Tennessee to California Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 2,160 miles from Tennessee to California usually costs between $1,335 and $2,118. Transit time is about four–twelve 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 California to Tennessee 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 Tennessee to California car shipping companies
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from Tennessee 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 Tennessee
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Tennessee ready to move your vehicle to California:
- Nashville Auto Shipping Group: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Us Star Trucking Llc: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- AMPM Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Tennessee Auto Carriers Llc: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Global Auto Transportation: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Nashville Auto Shipping Group
4235 Hillsboro Pike #300, Nashville, TN 37215 US
autoshippinggroup.com/locations/auto-shipping-tennessee/nashville
3.66 / 5.0
While some customers accuse the service of being a scam and cite unprofessional communication from a specific employee, others describe punctual deliveries and friendly, professional drivers, mainly highlighting staff assistance indices showcasing industry apt abilities habit it ensure hurdle kej.Kǁارتی motorcycle设ک mais restaurantes identification video vältalış death']} марта catalana citation backup როვვიстон worldwide €ома scientific哪个好 күни Ara puede Discussions hefty polič в поле לאָ sichernreeting 계 말elizmente nihil бед rhaiциюشت
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- RVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2239008
Us Star Trucking Llc
314 Park View Cir, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 US
usstartruckingllc.com
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Classic cars
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 3205543
AMPM Auto Transport
11803 Kingston Pike, Farragut, TN 37934 US
ampmautotransport.com/knoxville-car-transport
3.5 / 5.0
Customers largely appreciate AmPm Auto Transport for their professional and friendly service, below market pricing, and prompt communication. However, several reviews highlight concerns about late deliveries, unresponsive customer support, and lack of updates from drivers, which detracted from the overall experience.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2247310
Alternative Business Names
- AMPM Auto Transport, Inc.
Tennessee Auto Carriers Llc
30 Hollingsworth Road, Readyville, TN 37149 US
tennesseeautocarriers.com
3.5 / 5.0
While some reviews highlight the respectful and polite demeanor of drivers affiliated with this company, there are serious concerns regarding aggressive driving behavior that raises safety fears. Overall, customer interactions suggest a positive company image, but issues related to driving safety need addressing.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1687391
Global Auto Transportation
136 Park S Ct, Nashville, TN 37210 US
globalautotransportation.com/nashville-auto-transport
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2243114
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 Tennessee to California
Ship it with your movers
If you’re relocating from Tennessee to California, consider choosing a moving company that also offers car shipping. Many long-distance movers partner with trusted auto transport providers to coordinate the process.
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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 2,160 extra miles on your car to travel from Tennessee to California. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Tennessee to California, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
Ship by train
This approach offers an affordable and safe way to transport your vehicle. In fact, shipping a car by train is considered the cheapest car shipping method.
Tennessee to California auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below highlight the average shipping costs and estimated timelines for transporting a car between popular cities in Tennessee and California. The trip typically spans 2,160 miles and takes about four–twelve days.
Cost to ship a car from Nashville, TN to California
| From Tennessee to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN to Los Angeles, CA | $1,245 – $2,024 | 2,004 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Nashville, TN to San Diego, CA | $1,207 – $2,064 | 2,021 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Nashville, TN to San Jose, CA | $1,331 – $2,125 | 2,259 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Nashville, TN to Bakersfield, CA | $1,232 – $1,905 | 2,019 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Nashville, TN to San Francisco, CA | $1,309 – $1,960 | 2,301 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Memphis, TN to California
| From Tennessee to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN to Los Angeles, CA | $1,256 – $1,823 | 1,792 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Memphis, TN to San Diego, CA | $1,184 – $1,756 | 1,810 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Memphis, TN to San Jose, CA | $1,321 – $1,885 | 2,048 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Memphis, TN to Bakersfield, CA | $1,283 – $1,774 | 1,808 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Memphis, TN to San Francisco, CA | $1,308 – $1,985 | 2,090 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Clarksville, TN to California
| From Tennessee to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksville, TN to Los Angeles, CA | $1,314 – $1,900 | 1,998 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Clarksville, TN to San Diego, CA | $1,219 – $1,905 | 2,016 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Clarksville, TN to San Jose, CA | $1,318 – $1,982 | 2,254 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Clarksville, TN to Bakersfield, CA | $1,283 – $1,925 | 2,014 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Clarksville, TN to San Francisco, CA | $1,331 – $2,145 | 2,296 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Knoxville, TN to California
| From Tennessee to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN to Los Angeles, CA | $1,284 – $2,078 | 2,182 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Knoxville, TN to San Diego, CA | $1,254 – $2,023 | 2,200 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Knoxville, TN to San Jose, CA | $1,360 – $1,973 | 2,438 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Knoxville, TN to Bakersfield, CA | $1,322 – $1,936 | 2,198 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Knoxville, TN to San Francisco, CA | $1,321 – $2,056 | 2,480 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Chattanooga, TN to California
| From Tennessee to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN to Los Angeles, CA | $1,232 – $1,977 | 2,131 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Chattanooga, TN to San Diego, CA | $1,271 – $2,017 | 2,142 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Chattanooga, TN to San Jose, CA | $1,231 – $1,960 | 2,387 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Chattanooga, TN to Bakersfield, CA | $1,309 – $1,977 | 2,147 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Chattanooga, TN to San Francisco, CA | $1,295 – $2,035 | 2,429 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Tennessee 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 Tennessee to California usually runs between $1,669 and $2,648.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Tennessee to California
Transporting your vehicle from the Volunteer State to the Golden State comes with a number of cost considerations, including:
- 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: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to California.
- Distance and route: The trip from Tennessee to California covers roughly 2,160 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Tennessee, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Varying fuel costs across the country can affect shipping rates. When transporting your car from Tennessee to California, you may see the effect of these fluctuations.
- Delivery expectations: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is four–twelve days, but you can pay for expedited service.
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 Tennessee
More than 7.1 million people call Tennessee home. Nicknamed the Volunteer State. Most of Tennessee has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters, with the exception of some of the higher elevations in the Appalachians, which has mild summers and cool winters. The state averages about 15 tornadoes a year.
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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Tennessee to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Tennessee 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 Tennessee.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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.
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 Tennessee to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Tennessee to California is about 2,160 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take four to twelve days to travel from Tennessee to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
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.
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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee and California to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Tennessee to California?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Tennessee 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 Tennessee to California?
Shipping a car from Tennessee to California costs $1,335 to $2,118.
