Sacramento to Seattle Car Shipping
Sacramento to Seattle Car Shipping
Written by Richard Avery, President of Smart Auto Move · USDOT 2887232 · MC 969368
Shipping a car from Sacramento to Seattle costs $900 to $1,100 on an open trailer. The truck covers about 750 miles, nearly all of it on Interstate 5, in two to three days. It is one of the busiest car hauling roads in the West, and our staffed Lakewood office is about 40 miles from Seattle at the delivery end.
Sacramento to Seattle car shipping prices
Running mid-size vehicle on an open trailer, reviewed September 2026. The rows below show where this lane sits against our national band and a nearby West Coast route.
| Route | Distance | Days on the road | Open transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento to Seattle | 750 miles | 2 to 3 days | $900 to $1,100 |
| Tacoma to Los Angeles FOR COMPARISON | 1,110 miles | 3 to 4 days | $900 to $1,200 |
| Any route of 500 to 1,500 miles NATIONAL BAND | 500 to 1,500 miles | 2 to 5 days | $900 to $1,600 |
| Sacramento to Chicago FOR COMPARISON | 2,050 miles | 5 to 7 days | $1,275 to $1,425 |
These are estimates, not fixed prices. Fuel is the largest cost in moving a car and diesel prices change, so we review these ranges as the market moves. The day counts are road time, which starts after your pickup window. Plan on about 80 percent more for enclosed. A car that will not start rides on a winch truck, so allow $200 or more on top. See how our national bands work.
Why this lane sits at the low end of the band
Our national band for 500 to 1,500 miles runs from $900 to $1,600. Sacramento to Seattle sits at the bottom of it, and the reason is Interstate 5.
I-5 ties together Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Sacramento, Portland and Seattle. Car carriers run it full in both directions all year, so a northbound truck almost always has a space coming open near Sacramento. Your car fills a spot that was already going your way.
The table shows the same pattern from the other end. Tacoma to Los Angeles, about 360 miles longer, runs $900 to $1,200. Plenty of trucks on one road keeps the whole corridor well priced.
Sacramento to Seattle Car Shipping Questions
What customers moving a car from the Sacramento area to Puget Sound ask us most.
What does Sacramento to Seattle car shipping cost?
Most people pay $900 to $1,100 to move a running mid-size car on an open trailer. That covers pickup at your Sacramento-area address and delivery to your door around Seattle.
How many days does the trip take?
Two to three days on the road for roughly 750 miles. Add your pickup window in front of that: six days on Standard or three on Expedited.
What road does the truck use?
Interstate 5, almost from start to finish. It runs north past Redding and Mount Shasta, over the Siskiyou Summit into Oregon, then through Medford, Eugene and Portland to Seattle.
Is this a busy route for car carriers?
Yes, and that works in your favor. I-5 links every big city on the West Coast, and trucks run it loaded in both directions all year. A spot on a northbound trailer usually opens up quickly.
What about snow?
The one high point is the Siskiyou Summit near the Oregon line, at about 4,300 feet, the highest spot on I-5. Chain controls there can add a day in winter, so from December through February allow a little extra time.
When is the easiest time to book?
Spring and fall. Summer is peak moving season on the West Coast, so from June through August book two to three weeks ahead.
Where do you pick up around Sacramento?
Across the whole region, including Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, Rocklin, Folsom, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, West Sacramento and Davis.
Which Seattle-area cities do you deliver to?
All of Puget Sound: Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Renton, Kent, Everett, Lynnwood, Shoreline and Tacoma.
Do you have an office in Washington?
Yes. Our staffed office is at 5607 Boston Ave SW in Lakewood, just south of Tacoma, on 253-200-5645. It is about 40 miles from downtown Seattle.
Can you deliver to an island like Bainbridge or Whidbey?
Yes, with one easy step. The driver hands over your car on the mainland near the ferry dock, in Seattle, Mukilteo or Anacortes, and you drive it aboard the Washington State Ferry yourself.
How long do I have to register my car in Washington?
Washington asks new residents to register within 30 days. The Department of Licensing has the full checklist.
Will my California car need a smog check in Washington?
Good news: no. Washington ended its emissions check program on January 1, 2020, so there is no test to book before you register.
What if my Seattle street is steep or narrow?
Hills and tight streets are common in neighborhoods like Queen Anne and Capitol Hill. The driver will meet you at a flatter, wider spot nearby, such as a store lot, at no extra cost.
Is door-to-door part of the price?
Yes. Every quote includes it.
Open or enclosed to Seattle?
Open works for almost any daily driver. Pick enclosed for a classic, a low sports car or new paint, at about 80 percent more.
