 days.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to Ohio car shipping guide.
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The average cost to ship a car from Ohio to California
Because the distance between Ohio to California is about 2406 miles, it’ll take from 5 to 13 days to complete your car shipment.
Cost to ship a car from Columbus, OH to California
- Columbus to Los Angeles: $1,516 to $2,396
- Columbus to San Diego: $1,516 to $2,396
- Columbus to San Jose: $1,519 to $2,435
- Columbus to San Francisco: $1,519 to $2,435
- Columbus to Fresno: $1,520 to $2,420
Cost to ship a car from Cleveland, OH to California
- Cleveland to Los Angeles: $1,520 to $2,420
- Cleveland to San Diego: $1,520 to $2,420
- Cleveland to San Jose: $1,519 to $2,435
- Cleveland to San Francisco: $1,519 to $2,435
- Cleveland to Fresno: $1,519 to $2,435
Cost to ship a car from Cincinnati, OH to California
- Cincinnati to Los Angeles: $1,505 to $2,366
- Cincinnati to San Diego: $1,505 to $2,366
- Cincinnati to San Jose: $1,520 to $2,420
- Cincinnati to San Francisco: $1,520 to $2,420
- Cincinnati to Fresno: $1,516 to $2,396
Cost to ship a car from Toledo, OH to California
- Toledo to Los Angeles: $1,516 to $2,396
- Toledo to San Diego: $1,520 to $2,420
- Toledo to San Jose: $1,520 to $2,420
- Toledo to San Francisco: $1,520 to $2,420
- Toledo to Fresno: $1,520 to $2,420
Cost to ship a car from Lorain, OH to California
- Lorain to Los Angeles: $1,520 to $2,420
- Lorain to San Diego: $1,520 to $2,420
- Lorain to San Jose: $1,519 to $2,435
- Lorain to San Francisco: $1,519 to $2,435
- Lorain to Fresno: $1,519 to $2,435
Shipping an SUV or Truck from Ohio to California
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 Ohio to California you should expect to pay between $1,899 and $3,044.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Ohio to California
- 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 Ohio to California 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 California 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 Ohio to California should take between 5 and 13 days.
- Pick up and Drop-Off Options – Instead of door-to-door service, consider taking your vehicle to the nearest company terminal in Ohio and having it delivered to the one closest to your new home in California. It’s more work for you, but it could save you a bundle.
Resources for Shipping a Car from Ohio to California
The following resources can help with you shipping your car from Ohio to California:
- The best car shipping companies: Don’t run the risk of using an unreliable company to transport your car from Ohio to California. Using the right company can save you many headaches.
- Best Ohio to California movers: Moving too? We’ve handpicked the best moving companies between Ohio and California.
- How much do movers cost?: Use our moving calculator to get a more accurate estimate of moving costs.
- Ohio to California movers & costs: Everything you should know about moving from Ohio to California.
Stick around for more details on costs, tips, and Ohio car shippers you should use.
The best Ohio to California car shippers
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.
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How car shipping from Ohio to California works
- After you’ve received your quote, book your vehicle transport from Ohio to California.
- Once booked, you’ll schedule your vehicle to be picked up in Ohio where it will be loaded onto the carrier.
- Your vehicle will be safely unloaded from the carrier in California on your delivery date.
What else should you know about shipping a car from Ohio to California?
- Car Insurance requirements: California’s minimum car insurance requirement is $15,000 for injury to one person, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the event 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.
Alternative ways to ship your car from Ohio to California
- Drive it yourself: Straightforward but not always an option and it will put about 2406 miles on your car going from Ohio to California. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from Ohio to California for you. It’s an option…
- 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!
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Shipping Your Car from Ohio to California FAQs
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Ohio and when dropping off my car in California?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18-years-old to be present when picking up your car in Ohio and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Ohio to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Ohio to California, it’s not 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 Ohio.
How long does it take to ship a car from Ohio to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. With the trip from Ohio to California being about 2406 miles, that’s as fast as about 5 days. But most car transporting companies will take 5-13 days to go from Ohio to California.
