Route guide · NJ → CA
Shipping a car from New Jersey to California
Shipping a running sedan from Newark to Los Angeles 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 #80 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
- 11.1K
- Companies at both ends
- 176
City to city
What it costs between New Jersey and California cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Newark, Trenton, Vineland and Phillipsburg and Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose — 2,790 to 3,060 road miles apart.
| From | Los Angeles | San Francisco | San Diego | San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newark | $1,425–$2,0252,890 mi · 6–10 days | $1,475–$2,1003,060 mi · 7–11 days | $1,425–$2,0252,850 mi · 6–10 days | $1,450–$2,0752,990 mi · 6–11 days |
| Trenton | $1,425–$2,0252,850 mi · 6–10 days | $1,475–$2,1003,030 mi · 7–11 days | $1,400–$2,0002,810 mi · 6–10 days | $1,450–$2,0752,970 mi · 6–10 days |
| Vineland | $1,400–$2,0252,840 mi · 6–10 days | $1,475–$2,1003,030 mi · 7–11 days | $1,400–$2,0002,800 mi · 6–10 days | $1,450–$2,0752,960 mi · 6–10 days |
| Phillipsburg | $1,400–$2,0002,820 mi · 6–10 days | $1,450–$2,0753,000 mi · 6–11 days | $1,400–$2,0002,790 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
Newark to Los Angeles, 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 New Jersey to California 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 New Jersey to California
About 11,056 people moved from New Jersey to California in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (12,458 in 2023, 9,653 in 2024). That is 5% of everyone who left New Jersey for another state, making California its #4 destination.
Traffic runs both ways — about 8,726 people a year move from California back to New Jersey — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,725, shipping from New Jersey to California is among the most expensive routes out of New Jersey; Texas ($1,275) and Florida ($1,175) cost less. 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
Newark to Los Angeles runs about 2,890 road miles. With drivers limited to 11 hours of driving a day and stops for other cars on the load, that is 6–10 days on the truck. 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
- 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 New Jersey and California, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup 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
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 New Jersey? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From New Jersey to states near California
To California from states near New Jersey
FAQ
New Jersey 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 New Jersey to California?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,425–$2,025 from Newark to Los Angeles (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 New Jersey to California?
Transit is usually 6–10 days after pickup for the 2,890-mile trip from Newark to Los Angeles. 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 New Jersey 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. In any month, giving the carrier a wide pickup window lowers the quote.
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 New Jersey to California?
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 New Jersey to California?
Our directory lists 54 companies based in New Jersey and 122 based in California, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.