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State guide · October 2026
What it costs to move a car into or out of California, how far apart Los Angeles, the Bay Area and the north state really are on a carrier, and what the DMV wants before it will register a car from another state.
Written by Adam Scott, Coordinator at Broadway Auto Transport · October 20, 2026 · Prices updated October 20, 2026
Live carrier rates · ~30 seconds
Prefer a human? Call (917) 594-5566. A coordinator answers.
The short answer
In October 2026, shipping a running sedan from New York to Los Angeles on an open carrier costs about $1,500, and San Francisco to New York about $1,585. Shorter lanes run less: Seattle to Los Angeles about $830, Dallas to San Diego about $980. Enclosed from San Francisco to New York is about $2,740.
Where in California the car is decides how fast a truck comes and whether it reaches the door. Tap a city to price a pickup there.
Every major corridor out of Southern California starts in Los Angeles: I-5 north, I-10 east, I-15 toward Las Vegas, and I-40 beyond Barstow. Las Vegas to Los Angeles is the cheapest California lane we priced, about $350 this month, and Denver to Los Angeles about $645. Los Angeles to New York runs about $1,725.
Naval Base San Diego, Naval Air Station North Island, MCAS Miramar, and Camp Pendleton up the coast make summer PCS season the busiest stretch in San Diego. Virginia Beach to San Diego, the Norfolk-to-San Diego Navy lane, costs about $1,570 this month. Dallas to San Diego runs about $980 and San Diego to Chicago about $1,340.
Steep grades and narrow residential blocks rule out door delivery on most of the city's hills, so drivers load at a flat lot near US-101 or I-280. San Francisco to New York costs about $1,585 open this month and about $2,740 enclosed, and New York to San Francisco about $1,525. Atlanta to San Francisco runs about $1,425.
San Jose and the rest of Silicon Valley sit on US-101, I-280, and I-880, with office-park lots where a carrier has room to load. Tech relocations keep the lanes steady through the year. Covington, Georgia, to Cupertino costs about $1,485 this month, and Redwood City to Queen Creek, Arizona, about $1,205 enclosed.
Price a pickup in San JoseI-5 and I-80 cross in Sacramento, so the capital sees trucks from Oregon, Reno, and the Central Valley every day. Travis Air Force Base is about 45 miles southwest on I-80, and UC Davis is closer still. Las Vegas to Sacramento costs about $545 this month and Miami to Sacramento about $1,610.
Riverside and San Bernardino counties make up the Inland Empire, warehouse country where business-park lots give a carrier all the room it needs. March Air Reserve Base and UC Riverside add moves. Brooklyn to Rancho Cucamonga costs about $1,535 this month, Woodway, Texas, to Homeland about $855, and Loma Linda to Ypsilanti, Michigan, about $1,395.
Price a pickup in RiversideThe Coachella Valley fills with winter residents from November to April, many of them Canadians, and I-10 makes it a quick stop for carriers. Blaine, Washington, to Palm Desert costs about $1,050 this month, and Stamford, Connecticut, to Cathedral City about $1,575. The gated country clubs in Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage need a gate code for the driver.
Price a pickup in Palm SpringsFresno sits on Highway 99 in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley, and carriers running between Los Angeles and Sacramento on 99 pass it daily. Fresno State fills in August, and Naval Air Station Lemoore, about 30 miles southwest, sends Navy aviation families on summer orders. Valley heat in July and August makes a morning pickup easier.
Price a pickup in FresnoWhat it costs
California sits at one end of most of the longest car-hauler runs in the country, so a California quote is usually a cross-country quote. Los Angeles to the East Coast is close to 2,800 miles and six to seven days on the truck, and the state itself is about 800 miles from the Mexican border to Oregon. A sedan picked up in Redding and one picked up in Chula Vista are both California pickups, and they do not price the same.
The prices on this page come from the California lanes we priced this month, for a running sedan on an open carrier. Use them to plan, then price your exact ZIP pair. The sections below cover the corridors the trucks run, which parts of the state sit off them, the two mountain passes that close in winter, and the registration steps California adds for a car from another state.
These are October 2026 figures for the state. Your exact lane, vehicle, and week take about 30 seconds.
See my exact priceLocked 14 days · $0 until dispatch
Approximate prices, October 2026 · open carrier · running sedan · 122 California lanes
Approximate prices for a running sedan on an open carrier, from the California lanes we priced this month. They are planning figures. Southern California and the Bay Area sit on the main corridors and price at the low end; the far north, the mountains, and the desert towns cost more and wait longer for a truck. For your own pickup and delivery ZIP codes, the calculator has a figure in about 30 seconds.
