Best Car Shipping Companies
The Detroit Bureau reviewed the top car shipping companies to find the best.
Los Angeles is the largest city in California, and thousands of people move in and out of the area each year. Despite the city’s notorious traffic jams, auto shipping to and from Los Angeles is an easy process, especially if you can be flexible with dropoff and pickup times.
There are dozens of providers available to move your car safely in or out of Los Angeles, but with such a large market, it’s helpful to know how to narrow down your options. We’ve reviewed the best car shipping companies that service LA to help you find a good deal. Click the links above to get free quotes and compare rates from our top recommendations.
What to Expect When Shipping a Car in Los Angeles
Southern California’s warm climate makes auto shipping to and from Los Angeles easy year-round – for the most part. There are two major things to watch out for: wildfires and traffic. Wildfire season can delay shipping times significantly, so keep an eye on the news and be prepared to be flexible.
The Los Angeles area is famous for Hollywood, the Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach and traffic. LA’s traffic is among the worst in the country. Traffic outside of rush hour can still feel like rush hour compared to other cities. So, if you know your auto carrier is nearby, it may still be a while before they navigate the city streets to your location.
Cost of Shipping to and from Los Angeles
Car shipping costs depend on multiple factors, including distance, time of year, type of service and type of vehicle. Below are some sample quotes from uShip, which is one of our top five recommended providers. You can learn more about service in our uShip review.
| Origin/Destination City | Distance | Cost of Auto Shipping to Los Angeles | Cost of Auto Shipping from Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas, NV | 270 miles | $319 | $319 |
| Tucson, AZ | 500 miles | $382 | $382 |
| Portland, OR | 1,000 miles | $667 | $667 |
| Houston, TX | 1,500 miles | $799 | $799 |
| Nashville, TN | 2,000 miles | $1,129 | $1,267 |
The quotes above apply to a 2020 Honda Accord sent via open transport. Since prices depend on many factors, you’ll probably find different prices than these. For example, you’ll pay more to hire an enclosed transport carrier or to send a large or heavy vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions About Auto Transport
How much would it cost to ship a car to California?
The cost for auto shipping to California can range from about $300 to $1,500 or more. A short shipment from the neighboring state of Nevada is on the cheaper end of the spectrum, while cross-country auto shipping from New York is more expensive.
What’s the cheapest way to ship a car?
For safe and cheap car shipping, use an open transport service. This type of service ensures a truck driver is present with your car at all times. You can also save money by picking your car up at a shipping terminal instead of having your vehicle delivered to your home.
What’s the cheapest way to ship a car across the country?
The cheapest way to ship a car cross-country is to use an open transport service and book it in advance. If you need to ship within a few days, you’ll pay more for expedited service. Try to book your shipment at least a couple of weeks prior to your move.
How much does it cost to ship a car to Los Angeles?
What you pay to ship a car to Los Angeles depends on your location, your vehicle, the type of service you want and more. In general, it can cost between $300 and $1,300 to ship a standard sedan to Los Angeles.
Methodology
The Detroit Bureau collects data from every major car shipping provider to formulate rankings of the best auto transport companies. Our in-depth rating system takes into account pricing, services, customer satisfaction and ratings from industry experts. Each provider is given a weighted score in four categories, as well as an overall score out of 10.0.
We recommend car shipping companies based on these rankings, but we also encourage you to perform your own research and compare quotes to find the best service.
