FacebookInstagramXLinkedIn
CaliforniaCalifornia

California Car Shipping

Effortlessly shipping cars, motorcycles, trucks or any vehicle to/from any location in California
Calculate your shipping rate in 3 easy steps!

Get your free transport quote now by completing the form below

Origin & Destination
Pickup Zip Code is required
Delivery Zip Code is required
Vehicle Details
Make is required
Model is required
Year of the vehicle is required
Shipment Details
Ship Date is required
ContinueWe respect your privacy and do not distribute any personal information

California Vehicle Shipping & Heavy Haul Transport Experts

Ship a Car, Inc. delivers superior shipping service to people relocating their vehicles, businesses moving their general freight and/or transporting heavy haul equipment as well as volume relocation services for dealers and corporations.

SAC is an experienced transport broker with direct access to the largest network of carriers. One simple call does it all. When you choose Ship A Car, we deliver not only your vehicle and/or freight, but peace of mind as well.

Contact a Ship A Car transport coordinator now at (866) 821-4555 for direct vehicle transport service to/from any residential or business location in the state of California.

Everything You Need to Know About the State of California (CA)

California is nicknamed The Golden State. It is also well-known by these nicknames: The Land of Milk and Honey, The El Dorado State, The Grape State, and The Bear State. The state tree is the California Redwood, the state bird is the California Valley Quail and the state flower is the Poppy. The state motto is ‘Eureka’ (I have found it).

The City and County of San Francisco is both the country’s second-most densely populated major city after New York City and the fifth-most densely populated county, behind only four of the five New York City boroughs. The state’s capital is Sacramento.

California became a U.S. territory in 1847 as part of the treaty ending the Mexican-American War. An influx of settlers headed to the west coast in search of fortune in 1848 as the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill became known. In 1850, California became the 31st state. Today, California is the 3rd largest state right behind Alaska and Texas by area and it is the most populous of U.S. states.

The State located in the Pacific Region of the United States. California shares a border with Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and the Mexican state of Baja California to the south. The state’s diverse geography ranges from the Pacific Coast in the west to the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the east, and from the redwood and Douglas fir forests in the northwest to the Mojave Desert in the southeast. The Central Valley, a major agricultural area, dominates the state’s center. Although California is well-known for its warm Mediterranean climate, the large size of the state results in climates that vary from moist temperate rainforest in the north to arid desert in the interior, as well as snowy alpine in the mountains. Over time, drought and wildfires have become more frequent challenges. The Greater Los Angeles Area and the San Francisco Bay Area are the nation’s second and fifth-most populous urban regions. Los Angeles is California’s most populous city, and the country’s second-most populous, after New York City. California also has the nation’s most populous county, Los Angeles County, and its largest county by area, San Bernardino County

Following James Marshall’s discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma in 1848, California’s population jumped from 14,000 to 250,000 in only four years. In a short 9 years, between the years of 1850 and 1859, miners extracted 28,280,711 fine ounces of gold.
California has the largest economy in the United States and, in 1997, was the first state to reach the trillion-dollar benchmark in gross state product. In 2012, California ranked as the 9th largest economy in the world.
California grows more than 3.3 million tons of wine grapes on over 540,000 acres each year and produces roughly 90% of all wine produced in the United States.
Both the highest and lowest points in the continental United States are located within 100 miles of one another in California. Mount Whitney measures 14,505 feet and Badwater Basin in Death Valley is 282 feet below sea level.
Death Valley, considered to be both the hottest and driest place in the United States, often reaches temperatures greater than 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months and averages only around two inches of rain each year.
With a trunk slightly greater than 102 feet in circumference, General Sherman in Sequoia National Park is the largest living tree (by volume) in the world. It is estimated to be somewhere between 1,800 to 2,700 years old.
Southern California has about 10,000 earthquakes each year, although only 15 to 20 of them have a magnitude of 4.0 and greater.
California leads the country in agricultural production. About one-half of the state’s land is federally owned. National parks located throughout the state are devoted to the preservation of nature and natural resources.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Shipping to California

There are several factors that affect the cost of shipping your vehicle to California. The main factors are as follows:

Distance

The farther the distance the more expensive it’ll be to ship your vehicle. This increase in cost is a result of increased fuel consumption, mileage and total time needed to get the vehicle to its final destination.

Location of Pick-up and Delivery

When it comes to pick-up and delivery locations, you have a choice between two options which are; door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal delivery. With the door-to-door option, the auto carrier will pick up your vehicle from the address you give them and deliver it to the destination address you want in California. This option is convenient and great if you don’t have the time to drop off your car. It is more expensive than the terminal-to-terminal option.

If you opt for the terminal-to-terminal option, you will have to drop off your vehicle at a terminal and pick it up at the shipping terminal.