What moves the number
Approximate October 2026 prices for a running sedan on an open carrier. Larger vehicles, enclosed trailers, and peak weeks cost more; the calculator prices your exact shipment.
Lanes · October 2026
Approximate prices for a running sedan on an open carrier, with the range most trucks on the lane land in. “Truck assigned in” is how long it usually takes to find a carrier. Transit is what one driver covers at 400 to 500 miles a day after that.
$1,500most trucks $1,330–$1,665
2,793 mi6–7 days on the trucktruck assigned in 1–45 hours
Most carriers cross on I-40 through Nashville, Oklahoma City, and Albuquerque, about 2,793 miles. About $1,500 this month, less than the $1,725 eastbound. Count six to seven days on the truck once the car is loaded.
Price this route$1,585most trucks $1,285–$1,885
2,907 mi6–8 days on the trucktruck assigned in 1–2 days
I-80 carries this run over Donner Summit, through Reno, Salt Lake City, and Cheyenne, and across Nebraska and Iowa, about 2,907 miles. About $1,585 open this month. From November on, chain controls at Donner can hold the truck before it leaves California.
Price this route$980most trucks $745–$1,210
1,364 mi3–4 days on the trucktruck assigned in 1–36 hours
West on I-20 to I-10, through El Paso and Tucson, then I-8 from Casa Grande into San Diego, about 1,364 miles. About $980 this month, most trucks between $745 and $1,210.
Price this route$1,200most trucks $1,030–$1,365
1,725 mi4–5 days on the trucktruck assigned in 1–31 hours
South through the Central Valley, then east on I-40 through Flagstaff, Albuquerque, and Amarillo, about 1,725 miles. About $1,200 this month. Dallas to San Diego, the nearest westbound match we priced, runs about $980.
Price this route$1,605most trucks $1,355–$1,855
2,730 mi6–7 days on the trucktruck assigned in 1–2 days
I-10 runs nearly coast to coast here, through Phoenix, San Antonio, Houston, and New Orleans, before I-95 takes the truck south from Jacksonville. About $1,605 open this month and about $2,240 enclosed for 2,730 miles.
Price this route$830most trucks $630–$1,025
1,142 mi3 days on the trucktruck assigned in 1–44 hours
I-5 covers all 1,142 miles, over the Siskiyou Summit in Oregon and the Grapevine at the California end. About $830 this month, while Los Angeles to Seattle costs about $990. Snow on either pass can hold a truck in winter.
Price this route| Lane | Miles | Approx. price | Most trucks | Truck assigned in | Transit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas, NV → Los Angeles, CA | 272 | $350 | $290–$410 | 1–3 days | 1 day | 272 mi · 1 day · truck in 1–3 days |
| St. George, UT → Los Angeles, CA | 392 | $360 | $195–$525 | 1–25 hours | 1 day | 392 mi · 1 day · truck in 1–25 hours |
| Las Vegas, NV → Sacramento, CA | 554 | $545 | $480–$610 | 1–46 hours | 2 days | 554 mi · 2 days · truck in 1–46 hours |
| Albuquerque, NM → Los Angeles, CA | 789 | $725 | $600–$855 | 1–4 hours | 2 days | 789 mi · 2 days · truck in 1–4 hours |
| Eugene, OR → Los Angeles, CA | 858 | $655 | $560–$745 | 1–23 hours | 2–3 days | 858 mi · 2–3 days · truck in 1–23 hours |
| Steamboat Springs, CO → Laguna Beach, CA | 977 | $775 | $585–$965 | 1–23 hours | 2–3 days | 977 mi · 2–3 days · truck in 1–23 hours |
| Denver, CO → Los Angeles, CA | 1,017 | $645 | $465–$820 | 1–2 days | 3 days | 1,017 mi · 3 days · truck in 1–2 days |
| Casper, WY → Los Angeles, CA | 1,090 | $885 | $535–$1,240 | 1–3 days | 3 days | 1,090 mi · 3 days · truck in 1–3 days |
| Seattle, WA → Los Angeles, CA | 1,142 | $830 | $630–$1,025 | 1–44 hours | 3 days | 1,142 mi · 3 days · truck in 1–44 hours |
| Spokane, WA → Los Angeles, CA | 1,207 | $970 | $810–$1,130 | 1–4 days | 3–4 days | 1,207 mi · 3–4 days · truck in 1–4 days |
| Missoula, MT → Los Angeles, CA | 1,211 | $1,030 | $825–$1,235 | 1–5 days | 3–4 days | 1,211 mi · 3–4 days · truck in 1–5 days |
