Route guide · PA → CA
Shipping a car from Pennsylvania to California
Shipping a running sedan from Philadelphia to Los Angeles costs about $1,400–$2,000 on an open carrier and $2,125–$3,025 in an enclosed trailer, with 6–10 days in transit. It ranks #104 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,700
- Road miles
- 2,830
- Days in transit
- 6–10
- People moving a year
- 9.0K
- Companies at both ends
- 260
City to city
What it costs between Pennsylvania and California cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie and Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose — 2,490 to 3,010 road miles apart.
| From | Los Angeles | San Francisco | San Diego | San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $1,400–$2,0002,830 mi · 6–10 days | $1,475–$2,0753,010 mi · 7–11 days | $1,400–$2,0002,790 mi · 6–10 days | $1,450–$2,0502,950 mi · 6–10 days |
| Pittsburgh | $1,325–$1,8752,530 mi · 6–9 days | $1,375–$1,9502,710 mi · 6–10 days | $1,300–$1,8752,490 mi · 5–9 days | $1,350–$1,9252,640 mi · 6–9 days |
| Allentown | $1,400–$2,0002,810 mi · 6–10 days | $1,450–$2,0752,980 mi · 6–11 days | $1,400–$1,9752,770 mi · 6–10 days | $1,425–$2,0502,920 mi · 6–10 days |
| Erie | $1,325–$1,8752,520 mi · 6–9 days | $1,375–$1,9502,680 mi · 6–10 days | $1,300–$1,8752,490 mi · 5–9 days | $1,350–$1,9252,620 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
Philadelphia to Los Angeles, 2,830 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 | $1,400–$2,000 | $2,125–$3,025 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,575–$2,250 | $2,375–$3,375 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,750–$2,525 | $2,650–$3,775 |
| Pickup truck | $1,825–$2,625 | $2,750–$3,925 |
| Motorcycle | $850–$1,200 | $1,275–$1,800 |
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 Pennsylvania to California is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,700 Peak: about $1,850
About this route
Why so many cars go from Pennsylvania to California
About 8,998 people moved from Pennsylvania to California in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (8,730 in 2023, 9,266 in 2024). That is 3.4% of everyone who left Pennsylvania for another state.
Traffic runs both ways — about 11,184 people a year move from California back to Pennsylvania — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,700, shipping from Pennsylvania to California is among the most expensive routes out of Pennsylvania; Arizona ($1,575) and Colorado ($1,350) 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
Philadelphia to Los Angeles runs about 2,830 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 Pennsylvania and California, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end Pennsylvania
138 companies based in Pennsylvania: 128 carriers, 9 brokers, 899 trucks in total, 9 years in business on average.
- Brothers Auto Transport LLC Wind Gap · 92 trucks · since 1995 · USDOT 621208
- Adcock Transport Manheim · 85 trucks · since 1993 · USDOT 540755
- Rafael Auto Transport LLC Oakdale · 77 trucks · since 2021 · USDOT 3677616
- McGann & Chester Towing and Heavy Duty Pittsburgh · 61 trucks · since 1986 · USDOT 279905
- Fine Line Transportation LLC Lititz · 54 trucks · since 2011 · USDOT 2136888
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 Pennsylvania? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Pennsylvania to states near California
To California from states near Pennsylvania
FAQ
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to California?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,400–$2,000 from Philadelphia to Los Angeles (2,830 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,300–$2,075. An SUV costs about $1,575–$2,250, a pickup $1,825–$2,625, and an enclosed trailer $2,125–$3,025 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Pennsylvania to California?
Transit is usually 6–10 days after pickup for the 2,830-mile trip from Philadelphia 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania to California?
Driving 2,830 miles takes about 6 days: roughly $360 in gas and 5 nights of hotels and meals (about $700). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,400–$2,000. Add wear on the car and 6 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from Pennsylvania to California?
Our directory lists 138 companies based in Pennsylvania and 122 based in California, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.