Type and Condition of the Vehicle

Larger cars weigh more; hence, they cost more to ship than smaller, more compact cars. The increased weight affects the fuel consumption of the car carrier; larger cars also take up more space on the carrier.

The working condition of the car affects how it is going to be handled. Immobile cars require special equipment to place them onto a carrier, thus it will cost more to transport because of the extra work and specialized equipment necessary for the job. Operable cars are a lot easier to handle.

Delivery Schedule

If you have a flexible delivery schedule, you are likely to get a better shipping quote. On the flip side, if you are super rigid on your pick-up and delivery dates you will end up waiting for the perfect carrier (the one that can accommodate your exact schedule) and undoubtedly pay more for this.

Type of Shipping

There are two major options for the type of transport carriers you can use to ship your vehicle. The option you decide to go for would be based on your budget and type of vehicle. The two major types of shipping are: Open-air transport and Enclosed Transport

In open-air transport, your vehicle is secured tightly and mounted on the back of a trailer. There is no protective covering around your vehicle. This option is great if you are looking to reduce cost but it does not shield your vehicle from road debris and weather.

The enclosed transport option provides better protection and it is the ideal option for luxurious and more expensive cars. It is more expensive than open-air transport.

Tip for Hiring an Auto Shipping Company
  • Make inquiries about the kind of insurance policy the company has for damages.
  • Check the online reviews from customers. Make sure they do not have outstanding unresolved complaints.
  • Verify the legitimacy of the company. Carry out thorough research of the companies to find out if they have all the documentation required to operate in California.
  • Use a company that has experience shipping vehicles to / from California. The company should have a track record of delivering successfully within the state of California.
  • You should be able to get free quotes from their website.

Transporting a vehicle to another city can be stressful and time-consuming. It is a lot easier to use the services of a reliable shipping company to help transport your vehicle. We at SAC have all it takes to deliver your vehicle on time and in good condition. We have a track record of excellence. Call us at (866) 821-4555 to get a free quote.

CALCULATE YOUR SHIPPING RATE IN 3 EASY STEPS!

Ready to transport with SAC?

Our transport representatives are available by calling (866) 821-4555 to answer all your questions.

Continue

California Transportation Information

  • California Roads
  • California Air Transport
  • California Marine Transport

  • California Roads

    Works Cited

    “California”. Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California. Accessed November 25, 2019.
    “California”. History.com Editors, Updated: March 13, 2019 – Original: November 9, 2009, https://www.history.com/topics/us-states/california. Accessed November 25, 2019.

    California’s vast terrain is connected by an extensive system of controlled-access highways (‘freeways’), limited-access roads (‘expressways’), and highways. California is known for its car culture, giving California’s cities a reputation for severe traffic congestion. Construction and maintenance of state roads and statewide transportation planning are primarily the responsibility of the California Department of Transportation, nicknamed “Caltrans”. The rapidly growing population of the state is straining all of its transportation networks, and California has some of the worst roads in the United States. The Reason Foundation’s 19th Annual Report on the Performance of State Highway Systems ranked California’s highways the third-worst of any state, with Alaska second, and Rhode Island first.

    The state has been a pioneer in road construction. One of the state’s more visible landmarks, the Golden Gate Bridge, was the longest suspension bridge main span in the world at 4,200 feet (1,300 m) between 1937 (when it opened) and 1964. With its orange paint and panoramic views of the bay, this highway bridge is a popular tourist attraction and also accommodates pedestrians and bicyclists. The San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge (often abbreviated the “Bay Bridge”), completed in 1936, transports about 280,000 vehicles per day in two decks. Its two sections meet at Yerba Buena Island through the world’s largest diameter transportation bore tunnel, at 76 feet (23 m) wide by 58 feet (18 m) high. The Arroyo Seco Parkway, connecting Los Angeles and Pasadena, opened in 1940 as the first freeway in the Western United States. It was later extended south to the Four-Level Interchange in downtown Los Angeles, regarded as the first stack interchange ever built.

    The California Highway Patrol is the largest statewide police agency in the United States in employment with over 10,000 employees. They are responsible for providing any police-sanctioned service to anyone on California’s state-maintained highways and state property.

  • California Air Transport

    Works Cited

    “California”. Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California. Accessed November 25, 2019.
    “California”. History.com Editors, Updated: March 13, 2019 – Original: November 9, 2009, https://www.history.com/topics/us-states/california. Accessed November 25, 2019.

    Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the 6th busiest airport in the world, and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), the 23rd busiest airport in the world, are major hubs for trans-Pacific and transcontinental traffic. There are about a dozen important commercial airports and many more general aviation airports throughout the state.

     

    California Marine Transport

    California also has several important seaports. The giant seaport complex formed by the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach in Southern California is the largest in the country and responsible for handling about a fourth of all container cargo traffic in the United States. The Port of Oakland, the fourth largest in the nation, also handles trade entering from the Pacific Rim to the rest of the country. The Port of Stockton is the farthest inland port on the west coast of the United States.