| Oklahoma City, OK → Los Angeles, CA | 1,328 | $905 | $730–$1,075 | 1–3 days | 3–4 days | 1,328 mi · 3–4 days · truck in 1–3 days |
| Dallas, TX → San Diego, CA | 1,364 | $980 | $745–$1,210 | 1–36 hours | 3–4 days | 1,364 mi · 3–4 days · truck in 1–36 hours |
| Blaine, WA → Palm Desert, CA | 1,370 | $1,050 | $805–$1,290 | 1–17 days | 3–4 days | 1,370 mi · 3–4 days · truck in 1–17 days |
| Woodway, TX → Homeland, CA | 1,371 | $855 | $715–$990 | 1–7 days | 3–4 days | 1,371 mi · 3–4 days · truck in 1–7 days |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID → Los Angeles, CA | 1,375 | $985 | $815–$1,155 | 1–5 days | 3–4 days | 1,375 mi · 3–4 days · truck in 1–5 days |
| Austin, TX → Los Angeles, CA | 1,378 | $860 | $670–$1,050 | 1–3 days | 3–4 days | 1,378 mi · 3–4 days · truck in 1–3 days |
| Wichita, KS → Los Angeles, CA | 1,379 | $1,090 | $835–$1,340 | 1–23 hours | 3–4 days | 1,379 mi · 3–4 days · truck in 1–23 hours |
| Omaha, NE → Los Angeles, CA | 1,556 | $1,090 | $820–$1,360 | 1–22 hours | 4 days | 1,556 mi · 4 days · truck in 1–22 hours |
| Fayetteville, AR → Los Angeles, CA | 1,571 | $1,260 | $1,120–$1,395 | 1–21 hours | 4 days | 1,571 mi · 4 days · truck in 1–21 hours |
| Kansas City, MO → Los Angeles, CA | 1,619 | $1,070 | $885–$1,255 | 1–15 hours | 4–5 days | 1,619 mi · 4–5 days · truck in 1–15 hours |
| Sioux Falls, SD → Los Angeles, CA | 1,642 | $1,140 | $745–$1,535 | 1–22 hours | 4–5 days | 1,642 mi · 4–5 days · truck in 1–22 hours |
| Des Moines, IA → Los Angeles, CA | 1,684 | $1,360 | $950–$1,770 | 1–6 days | 4–5 days | 1,684 mi · 4–5 days · truck in 1–6 days |
| Memphis, TN → Los Angeles, CA | 1,795 | $1,315 | $1,010–$1,615 | 1–4 hours | 4–5 days | 1,795 mi · 4–5 days · truck in 1–4 hours |
| Fargo, ND → Los Angeles, CA | 1,847 | $1,175 | $815–$1,530 | 1–3 days | 4–5 days | 1,847 mi · 4–5 days · truck in 1–3 days |
| Rochester, MN → Los Angeles, CA | 1,888 | $1,160 | $865–$1,455 | 1–6 days | 4–5 days | 1,888 mi · 4–5 days · truck in 1–6 days |
| New Orleans, LA → Los Angeles, CA | 1,890 | $1,320 | $995–$1,645 | 1–21 hours | 4–5 days | 1,890 mi · 4–5 days · truck in 1–21 hours |
| Gulfport, MS → Los Angeles, CA | 1,945 | $1,320 | $995–$1,645 | 1–21 hours | 4–5 days | 1,945 mi · 4–5 days · truck in 1–21 hours |
| Chicago, IL → Los Angeles, CA | 2,017 | $1,050 | $935–$1,165 | 1–5 days | 5–6 days | 2,017 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–5 days |
| Birmingham, AL → Los Angeles, CA | 2,030 | $1,350 | $980–$1,720 | 1–20 hours | 5–6 days | 2,030 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–20 hours |
| Milwaukee, WI → Los Angeles, CA | 2,058 | $1,250 | $1,055–$1,445 | 1–24 hours | 5–6 days | 2,058 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–24 hours |
| Indianapolis, IN → Los Angeles, CA | 2,067 | $1,220 | $895–$1,550 | 1–28 hours | 5–6 days | 2,067 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–28 hours |
| Louisville, KY → Los Angeles, CA | 2,091 | $1,360 | $1,060–$1,660 | 1–5 days | 5–6 days | 2,091 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–5 days |
| Chicago, IL → San Francisco, CA | 2,131 | $1,185 | $520–$1,845 | 1–42 hours | 5–6 days | 2,131 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–42 hours |
| Valley, AL → Bishop, CA | 2,259 | $1,535 | $1,265–$1,810 | 1–5 days | 5–6 days | 2,259 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–5 days |
| Detroit, MI → Los Angeles, CA | 2,281 | $1,350 | $1,235–$1,470 | 1–3 days | 5–6 days | 2,281 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–3 days |
| Cleveland, OH → Los Angeles, CA | 2,343 | $1,450 | $1,020–$1,875 | 1–5 days | 5–6 days | 2,343 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–5 days |
| Charlotte, NC → Los Angeles, CA | 2,420 | $1,385 | $1,135–$1,635 | 1–23 hours | 5–7 days | 2,420 mi · 5–7 days · truck in 1–23 hours |
| Savannah, GA → Los Angeles, CA | 2,424 | $1,420 | $1,135–$1,710 | 1–6 days | 5–7 days | 2,424 mi · 5–7 days · truck in 1–6 days |
