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Featured Car Shipping Companies
We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:
Crash Course:
- The best company to ship your car to or from Los Angeles is Montway Auto Transport. Close seconds are Mercury Auto Transport and AmeriFreight.
- The average cost to ship a car from California is $1,494. Shipping costs are determined by your car’s make and model, the time of year, the shipping services and distance.
- Carriers can drive directly to L.A. because of all the main routes going to the spacious metropolitan area – which can make shipping costs cheaper compared to rural areas.
Whether you’re shipping a car from an online dealer in Santa Monica or relocating to Hollywood to pursue your dreams, car shipping in Los Angeles can be easy. Because L.A. is both the largest city in Southern California and the second-largest metropolitan area in the country, nearly all car shipping companies have routes to and from the city.
Once you know the details of how to ship a car, shop around for a great deal. We’ve reviewed the best car shipping companies in the country to help you find the right fit for your vehicle shipping needs.
5 Best Los Angeles Car Shipping Companies
There are many providers that offer great options for car shipping in Los Angeles. Below are the top five companies we recommend based on their services, costs, and customer satisfaction reviews. Most of the auto shipping companies featured below ship to any of the 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Sherpa Auto Transport ships only to the Lower 48.
Montway Auto Transport: Best Service Options
Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating: A+
Cost of open car transport for 1,500 miles: $1,279
Montway Auto Transport is one of the top car shipping companies in the country because of its affordable prices and long list of shipping services. The transport broker’s wide variety of car transport services includes open and enclosed auto transport, expedited delivery, and door-to-door shipping.
Montway is accredited by the BBB and holds an A+ from the organization. Customers on the BBB’s site rate the company an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Read our Montway Auto Transport review for more information.
Best Service Options
Mercury Auto Transport: Best Overall
BBB rating: A
Cost of open car transport for 1,500 miles: $1,129
Mercury Auto Transport offers some of the most affordable rates in the industry and is a reliable option for car shipping from Los Angeles. The company offers all standard shipping services plus a variety of specialty services, including ATV and motorcycle transport, classic and luxury car shipping and heavy hauling services. Mercury has an A rating and accreditation from the BBB and 4.7 out of 5 stars from customer reviews on that site.
AmeriFreight: Best Value
BBB rating: A+
Cost of open car transport for 1,500 miles: $1,019
AmeriFreight offers a number of car shipping services for vehicles headed into or out of the Los Angeles area. The shipping broker also offers discounts to service members, first responders, senior citizens, and more. AmeriFreight’s competitive prices make it a popular choice for car shipping in Los Angeles.
Read our AmeriFreight review for more details.
Best Value
Easy Auto Ship: Great Savings Opportunities
BBB rating: A+
Cost of open car transport for 1,500 miles: $1,343
With Easy Auto Ship’s guaranteed pricing, you won’t have to worry about any hidden fees or sudden cost increases for car shipping in Los Angeles. And if your shipment takes more than 14 days, Easy Auto Ship will reimburse you for the cost of a rental car. The company holds an A+ rating from the BBB and an average customer rating of 4.6.
Learn more with our full Easy Auto Ship review.
Featured Provider
Sherpa Auto Transport: Best Value
BBB rating: A+
Cost of open car transport for 1,500 miles: $1,250
By offering its Price Lock Promise, Sherpa Auto Transport has gained a high standing in the auto transport industry in a short amount of time. Sherpa guarantees that your initial quoted price will be the final cost of your shipment. If the final cost is more, Sherpa will pay up to $300 to cover the difference. The hundreds of positive reviews across Google and the BBB website indicate Sherpa could be an excellent choice for car shipping in Los Angeles.
Check out our Sherpa Auto Transport review to learn more.
Locked-In Pricing
Other Los Angeles Car Shipping Companies
As you research providers, consider this local option for car shipping in Los Angeles:
Coastal Car Transport
Coastal Car Transport offers vehicle shipping services nationwide. This Burbank-based auto transport company ships standard sedans, as well as motorcycles, ATVs, and boats. Coastal Car Transport holds a perfect 5.0-star average customer rating on the BBB site, making it a good option for car shipping in Los Angeles.
Learn more about Coastal Car Transport by visiting the company’s website.
How Much Does Car Shipping in Los Angeles Cost?
