Route guide · NY → CA
Shipping a car from New York to California
Shipping a running sedan from New York to Los Angeles costs about $1,425–$2,050 on an open carrier and $2,150–$3,050 in an enclosed trailer, with 6–10 days in transit. It ranks #15 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,750
- Road miles
- 2,900
- Days in transit
- 6–10
- People moving a year
- 30.0K
- Companies at both ends
- 180
City to city
What it costs between New York and California cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between New York, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse and Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose — 2,570 to 3,070 road miles apart.
| From | Los Angeles | San Francisco | San Diego | San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $1,425–$2,0502,900 mi · 6–10 days | $1,475–$2,1003,070 mi · 7–11 days | $1,425–$2,0252,860 mi · 6–10 days | $1,475–$2,0753,010 mi · 7–11 days |
| Buffalo | $1,350–$1,9252,600 mi · 6–9 days | $1,375–$1,9752,750 mi · 6–10 days | $1,325–$1,9002,570 mi · 6–9 days | $1,375–$1,9502,690 mi · 6–10 days |
| Rochester | $1,375–$1,9502,680 mi · 6–10 days | $1,400–$2,0002,820 mi · 6–10 days | $1,350–$1,9252,650 mi · 6–10 days | $1,400–$1,9752,760 mi · 6–10 days |
| Syracuse | $1,400–$1,9752,760 mi · 6–10 days | $1,425–$2,0502,910 mi · 6–10 days | $1,375–$1,9752,730 mi · 6–10 days | $1,425–$2,0252,850 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
New York to Los Angeles, 2,900 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–$2,050 | $2,150–$3,050 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,600–$2,275 | $2,400–$3,425 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,800–$2,550 | $2,675–$3,825 |
| Pickup truck | $1,850–$2,650 | $2,800–$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 York 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 York to California
About 29,995 people moved from New York to California in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (35,062 in 2023, 24,927 in 2024). That is 6.7% of everyone who left New York for another state, making California its #4 destination.
Traffic runs both ways — about 31,232 people a year move from California back to New York — 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 York to California is among the most expensive routes out of New York; Arizona ($1,600) and Colorado ($1,375) cost less. That works out to about 59¢ 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 2,900 road miles from New York 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
- 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 York and California, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end New York
58 companies based in New York: 44 carriers, 7 brokers, 458 trucks in total, 11 years in business on average.
- Acar Trucking LLC Brooklyn · 270 trucks · since 2023 · USDOT 4116994
- Bibi Carrier LLC Port Jervis · 42 trucks · since 2020 · USDOT 3438799
- GZZ Logistics Inc Staten Island · 9 trucks · since 2020 · USDOT 3476017
- Blue Cat Logistic Inc Brooklyn · 8 trucks · since 2023 · USDOT 4050399
- East Coast Auto Transport Inc Fort Ann · 7 trucks · since 1987 · USDOT 296156
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 York? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From New York to states near California
To California from states near New York
FAQ
New York 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 York to California?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,425–$2,050 from New York to Los Angeles (2,900 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,325–$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 York to California?
Transit is usually 6–10 days after pickup for the 2,900-mile trip from New York 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 New York 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 New York to California?
Driving 2,900 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–$2,050. Add wear on the car and 6 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from New York to California?
Our directory lists 58 companies based in New York and 122 based in California, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.