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| Home improvement, Gardening, Home designForbes Home reviewed 44 auto transport companies with thorough metrics to assess the best car shipping companies in California. We dug into customer reviews, service offerings, terms and conditions, insurance options and more, as well as costs for multiple vehicle shipping scenarios. To get true customer experiences, we also surveyed 1,600 recent car shipping customers.
Our team is committed to bringing you independent, unbiased ratings and information. We use proprietary data and expert advice to inform our content, including the pros and cons of the top car-shipping companies and tips for choosing the best company for you. You can read more about our editorial guidelines for the ratings below.
Featured Partners
1
Nexus Auto Transport
BBB Score
Excellent
States Serviced
50
International Shipping
Yes
2
Navi Auto Transport
BBB Score
Not Accredited
States Serviced
50
International Shipping
No
3
Montway Auto Transport
BBB Score
A+
States Serviced
50
International Shipping
No
| COMPANY | FORBES HOME RATING | BEST FOR | ESTIMATE* | PRICE MATCHING | LEARN MORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 4.7    | Best Reliability | $800 - $1,100 | Yes | From Participating Partners | |
| 4.5 | Best Customer Communication | $840 - $1,225 | Yes | From Participating Partners | |
| 4.5 | Best Discounts | $677 - $1,151 | Yes | On AmeriFreight's Website | |
| 4.5 | Best for Customization | $839 - $1,259 | No | On Montway Auto Transport's Website | |
| 4.4 | Best Pricing | $579 - $829 | Yes | From Participating Partners |
Best Reliability
Best Reliability
Direct Connect Auto Transport
Coming through with excellent reliability and best performance overall with our scoring system, Direct Connect Auto is our top pick for car shipping in California. In our poll, customers reported positive all-around experiences with Direct Connect. This led to 81% saying they would suggest the company to family and friends.
Direct Connect Auto also stands out with its damage-free guarantee, which pledges that the company will pay for any repairs if your car arrives damaged. We recommend that customers check the guarantee with the specifics of Direct Connect Auto’s insurance coverage for even more peace of mind.
Our researchers reached out to Direct Connect Auto Transport and got quotes for a sample journey to transport a 2021 Hyundai Sonata from Brooklyn, New York, (11202) to Charlotte, North Carolina (28105). We received slightly different estimates online than via phone. For open container shipping, we were quoted $800 over the phone and $870 online. We were then quoted $1,100 for enclosed shipping.
Services:
Forbes Home surveyed 1,600 recent car shipping customers about their experiences. We found there was a strong satisfaction rate among Direct Connect Auto Transport customers, with 81% saying they would recommend the company to a family member or friend. Direct Connect Auto customers were equally positive about how simple it was to schedule service, with 82% saying they were satisfied with this step.
Best Customer Communication
Best Customer Communication
NX Automotive Transport
Next on our list in California is NX Automotive Transport, which we like for many reasons, including its focus on customer experience. To start, the company offers binding quotes, which limit unpleasant surprises down the road. Additionally, the company offers a damage-free guarantee, and deposits aren’t required until a carrier is assigned. In our survey, 73% said that they were happy with the transparency of pricing and fees, and 9% said they found their car shipping cost to be less than what they were quoted, which was an above-average metric.
What stood out the most to us, though, was the mention on its website that its carriers are fully vetted and all of its agents are committed to respectful and honest communication with customers. Those who hire on NX can even communicate with the company via text, something we don’t always see.
Our team requested multiple rate quotes from NX Auto Transport to ship a 2021 Hyundai Sonata between Brooklyn, New York, (11202) and Charlotte, North Carolina (28105). Results showed that online submissions came in more affordable than phone estimates. For instance, open transport was $840 via web request versus $895 by phone. Enclosed service on this delivery ran about $1,225 through a phone estimate.
Services:
We saw a mix of responses from NX Auto Transport customers in our survey of 1,600 people. On one hand, 89% of the company’s customers said they would ship their car another time, which was a bit higher than average and reported costs were nearing average. However, some metrics were a bit less positive, with only 20% of customers reporting that they were “very satisfied” with the ease of booking and scheduling, more than 12 percentage points lower than the overall average.
