California to Ohio Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,404 miles from California to Ohio ranges from $1,370 to $2,261 and takes five–thirteen days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Ohio to California car shipping guide.
The best California to Ohio car shipping companies
We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from California to Ohio:
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best cross-country shipper: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for quick pickup: Easy Auto Ship
- Best for discounts: AmeriFreight Car Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- No upfront payment
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Competitive pricing
- Door-to-door shipping
- No upfront deposit
- Expedited shipping
- No hidden fees
- Ships motorcycles & RVs
- Discount for cash payments
- Competitive pricing
- Last-minute car shipments
- Guaranteed & expedited shipments
- Gap insurance coverage
- Multiple discounts
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Alternative ways to ship your car from California to Ohio
- Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,404 miles on your car going from California to Ohio. 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 need to ship your car from California for a move to Ohio, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
- Hire a driver. Hire someone to drive the car from California to Ohio 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!
CA to OH auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in California and Ohio. The average travel distance is about 2,404 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from five to thirteen days .
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Ohio
| From California to Ohio | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Columbus, OH | $1,354 – $2,225 | 2,241 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Cleveland, OH | $1,411 – $2,033 | 2,343 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Cincinnati, OH | $1,291 – $2,175 | 2,172 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Toledo, OH | $1,367 – $2,225 | 2,243 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Akron, OH | $1,331 – $2,139 | 2,365 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Ohio
| From California to Ohio | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA to Columbus, OH | $1,380 – $2,140 | 2,225 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| San Diego, CA to Cleveland, OH | $1,398 – $2,054 | 2,366 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Cincinnati, OH | $1,344 – $1,987 | 2,156 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| San Diego, CA to Toledo, OH | $1,291 – $2,225 | 2,310 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Diego, CA to Akron, OH | $1,277 – $2,075 | 2,348 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Ohio
| From California to Ohio | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA to Columbus, OH | $1,276 – $2,089 | 2,465 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Jose, CA to Cleveland, OH | $1,370 – $2,110 | 2,492 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Jose, CA to Cincinnati, OH | $1,331 – $2,033 | 2,398 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Jose, CA to Toledo, OH | $1,398 – $2,054 | 2,391 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Jose, CA to Akron, OH | $1,385 – $2,162 | 2,513 miles | 7 – 15 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Ohio
| From California to Ohio | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA to Columbus, OH | $1,384 – $2,089 | 2,433 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Cleveland, OH | $1,384 – $2,175 | 2,460 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Cincinnati, OH | $1,344 – $2,075 | 2,366 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Toledo, OH | $1,411 – $2,075 | 2,359 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Akron, OH | $1,357 – $2,197 | 2,482 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Ohio
| From California to Ohio | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno, CA to Columbus, OH | $1,385 – $2,204 | 2,366 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Fresno, CA to Cleveland, OH | $1,317 – $2,067 | 2,468 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Fresno, CA to Cincinnati, OH | $1,287 – $2,204 | 2,297 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Fresno, CA to Toledo, OH | $1,358 – $2,118 | 2,367 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Fresno, CA to Akron, OH | $1,397 – $2,153 | 2,490 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Ohio
Since vehicles like SUVs, 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 Ohio you should expect to pay between $1,713 and $2,826.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from CA to OH
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Buckeye 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 Ohio.
- Distance and route: The journey from California to Ohio spans approximately 2,404 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 Ohio 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 Ohio should take between five and thirteen days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Ohio vehicle regulations you need to know
- Car insurance requirements: In Ohio, it's mandatory for drivers to have car insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability. Meeting these requirements is essential for vehicle registration and serves as financial protection in case of an at-fault accident. Explore the option of increasing your liability limits and acquiring additional coverage for enhanced protection.
- Vehicle inspection: New residents must get their car smog checked during registration, which will also include a free VIN check. Ohio doesn't require safety inspections, but you may choose to have a car check for peace of mind.
- Driver’s license: In Ohio, you have 30 days to transfer your license and get an Ohio title and license plates for your vehicle. Failure to do so can result in trouble from law enforcement and government agents.
- Additional taxes: Ohio requires sales tax if a vehicle was purchased out of state less than 6 months before moving to Ohio. However, a credit for sales tax paid to the other state may be allowed. If the vehicle was purchased at least 6 months before moving, no Ohio sales tax is due and the exemption code CV should be used when titling the vehicle.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from California
More than 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 Ohio
About 22 million people are living in the Buckeye State. Ohio forms a part of what's considered both the snowbelt and the tornado alley which means your move may be affected if either of these are impacting the state on your move day.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in California and delivery in Ohio?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in California and when dropping it off in Ohio.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Ohio?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Ohio, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Ohio, 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.
In Ohio, it's mandatory for drivers to have car insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability. Meeting these requirements is essential for vehicle registration and serves as financial protection in case of an at-fault accident. Explore the option of increasing your liability limits and acquiring additional coverage for enhanced protection.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Ohio?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to Ohio is about 2,404 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take five to thirteen days to travel from California to Ohio.
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.
New residents must get their car smog checked during registration, which will also include a free VIN check. Ohio doesn't require safety inspections, but you may choose to have a car check for peace of mind.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in Ohio?
In Ohio, you have 30 days to transfer your license and get an Ohio title and license plates for your vehicle. Failure to do so can result in trouble from law enforcement and government agents.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in Ohio after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to Ohio after purchasing it.
Ohio requires sales tax if a vehicle was purchased out of state less than 6 months before moving to Ohio. However, a credit for sales tax paid to the other state may be allowed. If the vehicle was purchased at least 6 months before moving, no Ohio sales tax is due and the exemption code CV should be used when titling the vehicle.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and Ohio to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from California to Ohio?
The cheapest way to ship a car from California to Ohio is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Ohio?
Shipping a car from California to Ohio costs $1,370 to $2,261.
