Route guide · CA → PA
Shipping a car from California to Pennsylvania
Shipping a running sedan from Los Angeles to Philadelphia costs about $1,400–$2,000 on an open carrier and $2,125–$3,025 in an enclosed trailer, with 6–10 days in transit. It ranks #79 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,700
- Road miles
- 2,830
- Days in transit
- 6–10
- People moving a year
- 11.2K
- Companies at both ends
- 260
City to city
What it costs between California and Pennsylvania cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose and Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie — 2,490 to 3,010 road miles apart.
| From | Philadelphia | Pittsburgh | Allentown | Erie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $1,400–$2,0002,830 mi · 6–10 days | $1,325–$1,8752,530 mi · 6–9 days | $1,400–$2,0002,810 mi · 6–10 days | $1,325–$1,8752,520 mi · 6–9 days |
| San Francisco | $1,475–$2,0753,010 mi · 7–11 days | $1,375–$1,9502,710 mi · 6–10 days | $1,450–$2,0752,980 mi · 6–11 days | $1,375–$1,9502,680 mi · 6–10 days |
| San Diego | $1,400–$2,0002,790 mi · 6–10 days | $1,300–$1,8752,490 mi · 5–9 days | $1,400–$1,9752,770 mi · 6–10 days | $1,300–$1,8752,490 mi · 5–9 days |
| San Jose | $1,450–$2,0502,950 mi · 6–10 days | $1,350–$1,9252,640 mi · 6–9 days | $1,425–$2,0502,920 mi · 6–10 days | $1,350–$1,9252,620 mi · 6–9 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 Philadelphia, 2,830 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 | $1,400–$2,000 | $2,125–$3,025 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,575–$2,250 | $2,375–$3,375 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,750–$2,525 | $2,650–$3,775 |
| Pickup truck | $1,825–$2,625 | $2,750–$3,925 |
| Motorcycle | $850–$1,200 | $1,275–$1,800 |
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 Pennsylvania is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,700 Peak: about $1,850
About this route
Why so many cars go from California to Pennsylvania
About 11,184 people moved from California to Pennsylvania in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (11,590 in 2023, 10,777 in 2024). That is 1.7% of everyone who left California for another state.
Traffic runs both ways — about 8,998 people a year move from Pennsylvania back to California — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,700, shipping from California to Pennsylvania costs more than sending a car to Maryland ($1,675) and South Carolina ($1,625) but less than to New York ($1,725) and New Jersey ($1,725). 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 2,830 road miles from Los Angeles to Philadelphia — 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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania
138 companies based in Pennsylvania: 128 carriers, 9 brokers, 899 trucks in total, 9 years in business on average.
- Brothers Auto Transport LLC Wind Gap · 92 trucks · since 1995 · USDOT 621208
- Adcock Transport Manheim · 85 trucks · since 1993 · USDOT 540755
- Rafael Auto Transport LLC Oakdale · 77 trucks · since 2021 · USDOT 3677616
- McGann & Chester Towing and Heavy Duty Pittsburgh · 61 trucks · since 1986 · USDOT 279905
- Fine Line Transportation LLC Lititz · 54 trucks · since 2011 · USDOT 2136888
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Pennsylvania but not into it — or coming from somewhere near California? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From California to states near Pennsylvania
To Pennsylvania from states near California
FAQ
California to Pennsylvania car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Pennsylvania's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Pennsylvania?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,400–$2,000 from Los Angeles to Philadelphia (2,830 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,300–$2,075. An SUV costs about $1,575–$2,250, a pickup $1,825–$2,625, and an enclosed trailer $2,125–$3,025 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Pennsylvania?
Transit is usually 6–10 days after pickup for the 2,830-mile trip from Los Angeles to Philadelphia. 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 Pennsylvania?
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 Pennsylvania after moving?
Pennsylvania requires new residents to register within 20 days of becoming a resident. Apply with form MV-1 through a notary or tag agent, then pass a Pennsylvania safety inspection within 10 days.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from California to Pennsylvania?
Driving 2,830 miles takes about 6 days: roughly $360 in gas and 5 nights of hotels and meals (about $700). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,400–$2,000. Add wear on the car and 6 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from California to Pennsylvania?
Our directory lists 122 companies based in California and 138 based in Pennsylvania, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.