Best Discounts
Best Discounts
AmeriFreight
Who doesn’t love a good discount? AmeriFreight’s plethora of discounts helps place the company on our list in California. The company provides discounts for older adults, students, those in the military and those booking early, just to name a few. AmeriFreight also shares its focus on optimizing its process to help customers save money and get the lowest price. This work showed in our survey, too, where 54% of AmeriFreight customers said they paid what they expected or even less.
Additionally, the car shipping company doesn’t require a deposit until a carrier takes the job, and you can cancel for free until that time, too. We also noticed that its site is transparent, with discount and cost estimate info available right on the page, which we always appreciate.
Learn More: AmeriFreight Review
Our team secured pricing from AmeriFreight to move a 2021 Hyundai Sonata between Brooklyn, New York, (11202) and Charlotte, North Carolina (28105). The quote for enclosed shipping came in at $1,151, while standard open transport was $677, with no difference between online and phone estimates.
Services:
AmeriFreight earned high marks in our survey, especially when it came to customer satisfaction. For example, 93% of respondents said their car arrived in great shape. Also, 91% said they’d ship their car again after their experience with AmeriFreight, a rate that’s above the national average.
One potential trade-off? The average cost reported by AmeriFreight customers was $1,418, compared to the overall survey average of $1,390.
Best for Customization
Best for Customization
Montway Auto Transport
Montway Auto Transport is built for flexibility, whether you’re moving a single sedan or arranging multi-vehicle transport. Customers can choose from standard or premium carriers and can opt for expedited delivery if timing is critical.
A few details that stood out in our survey: 33% of respondents said Montway was “very transparent” about what they’d be paying, and 40% were “very satisfied” with their vehicle’s condition upon arrival. That kind of consistency gives customers real confidence throughout the journey.
There’s no charge up-front; instead, you only pay after a carrier is assigned. And depending on your situation, cash payments may qualify you for a discount. Between fast quotes and strong satisfaction scores, Montway continues to make an easy name for itself in California for auto transport.
Learn More: Montway Auto Transport review
To gauge Montway’s pricing, we ran sample estimates for a 2021 Hyundai Sonata traveling from Brooklyn, New York, (11202) to Charlotte, North Carolina (28105). As expected, rates were more affordable when we called directly versus using the website. Over the phone, we were quoted $839 for open trailer service and $1,100 for enclosed vehicle transport. By comparison, Montway’s online tool returned a price of $1,259 for the enclosed option, $159 more.
Services:
When we surveyed 1,600 car shipping customers, those who used Montway had fairly positive responses. When asked about communication from the company, 88% said they were pleased with this aspect before the vehicle was shipped, and similarly, 84% were pleased with communication after shipping. When the car was at their new home 90% of Montway customers said they were pleased with its condition.
As far as cons, costs were a bit more expensive than average at $1,427 compared to $1,390.
Best Pricing
Best Pricing
A-1 Auto Transport
With some of the lowest estimates of all of the companies we reviewed, A-1 Auto Transport has made a solid reputation based on its budget-friendly approach and overall service. This aligned with our survey, where A-1 customers reported paying below the national average at $1,359.
Affordable rates aren’t the only reason that A-1 Auto Transport is a top company: The company also doesn’t require an initial deposit and has the resources to ship to nearly 200 countries.
In our research, we got example pricing from A-1 Auto Transport to ship a 2021 Hyundai Sonata between Brooklyn, New York, (11202) and Charlotte, North Carolina (28105). Prices were very competitive, being even more so when we called versus obtaining an online quote. On this journey, we were quoted $579 for open shipping over the phone and $625 online. As for enclosed shipping, our team was quoted $829.
Services:
We surveyed 1,600 recent car shipping customers, including those who used A-1 Auto Transport. Interestingly, despite its low competitive rates, A-1 customers were among the least likely to cite this as their reason for picking the company; they were more swayed by customer reviews and the simple quote process. Prices did turn out to be a mark in the company’s favor, with A-1 tying for the top spot of customers who said they paid exactly what they were quoted (45%).
