While Montway Auto Transport is the best California car shipping company, drivers should also get quotes from SGT Auto Transport and Sherpa Auto Transport.
Updated:
Jun 25, 2024
Written By:
Daniel Robinson
Daniel Robinson
Writer
Edited By:
Rashawn Mitchner
Rashawn Mitchner
Senior Editor
Sending your car to or from California with a vehicle shipping service should be a breeze. In this article, we at the MarketWatch Guides team provide a look at the five best car shipping companies in California that offer competitive costs and quality service. We will dive into the average expenses of car shipping using both open and enclosed transport services and offer guidance on the entire process.
Key Takeaways:
- Our team found Montway Auto Transport to be the best California car shipping company due to its large carrier network, positive customer service and affordable rates for California routes.
- It’s best to compare Montway Auto Transport’s rates with those from SGT Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport and Easy Auto Ship.
- The average cost to ship a car to or from California is $1,005 for open car shipping services and $1,408 for enclosed auto transport.
- Your car shipping cost in California depends on factors like a city’s population, nearby traffic patterns and weather conditions on the route.
5 Best Car Shipping Companies in California
We’ve spent over 200 hours gathering information about the auto transport industry and collecting thousands of quotes to review the best car shipping companies in your area. If you’re moving a car to or from Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego or beyond, check out our list of the best California car shipping companies.
1. Montway Auto Transport: Best Customer Experience
Montway Auto Transport has had a great reputation in the car shipping industry since its start in 2006. The company provides a wide range of shipping services to all 50 states and can even help with international transport, which is not always easy to find.
By partnering with more than 15,000 trusted car transport carriers, Montway will help you transport your vehicle securely and efficiently. While each carrier provides insurance on cars being shipped, if your carrier denies a legitimate damage claim, Montway offers additional coverage. Thanks to its extensive experience, track record of successful shipments and extra services, our team gave Montway an overall rating of 9.7 out of 10.
Read more: Montway Auto Transport Review
2. SGT Auto Transport: Price-Matching Guarantee
SGT Auto Transport is a highly reliable car shipping company with a diverse range of services which informed our review team’s score of 9.2 out of 10. Customers may select open or enclosed shipping with SGT for convenient door-to-door service available throughout the continental U.S. and Hawaii. Additionally, the company offers expedited shipping to cater to customers who are in a hurry.
If, within 24 hours of booking, you find a better price from a competitor for the same shipping service, SGT will match it. This can help you save money if you compare prices. From what we’ve seen, SGT generally offers affordable quotes.
Read more: SGT Auto Transport Review
3. Sherpa Auto Transport: Locked-In Costs
Although Sherpa Auto Transport is newer to the industry, it quickly developed a reputation for having excellent customer service. The company has very high ratings from satisfied customers on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website. With a good reputation and reliable services, our research team rates Sherpa a 8.8 out of 10.
The shipping broker offers a Price Lock Promise which means your initial quote won’t change. If Sherpa can’t find a carrier for that price, it will pay the difference (up to $300) for you to book your vehicle transport service. It also has a Clean Car Guarantee where Sherpa will pay you $20 to cover the cost of a car wash if your car is dirty when it arrives.
Read more: Sherpa Auto Transport Review
4. Easy Auto Ship: Wide Shipping Service Selection
Easy Auto Ship provides shipping services to customers in all 50 states, offering both open and enclosed shipping options for different types of vehicles. The company has great reviews from customers and it partners with top-quality carriers. Additionally, if your shipment is delayed for more than two weeks, Easy Auto Ship also includes a car wash and a rental car service.
Customers can select Easy Auto Ship’s standard or expedited door-to-door service. The company is a reliable choice for both unique shipping needs — such as moving a vintage car — and routine long-distance moves. We have given Easy Auto Ship an overall rating of 9.0 out of 10.
Read more: Easy Auto Ship Review
5. Nationwide United Auto Transport: Regional Choice
Nationwide United Auto Transport can transport a range of vehicles, including cars, recreational vehicles, trailers and oversized vehicles. It offers 24/7 support and provides insurance coverage up to $100,000 for open carrier transport and $250,000 for enclosed carrier transport.
Address: 2202 S. Figueroa St. #506, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Phone Number: (800) 311-8305
Read more on the Nationwide United Auto Transport website.
Car Shipping Companies in California: Buyer’s Guide
Car shipping can seem complicated at first. In the sections below, we’ll cover how much shipping costs, how to ship a vehicle, what to expect and more.
