California Car Shipping & Car Transport Services

Within California, open transport on a standard sedan runs about $250 to $400 between Los Angeles and San Diego, $450 to $650 between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and $500 to $700 between Los Angeles and Sacramento. Leaving the state, expect roughly $900 to $1,300 to Texas and $1,300 to $1,800 to New York. SUVs, trucks, enclosed trailers and inoperable vehicles cost more.

Open transport with a five-day pickup window on a major corridor such as I-5, I-10 or I-80 is the lowest-cost option. Meeting the carrier at a truck-accessible lot instead of a narrow residential street, and shipping outside the summer and December peaks, also lower the price.

Transit after pickup is usually 1 to 2 days within California, 3 to 5 days to Texas or Colorado, 5 to 7 days to Illinois or Georgia, and 7 to 10 days to New York or Florida. Add a 1 to 5 day pickup window before transit starts.

Usually yes. Most gasoline vehicles more than a few model years old need a Smog Check when first registered in California. New residents must register within 20 days of establishing residency. Vehicles under 7,500 miles that are not California-emissions certified may not be registrable; confirm with the DMV before shipping a nearly new car in.

Yes. EVs ship on standard open or enclosed carriers within the mainland. Carriers ask for a 25 to 50 percent charge and want cables removed. Ocean shipping from California ports to Hawaii has separate EV rules that changed in 2025 and 2026.

Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland and San Diego. NIKI trucks the car from anywhere in the state to the port and books the sailing with the ocean carrier, so the whole trip is one itinerary.

Yes. We pick up from Manheim, Copart, IAA and ADESA locations and from dealerships across California. The vehicle must be paid for and released, and you need the lot number, buyer number or release contact before we dispatch.

Yes, with a military discount. We serve Camp Pendleton, Naval Base San Diego, Twentynine Palms, Travis, Vandenberg, Beale, Fort Irwin and Edwards, and we coordinate off-base meeting points when the carrier cannot enter the gate.

Carriers usually allow up to about 100 pounds of soft items in the trunk or below the window line, but those items are not covered by cargo insurance. Never ship documents, valuables or electronics in the car, and nothing in a vehicle headed to a port.

Every carrier NIKI dispatches carries cargo insurance, and you receive the certificate before pickup. Damage is covered when it is noted on the bill of lading at delivery, which is why you should inspect the car with the driver and compare it to your pickup photos before signing.

Yes, an adult with the keys and authority to sign. It does not have to be you; a friend, family member, dealership or building manager can hand off and receive the car if you tell your coordinator in advance.

One to two weeks is ideal. Same-week pickup is often possible in Los Angeles, San Diego and the Bay Area, but rural, mountain and desert addresses and enclosed trailers need more lead time.