| Pittsburgh, PA → Los Angeles, CA | 2,430 | $1,395 | $1,190–$1,600 | 1–5 days | 5–7 days | 2,430 mi · 5–7 days · truck in 1–5 days |
| Morgantown, WV → Los Angeles, CA | 2,450 | $1,385 | $1,170–$1,600 | 1–26 hours | 5–7 days | 2,450 mi · 5–7 days · truck in 1–26 hours |
| Atlanta, GA → San Francisco, CA | 2,472 | $1,425 | $1,265–$1,590 | 1–15 days | 5–7 days | 2,472 mi · 5–7 days · truck in 1–15 days |
| Charleston, SC → Los Angeles, CA | 2,474 | $1,465 | $1,130–$1,800 | 1–6 days | 5–7 days | 2,474 mi · 5–7 days · truck in 1–6 days |
| Covington, GA → Cupertino, CA | 2,478 | $1,485 | $1,245–$1,720 | 1–15 days | 5–7 days | 2,478 mi · 5–7 days · truck in 1–15 days |
| Buffalo, NY → Los Angeles, CA | 2,535 | $1,620 | $1,410–$1,825 | 1–46 hours | 6–7 days | 2,535 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–46 hours |
| Richmond, VA → Los Angeles, CA | 2,617 | $1,490 | $1,060–$1,920 | 1–11 days | 6–7 days | 2,617 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–11 days |
| Rockville, MD → Los Angeles, CA | 2,674 | $1,480 | $1,295–$1,665 | 1–3 days | 6–7 days | 2,674 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–3 days |
| Cherry Hill, NJ → Los Angeles, CA | 2,723 | $1,400 | $1,205–$1,590 | 1–13 hours | 6–7 days | 2,723 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–13 hours |
| Miami, FL → Los Angeles, CA | 2,730 | $1,470 | $1,290–$1,650 | 1–43 hours | 6–7 days | 2,730 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–43 hours |
| Virginia Beach, VA → San Diego, CA | 2,744 | $1,570 | $1,070–$2,070 | 1–11 days | 6–7 days | 2,744 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–11 days |
| Brooklyn, NY → Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 2,755 | $1,535 | $1,280–$1,795 | 1–7 days | 6–7 days | 2,755 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–7 days |
| Dover, DE → Los Angeles, CA | 2,767 | $1,455 | $1,265–$1,650 | 1–22 hours | 6–7 days | 2,767 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–22 hours |
| Stamford, CT → Cathedral City, CA | 2,769 | $1,575 | $1,260–$1,890 | 1–9 days | 6–7 days | 2,769 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–9 days |
| New York, NY → Los Angeles, CA | 2,793 | $1,500 | $1,330–$1,665 | 1–45 hours | 6–7 days | 2,793 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–45 hours |
| Stamford, CT → Los Angeles, CA | 2,829 | $1,635 | $1,360–$1,910 | 1–5 days | 6–8 days | 2,829 mi · 6–8 days · truck in 1–5 days |
| Rutland, VT → Los Angeles, CA | 2,894 | $1,835 | $1,510–$2,160 | 1–21 hours | 6–8 days | 2,894 mi · 6–8 days · truck in 1–21 hours |
| New York, NY → San Francisco, CA | 2,907 | $1,525 | $1,355–$1,695 | 1–25 hours | 6–8 days | 2,907 mi · 6–8 days · truck in 1–25 hours |
| Meriden, CT → San Diego, CA | 2,911 | $1,745 | $1,430–$2,065 | 1–5 days | 6–8 days | 2,911 mi · 6–8 days · truck in 1–5 days |
| Worcester, MA → Los Angeles, CA | 2,949 | $1,715 | $1,350–$2,080 | 1–8 days | 6–8 days | 2,949 mi · 6–8 days · truck in 1–8 days |
| Warwick, RI → Los Angeles, CA | 2,970 | $1,570 | $1,320–$1,820 | 1–8 days | 6–8 days | 2,970 mi · 6–8 days · truck in 1–8 days |
| Nashua, NH → Los Angeles, CA | 2,994 | $1,775 | $1,485–$2,065 | 1–17 hours | 6–8 days | 2,994 mi · 6–8 days · truck in 1–17 hours |
| Miami, FL → Sacramento, CA | 3,032 | $1,610 | $1,235–$1,985 | 1–31 hours | 7–8 days | 3,032 mi · 7–8 days · truck in 1–31 hours |
| Bangor, ME → Los Angeles, CA | 3,219 | $1,760 | $1,525–$2,000 | 1–26 hours | 7–9 days | 3,219 mi · 7–9 days · truck in 1–26 hours |
| Lane | Miles | Approx. price | Most trucks | Truck assigned in | Transit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA → Reno, NV | 517 | $545 | $450–$640 | 1–15 hours | 2 days | 517 mi · 2 days · truck in 1–15 hours |
| Los Angeles, CA → Salt Lake City, UT | 689 | $920 | $760–$1,085 | 1–23 hours | 2 days | 689 mi · 2 days · truck in 1–23 hours |
| Los Angeles, CA → Las Cruces, NM | 762 | $760 | $540–$980 | 1–5 hours | 2 days | 762 mi · 2 days · truck in 1–5 hours |