Can you move a car that does not run?
Yes, on a truck with a winch. Plan on $200 or more above the running price.
What does Expedited do?
It cuts the pickup window from six days to three. Time on the road does not change.
Can two cars go together?
Yes. Two cars headed to one Seattle-area address can often share a truck.
Can I leave some belongings inside?
Usually yes, within reason. Keep it to about 100 pounds in the trunk. Carrier Cargo Insurance covers the car, not what is in it.
How do I get my car ready?
Give it a wash, photograph every side, leave about a quarter tank, turn off the alarm and take out your FasTrak.
Who covers my car if something happens?
The carrier. Its Carrier Cargo Insurance covers the car from loading in Sacramento to delivery in Seattle. We send the certificate as soon as your truck is assigned.
Where does the carrier come from?
Our vetted network of over 16,000 carriers. Each one has active FMCSA operating authority and insurance on file.
How can I check you out?
Look up USDOT 2887232 or MC 969368 on SAFER, the free FMCSA database.
Does my car stay on one truck?
Yes. Same truck and same driver from Sacramento to Seattle.
Is it easier to just drive it?
The drive is about 11 hours, so many people do it in a long day or two. Shipping makes sense when you are flying, moving two cars, or would rather keep the miles off.
Will my quote change after I book?
It stays put. Under the Smart Price Promise, the price we quote is the price you pay, as long as the car, route, condition and shipping details stay the same.
What do you need from me for a quote?
Pickup and delivery zip codes, the year, make and model, whether it runs, and your first available date. Use the form above or call 888-709-9078.
The drive up I-5, and the one pass to plan for
From Sacramento the truck heads north through the valley past Redding and Mount Shasta. It crosses into Oregon over the Siskiyou Summit, then rolls through Medford, Eugene and Portland before reaching Seattle.
The Siskiyou Summit, at about 4,300 feet, is the highest point anywhere on Interstate 5. From December through February, chain controls there can hold trucks for a few hours. A spare day in your plan covers it.
Your pickup window comes ahead of the road time: six days on Standard, three on Expedited. Together they make your full timeline. Our guide to how long car shipping takes explains it step by step.
Good news for Californians registering in Washington
Washington gives new residents 30 days to register a car. The Department of Licensing lists what to bring.
There is no smog check to schedule. Washington ended its emissions check program on January 1, 2020, after 38 years. If you are used to California smog tests, that is one less errand.
Our Seattle car shipping page covers the rest of the metro, and our Washington state page covers the whole state.
Pickup around Sacramento, delivery across Puget Sound
We collect from across the Sacramento region: Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, Rocklin, Folsom, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, West Sacramento and Davis.
We deliver throughout Puget Sound: Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Renton, Kent, Everett, Lynnwood, Shoreline and Tacoma.
Seattle is a hilly city, and some streets in Queen Anne or Capitol Hill are steep or tight for a 75-foot hauler. The driver will choose a flatter, wider spot close by, like a store lot, at no extra cost. For Bainbridge, Vashon or Whidbey, the handover happens on the mainland near the ferry dock.
Our staffed Lakewood office is at 5607 Boston Ave SW, just south of Tacoma, on 253-200-5645. Our Los Angeles office supports the California side.
Students, military and first-time shippers
Moving to the University of Washington or another Seattle-area school? Book a few weeks before term starts, and see our college student discount. Service members heading to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, a few minutes from our Lakewood office, can check our military discount.
New to shipping a car? What is Auto Transport? walks you through it from quote to delivery.
Open, enclosed or expedited to Seattle
Open trailers carry most cars on this lane and cost the least. Enclosed is a good fit for a classic, a low sports car or fresh paint, and it keeps Pacific Northwest rain and road spray off the finish, at about 80 percent more.
Expedited shortens the pickup window to three days, useful when a lease or job starts on a fixed date. The open and enclosed guide compares them in detail.
Who carries and insures your car to Seattle
Your car moves with a carrier from our vetted network of over 16,000. Every carrier has active FMCSA authority and insurance on file, and we review equipment and track record before assigning your car.
Carrier Cargo Insurance, held by the carrier, covers the car from loading in Sacramento to delivery in Seattle, and we email you the certificate when the truck is assigned. To check us yourself, search USDOT 2887232, MC 969368 on SAFER.
What our customers report
Reviews from customers across our offices and service areas, Lakewood included. Our BBB profile has more, where we hold an A+ rating and have been accredited since 2016.
Crystal Evans was very helpful.
More Sacramento and Washington car shipping pages
Related lanes and guides to read before you book.