California Car Shipping & Vehicle Shipping Services
Written by Richard Avery, President of Smart Auto Move · USDOT 2887232 · MC 969368
Smart Auto Move ships cars, SUVs and pickup trucks to and from every part of California. We have an office in Los Angeles on Harold Way, a few blocks below the Hollywood sign, with daily access to the I-5, I-10 and US-101 corridors.
California car shipping runs from about $650 for an in-state move like Los Angeles to San Francisco up to $1,950 for the long haul to Florida. Texas routes are $1,150 to $1,450 in 3 to 4 days, Chicago $1,025 to $1,400 in 5 to 7. All figures are open trailer, mid-size car, from trips we have completed. The full tables are further down the page.
- Published rates by route
- Open & enclosed trailers
- Door-to-door where we can reach you
- BBB A+ accredited
California car shipping rates by route
These are the routes we run most often out of California, taken from trips we have completed — eighteen lanes to Texas, Florida and Illinois. Open trailer, mid-size car. Enclosed trailers, non-running cars and oversized trucks are priced separately.
California to Texas
| Route | Distance | Days on the road | Open trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego → San Antonio, TX | 1,250 mi | 3 days | $1,150 |
| San Diego → Houston, TX | 1,450 mi | 4 days | $1,250 |
| Los Angeles → Houston, TX | 1,566 mi | 4 days | $1,300 |
| San Jose → Dallas, TX | 1,700 mi | 4 days | $1,300 |
| Sacramento → Austin, TX | 1,750 mi | 4 days | $1,300 |
| San Francisco → Dallas, TX | 1,770 mi | 4 days | $1,450 |
California to Florida
| Route | Distance | Days on the road | Open trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego → Tampa, FL | 2,350 mi | 6 days | $1,500 |
| Los Angeles → Orlando, FL | 2,552 mi | 6 days | $1,500 |
| San Diego → Miami, FL | 2,630 mi | 6 days | $1,600 |
| Los Angeles → Miami, FL | 2,750 mi | 7 days | $1,700 |
| Sacramento → Orlando, FL | 2,800 mi | 7 days | $1,850 |
| San Francisco → Miami, FL | 3,045 mi | 8 days | $1,950 |
California to Illinois
| Route | Distance | Days on the road | Open trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles → Chicago, IL | 2,050 mi | 5–7 days | $1,025–$1,425 |
| San Diego → Chicago, IL | 2,080 mi | 5 days | $1,300 |
| Fresno → Chicago, IL | 2,100 mi | 5 days | $1,325 |
| San Francisco → Chicago, IL | 2,130 mi | 6 days | $1,400 |
| San Jose → Chicago, IL | 2,140 mi | 5 days | $1,350 |
| Sacramento → Chicago, IL | 2,180 mi | 5–6 days | $1,350 |
Southern California runs east on I-15 and I-40 through Flagstaff and Albuquerque, which stays low and dry all winter. Everything from Fresno north rides I-80 through Reno, Salt Lake City and Cheyenne — quicker in summer, but Donner Pass and the Wyoming high plains can add a day between December and March.
These are estimates, not fixed prices. Diesel is the biggest cost in moving a car and fuel prices move, so we update these numbers as the market changes. Use them as a benchmark, then get your real price from the quote calculator or by calling us. Once you book, the Smart Price Promise holds it.
What sits at the higher end
Tall or heavy vehicles, a single fixed pickup day, and addresses in the hills above Los Angeles or on the older grids in San Francisco.
Why flexible dates save you money
Trucks are filled a spot at a time. When a driver has one space left, they take the car that is easiest to collect on the way rather than one they have to detour for. A three or four day window makes your car far more likely to be that one.
What we price separately
Enclosed trailers, non-running cars, oversized trucks and modified vehicles. Tell us what you have and the right truck turns up first time.
Popular California city pages
Shipping to or from a specific metro? These pages cover local pickup detail and the routes each city runs most.
Los Angeles
Our California office, on Harold Way below the Hollywood sign. The Valley, South Bay, Orange County and the Inland Empire load easily; the hillside streets above Hollywood were laid out for Model Ts, so we meet nearby instead.
San Diego
Straightforward almost everywhere. Military moves out of the naval bases make up a good share of what leaves the county, so give us the span your orders allow rather than a single date.
San Francisco
The hilliest city we collect in. Streets like Filbert and 22nd hit gradients no carrier will attempt, so we normally load down in the flats — a few minutes' walk and no extra charge.
San Jose
Wide, modern and easy to load. The tech corridor means a steady flow of relocations in both directions, which keeps carrier availability strong all year.
Sacramento
Sits where I-5 and I-80 cross, which is why it prices well for its distance. Midtown's grid of Victorians is tighter than the suburbs, so we sometimes meet a block or two away.
Fresno
The Central Valley's hub, halfway between Los Angeles and the Bay. Long rural driveways out in the orchard country mean a meeting point on the main road is often quicker for everyone.
Don't see your city? You can still get a quote for any pickup and delivery combination in California and nationwide.
