Car Shipping in California
Cars, pickups and SUVs moved to, from and within California on open or enclosed carriers, with door-to-door pickup in Long Beach, Los Angeles and the rest of the state.
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Every carrier is vetted for operating authority and insurance, and we check the certificate before every dispatch, not once a year. USDOT 3411782 · MC 1100274
At a glance
Shipping in California at a glance
The facts that decide how a load moves here. Regulatory figures link to the official page they come from.
- I-5
- I-8
- I-10
- I-15
- I-40
- I-80
- I-205
- I-215
- I-405
- I-580
- I-710
- I-880
How freight moves in California
Freight in California runs on I-5, I-8, I-10, I-15, I-40 and I-80. Ocean and river cargo moves through Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach, Port of Oakland and Port of San Diego. Its crossings at Otay Mesa and Calexico East connect it to Mexico. The state's economy leans on ports and international trade, agriculture and food processing, technology and electronics and entertainment production equipment, and that is most of what moves on its roads.
Rules of the road
What shapes a move in California
- Seasonal conditions
Caltrans can impose chain controls on Sierra Nevada passes such as I-80 over Donner Summit, where trucks may be stopped at a chain check point and required to carry maximum chains, and permit loads can be barred from the summit.
Wildfires, high winds and winter storms can close mountain passes such as the Grapevine on I-5 and the Cajon Pass on I-15 on short notice.
- If you are moving to the state
New residents must register a vehicle within 20 days of establishing California residency, and the vehicle needs a DMV VIN verification and, for most vehicles, a California-certified smog check because out-of-state smog tests are not accepted. Source ↗
Rules change. The specialist on your move checks the current ones for your exact route before anything is booked.
Cities
Car Shipping by city in California
These are the busiest pickup points. Any address in California works, including the towns between them.
Long BeachLos Angeles County
Long Beach is home to the Port of Long Beach, one of the two San Pedro Bay ports, and I-710 and I-405 feed trucks to rail yards and warehouses across the Inland Empire.
- I-710
- I-405
- I-605
- CA-91
Los AngelesLos Angeles County
Los Angeles is home to the Port of Los Angeles, which with the neighboring Port of Long Beach forms the busiest container port complex in the United States, and I-5, I-10, I-110 and I-710 carry the cargo inland.
- I-5
- I-10
- I-110
- I-405
OaklandAlameda County
Oakland is home to the Port of Oakland, Northern California's main container port, and I-880, I-80 and I-580 connect it to the Bay Area, the Central Valley and the rest of the country.
- I-880
- I-80
- I-580
- I-980
San DiegoSan Diego County
San Diego sits on I-5, I-8 and I-15 north of the Otay Mesa commercial border crossing, and the Port of San Diego's marine terminals handle vehicle and breakbulk cargo.
- I-5
- I-8
- I-15
- I-805
FresnoFresno County
Fresno sits on Highway 99 in the San Joaquin Valley, the center of California's Central Valley farm production, with heavy truck traffic hauling produce and farm equipment.
- CA-99
- CA-41
- CA-180
- CA-168
OntarioSan Bernardino County
Ontario sits in the Inland Empire at I-10 and I-15, with an international airport, rail intermodal connections and one of the largest concentrations of warehouses serving the Southern California ports.
- I-10
- I-15
- CA-60
SacramentoSacramento County
Sacramento, the state capital, is where I-5, I-80 and US-50 meet, with the Port of West Sacramento on a deepwater ship channel nearby and a large agricultural and food-processing base.
- I-5
- I-80
- US-50
- CA-99
StocktonSan Joaquin County
Stockton is home to the Port of Stockton, an inland deepwater port in the San Joaquin Delta reached by I-5 and Highway 99, and it is a major Central Valley warehouse hub.
- I-5
- CA-99
- I-205
- CA-4
Car Shipping
How cars move
Open carrier
The standard for most cars, pickups and SUVs, and the lower price.
Enclosed carrier
For classics, exotics and fresh paint, out of the weather and the road debris.
Non-running vehicles
A winch or a forklift at each end, arranged before pickup.
Several vehicles
Dealer, fleet and auction moves on one load when the route allows it.
Questions about shipping in California
How do you ship a car in California?
Tell us the pickup and delivery addresses, the vehicle and whether it runs. A vetted carrier with the right trailer picks it up at the door, the driver documents its condition, and you get a confirmed pickup window before anything moves.
Do you ship cars to every city in California?
Yes. Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland and San Diego are the busiest pickup points, and any address in the state works.
How long do I have to register a car after moving to California?
New residents must register a vehicle within 20 days of establishing California residency, and the vehicle needs a DMV VIN verification and, for most vehicles, a California-certified smog check because out-of-state smog tests are not accepted. Confirm the details for your case with the state's motor vehicle office.
Open or enclosed carrier?
Open carriers move most cars and cost less. Enclosed trailers protect classics, exotics and fresh paint from the weather and from road debris.
How fast do you reply to a quote request?
In under 10 minutes during business hours, by text or phone for a move inside the U.S., and on WhatsApp for one going to Mexico.
Get a Free, No-Obligation Quote Today
Our logistics specialists are standing by. We reply in under 10 minutes.
Every carrier is vetted for operating authority and insurance, and we check the certificate before every dispatch, not once a year. USDOT 3411782 · MC 1100274