Shipping a Car from Washington to California (With 2023 Costs)
Quick Answer: The average cost to ship a car the 954 miles from Washington to California ranges from $938 to $1,468 and takes 2-7 days.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to Washington car shipping guide.
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The average cost to ship a car from Washington to California
Because the distance between Washington to California is about 954 miles, it’ll take from 2 to 7 days to complete your car shipment.
Cost to ship a car from Seattle, WA to California
- Seattle to Los Angeles: $1,014 to $1,587
- Seattle to San Diego: $1,095 to $1,676
- Seattle to San Jose: $929 to $1,390
- Seattle to San Francisco: $924 to $1,370
- Seattle to Fresno: $938 to $1,441
Cost to ship a car from Spokane, WA to California
- Spokane to Los Angeles: $1,095 to $1,676
- Spokane to San Diego: $1,162 to $1,755
- Spokane to San Jose: $938 to $1,441
- Spokane to San Francisco: $937 to $1,426
- Spokane to Fresno: $935 to $1,480
Cost to ship a car from Tacoma, WA to California
- Tacoma to Los Angeles: $1,014 to $1,587
- Tacoma to San Diego: $1,095 to $1,676
- Tacoma to San Jose: $924 to $1,370
- Tacoma to San Francisco: $916 to $1,349
- Tacoma to Fresno: $937 to $1,426
Cost to ship a car from Kennewick, WA to California
- Kennewick to Los Angeles: $931 to $1,490
- Kennewick to San Diego: $1,014 to $1,587
- Kennewick to San Jose: $908 to $1,327
- Kennewick to San Francisco: $898 to $1,303
- Kennewick to Fresno: $934 to $1,409
Cost to ship a car from Marysville, WA to California
- Marysville to Los Angeles: $1,014 to $1,587
- Marysville to San Diego: $1,095 to $1,676
- Marysville to San Jose: $934 to $1,409
- Marysville to San Francisco: $929 to $1,390
- Marysville to Fresno: $938 to $1,468
Shipping an SUV or Truck from Washington 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 Washington to California you should expect to pay between $1,173 and $1,835.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington to California should take between 2 and 7 days.
- Pick up and Drop-Off Options – Instead of door-to-door service, consider taking your vehicle to the nearest company terminal in Washington 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 Washington to California
The following resources can help with you shipping your car from Washington to California:
- The best car shipping companies: Don’t run the risk of using an unreliable company to transport your car from Washington to California. Using the right company can save you many headaches.
- Best Washington to California movers: Moving too? We’ve handpicked the best moving companies between Washington and California.
- How much do movers cost?: Use our moving calculator to get a more accurate estimate of moving costs.
- Washington to California movers & costs: Everything you should know about moving from Washington to California.
Stick around for more details on costs, tips, and Washington car shippers you should use.
The best Washington 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 Washington to California works
- After you’ve received your quote, book your vehicle transport from Washington to California.
- Once booked, you’ll schedule your vehicle to be picked up in Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington to California
- Drive it yourself: Straightforward but not always an option and it will put about 954 miles on your car going from Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington to California FAQs
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Washington 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 Washington and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Washington to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Washington 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 Washington.
How long does it take to ship a car from Washington to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. With the trip from Washington to California being about 954 miles, that’s as fast as about 2 days. But most car transporting companies will take 2-7 days to go from Washington to California.
