Route guide · GA → CA
Shipping a car from Georgia to California
Shipping a running sedan from Atlanta to Los Angeles costs about $1,250–$1,775 on an open carrier and $1,850–$2,675 in an enclosed trailer, with 5–8 days in transit. It ranks #102 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,525
- Road miles
- 2,290
- Days in transit
- 5–8
- People moving a year
- 9.0K
- Companies at both ends
- 166
City to city
What it costs between Georgia and California cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Atlanta, Columbus, Augusta-Richmond County and Macon-Bibb County and Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose — 2,210 to 2,720 road miles apart.
| From | Los Angeles | San Francisco | San Diego | San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $1,250–$1,7752,290 mi · 5–8 days | $1,325–$1,9002,560 mi · 6–9 days | $1,225–$1,7502,220 mi · 5–8 days | $1,300–$1,8502,480 mi · 5–9 days |
| Columbus | $1,250–$1,7752,280 mi · 5–8 days | $1,325–$1,9002,560 mi · 6–9 days | $1,225–$1,7502,210 mi · 5–8 days | $1,300–$1,8502,480 mi · 5–9 days |
| Augusta-Richmond County | $1,300–$1,8502,450 mi · 5–9 days | $1,375–$1,9752,720 mi · 6–10 days | $1,275–$1,8252,380 mi · 5–9 days | $1,350–$1,9252,640 mi · 6–9 days |
| Macon-Bibb County | $1,250–$1,8002,350 mi · 5–9 days | $1,350–$1,9252,630 mi · 6–9 days | $1,250–$1,7752,280 mi · 5–8 days | $1,325–$1,9002,550 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
Atlanta to Los Angeles, 2,290 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–$1,775 | $1,850–$2,675 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,400–$2,000 | $2,075–$2,975 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,550–$2,225 | $2,325–$3,325 |
| Pickup truck | $1,625–$2,300 | $2,425–$3,475 |
| Motorcycle | $750–$1,075 | $1,125–$1,600 |
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 Georgia to California is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,500 Peak: about $1,625
About this route
Why so many cars go from Georgia to California
About 9,046 people moved from Georgia to California in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (11,229 in 2023, 6,863 in 2024). That is 3.8% of everyone who left Georgia for another state.
This is the lighter direction: about 17,122 people a year move California to Georgia. Carriers that bring cars into Georgia need loads back toward California, so it's worth asking for a backhaul price on this leg.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,500, shipping from Georgia to California costs more than sending a car to Arizona ($1,350) and Colorado ($1,200) but less than to Washington ($1,625). That works out to about 66¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
Count on 5–8 days on the truck for the 2,290 road miles from Atlanta to Los Angeles — 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 west and crosses 3 time zones — from Eastern to Pacific time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
On the road
- Trucks usually take the southern route across the desert Southwest, which stays open all winter — one reason this lane runs on schedule year-round.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in Georgia and California, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end Georgia
44 companies based in Georgia: 40 carriers, 4 brokers, 394 trucks in total, 10 years in business on average.
- Extreme Auto Transport Duluth · 246 trucks · since 2005 · USDOT 1415704
- Premier Vehicle Transport Inc Augusta · 21 trucks · since 1999 · USDOT 846362
- US Auto Transport Inc Cumming · 20 trucks · since 2012 · USDOT 2329190
- Driven Logistics Ringgold · 9 trucks · since 2020 · USDOT 3539872
- Snap Auto Duluth · 7 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 2989796
Delivery 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
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to California but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Georgia? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Georgia to states near California
To California from states near Georgia
FAQ
Georgia to California car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and California's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Georgia to California?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,250–$1,775 from Atlanta to Los Angeles (2,290 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,225–$1,975. An SUV costs about $1,400–$2,000, a pickup $1,625–$2,300, and an enclosed trailer $1,850–$2,675 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Georgia to California?
Transit is usually 5–8 days after pickup for the 2,290-mile trip from Atlanta to Los Angeles. 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 Georgia to California?
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 California after moving?
California requires new residents to register within 20 days of becoming a resident. The car must pass a California smog check, and it has to meet California emission standards to be registered at all.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Georgia to California?
Driving 2,290 miles takes about 5 days: roughly $290 in gas and 4 nights of hotels and meals (about $560). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,250–$1,775. Add wear on the car and 5 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from Georgia to California?
Our directory lists 44 companies based in Georgia and 122 based in California, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.