California Car Shipping Costs
To save money on car transport, owners need to compare prices from different companies. We have gathered rate estimates from top providers to give you an idea of how much you might pay for shipping your car.
Open Car Shipping Costs in California
Open car transport uses a trailer that does not have walls or a roof to transport multiple vehicles at once. This method is usually less expensive than enclosed transport services, but it also comes with more risk.
The average cost to ship a car to and from California using open car shipping is $1,005, which is only slightly cheaper than the national average of $1,010. We gathered cost estimates for open car transport along popular California car shipping routes, which you’ll find below:
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
| Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles | $999 |
| Los Angeles to Atlanta | $1,099 |
| San Diego to Chicago | $1,099 |
| Chicago to San Francisco | $1,099 |
| Chicago to San Jose, Calif. | $1,099 |
| Nashville, Tenn., to Los Angeles | $1,129 |
| Miami to San Diego | $1,129 |
| Miami to Sacramento, Calif. | $1,179 |
| Sacramento to Chicago | $1,199 |
| New York to San Francisco | $1,199 |
| New York to Sacramento | $1,199 |
| New York to San Diego | $1,249 |
| Sacramento to Miami | $1,329 |
| Miami to San Jose | $1,329 |
| San Francisco to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | $1,379 |
| San Jose to Miami | $1,379 |
| San Diego to Miami | $1,379 |
| Los Angeles to Boston | $1,399 |
| San Jose to New York | $1,589 |
| San Francisco to Honolulu, Hawaii | $2,299 |
Enclosed Car Shipping Costs in California
Enclosed car shipping provides a higher level of protection from road hazards during transport as vehicles are moved via an enclosed carrier. While it makes California car shipping much pricier than open car shipping services, owners of classic or luxury cars should consider enclosed shipping.
The average cost to ship a car to and from California using enclosed car shipping is $1,408, which is 40% more than the average cost of open car shipping in California. The table below has the average costs of popular California car shipping routes using enclosed transport.
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
| Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles | $1,399 |
| Los Angeles to Atlanta | $1,539 |
| San Diego to Chicago | $1,539 |
| Chicago to San Francisco | $1,539 |
| Chicago to San Jose, Calif. | $1,539 |
| Nashville, Tenn., to Los Angeles | $1,579 |
| Miami to San Diego | $1,579 |
| Miami to Sacramento, Calif. | $1,649 |
| Sacramento to Chicago | $1,679 |
| New York to San Francisco | $1,679 |
| New York to Sacramento | $1,679 |
| New York to San Diego | $1,749 |
| Sacramento to Miami | $1,859 |
| Miami to San Jose | $1,859 |
| San Francisco to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | $1,929 |
| San Jose to Miami | $1,929 |
| San Diego to Miami | $1,929 |
| Los Angeles to Boston | $1,959 |
| San Jose to New York | $2,229 |
| San Francisco to Honolulu, Hawaii | $3,219 |
What Affects Car Shipping Costs in California?
Your exact auto transport expenses in California will likely depend on various factors, including:
- Fuel prices
- The vehicle type
- Vehicle condition
- Your car’s final destination
- Open vs. enclosed transport
- Total distance you ship your car
Also, if you ship a vehicle in the peak season, you’ll pay higher rates.
How To Ship a Car to and From California
Moving your car might seem hard in the beginning, but we break down the car transport process below to make it simple and stress-free.
What To Expect With California Car Shipping
If you’re sending a car to or from California, there are specific aspects of the state that might affect how your car is shipped.
| City size | Large cities have tighter streets, more cars parked on those streets and generally less space for large haulers to move around. If you live downtown in a major metropolitan area, your carrier may have to park farther away from your home with door-to-door shipping. |
| Population | Population density can have an impact on the availability of door-to-door transport. California is less densely populated than other states, which may make door-to-door delivery less of a hassle. However, availability could differ in major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. |
| Traffic congestion | If there are a lot of cars on the roads, it will take longer to reach a shipping destination, and this can cause delays. |
| Bad weather | Some cities in California have less-than-average rainfall and lower chances of extreme weather. Shipments of cars in California could experience delays due to adverse weather conditions, such as storms or flooding. |
It’s important to know about these factors in advance and be open to changing the delivery schedule while your vehicle is being shipped. Check out the following steps for shipping your vehicle.
