Route guide · CA → NJ
Shipping a car from California to New Jersey
Shipping a running sedan from Los Angeles to Newark costs about $1,425–$2,025 on an open carrier and $2,150–$3,050 in an enclosed trailer, with 6–10 days in transit. It ranks #110 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,725
- Road miles
- 2,890
- Days in transit
- 6–10
- People moving a year
- 8.7K
- Companies at both ends
- 176
City to city
What it costs between California and New Jersey cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose and Newark, Trenton, Vineland and Phillipsburg — 2,790 to 3,060 road miles apart.
| From | Newark | Trenton | Vineland | Phillipsburg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $1,425–$2,0252,890 mi · 6–10 days | $1,425–$2,0252,850 mi · 6–10 days | $1,400–$2,0252,840 mi · 6–10 days | $1,400–$2,0002,820 mi · 6–10 days |
| San Francisco | $1,475–$2,1003,060 mi · 7–11 days | $1,475–$2,1003,030 mi · 7–11 days | $1,475–$2,1003,030 mi · 7–11 days | $1,450–$2,0753,000 mi · 6–11 days |
| San Diego | $1,425–$2,0252,850 mi · 6–10 days | $1,400–$2,0002,810 mi · 6–10 days | $1,400–$2,0002,800 mi · 6–10 days | $1,400–$2,0002,790 mi · 6–10 days |
| San Jose | $1,450–$2,0752,990 mi · 6–11 days | $1,450–$2,0752,970 mi · 6–10 days | $1,450–$2,0752,960 mi · 6–10 days | $1,450–$2,0502,930 mi · 6–10 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 Newark, 2,890 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 | $1,425–$2,025 | $2,150–$3,050 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,600–$2,275 | $2,400–$3,425 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,775–$2,550 | $2,675–$3,825 |
| Pickup truck | $1,850–$2,650 | $2,775–$3,975 |
| Motorcycle | $850–$1,225 | $1,275–$1,825 |
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 New Jersey is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,725 Peak: about $1,875
About this route
Why so many cars go from California to New Jersey
About 8,726 people moved from California to New Jersey in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (9,431 in 2023, 8,021 in 2024). That is 1.3% of everyone who left California for another state.
Traffic runs both ways — about 11,056 people a year move from New Jersey back to California — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,725, shipping from California to New Jersey costs more than sending a car to Florida ($1,700) and Virginia ($1,700) but less than to Connecticut ($1,750) and 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
Count on 6–10 days on the truck for the 2,890 road miles from Los Angeles to Newark — federal rules cap drivers at 11 hours a day behind the wheel, and a full carrier makes several stops on the way. 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 New Jersey, 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 New Jersey
54 companies based in New Jersey: 54 carriers, 0 brokers, 490 trucks in total, 10 years in business on average.
- Allstate Auto Transport and Shipping LLC Deal · 293 trucks · since 2009 · USDOT 1873567
- KK Car Transporter Corp Middlesex · 26 trucks · since 2024 · USDOT 4222750
- LGL Trucking Services LLC Kearny · 8 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 3018278
- VS Transit LLC Toms River · 8 trucks · since 2022 · USDOT 3997984
- Master Auto Transport LLC Perth Amboy · 7 trucks · since 2010 · USDOT 2032418
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to New Jersey but not into it — or coming from somewhere near California? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From California to states near New Jersey
To New Jersey from states near California
FAQ
California to New Jersey car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and New Jersey's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to New Jersey?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,425–$2,025 from Los Angeles to Newark (2,890 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,400–$2,100. An SUV costs about $1,600–$2,275, a pickup $1,850–$2,650, and an enclosed trailer $2,150–$3,050 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to New Jersey?
Transit is usually 6–10 days after pickup for the 2,890-mile trip from Los Angeles to Newark. The wait for pickup is separate: typically 1–5 days, or 1–2 days if you pay about 30% more for expedited service.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from California to New Jersey?
January–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in June–August, up to about 8% more. If you must ship in peak months, book three to four weeks ahead.
How soon do I have to register my car in New Jersey after moving?
New Jersey requires new residents to register within 60 days of becoming a resident. Or before your old registration expires, whichever comes first. NJ MVC offices take appointments only.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from California to New Jersey?
Driving 2,890 miles takes about 6 days: roughly $370 in gas and 5 nights of hotels and meals (about $700). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,425–$2,025. Add wear on the car and 6 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from California to New Jersey?
Our directory lists 122 companies based in California and 54 based in New Jersey, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.