Dec–Feb
Winter
Best time to ship east
Winter is usually the cheapest season for routes out of LA, though snow in Arizona and New Mexico can slow I-40.
Car Shipping in Los Angeles
Shipping a car out of the Valley, into Santa Monica, or across the Pacific to Hawaii. Los Angeles is the biggest car shipping hub on the West Coast, with trucks leaving for every corner of the country. Here's what it costs and where carriers can meet you.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Los Angeles?
Shipping a standard sedan from Los Angeles costs about $425–$1,775 on an open carrier to most mainland cities, depending on distance. Los Angeles to Dallas runs about $950–$1,200 (3–5 days), and Los Angeles to New York about $1,400–$1,775 (6–9 days). Enclosed transport adds roughly 40–60%.
- Pickup: most of the LA basin is reachable, but hillside neighborhoods and dense Westside streets usually need a nearby meeting point.
- Hawaii: cars to Hawaii sail from the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, about $1,500–$2,200 to Honolulu.
- Main truck routes: I-5, I-10, I-15, I-405 and US-101.
Pickup and delivery
Where car carriers can meet you in Los Angeles
LA is spread out, and pickup ease depends on hills, street width and how close you are to a freeway. Pick your area to see truck routes and good meeting spots.
LA freeways set the pickup window
Carriers plan around rush hour on the region's busiest freeways. Early-morning or midday pickups are faster, and a meeting point near the right freeway can save hours.
I-405 Sepulveda PassI-5 through downtownI-10 Santa Monica FwyUS-101 Hollywood FwyI-110 Harbor FwyI-710 near the ports
Downtown, Hollywood & the Hills
Truck access: Hard for trucksDowntown is reachable but congested, and the Hollywood Hills, Silver Lake and Echo Park have steep, narrow streets a long carrier can't turn on. Carriers usually meet hillside customers at the bottom of the hill or near a freeway.
Truck routes
- Hollywood Freeway
- Harbor and Pasadena freeways
- Santa Monica and San Bernardino freeways
Good meeting spots
- Industrial areas east of downtown near I-5 and I-10
- Large retail lots near the 101
Tip: If you live up a hill, plan to drive the car down to a flat, wide street or lot before the truck arrives.
Westside & Santa Monica
Truck access: ModerateSanta Monica, Venice, West LA and Culver City have tight residential streets and heavy traffic. Carriers can usually reach the main boulevards but prefer to meet near the 405 or the 10.
Truck routes
- San Diego Freeway
- Santa Monica Freeway
Good meeting spots
- Retail lots near the 405 in Culver City and West LA
- Business park lots near the 10
Tip: The 405 through the Sepulveda Pass is one of the slowest stretches in the country; ask for an early-morning slot.
San Fernando Valley
Truck access: EasyThe Valley has wide streets, big lots and quick freeway access, making it one of the easiest parts of LA for carriers. Many door pickups are possible.
Truck routes
- Golden State Freeway
- San Diego Freeway
- Ventura Freeway
- CA 118Ronald Reagan Freeway
Good meeting spots
- Your driveway in most neighborhoods
- Shopping center lots near the 101 and the 5
Tip: Hillside areas south of Ventura Boulevard are the exception; meet on the flats instead.
South Bay & Long Beach
Truck access: EasyTorrance, Carson and Long Beach sit next to the ports and are full of trucks every day. Long Beach is also where most Hawaii car shipments sail from.
Truck routes
- San Diego Freeway
- Long Beach Freeway
- Harbor Freeway
Good meeting spots
- Industrial areas near the ports
- Large retail lots along the 405
Tip: Shipping to Hawaii? If you're near Long Beach, port drop-off can save you the cost of a truck leg.
San Gabriel Valley & Pasadena
Truck access: EasyPasadena, Arcadia and the San Gabriel Valley are suburban with good freeway access. Foothill neighborhoods can be steep, but most addresses are reachable.
Truck routes
- Foothill Freeway
- San Bernardino Freeway
- San Gabriel River Freeway
Good meeting spots
- Your driveway in flatter neighborhoods
- Retail lots near the 210 and the 10
Tip: Foothill streets above the 210 are often too steep for carriers; meet closer to the freeway.