A-1 also impressed many for keeping the vehicle transportation process transparent, with 89% of customers saying they were satisfied with the ease of booking and 86% saying pricing was transparent.
Whether you’re relocating long-distance or just buying a car from a few cities over, shipping a vehicle in California comes with unique considerations. Weather, distance between metro areas and road access can all affect timing and availability, so it’s worth doing your homework upfront.
Start by getting multiple quotes and asking for realistic delivery windows based on your exact pickup and drop-off locations. Some parts of California may have fewer available carriers, which could delay your delivery, especially for enclosed or specialty transport.
Below, we break down what to look for in a reputable car shipping company in California so you can make a clear choice and feel confident about your decision.
One of the first decisions you’ll make when booking a car shipment is whether to transport your vehicle in an open or enclosed container. Most car shipping companies offer an option of either one, and each comes with pros and cons.
For example, enclosed car shipping is typically pricier because it involves placing your car in a container that is shielded from the elements and isn’t typically with other cars. This dedicated container means a company can ship fewer cars at once, raising your price. That said, if you’re concerned about damage or your car is particularly expensive, that extra cash may be worth it.
Open containers are what you’ll commonly see when car shipping companies transport many cars at once on a truck bed that is open to the elements. It’s cheaper because of the ability to transport multiple cars at once, but your car may be more prone to damage.
Reading customer reviews for car shipping companies can highlight relevant information and potentially raise a few concerns. To get the most out of customer feedback, be sure to read it critically (meaning you should consider the one- and five-star reviews and pay attention to the middle ground).
For the most relevant reviews, search for the latest comments from people in California. Also, be aware of trends within reviews: Are there repeated comments about customer service? Unexpected delays?
Finally, consider how the provider responds to reviews. A commitment to quickly addressing customer reviews is a good sign.
Before signing anything, don’t skip the fine print. It’s where you’ll find details like cancellation rules, which matter because some companies add penalties if you cancel late.
You’ll also want to look for promises that protect you if something goes wrong, such as delays. For instance, a provider that offers a damage-free pledge might cover repairs if it fails to deliver on that promise.
Insurance is another key point. Every U.S. car shipper is mandated by law to carry liability insurance, which kicks in if the transporter causes damage. They also need cargo coverage to safeguard against handling issues. Before you book, confirm if those minimums are in place, and if you want extra peace of mind, ask about add-on policies.
Most modern car shipping companies offer some level of GPS tracking, but not all systems are created equal. Some give you near-live location data, while others stick to broader progress reports at scheduled intervals. Before you book, ask how tracking works and whether updates come via text or if you’ll need to check manually.
It’s also worth finding out how you’ll stay in the loop once the car is moving. Will the driver reach out directly? Should you call customer service if you have a question? It helps to know who to call and when.
As for timing, most companies can’t promise an ironclad delivery window, but they should offer a general timeline. Ask how delays are handled and what your options are if the car arrives late.
Even with the best carriers, bumps in the road are possible, which is why it’s so important to document your car carefully at both pickup and drop-off. Many top-tier auto shippers will do a walkaround before loading and again at delivery, often using digital condition reports to record every detail.
If your provider offers this, ask for a visual record to keep on file. And even if they don’t, it’s wise to take your own time-stamped pictures before your car hits the road.
Once your vehicle arrives, resist the urge to sign quickly. Instead, walk around the car and compare its arrival condition to your records. If anything looks off (even a small dent) make sure it’s written into the delivery report before signing. Only after that should you reach out about reimbursement if needed.
The requirements to ship a vehicle in California are primarily tied to national regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). For interstate travel, transport companies must have active USDOT and FMCSA numbers, which customers can use to search driving records and credentials.
A quality car shipping company will have a good sense of the challenges and unique characteristics of transporting a car in California and beyond. Don’t be afraid to ask how a company vets its drivers to ensure they have experience handling all the quirks that come with driving across the U.S.