  • California Marine Transport

    Works Cited

    “California”. Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California. Accessed November 25, 2019.
    “California”. History.com Editors, Updated: March 13, 2019 – Original: November 9, 2009, https://www.history.com/topics/us-states/california. Accessed November 25, 2019.

    California also has several important seaports. The giant seaport complex formed by the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach in Southern California is the largest in the country and responsible for handling about a fourth of all container cargo traffic in the United States. The Port of Oakland, fourth largest in the nation, also handles trade entering from the Pacific Rim to the rest of the country. The Port of Stockton is the farthest inland port on the west coast of the United States.

As rated by our clients and

What do our clients say?

5
Rating
Company
As rated by our clients (from 1139 testimonials)
5.0
Efficient and communicated from beginning to end. Bob Moran was superb in how he handled my urgent need to get me moved. From the dispatcher, Rose, to the kind driver, Ted, all treated my urgency with respect. My car was picked up 1 day sooner and delivered on time and was I happy. I had previously booked with another company and had to cancel after waiting for them 3 days with still no driver. Bob called as a follow up call and let him take over as soon as I cancelled with other company. He worked fast in arranging and taking care of our needs. Thank you
Linda L
5.0
Well five stars to you and I will recommend you to anyone. Thank you for your time.
Brendon G. Washington, UT
5.0
Bob M. (the company rep) was polite, knowledgable, on point, and caring. He presented me with a reasonable quote, found the best driver in a short period of time. the pick up, transfer, and delivery went as expected. I will definitely give them a call the next time I want to transfer my car.
De B.
5.0
I used Ship A Car Inc to transport my car from California to Wisconsin. After reading a few reviews, yes, the transport truck could be a double decker truck with several cars. Therefore, the driver will ask you to meet him/her at a location near your home...This was my first time shipping a car . How do you find a reputable company? Well, I prayed and read reviews.. I spoke with Bob at Ship A Car, I felt comfortable with the rate and transportation terms. I had no issues. There were no hidden fees, the car was delivered on time and no damages. Thanks Bob for beinging friendly and honest.
GENEVA H.
5.0
I called up Ship A Car and they were very courteous on the phone. They were understanding that at my age, I'm not quick on the computer and on a whole bunch of things. But I knew what I wanted. They said they would find somebody. They said, "Give us a day." They came back and gave me a basic price. Then they came back and said, "We found somebody who will do it for $50 less. It's enclosed. Everything is perfect. We've had a lot of good feedback with them." So I gave them my credit card and they took their money. I also paid for the extra insurance because it was a specialty car.   Ship A Car reduced the amount that they would get in their pocket by $50 when carrier number one could not pick up the car timely and they had to go to carrier number two, which was the fellow I ended up with. It was perfect. The guys were personable and it was a nice experience. The only thing was that I didn't know when the driver was going to show up. They said, "We'll pick it up Friday or Tuesday or Wednesday or whatever." They couldn't give me a time. So the gentleman called me and said that they were stuck at the car dealership so instead of getting here at 10 in the morning, they were going to arrive at 2:00 or 3:00. He kept me posted along the way telling me when he was going to arrive. So it was a pleasant experience. When the driver pulled up, he had a Porsche in there, which he pulled out and then put my car in the middle because of the way it was going to be dropped off at the other location. They strapped it all down. He took pictures before it left. Then it was in Nebraska from Long Island in a couple of days. They said it could take anywhere from four to six days, but it only took two and a half days. I was very pleased. My son looked at the car when it arrived and it arrived just the way it left.
Florence of Ronkonkoma, NY
5.0
I shipped a brand new $15,000 Yamaha Viking UTV from Montana to Oregon. Even though the driver did not have the title, it would have been easy to sell this for $5000 to a ranch along the way and I would never see it. I did a lot of research on Ship A Car, Inc. before deciding to use them, and my UTV arrived safely and my wife is HAPPY! Not only did they give me the best price, but they shipped it in an enclosed trailer. I would definitely use them again.
Philip Kazmierowicz
5.0
Everything went great and it was an unusual move, a farm tractor with a mower attached to the rear. Their rep, Larry Farber was great, kept me advised during the whole move.
John V. Littleton, CO
5.0
Ship a Car Inc. has the best customer service, my representatives Joseph was so helpful. When my daughter?s vehicle arrived in Hilo port a few days early and I had to change the authorized person to pick up my daughter?s vehicle, he did it so professionally with no delays. My friend was able to pick up the vehicle with no problems. I?ll use Ship a Car Inc. again when I need to transport my vehicle and will recommend them to friends and family.
King W
All Alaska & Hawaii Classic Cars Heavy Haul Industry News Luxury Cars Military Specialty Transport Tips-Tricks Useful
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn More. GOT IT!