Orange County
Truck access: EasyIrvine, Anaheim and Huntington Beach have wide suburban streets and plenty of freeway access, so door pickups are common. Gated communities may need gate access arranged in advance.
Truck routes
- Santa Ana Freeway
- San Diego Freeway
- Orange Freeway
Good meeting spots
- Your driveway in most communities
- Shopping center lots near the 5 and the 405
Tip: Some Orange County toll roads use FasTrak; remove it before pickup so it doesn't register charges on the truck.
Inland Empire
Truck access: EasyOntario, Fontana, Riverside and San Bernardino are one of the country's biggest warehouse and trucking hubs. Many carriers serving LA stage here, so pickups are fast and easy.
Truck routes
- San Bernardino Freeway
- Ontario Freeway to Las Vegas
- Riverside Freeway
Good meeting spots
- Your driveway in most neighborhoods
- Truck-friendly lots near I-10 and I-15
Tip: Meeting a truck in the Inland Empire can be cheaper for eastbound shipments, since it saves the carrier a trip into the basin.
Prices
Car shipping prices to and from Los Angeles
Estimated open-carrier prices for a standard sedan. Routes with a guide link to city-by-city prices; the rest start a quote.
Shipping from Los Angeles
- Los Angeles → Honolulu, HI
Ocean (port to port) · 10–14 days$1,500–$2,200
Route guide → - Los Angeles → Phoenix, AZ
430 mi · 1–3 days$500–$650 - Los Angeles → Las Vegas, NV
270 mi · 1–3 days$425–$550 - Los Angeles → Dallas, TX
1,480 mi · 3–5 days$950–$1,200
Route guide → - Los Angeles → Seattle, WA
1,150 mi · 2–4 days$825–$1,050 - Los Angeles → Chicago, IL
2,090 mi · 4–7 days$1,150–$1,450 - Los Angeles → New York, NY
2,930 mi · 6–9 days$1,400–$1,775
Route guide → - Los Angeles → Miami, FL
2,800 mi · 6–9 days$1,350–$1,725
Route guide →
Shipping to Los Angeles
- New York, NY → Los Angeles
2,930 mi · 6–9 days$1,400–$1,775
Route guide → - Houston, TX → Los Angeles
1,640 mi · 3–6 days$1,000–$1,275
Route guide → - Chicago, IL → Los Angeles
2,090 mi · 4–7 days$1,150–$1,450 - Atlanta, GA → Los Angeles
2,320 mi · 5–8 days$1,225–$1,550
Route guide → - Detroit, MI → Los Angeles
2,370 mi · 5–8 days$1,225–$1,575
Route guide → - Honolulu, HI → Los Angeles
Ocean (port to port) · 10–14 days$1,500–$2,200
Route guide →
Enclosed transport adds about 40–60%. SUVs and pickups usually add $100–$250.
Book with confidence
Three ways to ship your car in Los Angeles
Compare independent companies, let our own licensed team handle it, or check a quote you already have.
Full Service
Let Transportvibe handle it
Full Service is our own licensed brokerage. Our team books a vetted carrier for your Los Angeles move, including a truck-friendly meeting point, and handles the details. Shown separately from TrustScore rankings.
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See FMCSA-checked brokers and carriers serving Los Angeles, ranked by TrustScore with verified reviews. Companies can't pay to change their score.
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Paste a USDOT or MC number to see FMCSA authority, insurance status, complaint history and warning signs, including quotes far below the $425–$1,775 market range.
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What makes Los Angeles car shipping different
The West Coast's biggest hub
Trucks leave LA for Texas, Arizona, the Midwest and the East Coast every day, so pickups are usually scheduled within a few days and prices stay competitive.
Hawaii ships from Long Beach
Most cars headed to Hawaii sail from the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Port-to-port to Honolulu runs about $1,500–$2,200.
Smog check before registration
Most vehicles coming from another state need a California smog certification before they can be registered, and new residents have 20 days to register.
Rush hour shapes pickups
Carriers avoid the 405, the 5 and the 10 at peak times. Expect a pickup window rather than an exact time, and offer a meeting point near the freeway.
Santa Ana winds and wildfires
In fall, Santa Ana winds and wildfires can close freeways and canyon roads for a day or more. Carriers reroute, but pickups in fire zones may slip.
Military moves
Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo and Naval Base Ventura County bring regular PCS moves. Share your report date and base access details when you book.
