Route guide · OH → CA
Shipping a car from Ohio to California
Shipping a running sedan from Columbus to Los Angeles costs about $1,250–$1,800 on an open carrier and $1,875–$2,700 in an enclosed trailer, with 5–9 days in transit. It ranks #146 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,525
- Road miles
- 2,340
- Days in transit
- 5–9
- People moving a year
- 7.0K
- Companies at both ends
- 184
City to city
What it costs between Ohio and California cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo and Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose — 2,200 to 2,590 road miles apart.
| From | Los Angeles | San Francisco | San Diego | San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | $1,250–$1,8002,340 mi · 5–9 days | $1,325–$1,8752,530 mi · 6–9 days | $1,250–$1,7752,300 mi · 5–8 days | $1,300–$1,8502,460 mi · 5–9 days |
| Cleveland | $1,275–$1,8502,430 mi · 5–9 days | $1,325–$1,9002,590 mi · 6–9 days | $1,275–$1,8252,390 mi · 5–9 days | $1,325–$1,8752,530 mi · 6–9 days |
| Cincinnati | $1,225–$1,7502,250 mi · 5–8 days | $1,300–$1,8502,440 mi · 5–9 days | $1,225–$1,7502,200 mi · 5–8 days | $1,275–$1,8252,380 mi · 5–9 days |
| Toledo | $1,250–$1,7752,310 mi · 5–8 days | $1,300–$1,8502,470 mi · 5–9 days | $1,250–$1,7752,280 mi · 5–8 days | $1,275–$1,8252,410 mi · 5–9 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
Columbus to Los Angeles, 2,340 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–$1,800 | $1,875–$2,700 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,400–$2,025 | $2,100–$3,025 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,575–$2,250 | $2,350–$3,375 |
| Pickup truck | $1,625–$2,350 | $2,450–$3,500 |
| Motorcycle | $750–$1,075 | $1,125–$1,625 |
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 Ohio to California is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,525 Peak: about $1,650
About this route
Why so many cars go from Ohio to California
About 6,953 people moved from Ohio to California in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (7,434 in 2023, 6,471 in 2024). That is 3.8% of everyone who left Ohio for another state.
This is the lighter direction: about 10,104 people a year move California to Ohio. Carriers that bring cars into Ohio need loads back toward California, so it's worth asking for a backhaul price on this leg.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,525, shipping from Ohio to California is among the most expensive routes out of Ohio; Arizona ($1,375) and Colorado ($1,200) cost less. That works out to about 65¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
At roughly 2,340 road miles, Columbus to Los Angeles is a cross-country haul. Federal hours-of-service rules cap truck drivers at 11 hours behind the wheel a day, so plan on 5–9 days in transit once the car is loaded. 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 Ohio and California, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end Ohio
62 companies based in Ohio: 56 carriers, 6 brokers, 421 trucks in total, 8 years in business on average.
- Sam Auto Trans LLC Twinsburg · 76 trucks · since 2014 · USDOT 2520572
- Ascot Auto Trans LLC Akron · 45 trucks · since 2013 · USDOT 2429414
- Bwi Haul Solutions Cincinnati · 42 trucks · since 2021 · USDOT 3779250
- Advance Auto Transport Sylvania · 30 trucks · since 2013 · USDOT 2370875
- Professional Auto Transport LLC Howard · 30 trucks · since 2025 · USDOT 4408547
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 Ohio? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Ohio to states near California
To California from states near Ohio
FAQ
Ohio 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 Ohio to California?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,250–$1,800 from Columbus to Los Angeles (2,340 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,225–$1,900. An SUV costs about $1,400–$2,025, a pickup $1,625–$2,350, and an enclosed trailer $1,875–$2,700 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Ohio to California?
Transit is usually 5–9 days after pickup for the 2,340-mile trip from Columbus to Los Angeles. Getting the car picked up takes another 1–5 days on a standard booking; expedited pickup within 1–2 days costs about 30% more.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from Ohio 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. Whatever the month, a flexible pickup date booked 2–3 weeks out gets the best price.
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 Ohio to California?
Driving 2,340 miles takes about 5 days: roughly $300 in gas and 4 nights of hotels and meals (about $560). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,250–$1,800. Add wear on the car and 5 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from Ohio to California?
Our directory lists 62 companies based in Ohio and 122 based in California, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.