1. Choose Your Shipping Method
First, you need to decide how to move your vehicle. As previously mentioned, enclosed and open carrier car shipping are the most common types used across the industry. Both have pros and cons, so comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping will help you find which best fits your needs.
Most car shipping companies in California offer door-to-door transport services. This means the carrier picks up and delivers your car as close to your address as possible. But, be aware the truck driver may have to park farther away if your neighborhood has narrow streets or sharp corners.
If you’re looking for long-distance car transport to Alaska or Hawaii, your options may be slightly limited as some companies only serve the contiguous U.S. Similarly, not all companies offer international car shipping.
2. Compare California Car Shipping Quotes
Once you’ve figured out how you’ll move your vehicle, it’s time to compare prices for getting your car shipped to or from California. It’s easy to get car shipping quotes, so we recommend getting estimates from at least three car shipping companies to find the best price.
Keep in mind that while some companies guarantee to maintain your initial quote, others might increase the cost of shipping due to changes in the market. If you want a set price for shipping your car in California, it’s best to select a provider that offers this guarantee.
3. Select a Transport Provider
After comparing prices and services, you’ll select a car shipping company. You have two options: work with a car shipping broker or use an online shipping marketplace. Brokers assist you in finding a car carrier while shipping marketplaces allow you to choose your own. However, you’ll need to personally evaluate the carrier if you book transport using a shipping marketplace.
Before deciding, it’s important to do your research. You should check out reviews to find out about other people’s experiences with different shipping providers. This will help you pick a trustworthy provider.
4. Prepare Your Car
Once you’ve booked a service to transport your vehicle, it’s time to get your car ready. Make sure your car has no more than a quarter tank of gas.
Remove personal belongings from your vehicle, because in California, some transport companies consider the weight of the vehicle when deciding on shipping expenses. It’s also likely that your belongings won’t be protected by insurance.
5. Meet the Carrier
On pickup day, you’ll meet your carrier at a predetermined time and location. Whether you opted for door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal shipping, you’ll inspect your vehicle for prior damage such as dents, scratches and dings.
Take pictures of your car before it’s loaded on the trailer. This will give you the right proof of your car’s existing condition in case of damage during transit. Then, sign the bill of lading. This document acts as a receipt that follows your vehicle as it travels to or from California.
6. Pick Up Your Car
If the car transportation company you pick has GPS tracking, you can check where your car is in real-time as it travels to or from California. If not, the company will let you know when to pick up your car.
Make sure to inspect your vehicle for any damage when you get to the designated pickup location. This is crucial, especially if you opt for open auto transportation. If you find any damage, report it on the bill of lading and take photos for potential insurance claims. However, if everything looks good, simply sign the bill of lading one last time and drive the car away.
Car Shipping Options by State
When shipping a car to another state, your best option might change slightly depending on your route and the companies that are available. Below, you can check out our top picks for each state.
California Auto Transport: The Bottom Line
Owners have many options for car shipping in California. We recommend picking a few top companies and comparing quotes to see which provides the best service and price for your move.
California Car Shipping: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about shipping a car in California:
On average, you can expect to pay about $1,005 for open car transport depending on how far you’re shipping the vehicle. You’ll pay more for enclosed shipping or expedited transport options.
Our quote data shows Montway Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport and Sherpa Auto Transport are all affordable car shipping companies. The cheapest car shipping provider depends on your situation.
Typically, it’s cheaper to ship a car with open transport if your move is over 1,000 miles but cheaper to drive for shorter distances. When deciding whether to transport or drive a car, consider the wear and tear on the vehicle, your ideal moving schedule and how much you’ll pay for gas, food and lodging by driving the car.
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car shipping companies. We collected data on dozens of auto transport providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Cost (33% of total score): Auto shipping companies with affordable rates, locked-in pricing and discount opportunities score highest in this category.
- Customer Experience (25% of total score): This score is based on customer satisfaction ratings and the availability of extras like GPS tracking. We also consider the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each transporter’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
- Reputation (22% of total score): Our research team considers availability, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Shipping Methods (10% of total score): Companies that offer a variety of choices for car transport and added benefits are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Logistics (10% of total score): A smooth shipment is all about the details, which is why we look at how long it takes providers to pick up and ship vehicles, whether they include additional insurance coverage and more.
Our credentials:
- 200+ hours researched
- 20+ companies reviewed
- 2,000+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides.
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