California to Louisiana Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,956 miles from California to Louisiana ranges from $1,483 to $2,488 and takes 3–11 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Louisiana to California car shipping guide.
California to Louisiana auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in California and Louisiana. The average travel distance is about 1,956 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 3 to 11 days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Louisiana
| From California to Louisiana | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to New Orleans, LA | 1,893 miles | $1,569–$2,303 | 3–11 days |
| San Diego, CA to Baton Rouge, LA | 1,813 miles | $1,584–$2,326 | 3–11 days |
| San Jose, CA to Shreveport, LA | 1,624 miles | $1,384–$1,971 | 3–9 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Lafayette, LA | 1,763 miles | $1,432–$2,100 | 3–11 days |
| Fresno, CA to Lake Charles, LA | 1,690 miles | $1,470–$2,137 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Louisiana
| From California to Louisiana | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to New Orleans, LA | 1,816 miles | $1,477–$2,166 | 3–11 days |
| San Diego, CA to Baton Rouge, LA | 1,737 miles | $1,432–$2,273 | 3–9 days |
| San Jose, CA to Shreveport, LA | 1,545 miles | $1,316–$1,980 | 3–9 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Lafayette, LA | 1,685 miles | $1,369–$2,116 | 3–9 days |
| Fresno, CA to Lake Charles, LA | 1,611 miles | $1,384–$2,012 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Louisiana
| From California to Louisiana | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to New Orleans, LA | 2,192 miles | $1,552–$2,465 | 4–12 days |
| San Diego, CA to Baton Rouge, LA | 2,112 miles | $1,585–$2,465 | 4–12 days |
| San Jose, CA to Shreveport, LA | 1,873 miles | $1,584–$2,212 | 3–11 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Lafayette, LA | 2,077 miles | $1,536–$2,376 | 4–12 days |
| Fresno, CA to Lake Charles, LA | 2,027 miles | $1,615–$2,524 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Louisiana
| From California to Louisiana | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to New Orleans, LA | 2,234 miles | $1,595–$2,650 | 4–12 days |
| San Diego, CA to Baton Rouge, LA | 2,156 miles | $1,568–$2,389 | 4–12 days |
| San Jose, CA to Shreveport, LA | 1,916 miles | $1,483–$2,322 | 3–11 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Lafayette, LA | 2,119 miles | $1,617–$2,414 | 4–12 days |
| Fresno, CA to Lake Charles, LA | 2,070 miles | $1,584–$2,450 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Louisiana
| From California to Louisiana | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to New Orleans, LA | 2,061 miles | $1,647–$2,400 | 4–12 days |
| San Diego, CA to Baton Rouge, LA | 1,982 miles | $1,545–$2,370 | 3–11 days |
| San Jose, CA to Shreveport, LA | 1,743 miles | $1,477–$2,230 | 3–9 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Lafayette, LA | 1,946 miles | $1,545–$2,441 | 3–11 days |
| Fresno, CA to Lake Charles, LA | 1,906 miles | $1,592–$2,275 | 3–11 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Louisiana
Since vehicles like SUV, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from California to Louisiana you should expect to pay between $1,854 and $3,110.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from California to Louisiana
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Pelican State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to Louisiana.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to Louisiana spans approximately 1,956 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of California, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between California and Louisiana and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from California to Louisiana should take between 3 and 11 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best California to Louisiana car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from California to Louisiana:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from California to Louisiana
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,956 miles on your car going from California to Louisiana. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from California to Louisiana for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
- Ship by train: If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
What else should you know about shipping a car from California to Louisiana?
- Car insurance requirements: The insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
- Vehicle inspection: In Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
- Driver’s license: New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.
- Additional taxes: In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from California
Over 39 million people call California home. Nicknamed the Golden State, California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
Transporting your vehicle to Louisiana
About 22 million people are living in the Pelican State of Louisiana. Louisiana has long hot humid summers and short mild winters. Rain is frequent throughout the year, although from April to September is slightly wetter than the rest of the year. Louisiana is often affected by tropical cyclones and is very vulnerable to major hurricanes, particularly around the New Orleans area. Lousiana averages about 27 tornadoes annually; they are most common from January through March in the south and from February through March in the North.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in California and when dropping off my car in Louisiana?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in California and when dropping it off in Louisiana.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Louisiana?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Louisiana, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Louisiana, which you should verify before loading your car in California.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Louisiana?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to Louisiana is about 1956 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take 3-11 days to travel from California to Louisiana.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
In Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in Louisiana?
New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in Louisiana after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to Louisiana after purchasing it.
In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and Louisiana to avoid any hidden costs.
