Route guide · LA → CA
Shipping a car from Louisiana to California
Shipping a running sedan from New Orleans to Los Angeles costs about $1,150–$1,650 on an open carrier and $1,725–$2,475 in an enclosed trailer, with 4–8 days in transit. It ranks #237 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,400
- Road miles
- 1,990
- Days in transit
- 4–8
- People moving a year
- 4.3K
- Companies at both ends
- 123
City to city
What it costs between Louisiana and California cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport and Lafayette and Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose — 1,600 to 2,310 road miles apart.
| From | Los Angeles | San Francisco | San Diego | San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | $1,150–$1,6501,990 mi · 4–8 days | $1,250–$1,7752,310 mi · 5–8 days | $1,125–$1,6001,900 mi · 4–7 days | $1,225–$1,7502,230 mi · 5–8 days |
| Baton Rouge | $1,125–$1,6001,900 mi · 4–7 days | $1,225–$1,7502,220 mi · 5–8 days | $1,100–$1,5751,810 mi · 4–7 days | $1,200–$1,7002,140 mi · 5–8 days |
| Shreveport | $1,075–$1,5251,680 mi · 4–7 days | $1,150–$1,6501,990 mi · 4–8 days | $1,050–$1,5001,600 mi · 4–6 days | $1,125–$1,6251,910 mi · 4–7 days |
| Lafayette | $1,100–$1,5751,840 mi · 4–7 days | $1,200–$1,7252,170 mi · 5–8 days | $1,075–$1,5501,750 mi · 4–7 days | $1,175–$1,7002,090 mi · 5–8 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
New Orleans to Los Angeles, 1,990 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 | $1,150–$1,650 | $1,725–$2,475 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,275–$1,850 | $1,925–$2,775 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,425–$2,050 | $2,150–$3,075 |
| Pickup truck | $1,500–$2,150 | $2,225–$3,200 |
| Motorcycle | $700–$1,000 | $1,025–$1,475 |
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 Louisiana to California is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,400 Peak: about $1,500
About this route
Why so many cars go from Louisiana to California
About 4,300 people moved from Louisiana to California in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (4,522 in 2023, 4,078 in 2024). That is 4.6% of everyone who left Louisiana for another state, making California its #5 destination.
Only about 2,984 people a year go back from California to Louisiana, so demand here is mostly one-way. With trucks toward California in steady demand, expect quick pickups and little room to haggle.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,400, shipping from Louisiana to California is among the most expensive routes out of Louisiana; Texas ($825) cost less. That works out to about 70¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
Count on 4–8 days on the truck for the 1,990 road miles from New Orleans 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-northwest and crosses 2 time zones — from Central 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.
- Hurricane season (June–November) occasionally delays Gulf and Atlantic coast deliveries; carriers will reschedule rather than drive into a storm.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in Louisiana and California, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end Louisiana
1 companies based in Louisiana: 1 carriers, 0 brokers, 3 trucks in total, 21 years in business on average.
- JDL Auto Transport Jamestown · 3 trucks · since 2005 · USDOT 1442244
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 Louisiana? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Louisiana to states near California
To California from states near Louisiana
FAQ
Louisiana 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 Louisiana to California?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,150–$1,650 from New Orleans to Los Angeles (1,990 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,050–$1,775. An SUV costs about $1,275–$1,850, a pickup $1,500–$2,150, and an enclosed trailer $1,725–$2,475 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Louisiana to California?
Transit is usually 4–8 days after pickup for the 1,990-mile trip from New Orleans 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana to California?
Driving 1,990 miles takes about 4 days: roughly $250 in gas and 3 nights of hotels and meals (about $420). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,150–$1,650. Add wear on the car and 4 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from Louisiana to California?
Our directory lists 1 companies based in Louisiana and 122 based in California, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.