| San Francisco, CA → Seattle, WA | 814 | $870 | $735–$1,005 | 1–4 days | 2–3 days | 814 mi · 2–3 days · truck in 1–4 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Boise, ID | 837 | $1,000 | $785–$1,215 | 1–13 hours | 2–3 days | 837 mi · 2–3 days · truck in 1–13 hours |
| Los Angeles, CA → Portland, OR | 963 | $985 | $815–$1,160 | 1–7 days | 2–3 days | 963 mi · 2–3 days · truck in 1–7 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Colorado Springs, CO | 1,084 | $990 | $830–$1,150 | 1–20 hours | 3 days | 1,084 mi · 3 days · truck in 1–20 hours |
| Los Angeles, CA → Cheyenne, WY | 1,099 | $1,040 | $885–$1,195 | 1–7 days | 3 days | 1,099 mi · 3 days · truck in 1–7 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Seattle, WA | 1,142 | $990 | $805–$1,175 | 1–6 days | 3 days | 1,142 mi · 3 days · truck in 1–6 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Billings, MT | 1,252 | $1,460 | $1,140–$1,780 | 1–22 hours | 3–4 days | 1,252 mi · 3–4 days · truck in 1–22 hours |
| Los Angeles, CA → Rapid City, SD | 1,333 | $2,100 | $1,755–$2,445 | 1–3 days | 3–4 days | 1,333 mi · 3–4 days · truck in 1–3 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Tulsa, OK | 1,433 | $1,460 | $1,260–$1,660 | 1–3 days | 3–4 days | 1,433 mi · 3–4 days · truck in 1–3 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Dallas, TX | 1,441 | $1,250 | $1,060–$1,435 | 1–3 days | 3–4 days | 1,441 mi · 3–4 days · truck in 1–3 days |
| Beverly Hills, CA → Dallas, TX | 1,454 | $1,300 | $1,165–$1,440 | 1–3 days | 3–4 days | 1,454 mi · 3–4 days · truck in 1–3 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Lincoln, NE | 1,499 | $1,400 | $1,180–$1,620 | 1–5 days | 3–4 days | 1,499 mi · 3–4 days · truck in 1–5 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Houston, TX | 1,545 | $1,065 | $815–$1,315 | 1–3 days | 4 days | 1,545 mi · 4 days · truck in 1–3 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Texas City, TX | 1,588 | $1,090 | $830–$1,345 | 1–7 days | 4 days | 1,588 mi · 4 days · truck in 1–7 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Overland Park, KS | 1,616 | $1,240 | $1,120–$1,365 | 1–10 hours | 4–5 days | 1,616 mi · 4–5 days · truck in 1–10 hours |
| Los Angeles, CA → Bismarck, ND | 1,655 | $2,210 | $1,865–$2,555 | 1–3 days | 4–5 days | 1,655 mi · 4–5 days · truck in 1–3 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Little Rock, AR | 1,664 | $1,280 | $1,175–$1,380 | 1–46 hours | 4–5 days | 1,664 mi · 4–5 days · truck in 1–46 hours |
| Sacramento, CA → Dallas, TX | 1,725 | $1,200 | $1,030–$1,365 | 1–31 hours | 4–5 days | 1,725 mi · 4–5 days · truck in 1–31 hours |
| San Francisco, CA → Austin, TX | 1,758 | $1,350 | $1,100–$1,565 | 1–20 hours | 4–5 days | 1,758 mi · 4–5 days · truck in 1–20 hours |
| Los Angeles, CA → Cedar Rapids, IA | 1,807 | $1,310 | $1,095–$1,520 | 1–5 days | 4–5 days | 1,807 mi · 4–5 days · truck in 1–5 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Baton Rouge, LA | 1,811 | $1,350 | $1,030–$1,665 | 1–6 days | 4–5 days | 1,811 mi · 4–5 days · truck in 1–6 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → St. Louis, MO | 1,826 | $1,245 | $1,030–$1,460 | 1–44 hours | 4–5 days | 1,826 mi · 4–5 days · truck in 1–44 hours |
| Los Angeles, CA → Jackson, MS | 1,840 | $1,395 | $1,070–$1,725 | 1–6 days | 4–5 days | 1,840 mi · 4–5 days · truck in 1–6 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Springfield, IL | 1,922 | $1,245 | $1,050–$1,440 | 1–44 hours | 4–5 days | 1,922 mi · 4–5 days · truck in 1–44 hours |
| Los Angeles, CA → Minneapolis, MN | 1,927 | $1,450 | $1,300–$1,600 | 1–6 days | 4–5 days | 1,927 mi · 4–5 days · truck in 1–6 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Madison, WI | 1,964 | $1,150 | $780–$1,520 | 1–5 days | 4–5 days | 1,964 mi · 4–5 days · truck in 1–5 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Nashville, TN | 2,006 | $1,350 | $1,155–$1,545 | 1–4 days | 5–6 days | 2,006 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–4 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Huntsville, AL | 2,010 | $1,340 | $1,125–$1,550 | 1–3 days | 5–6 days | 2,010 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–3 days |
