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The price has increased drastically and here is why:
- Diesel fuel prices have changed by nearly 25 percent because of the war. Being the average truck driver hauling 7 to 9 cars gets four to five miles a gallon, moving a vehicle from California to Florida can increase the driver’s overhead by thousands.
- What law was passed this year that made it so hard to find a carrier? The law passed in March 2026 requires every driver to pass an English reading test. Hauling vehicles across the country takes hard work; sleeping in trucks and not seeing your family for days, even weeks, reduces your ability to find carriers when you need to ship your vehicle.
- This being said, what can you do to ensure you find a carrier? Schedule your transport weeks in advance. If you need to expedite your transport, be prepared for the costs to increase.
Shipping Your Car Out of California Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
Thousands of people relocate in and out of California every year, and transporting your vehicle can take one major item off your moving-day checklist.
The key is preparation.
Start early, provide accurate vehicle information, understand the difference between open and enclosed transportation, take pictures before pickup, and work with a transportation company that communicates throughout the process.
At California Transporter, we coordinate vehicle transportation from locations throughout California to destinations across the United States. Whether you’re relocating a family vehicle, transporting multiple cars, moving a classic automobile, or arranging transportation for a dealership or business, our team can help you choose the right option for your move.
Get your household move organized—and let us handle Transportation of your vehicle
What California Transporter specializes in is exactly what the name suggests: shipping cars in and out of California, so we have a network of carriers and options beyond your typical car haulers. We’ve partnered with hundreds of hotshot trailers that can haul two small SUVs at a time, saving you weeks of waiting for a car hauler to arrive. There is a shortage of carriers nationwide, and without the right company that has knowledge and experience moving your car or truck, it can turn into a nightmare.
Planning a Move Out of California? Don’t Forget About Your Vehicle
You’re planning your move out of California. You’ve found your new home, the movers are scheduled, and you’re starting to get everything packed. Then comes another important question: How are you getting your car there?
Driving might sound easy at first, but a move from California can quickly turn into a 1,500-, 2,000-, or even 3,000-mile road trip. Once you add fuel, hotels, meals, time away from work, and thousands of additional miles on your vehicle, driving isn’t always the best option.
That’s when finding the right car shipping company in California becomes important.
Don’t choose a transporter based on price alone. There is a big difference between getting a quote and actually having a carrier show up when you’re packed, ready to leave, and working around a moving schedule.
After years of arranging vehicle transportation throughout California, we’ve learned that a little preparation can make the entire process much easier.
Start Looking for a Car Carrier Before Moving Week
One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting until the last minute to arrange their vehicle transportation.
You don’t necessarily need to book months in advance, but don’t wait until the moving truck is in the driveway to start calling car shipping companies.
California is a large state, and carrier availability can vary widely depending on where your vehicle is located. Picking up a car in Los Angeles is different from picking one up several hours outside a major interstate.
If you know approximately when you’re moving, start getting transportation information early. Give your transport company your pickup location, destination, vehicle information, and the dates you’re working with.
The more flexibility you have, the easier it can be to find the right carrier.
Don’t Automatically Choose the Cheapest Car Shipping Quote
This is probably one of the most important tips we can give you.
If five companies quote your California-to-Texas move around the same general price and one company comes in hundreds of dollars cheaper, ask why.
Carriers know what it costs to operate a truck. Fuel, insurance, equipment, driver pay, tolls, maintenance, and available space all affect what a driver is willing to accept.
An extremely low quote doesn’t necessarily mean you found an incredible deal. Sometimes it simply means the company hasn’t found a carrier willing to move the vehicle for that price yet.
Ask questions.
- Is a carrier actually available?
- What type of truck will transport my vehicle?
- Is the price realistic for my route?
- What happens if a driver doesn’t accept it?
A realistic quote is much more useful than an attractive number that changes when moving day gets closer.
Open Transport or Enclosed Transport?
Most everyday vehicles leaving California can be transported using an open car carrier.
These are the large car-hauling trucks you’ve probably seen carrying multiple vehicles on the interstate. Open transport is generally the most widely available and economical option.
Not every type of car belongs on an open carrier.
If you’re transporting a Ferrari, Lamborghini, restored classic, collector vehicle, exotic car, or another high-value automobile, consider enclosed car transportation.
Enclosed carriers provide additional protection from road debris and weather while the vehicle is in transit.
The right choice depends on your vehicle, budget, and how much protection you want during transportation.
Tell the Transport Company Everything About Your Vehicle.
- Doesn’t run
- Has a dead battery
- Has lowered suspension
- Has oversized tires
- Has been modified
- Has very low ground clearance
- Has body damage
- Cannot steer or brake normally
These details matter.
Think about where the truck can actually pick up your car.
This is something customers often don’t consider.
A large car carrier can’t necessarily pull directly in front of every house in California.
Popular Routes Out of California
Our car transport company regularly hauls vehicles from California to other states including:
Texas, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Illinois, Georgia, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington.
Major California locations such as Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose, Fresno, Riverside, and Orange County generally have regular transportation activity.
However, your exact pickup and delivery locations still matter when determining price and carrier availability.
A vehicle going between two major metropolitan areas may be easier to schedule than one requiring a driver to travel hundreds of miles away from his or her normal route.
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