Cross-Country Vehicle Shipping to California

Florida, Georgia and Texas to California are routes our customers book often. They’re also some of the longest runs in the country: about 1,435 miles from Dallas to Los Angeles, and about 2,730 from Miami. Here’s how carriers make the trip, what the weather does along the way, and the paperwork California hands you when the car arrives. Going the other way? See shipping a car from Los Angeles to Miami.

Three Roads West

• From Florida: about 2,730 miles from Miami to Los Angeles, and about 2,510 from Orlando. Most of it is I-10, which runs about 2,460 miles from Jacksonville to Santa Monica, through Tallahassee, Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, Tucson and Phoenix. See Florida car shipping.
• From Georgia: about 2,180 miles from Atlanta to Los Angeles, west on I-20 to Texas and then I-10, or the northern way on I-40 through Memphis, Albuquerque and Flagstaff. See Georgia car shipping.
• From Texas: about 1,435 miles from Dallas and 1,550 from Houston. Houston and San Antonio cars go west on I-10 through El Paso. Dallas cars take I-20, which joins I-10 in West Texas. See Texas car shipping.

The Truck Doesn’t Run Straight Through

A long-haul carrier usually has other cars on board, picked up and dropped off along the way, and federal rules cap how long a driver can drive each day. So a cross-country run is a series of stops, not one long drive. That’s normal, and it’s why your pickup comes with a window instead of an exact hour. More in what happens to your car on the road.

Weather Along the Way

• Summer desert heat in West Texas, New Mexico and Arizona is hard on weak batteries. If yours is old, replace it before the trip, so the car starts at delivery.
• Monsoon dust storms around Phoenix and Tucson, mostly from July to September, can stop traffic on I-10 for a while.
• Winter snow on I-40 near Flagstaff, at about 7,000 feet, can close the road. I-10, farther south, usually stays clear.

None of this is a reason not to ship. It’s a reason to leave a day or two of slack in your plans.

Crossing Into California

The main highways into California have agricultural inspection stations, at Blythe on I-10 and Needles on I-40, for example, where trucks may be asked about plants and produce. Leave fruit, plants and firewood out of the car. Belongings generally aren’t covered by the carrier’s insurance, so it’s best to ship the car empty anyway.

When the Car Arrives

If you’re becoming a California resident, the DMV gives you 20 days to register a car from out of state. Expect a VIN verification and, for most cars, a smog check. If the car is nearly new, it may also need to meet California’s own emissions standards. That matters most if you’re buying a car in another state to bring with you, so check with the DMV first. Your insurance will also need to meet California’s minimums. More on the state at California car shipping, and on the city at Los Angeles car shipping.

Before You Book

• Give us your first available date and how flexible you can be. A few days of give makes it easier to match you with the right truck.
• Ask for open and enclosed prices. Enclosed keeps off desert sun, dust and road grit, and costs more.
• Leave about a quarter tank of fuel, and take out toll tags so you aren’t charged along the way.
• Take dated photos of every side of the car before pickup.

What It Costs

Distance is the biggest factor, but the season and how busy the route is matter too. For how cross-country pricing works, see the cost of shipping a car cross country. For your price, get an exact quote or give us a call.

Questions