Los Angeles is the biggest city in Southern California – and one of the biggest cities in the country – so cheap car shipping services to and from the area are pretty easy to find. This is largely because metropolitan areas have many main routes going towards them, making shipping faster and more efficient for carriers.
To ensure you’re getting the best price for your vehicle transport, get car shipping quotes online from a few auto transport companies before booking.
Los Angeles Car Shipping Cost Estimates
Below are some of the most popular shipping routes to and from Los Angeles. To provide an idea of average cost, we got quotes for shipping to several destinations from California. The below quotes are for an operable 2020 Honda Civic.
| From | To | Mileage | Average Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Texas | 1,565 miles | $1,200 |
| California | Illinois | 2,050 miles | $1,250 |
| California | Florida | 2,660 miles | $1,450 |
| California | Massachusetts | 3,050 miles | $1,530 |
| California | Hawaii | 2,550 miles | $2,040 |
Factors That Affect Car Shipping Costs
Car shipping costs fluctuate based on various factors, including the following.
- Shipping distance: Cross-country or long-distance shipments cost less per mile but more in total.
- Gas prices: As the price of fuel increases, so does the price of shipping.
- Pickup and delivery locations: Shipping to urban locations is cheaper, as shipping to rural areas takes more time, mileage, and fuel.
- Time frame: While many auto transport companies offer expedited shipping for a higher price, you’ll pay a lot less if you book at least a couple weeks out.
- Type of vehicle: Heavier and larger vehicles cost more to transport because they take up more space on trucks.
- Vehicle condition: If your car is inoperable, it may require extra equipment and labor to load onto the carrier truck and so will cost more overall to ship.
- Seasonality: Demand for auto transport increases during January and the summer, so car shipping costs increase during those times of year.
- Type of transport: If you’re shipping a luxury vehicle or classic car and want enclosed transport for extra protection, it could cost 50% more than open transport shipping.
What To Expect When Shipping a Car in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is an enormous city surrounded by a large number of other cities. Traffic is notoriously difficult, so you may want to factor in extra time for your shipment. However, because L.A. is a major city, finding a shipping route to or from the area is very easy.
Unlike other major cities such as New York or San Francisco, Los Angeles is fairly spacious. That means most carriers that offer door-to-door delivery won’t have too much hassle accessing pickup or drop-off locations. Additionally, due to Los Angeles’ year-round sunny weather, you won’t typically have to worry about inclement weather delaying your shipment departure.
Car Shipping in Los Angeles: Conclusion
Ultimately, shipping a car to or from Los Angeles doesn’t have to be a hassle. Montway Auto Transport is our top choice for car shipping in Los Angeles – for its high customer satisfaction record, its versatile services and its experience. We recommend collecting quotes from three or more shipping companies before making a decision.
Car Shipping in Los Angeles: FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about car shipping in California:
How much is it to ship a car to Los Angeles?
The cost to ship a car to Los Angeles depends on a number of factors, including distance. You should expect a baseline cost between $0.58 and $1.96 per mile.
What is the cheapest company to ship your car?
AmeriFreight and Mercury Auto Transport are the two cheapest companies we recommend for car shipping in Los Angeles. With the quotes we received, a 1,500-mile shipment costs $909 through AmeriFreight and $925 through Mercury.
How much does it cost to ship a car across California?
To ship a 2020 Honda Civic from San Diego to Redding (694 miles) would cost $1,039 with Montway. Rates vary based on factors such as your vehicle type, the shipping options you select, and your chosen company.
Can I put stuff in my car when I ship it?
While most auto transport companies allow 50 to 100 pounds of personal items in the trunk of your car during shipping, we advise against it. Heavier vehicles cost more to ship and, in the rare event of theft, companies and carriers typically won’t cover those losses under their standard insurance plans.
Our Methodology
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best car shipping companies.
- Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team performs ongoing secret shopper analyses for different vehicles, services, and shipping routes to give this rating.
- Shipping Options: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that an auto transport company offers an array of services. We take into account the availability of services, ability to guarantee pickup and drop-off dates, and insurance coverage options.
- Operations: We take a close look at how each auto transport company operates, including how quickly vehicles get picked up, average transit times, insurance coverage options, and more.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, a company’s history of service, and years in business when giving this score.
- Customer Service: Reputable car shippers operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We take into account customer reviews, BBB complaints, and the responsiveness of the customer service team.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
