New Jersey to California Car Shipping

Most New Jersey to California shipments are priced in an estimated range of $1,170 to $1,700. Your exact figure depends on the vehicle, the dates and the carrier type, and where in California the car ends up matters more than where in New Jersey it starts, since nearly every pickup is in the same dense metro area.

Examples from our route pages:

• Edison to Irvine (2,763 miles): $1,180–$1,685
• Jersey City to Santa Ana (2,787 miles): $1,190–$1,700
• Newark to San Francisco (2,893 miles): $1,195–$1,707
• Woodbridge to Sunnyvale (2,939 miles): $1,214–$1,734

Southern California destinations such as Irvine and Rancho Cucamonga are among the shorter hauls, while Northern California cities are farther. Heavier vehicles cost more, and a car that does not run needs an extra fee.

A New Jersey to California run takes 7–9 days after pickup, and up to 10 days for some Bay Area deliveries such as Sunnyvale or San Jose. Booking to pickup is a separate step and usually takes 1–3 business days.

• Starting in New Jersey. Trucks load in the dense northern part of the state, so there is usually a driver nearby for common starts like Newark and Jersey City.
• Ending in California. Los Angeles-area drop-offs tend to be quicker than Northern California ones because the truck gets there first. Smaller cities may be a short drive from the main drop-off point.
• Weather. Heavy snow in the Midwest or the mountains can slow a winter shipment, while summer heat does not typically hold trucks back.

Out of New Jersey, trucks commonly cross Pennsylvania and continue on I-80 through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois to the western states. Carriers headed to Los Angeles and San Diego often turn south onto I-70 or I-40, while trucks bound for Sacramento and the Bay Area stay on I-80 across Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah and Nevada.

In California, the final leg depends on the city. Southern California deliveries usually come in from the east, while Bay Area and Central Valley cars arrive over the Sierra Nevada on I-80 or through the south and up Highway 99 or I-5.

People moving west often go in summer, when school is out, so July and August can be tighter. Fall and early spring are quieter for scheduling, though winter weather in the middle of the country is the main risk to keep in mind.

The majority of New Jersey to California shipments use an open carrier, the typical and lower-cost option. If your car is a collectible, a luxury model or low to the ground, enclosed transport keeps it out of the weather over a trip that crosses the whole country. Enclosed trucks on this lane are fewer, so reserve early.