| San Diego, CA → Chicago, IL | 2,078 | $1,340 | $1,175–$1,500 | 1–4 days | 5–6 days | 2,078 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–4 days |
| San Diego, CA → Atlanta, GA | 2,141 | $1,355 | $1,165–$1,550 | 1–24 hours | 5–6 days | 2,141 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–24 hours |
| Los Angeles, CA → Lexington, KY | 2,166 | $1,370 | $930–$1,805 | 1–41 hours | 5–6 days | 2,166 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–41 hours |
| Los Angeles, CA → Atlanta, GA | 2,176 | $1,335 | $1,120–$1,555 | 1–21 hours | 5–6 days | 2,176 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–21 hours |
| Los Angeles, CA → Grand Rapids, MI | 2,179 | $1,430 | $1,175–$1,685 | 1–24 hours | 5–6 days | 2,179 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–24 hours |
| Los Angeles, CA → Fort Wayne, IN | 2,186 | $1,365 | $1,130–$1,605 | 1–3 days | 5–6 days | 2,186 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–3 days |
| Loma Linda, CA → Ypsilanti, MI | 2,213 | $1,395 | $1,140–$1,655 | 1–4 days | 5–6 days | 2,213 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–4 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Columbus, OH | 2,240 | $1,480 | $1,280–$1,680 | 1–2 days | 5–6 days | 2,240 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–2 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Charleston, WV | 2,335 | $1,510 | $1,320–$1,700 | 1–2 days | 5–6 days | 2,335 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–2 days |
| Escondido, CA → Jacksonville, FL | 2,353 | $1,470 | $1,150–$1,785 | 1–14 hours | 5–6 days | 2,353 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–14 hours |
| Los Angeles, CA → Columbia, SC | 2,389 | $1,510 | $1,185–$1,835 | 1–3 days | 5–6 days | 2,389 mi · 5–6 days · truck in 1–3 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Raleigh, NC | 2,558 | $1,450 | $1,315–$1,580 | 1–14 days | 6–7 days | 2,558 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–14 days |
| San Diego, CA → Richmond, VA | 2,636 | $1,590 | $1,050–$2,130 | 1–3 days | 6–7 days | 2,636 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–3 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Baltimore, MD | 2,708 | $1,440 | $1,265–$1,615 | 1–7 days | 6–7 days | 2,708 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–7 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Philadelphia, PA | 2,715 | $1,450 | $1,250–$1,650 | 1–3 days | 6–7 days | 2,715 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–3 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Virginia Beach, VA | 2,727 | $1,495 | $1,010–$1,975 | 1–3 days | 6–7 days | 2,727 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–3 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Miami, FL | 2,730 | $1,605 | $1,355–$1,855 | 1–2 days | 6–7 days | 2,730 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–2 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Wilmington, DE | 2,777 | $1,490 | $1,310–$1,665 | 1–3 days | 6–7 days | 2,777 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–3 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Newark, NJ | 2,781 | $1,575 | $1,310–$1,840 | 1–34 hours | 6–7 days | 2,781 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–34 hours |
| Los Angeles, CA → New York, NY | 2,793 | $1,725 | $1,485–$1,965 | 1–4 hours | 6–7 days | 2,793 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–4 hours |
| Los Angeles, CA → Hartford, CT | 2,891 | $1,555 | $1,355–$1,760 | 1–17 hours | 6–8 days | 2,891 mi · 6–8 days · truck in 1–17 hours |
