Pennsylvania to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,734 miles from Pennsylvania to California ranges from $1,772 to $2,753 and takes 7–15 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 California to Pennsylvania car shipping guide.
Pennsylvania to California auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Pennsylvania and California. The average travel distance is about 2,734 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 7 to 15 days.
Cost to ship a car from Philadelphia, PA to California
| From Pennsylvania to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA to Los Angeles, CA | 2,717 miles | $1,720–$2,780 | 7–15 days |
| Pittsburgh , PA to San Diego, CA | 2,692 miles | $1,783–$2,677 | 7–15 days |
| Erie, PA to San Jose, CA | 2,904 miles | $1,754–$2,841 | 7–15 days |
| Reading, PA to San Francisco, CA | 2,871 miles | $1,791–$2,911 | 7–15 days |
| Scranton, PA to Fresno, CA | 2,840 miles | $1,721–$2,715 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Pittsburgh , PA to California
| From Pennsylvania to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA to Los Angeles, CA | 2,431 miles | $1,599–$2,615 | 5–13 days |
| Pittsburgh , PA to San Diego, CA | 2,413 miles | $1,551–$2,719 | 5–13 days |
| Erie, PA to San Jose, CA | 2,605 miles | $1,698–$2,518 | 7–15 days |
| Reading, PA to San Francisco, CA | 2,573 miles | $1,568–$2,522 | 7–15 days |
| Scranton, PA to Fresno, CA | 2,549 miles | $1,650–$2,625 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Erie, PA to California
| From Pennsylvania to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA to Los Angeles, CA | 2,451 miles | $1,615–$2,589 | 5–13 days |
| Pittsburgh , PA to San Diego, CA | 2,463 miles | $1,664–$2,589 | 5–13 days |
| Erie, PA to San Jose, CA | 2,590 miles | $1,650–$2,445 | 7–15 days |
| Reading, PA to San Francisco, CA | 2,558 miles | $1,682–$2,702 | 7–15 days |
| Scranton, PA to Fresno, CA | 2,568 miles | $1,568–$2,548 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Reading, PA to California
| From Pennsylvania to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA to Los Angeles, CA | 2,675 miles | $1,766–$2,518 | 7–15 days |
| Pittsburgh , PA to San Diego, CA | 2,653 miles | $1,715–$2,730 | 7–15 days |
| Erie, PA to San Jose, CA | 2,864 miles | $1,703–$2,799 | 7–15 days |
| Reading, PA to San Francisco, CA | 2,828 miles | $1,862–$2,799 | 7–15 days |
| Scranton, PA to Fresno, CA | 2,790 miles | $1,737–$2,617 | 7–15 days |
Cost to ship a car from Scranton, PA to California
| From Pennsylvania to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA to Los Angeles, CA | 2,707 miles | $1,737–$2,644 | 7–15 days |
| Pittsburgh , PA to San Diego, CA | 2,702 miles | $1,720–$2,671 | 7–15 days |
| Erie, PA to San Jose, CA | 2,851 miles | $1,756–$2,883 | 7–15 days |
| Reading, PA to San Francisco, CA | 2,819 miles | $1,791–$2,939 | 7–15 days |
| Scranton, PA to Fresno, CA | 2,825 miles | $1,738–$2,799 | 7–15 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Pennsylvania to California
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 Pennsylvania to California you should expect to pay between $2,215 and $3,441.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Pennsylvania to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Keystone State to the Golden 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 California.
- Distance and route: The journey from Pennsylvania to California spans approximately 2,734 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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania and California 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 Pennsylvania to California should take between 7 and 15 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Pennsylvania to California 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 Pennsylvania to California:
- 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 Pennsylvania to California
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,734 miles on your car going from Pennsylvania to California. 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 Pennsylvania to California 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 Pennsylvania to California?
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: 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.
- Driver’s license: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Additional taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from Pennsylvania
Over 39 million people call Pennsylvania home. Nicknamed the Keystone State, Pennsylvania experiences cold winters and humid summers. Summers are generally hot and humid. Moving toward the mountainous interior of the state, the winter climate becomes colder, the number of cloudy days increases, and snowfall amounts are greater. Tornadoes occur annually in the state, sometimes in large numbers, such as 30 recorded tornadoes in 2011; generally speaking, these tornadoes do not cause significant damage.
Transporting your vehicle to California
About 22 million people are living in the Golden State of California. 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Pennsylvania and when dropping off my car in California?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Pennsylvania and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Pennsylvania to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Pennsylvania to California, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, which you should verify before loading your car in Pennsylvania.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. When relocating to Pennsylvania, ensure compliance with state regulations by obtaining car insurance with minimum liability coverage: $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 for property damage per accident. Consider enhancing your coverage with options like collision and comprehensive coverage. It's crucial to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Pennsylvania to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Pennsylvania to California is about 2734 miles, and that’s as fast as about 6 days. However, most car transport companies will take 7-15 days to travel from Pennsylvania to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
If you are moving to Pennsylvania and bringing a vehicle with you, you will need to have it inspected within 10 days of establishing residency. This includes safety and emission test. You can find a list of inspection stations on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation website or by searching for "vehicle inspection near me". It's a good idea to schedule an appointment in advance and bring your vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
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.
If I have a driver’s license in Pennsylvania, will I need one in California?
If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
If I bought a car in Pennsylvania, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Pennsylvania to California after purchasing it.
You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Pennsylvania and California to avoid any hidden costs.
