Route guide · CA → OH
Shipping a car from California to Ohio
Shipping a running sedan from Los Angeles to Columbus costs about $1,250–$1,800 on an open carrier and $1,875–$2,700 in an enclosed trailer, with 5–9 days in transit. It ranks #85 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,525
- Road miles
- 2,340
- Days in transit
- 5–9
- People moving a year
- 10.1K
- Companies at both ends
- 184
City to city
What it costs between California and Ohio cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose and Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo — 2,200 to 2,590 road miles apart.
| From | Columbus | Cleveland | Cincinnati | Toledo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $1,250–$1,8002,340 mi · 5–9 days | $1,275–$1,8502,430 mi · 5–9 days | $1,225–$1,7502,250 mi · 5–8 days | $1,250–$1,7752,310 mi · 5–8 days |
| San Francisco | $1,325–$1,8752,530 mi · 6–9 days | $1,325–$1,9002,590 mi · 6–9 days | $1,300–$1,8502,440 mi · 5–9 days | $1,300–$1,8502,470 mi · 5–9 days |
| San Diego | $1,250–$1,7752,300 mi · 5–8 days | $1,275–$1,8252,390 mi · 5–9 days | $1,225–$1,7502,200 mi · 5–8 days | $1,250–$1,7752,280 mi · 5–8 days |
| San Jose | $1,300–$1,8502,460 mi · 5–9 days | $1,325–$1,8752,530 mi · 6–9 days | $1,275–$1,8252,380 mi · 5–9 days | $1,275–$1,8252,410 mi · 5–9 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 Columbus, 2,340 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 | $1,250–$1,800 | $1,875–$2,700 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,400–$2,025 | $2,100–$3,025 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,575–$2,250 | $2,350–$3,375 |
| Pickup truck | $1,625–$2,350 | $2,450–$3,500 |
| Motorcycle | $750–$1,075 | $1,125–$1,625 |
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 Ohio is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,525 Peak: about $1,650
About this route
Why so many cars go from California to Ohio
About 10,104 people moved from California to Ohio in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (12,197 in 2023, 8,011 in 2024). That is 1.5% of everyone who left California for another state.
Far fewer people make the reverse move — about 6,952 a year from Ohio to California. Carriers bound for Ohio rarely run empty, which keeps pickups quick but prices firm.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,525, shipping from California to Ohio costs more than sending a car to Georgia ($1,500) and Kentucky ($1,475) but less than to North Carolina ($1,600) and South Carolina ($1,625). That works out to about 65¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
Los Angeles to Columbus runs about 2,340 road miles. With drivers limited to 11 hours of driving a day and stops for other cars on the load, that is 5–9 days on the truck. 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 Ohio, 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 Ohio
62 companies based in Ohio: 56 carriers, 6 brokers, 421 trucks in total, 8 years in business on average.
- Sam Auto Trans LLC Twinsburg · 76 trucks · since 2014 · USDOT 2520572
- Ascot Auto Trans LLC Akron · 45 trucks · since 2013 · USDOT 2429414
- Bwi Haul Solutions Cincinnati · 42 trucks · since 2021 · USDOT 3779250
- Advance Auto Transport Sylvania · 30 trucks · since 2013 · USDOT 2370875
- Professional Auto Transport LLC Howard · 30 trucks · since 2025 · USDOT 4408547
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Ohio but not into it — or coming from somewhere near California? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From California to states near Ohio
To Ohio from states near California
FAQ
California to Ohio car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Ohio's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Ohio?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,250–$1,800 from Los Angeles to Columbus (2,340 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,225–$1,900. An SUV costs about $1,400–$2,025, a pickup $1,625–$2,350, and an enclosed trailer $1,875–$2,700 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Ohio?
Transit is usually 5–9 days after pickup for the 2,340-mile trip from Los Angeles to Columbus. Before that, allow 1–5 days for a carrier to be assigned — or pay roughly 30% extra to have it collected within 48 hours.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from California to Ohio?
January–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in June–August, up to about 8% more. In any month, giving the carrier a wide pickup window lowers the quote.
How soon do I have to register my car in Ohio after moving?
Ohio requires new residents to register within 30 days of becoming a resident. Transfer the title at a County Clerk of Courts title office first — it needs an out-of-state VIN inspection.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from California to Ohio?
Driving 2,340 miles takes about 5 days: roughly $300 in gas and 4 nights of hotels and meals (about $560). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,250–$1,800. Add wear on the car and 5 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from California to Ohio?
Our directory lists 122 companies based in California and 62 based in Ohio, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.