| Los Angeles, CA → Burlington, VT | 2,900 | $1,865 | $1,515–$2,210 | 1–12 hours | 6–8 days | 2,900 mi · 6–8 days · truck in 1–12 hours |
| San Francisco, CA → New York, NY | 2,907 | $1,585 | $1,285–$1,885 | 1–2 days | 6–8 days | 2,907 mi · 6–8 days · truck in 1–2 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Providence, RI | 2,968 | $1,565 | $1,265–$1,865 | 1–17 hours | 6–8 days | 2,968 mi · 6–8 days · truck in 1–17 hours |
| Los Angeles, CA → Boston, MA | 2,982 | $1,570 | $1,250–$1,885 | 1–16 hours | 6–8 days | 2,982 mi · 6–8 days · truck in 1–16 hours |
| Los Angeles, CA → Manchester, NH | 3,013 | $1,790 | $1,445–$2,130 | 1–4 days | 7–8 days | 3,013 mi · 7–8 days · truck in 1–4 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Portland, ME | 3,084 | $1,805 | $1,415–$2,195 | 1 hour | 7–8 days | 3,084 mi · 7–8 days · truck in 1 hour |
| Lane | Miles | Approx. price | Most trucks | Truck assigned in | Transit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redwood City, CA → Queen Creek, AZ | 774 | $1,205 | $995–$1,415 | 1–2 days | 2 days | 774 mi · 2 days · truck in 1–2 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Miami, FL | 2,730 | $2,240 | $1,940–$2,540 | 1–5 days | 6–7 days | 2,730 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–5 days |
| New York, NY → Los Angeles, CA | 2,793 | $2,700 | $2,425–$2,980 | 1–3 days | 6–7 days | 2,793 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–3 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → New York, NY | 2,793 | $2,670 | $2,300–$3,040 | 1–24 hours | 6–7 days | 2,793 mi · 6–7 days · truck in 1–24 hours |
| Santa Monica, CA → Kingston, NY | 2,830 | $2,475 | $2,020–$2,925 | 1–28 days | 6–8 days | 2,830 mi · 6–8 days · truck in 1–28 days |
| San Francisco, CA → New York, NY | 2,907 | $2,740 | $2,225–$3,250 | 1–4 days | 6–8 days | 2,907 mi · 6–8 days · truck in 1–4 days |
Your lane is not in the table? Every ZIP pair in California prices the same way, in about 30 seconds.
Price my exact laneLocked 14 days · $0 until dispatch
Most cars that arrive on a carrier come a long way. The New York to Los Angeles run is 2,793 miles and costs about $1,500 this month, with most trucks between $1,330 and $1,725. Miami to Sacramento, at 3,032 miles, is about $1,610, and Atlanta to San Francisco about $1,425. From closer in the numbers drop fast: Dallas to San Diego is about $980 and Seattle to Los Angeles about $830, at half the distance or less.
Three groups keep the inbound lanes busy. Service members report to Camp Pendleton, Naval Base San Diego, Twentynine Palms, Fort Irwin, Travis, Edwards, and Vandenberg on PCS orders, most of them in summer. Students arrive in August and September for the UC and Cal State campuses, USC, and Stanford. Buyers who found the right car out of state ship it home, which is where the California registration rules matter most. A car built to federal emissions standards rather than California's, bought with fewer than 7,500 miles on it, generally cannot be registered here, so a California resident buying a nearly new car out of state should check the emissions label under the hood before paying.
Outbound California lanes are steady all year, carrying relocations, PCS moves, and cars sold to out-of-state buyers. San Diego to Atlanta costs about $1,355 this month, Sacramento to Dallas about $1,200, and San Diego to Chicago about $1,340. Los Angeles to Miami is about $1,605. San Francisco to New York is about $1,585 open and about $2,740 enclosed.
A 75-foot carrier loads fine in a Valley strip-mall lot or an Inland Empire business park, but the hillside streets of San Francisco, the canyons above Los Angeles, and most beach-town blocks will not take one. In those cases the driver calls ahead and meets you at a lot with room to load, usually within a few miles. North of Sacramento and inland of the coast, Redding, Eureka, and the Sierra foothills sit well off the main corridors, so expect a longer wait for a truck to accept the run.