Timing
Best time to ship a car in Los Angeles
Summer relocations drive LA prices most, while winter is usually the best time to ship east.
Mar–May
Spring
Steady demand
Spring brings steady demand and good weather on most routes. Book about two weeks ahead.
Jun–Aug
Summer
Moving season
Summer is the busiest season, with family relocations, students and PCS moves. Book two to three weeks ahead.
Sep–Nov
Fall
Snowbirds and fire season
Fall brings snowbird traffic to Arizona and Nevada, and Santa Ana winds can cause short delays.
Moving checklist
Moving to or from Los Angeles with a car
Moving to Los Angeles
Confirm current rules with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
- Register within 20 days of becoming a California resident, through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
- Inspection: Most vehicles coming from another state need a smog certification before they can be registered in California, with some exemptions. California has no general annual safety inspection.
- Minimum insurance: Liability of at least $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury and $15,000 for property damage.
- Check building access. Many apartment buildings have tight garages or assigned parking. Confirm where the truck can stop before delivery day.
Leaving Los Angeles
Things Angelenos forget before the truck arrives.
- Remove your FasTrak. It can register express lane and toll road charges while the car is on the truck.
- Pick a freeway-friendly meeting point if you live in the hills, a dense Westside neighborhood or a building with a tight garage.
- Book early in summer. June to August is peak season for trucks leaving LA.
- Leave about a quarter tank and remove personal items and toll tags before pickup.
Ready to ship your car in Los Angeles?
Let our Full Service team find a carrier and a meeting point that works, or check any company with the Red Flag Checker before you pay a deposit.
Questions
Los Angeles car shipping FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car from Los Angeles?
Shipping a standard sedan from Los Angeles costs about $425–$1,775 on an open carrier to most mainland cities, depending on distance. Los Angeles to Dallas runs about $950–$1,200 (3–5 days), and Los Angeles to New York about $1,400–$1,775 (6–9 days). Enclosed transport adds roughly 40–60%.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Los Angeles to Hawaii?
About $1,500–$2,200 from the ports of Long Beach or Los Angeles to Honolulu, with sailing and port handling taking about 10–14 days. Shipping to Maui, Kauai or the Big Island costs more because of the inter-island leg.
Can a car carrier pick up my car in the Hollywood Hills?
Usually not at your door. Hillside streets are too steep and narrow for a long car carrier to turn around. Most carriers meet hillside customers at the bottom of the hill or near the 101.
Do I need a smog check after shipping my car to Los Angeles?
Most vehicles coming from another state need a California smog certification before they can be registered. New residents have 20 days to register with the California DMV.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Los Angeles?
Book an open carrier two weeks ahead, keep your dates flexible, and meet the truck near a freeway in the Valley or the Inland Empire. Winter is usually the cheapest season for routes heading east.
How long does it take to ship a car from Los Angeles to the East Coast?
About 6–9 days to New York and 6–9 days to Miami after pickup. Add 1–3 days for scheduling, since LA has trucks leaving every day.
Is enclosed transport worth it in Los Angeles?
For luxury, classic and exotic cars, often yes. LA has a large enclosed carrier market, and enclosed transport protects paint from sun and road debris on long desert routes. It adds about 40–60% to the price.
Do wildfires affect car shipping in Los Angeles?
Sometimes. In fall, Santa Ana winds and wildfires can close freeways and canyon roads for a day or more. Carriers reroute where they can, but pickups near fire zones may be delayed.
Related routes and guides
- California to Hawaii
- California to Texas
- California to New York
- California to Florida
- New York to California
- Texas to California
- Georgia to California
- Michigan to California
- Hawaii to California
- Car shipping in California
- Car shipping in New York City
- Car shipping in San Diego
- Car shipping in Chicago
- Car shipping in Houston
- Car shipping in Miami
- Car shipping in Seattle
- Car shipping in Dallas
- Car shipping in San Jose
- Car shipping in Atlanta
- Get a car shipping quote
How we estimate prices. Prices and transit times on this page are estimates for a standard sedan, based on route distance, typical carrier rates, seasonal demand and the extra cost of enclosed transport. Quotes from individual companies can be higher or lower. Registration details come from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV); truck route rules from Caltrans truck route information.