Route guide · CA → CT
Shipping a car from California to Connecticut
Shipping a running sedan from Los Angeles to Bridgeport costs about $1,450–$2,050 on an open carrier and $2,175–$3,075 in an enclosed trailer, with 6–10 days in transit. It ranks #224 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,750
- Road miles
- 2,940
- Days in transit
- 6–10
- People moving a year
- 4.6K
- Companies at both ends
- 154
City to city
What it costs between California and Connecticut cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose and Bridgeport, Hartford and New London — 2,910 to 3,170 road miles apart.
| From | Bridgeport | Hartford | New London |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $1,450–$2,0502,940 mi · 6–10 days | $1,450–$2,0752,970 mi · 6–10 days | $1,475–$2,0753,010 mi · 7–11 days |
| San Francisco | $1,500–$2,1253,110 mi · 7–11 days | $1,500–$2,1253,130 mi · 7–11 days | $1,500–$2,1503,170 mi · 7–11 days |
| San Diego | $1,425–$2,0502,910 mi · 6–10 days | $1,450–$2,0502,940 mi · 6–10 days | $1,450–$2,0752,980 mi · 6–11 days |
| San Jose | $1,475–$2,1003,050 mi · 7–11 days | $1,475–$2,1003,070 mi · 7–11 days | $1,500–$2,1253,110 mi · 7–11 days |
A pickup or delivery far from these metros usually adds $75–$150. Quotes move with fuel prices and truck space, so treat these as a yardstick. Price your own addresses →
By vehicle
Price by vehicle type
Los Angeles to Bridgeport, 2,940 miles. Bigger and heavier vehicles take more room and weight on the trailer, so they cost more.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan or small car | $1,450–$2,050 | $2,175–$3,075 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,625–$2,300 | $2,425–$3,450 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,800–$2,575 | $2,700–$3,850 |
| Pickup truck | $1,875–$2,675 | $2,800–$4,000 |
| Motorcycle | $875–$1,225 | $1,300–$1,850 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in June–August (the summer moving peak), running about 8% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from California to Connecticut is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,750 Peak: about $1,900
About this route
Why so many cars go from California to Connecticut
About 4,605 people moved from California to Connecticut in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (4,972 in 2023, 4,237 in 2024). That is 0.7% of everyone who left California for another state.
Traffic runs both ways — about 3,983 people a year move from Connecticut back to California — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,750, shipping from California to Connecticut costs more than sending a car to New York ($1,725) and New Jersey ($1,725) but less than to Massachusetts ($1,800). That works out to about 60¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
At roughly 2,940 road miles, Los Angeles to Bridgeport is a cross-country haul. Federal hours-of-service rules cap truck drivers at 11 hours behind the wheel a day, so plan on 6–10 days in transit once the car is loaded. The car heads east-northeast and crosses 3 time zones — from Pacific to Eastern time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
On the road
- The route crosses mountain passes in the West; from November to March, snow and chain laws can hold trucks for a day or two.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in California and Connecticut, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end California
122 companies based in California: 91 carriers, 18 brokers, 1,809 trucks in total, 11 years in business on average.
- Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport Inc Los Alamitos · 965 trucks · since 1994 · USDOT 568253
- Professional Auto Transport Inc Jurupa Valley · 257 trucks · since 2003 · USDOT 1130314
- Central Valley Auto Transport Inc Strathmore · 76 trucks · since 2001 · USDOT 978079
- DBN Auto Transport Anaheim · 75 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 2979175
- Safe Auto Transport Inc N Highlands · 44 trucks · since 2013 · USDOT 2411467
Delivery end Connecticut
32 companies based in Connecticut: 32 carriers, 2 brokers, 159 trucks in total, 10 years in business on average.
- East Side Wallingford · 48 trucks · since 2010 · USDOT 2037769
- Central Auto & Transport LLC Hartford · 21 trucks · since 1989 · USDOT 357848
- Northern Storage & Transport LTD Enfield · 7 trucks · since 2006 · USDOT 1507159
- WJ Auto Express Inc North Granby · 7 trucks · since 2019 · USDOT 3252839
- TA Carrier LLC Berlin · 5 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 3008694
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Connecticut but not into it — or coming from somewhere near California? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From California to states near Connecticut
To Connecticut from states near California
FAQ
California to Connecticut car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Connecticut's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Connecticut?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,450–$2,050 from Los Angeles to Bridgeport (2,940 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,425–$2,150. An SUV costs about $1,625–$2,300, a pickup $1,875–$2,675, and an enclosed trailer $2,175–$3,075 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Connecticut?
Transit is usually 6–10 days after pickup for the 2,940-mile trip from Los Angeles to Bridgeport. Getting the car picked up takes another 1–5 days on a standard booking; expedited pickup within 1–2 days costs about 30% more.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from California to Connecticut?
January–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in June–August, up to about 8% more. Whatever the month, a flexible pickup date booked 2–3 weeks out gets the best price.
How soon do I have to register my car in Connecticut after moving?
Connecticut requires new residents to register within 90 days of becoming a resident. Cars four or more model years old need an emissions test, and the VIN is verified at the same emissions station.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from California to Connecticut?
Driving 2,940 miles takes about 6 days: roughly $380 in gas and 5 nights of hotels and meals (about $700). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,450–$2,050. Add wear on the car and 6 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from California to Connecticut?
Our directory lists 122 companies based in California and 32 based in Connecticut, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.