A loaded car carrier runs about 75 feet. These are the California addresses where it can’t reach the door, and what happens instead. Your coordinator settles it before you book.
I-5 carries most north-south car haulers, from San Diego through Los Angeles, over the Grapevine, and up the west side of the Central Valley to Sacramento and Oregon. Highway 99 runs the east side of the valley through Bakersfield, Fresno, and Modesto, and US-101 follows the coast. East-west, trucks leave Southern California on I-10 through Palm Springs toward Phoenix, on I-15 through the Cajon Pass toward Las Vegas, and on I-40 from Barstow toward Albuquerque. The Bay Area's main exit east is I-80 over Donner Summit toward Reno.
Anywhere on those roads gets picked up fastest and prices at the low end. Los Angeles, Orange County, the Inland Empire, San Diego, the Bay Area, and Sacramento all qualify. The Central Valley cities on 99 do too, at a small detour. Coastal towns between Santa Barbara and Monterey, the far north coast, Lake Tahoe, Mammoth, and the desert east of the Coachella Valley sit off the corridors, and a carrier may ask to meet you on the nearest interstate.
Two passes decide most California weather delays. I-5 over the Tejon Pass, the stretch everyone calls the Grapevine, climbs past 4,000 feet between Los Angeles and Bakersfield. Chains are not practical there, so when snow sticks the CHP paces traffic or closes the road outright, on average three to five times between October and April, usually for four to six hours. I-80 over Donner Summit, above 7,000 feet, goes under chain controls through the winter and closes in the heavier storms. A closure on either holds a carrier for hours or a day or two. The truck waits or reroutes, your coordinator texts the new window, and the quoted price stays the same.
Summer and fall bring a different hold. Wildfires close highways in the foothills and mountains, and smoke or evacuation orders can stop a pickup in an affected county. If your address is in a fire zone, keep the pickup window a few days wide, and tell your coordinator early if an evacuation order changes where the car is.
Your driver phones about a day before arriving; the coordinator texts the confirmed window the evening before.
Leaving California costs less on 1 of the 6 pairs priced this month. Carriers price the empty miles home, so the busier direction costs more. Each pair below is the same out-of-state city in both directions, running sedan, open carrier.
Seattle
Dallas
Austin
Chicago
Atlanta
Richmond
Calendar
When the same lanes get busy, and what that does to your pickup week.
How busy the California lanes get each month, from our coordinators’ calendar. Busier months fill trucks sooner and cost more.
California rules
The rules that catch people who bring a car in from another state.
Rules as of the review date below. The California Department of Motor Vehicles is the source for registration and VIN verification, and the Bureau of Automotive Repair for smog check; check both before you register.
Questions
In October 2026, New York to Los Angeles runs about $1,500 for a running sedan on an open carrier, with most trucks between roughly $1,330 and $1,725. The trip is 2,793 miles, so count six to seven days on the truck after pickup. A larger SUV or pickup can cost up to 40% more. Your exact ZIP pair takes about 30 seconds in the calculator, and that price is held for 14 days in writing.
San Francisco to New York runs about $1,585 on an open carrier in October 2026, most trucks between about $1,285 and $1,885, and about $2,740 enclosed. Transit is six to seven days after pickup, plus a day or two to assign a carrier on the busier weeks.
Transit runs at about 400 to 500 miles a day once the car is loaded. That is two to three days between Seattle and Los Angeles, three to four from Dallas, four to five from Chicago, and six to seven from the East Coast or Florida. Pickups off the main interstates can take longer to assign, and a Grapevine or Donner closure adds a day or two.
For most cars, yes. California asks for a smog certification when a car previously registered in another state is first registered here, along with a VIN verification and proof of California-level insurance. You have 20 days from becoming a resident or taking a job here. The Bureau of Automotive Repair lists the exemptions by fuel type and model year.
Usually not at the door. A full-size carrier cannot climb steep residential streets or turn on narrow canyon roads, so the driver meets you at a nearby lot with room to load, often a shopping-center or business-park lot near the freeway. The meeting point is settled with your coordinator ahead of time and costs nothing extra.
Sacramento to Dallas runs about $1,200 for a running sedan on an open carrier in October 2026, most trucks between roughly $1,030 and $1,365, for 1,725 miles. Going the other way, Dallas to San Diego is about $980. Count three to four days on the truck between Southern California and Texas, four to five from Northern California.
The carrier waits for the road to reopen or takes another route, and your coordinator texts you the new window. Most closures last hours, the heavier storms a day or two. The quoted price does not change because of weather.
The data
The numbers are rebuilt from our own pricing each month and published with the page, so the dates above are the real ones.
Other state guides
or call (917) 594-5566. A person answers.