When you hire a car shipping service, it will usually fall into one of two roles: a broker or a carrier. The difference matters. A broker doesn’t move your car itself; it connects you with a carrier that handles the actual haul from point A to point B. Carriers, on the other hand, take care of the transport themselves.
Choosing a broker can still work well, but your experience may depend heavily on the carrier. That’s why it’s smart to check both the broker and carrier before signing anything.
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| TRANSPORT TYPE | AVERAGE COST RANGE | AVERAGE COST PER MILE |
|---|---|---|
| Open Transport | $550 - $1,600 | 60 cents - $1.10 |
| Enclosed Transport | $1,000 - $2,450 | 90 cents - $1.70 |
The cost to ship a car from California is most heavily influenced by the distance it travels and the type of transporter. That said, Forbes Home found the nationwide average car shipping cost is $1,150, with $550 on the low side and $2,450 on the high side of the range. People who responded to our survey reported a comparable average of $1,390.
| CALIFORNIA TO*: | ESTIMATED MILEAGE** | OPEN TRANSPORT | ENCLOSED TRANSPORT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, Texas | 1,547 miles | $930 - $1,700 | $1,390 - $2,630 |
| Phoenix, Arizona | 372 miles | $225 - $410 | $245 - $460 |
| Las Vegas, Nevada | 270 miles | $160 - $295 | $245 - $460 |
| Seattle, Washington | 1,135 miles | $680 - $1,250 | $1,020 - $1,930 |
| Jacksonville, Florida | 2,416 miles | $1,450 - $2,655 | $2,175 - $4,105 |
Car shipping quotes from California can vary quite a bit, and not just from company to company. A handful of cost variables can shift your price depending on your location, vehicle, timing and more. Here’s what to look for.
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Forbes Home surveyed 1,600 people to gain a better understanding of their experiences and uncover emerging trends. The vast majority of respondents said they would use an auto shipping service again, even though individual experiences varied widely.
In the West, customers paid an average of $1,390, which is the same as the national cost reported by all survey participants. The average distance shipped in the West was 991, closely aligning with the national average of 969 miles.
The primary factor driving customers in California to select a particular car shipping company was affordability. Among respondents from the West, the most frequent complaint was pricing transparency, with about one-third wishing the pricing and process had been explained more clearly. The next most common suggestion for improvement was explaining the vehicle shipping process in more detail at 32%.
Additionally, while the typical peak shipping season runs from spring through early fall, the busiest time for shipments in the West was surprisingly between November and January—this timeframe was chosen by 32% of customers.
To determine the best car-shipping company, the Forbes Home editorial team reviewed 44 major companies, taking into account attributes such as in-house consumer sentiment analysis, a survey of 1,600 car shipping customers, pricing, services and features, nationwide availability and more.
You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates car shipping companies on our detailed methodology page.
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To perform interstate shipments, credible auto transport companies must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This is the organization that issues USDOT numbers and Motor Carrier numbers. The public can use these numbers to search for performance.
Customer comments can also speak to a company’s reputation. If in doubt, you can ask for personal recommendations from people who have shipped a vehicle.
The ability to track your car shipment will vary by company. Some transporters will enable you to have live GPS tracking, while others will give you a number to contact in the event of any questions. We recommend that you ask about this early.
How long it takes to ship a vehicle from California depends first and foremost on how far it is going. Trips under 500 miles should take just a few days, while shipping a car across the country could take more than a week. Having clear expectations and understanding that most car shipping companies don’t guarantee delivery dates are key.
You won’t always be required to have your own car insurance when transporting your car, but it may give you some extra coverage on top of the car shipping company’s insurance. However, you should always check the insurance policies of any car shipper to make sure you’re adequately protected. Additionally, if you need to drop your car off or pick it up, you’ll need car insurance anyway to legally drive it.
Kristin is a lead editor at Forbes Home and has nearly a decade of professional experience as a writer and editor. She's previously worked at sites like Talking Points Memo, Insider, Delish, Angi and HomeAdvisor. She has a passion for lifestyle topics and has extensive experience researching and reporting on topics that will help make your house a home.
Samantha is an editor who covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. She edited home repair and design content at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros.