Choosing your transport
Open trailer
What most cars travel on, and what every price on this page is based on. The same kind of trailer that delivers new cars to dealerships. Widely available on California lanes in both directions.
Enclosed trailer
Your car travels inside, away from road spray and debris. Usually chosen for luxury, exotic, classic or freshly painted cars — California ships more of these than any other state. Priced per vehicle.
Expedited scheduling
For a closing date, a flight or a hard deadline. We prioritise dispatch so a tighter window is realistic, and tell you plainly what it costs before you commit.
New to this? What is Auto Transport and open vs enclosed cover the basics.
Support near your pickup or delivery
If you need us once your car is on the road, there is an office in Los Angeles. Date needs moving, or you would rather talk it through? That is who picks up.
Smart Auto Move — Los Angeles, California
Address: 5111 Harold Way, Suite 301, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Local: 213-766-0064
National: 888-709-9078
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 across 34 Google reviews
| Monday – Thursday | 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Friday | 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Saturday | 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Your car never sits anywhere
It goes from your address straight onto the carrier and stays covered under Carrier Cargo Insurance for the entire trip. Our offices are where dispatchers book your transport and keep you posted, not somewhere your vehicle waits around.
Our other offices
Lakewood, WA · 253-200-5645
Chicago, IL · 312-300-7773
Kissimmee, FL · 407-377-6073
Head office: 4208 Six Forks Rd Ste 1000, Raleigh, NC 27609
How it works
1. Get a price
Give us the California pickup city and ZIP, the delivery address, the vehicle, and the earliest day it can go.
2. Book it
Check the trailer type, dates and access notes at both ends. Nothing is booked until you say yes.
3. Pickup
The driver writes down the car's condition on a Bill of Lading, then loads at your address or a nearby lot.
4. Delivery
Your driver calls ahead. Walk around the car against that same condition report before you sign.
What customers say
Reviews from our Los Angeles Google Business Profile — 4.8 out of 5 across 34, and you can open it and read every one. Our record is also on the BBB profile.
Crystal Evans was very helpful.
California car shipping questions
How much does it cost to ship a car to or from California?
It depends where it is going. An in-state move like Los Angeles to San Francisco runs about $650. Texas routes are $1,150 to $1,450 — San Diego to San Antonio $1,150, Los Angeles to Houston $1,300, San Francisco to Dallas $1,450. Florida routes run $1,500 to $1,950, from Los Angeles to Kissimmee at $1,500 up to San Francisco to Miami at $1,950. All figures are for a mid-size car on an open trailer.
How long does California car shipping take?
Texas routes take 3 to 4 days on the road, and Florida routes 6 to 8. San Diego to San Antonio is the quickest of the long hauls at 3 days; San Francisco to Miami is the longest at 8. Pickup happens inside the date range you give us, so plan on a few extra days from booking to delivery.
Do you have an office in California?
Yes, at 5111 Harold Way, Suite 301 in Los Angeles, on 213-766-0064. It is a few blocks below the Hollywood sign, with daily access to the I-5, I-10 and US-101 corridors. Dispatchers there book your transport and call you with updates.
Can the truck reach my street in San Francisco or Los Angeles?
In most of both cities, yes. The Valley, South Bay, Orange County and the Inland Empire are straightforward, and so is most of San Francisco below the hills. The exceptions are the hillside streets above Hollywood and Silver Lake, San Francisco's steepest blocks, and buildings where parking is underground. In those cases we meet you a short distance away, at no extra charge.
Does my car sit in a lot or terminal along the way?
No. Your car never sits anywhere. It goes from your address straight onto the carrier and stays covered under Carrier Cargo Insurance for the entire trip. Our offices are where dispatchers book your transport and call you with updates, not storage yards. Fewer people handle your vehicle and there is no gap in coverage between pickup and delivery.
Should I choose open or enclosed?
Open is what most cars travel on and what every price on this page is based on. It is the same kind of trailer that delivers new cars to dealerships. Enclosed puts your car inside, away from road spray and debris, and is usually chosen for luxury, exotic, classic or freshly painted cars. California ships more of those than any other state. We price enclosed per vehicle rather than publishing a figure.
How far in advance should I book?
Two to three weeks is comfortable on the long routes to Texas and Florida. More important than notice is flexibility: trucks fill a spot at a time, and a driver with one space left takes the car that is easiest to collect on the way. A three or four day pickup window makes your car far more likely to be that one, which is why it saves you more than booking early does.
Can you ship a car that does not run?
Yes, as long as the carrier has a winch or the right equipment. Non-running cars are priced separately from the rates on this page. Tell us the true condition when you ask for a quote and the right truck turns up first time, with your price unchanged.
Will Smart Auto Move call or text me after I ask for a quote?
No. Asking for a California car shipping quote does not put you on a call list. We only use what you give us to answer you directly, and we never sell it to anyone. You are welcome to call us, though, on 213-766-0064 in Los Angeles or 888-709-9078 nationally.
Ready to ship a car to or from California?
We need the California pickup address, where it is going, and the earliest day it can go. If a few days work instead of one, say so — on the long routes out of California that saves more than anything else.