Tennessee to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,159 miles from Tennessee to California ranges from $1,617 to $2,440 and takes 4–12 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 Tennessee car shipping guide.
Tennessee 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 Tennessee and California. The average travel distance is about 2,159 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 4 to 12 days.
Cost to ship a car from Nashville, TN to California
| From Tennessee to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN to Los Angeles, CA | 2,004 miles | $1,584–$2,376 | 4–12 days |
| Memphis, TN to San Diego, CA | 1,987 miles | $1,514–$2,417 | 3–11 days |
| Clarksville, TN to San Jose, CA | 2,259 miles | $1,547–$2,548 | 5–13 days |
| Knoxville, TN to San Francisco, CA | 2,302 miles | $1,552–$2,701 | 5–13 days |
| Chattanooga, TN to Fresno, CA | 2,128 miles | $1,633–$2,616 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Memphis, TN to California
| From Tennessee to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN to Los Angeles, CA | 1,793 miles | $1,417–$2,078 | 3–11 days |
| Memphis, TN to San Diego, CA | 1,775 miles | $1,447–$2,252 | 3–11 days |
| Clarksville, TN to San Jose, CA | 2,047 miles | $1,615–$2,450 | 4–12 days |
| Knoxville, TN to San Francisco, CA | 2,090 miles | $1,615–$2,351 | 4–12 days |
| Chattanooga, TN to Fresno, CA | 1,917 miles | $1,530–$2,441 | 3–11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Clarksville, TN to California
| From Tennessee to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN to Los Angeles, CA | 2,003 miles | $1,504–$2,425 | 4–12 days |
| Memphis, TN to San Diego, CA | 1,982 miles | $1,592–$2,322 | 3–11 days |
| Clarksville, TN to San Jose, CA | 2,254 miles | $1,676–$2,497 | 5–13 days |
| Knoxville, TN to San Francisco, CA | 2,297 miles | $1,676–$2,497 | 5–13 days |
| Chattanooga, TN to Fresno, CA | 2,123 miles | $1,585–$2,465 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Knoxville, TN to California
| From Tennessee to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN to Los Angeles, CA | 2,183 miles | $1,568–$2,465 | 4–12 days |
| Memphis, TN to San Diego, CA | 2,166 miles | $1,585–$2,641 | 4–12 days |
| Clarksville, TN to San Jose, CA | 2,438 miles | $1,664–$2,693 | 5–13 days |
| Knoxville, TN to San Francisco, CA | 2,481 miles | $1,615–$2,460 | 5–13 days |
| Chattanooga, TN to Fresno, CA | 2,307 miles | $1,536–$2,650 | 5–13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Chattanooga, TN to California
| From Tennessee to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN to Los Angeles, CA | 2,131 miles | $1,617–$2,565 | 4–12 days |
| Memphis, TN to San Diego, CA | 2,112 miles | $1,601–$2,565 | 4–12 days |
| Clarksville, TN to San Jose, CA | 2,384 miles | $1,633–$2,701 | 5–13 days |
| Knoxville, TN to San Francisco, CA | 2,426 miles | $1,680–$2,486 | 5–13 days |
| Chattanooga, TN to Fresno, CA | 2,253 miles | $1,692–$2,650 | 5–13 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Tennessee 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 Tennessee to California you should expect to pay between $2,021 and $3,050.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Tennessee to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Volunteer 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 Tennessee to California spans approximately 2,159 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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee to California should take between 4 and 12 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee to California
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,159 miles on your car going from Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee
Over 39 million people call Tennessee home. Nicknamed the Volunteer State, Most of Tennessee has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters, with the exception of some of the higher elevations in the Appalachians, which has mild summers and cool winters. The state averages about 15 tornadoes a year.
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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Tennessee to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Tennessee 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 Tennessee.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Tennessee drivers need to fulfill liability insurance criteria of 25/50/15 ($25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident). Valid proof of insurance is crucial for registration and may be requested by law enforcement during traffic stops. Motorists have the flexibility to choose additional coverage for an added layer of vehicle protection.
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 Tennessee to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Tennessee to California is about 2159 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take 4-12 days to travel from Tennessee to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Tennessee, vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspection. Cost is around $15 and more information can be found at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.
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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee and California to avoid any hidden costs.
