How to Ship a Car From New York to Los Angeles When Moving

October 4, 2022Car Shipping Essentials
Anastasia Hill

Apart from being the next fashion icon, Anastasia is also a freelance writer and expert on moving (and packing clothes).

Are you planning to ship a car from New York to Los Angeles? Before you start panicking and thinking about potential negative scenarios and complications that might occur, take a moment to study this guide. With our convenient tips, you’ll learn everything about the vehicle shipping process and how this can make your life so much easier.

The best way to plan a four-wheeler shipment from NY to LA is to hire a professional USA auto transport company. A trustworthy company will offer you satisfactory terms and good prices. You will also get to choose from different trailer types and pickup and delivery options. Eventually, all your choices will affect this service’s cost and quality.

Plan a Move Because There Are Many Things to Handle

Moving day preparation brings out many challenges – some planned and expected, while some are completely surprising. No matter the case, you want to stay organized as much as possible – only in this way you’ll be able to prevent relocation mistakes and save yourself from all the relocation stress.

If you’re moving out for the first time, there are many things to consider. First of all, you want to make a relocation inventory list and decide what to relocate and what to get rid of. People usually make these decisions when it comes to furniture and clothes, but also their cars and other vehicles. In order to decide if you need to hire an auto transport company, you should decide where to live, how close this city is to your current home and do you need a vehicle in the new location.

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You Got Two Options When It Comes to Relocating a Vehicle – Driving It to California Is One of Them

When it comes to relocating your car, there are two main options you get to choose from – relocating a car on your own or relocating it with professional assistance. Relocating a car on your own usually means that you’ll need to drive it to your destination (unless you own a trailer, but even then, you’ll need to drive a trailer).

This is not the most comfortable option for someone who has driving anxiety and plans to relocate across the country. Driving from NY City to LA, California, can take more than 50 hours and cause a lot of driving stress if you need to drive during the night or move in winter when weather conditions are bad. This is why, in most cases, it is highly recommended to hire a professional company.

Driving on your own can be a convenient option only in case you’re not relocating a lot of other belongings with you and everything you want to move to your home can fit inside your car. It can also be a convenient choice for someone moving with pets, so this is a good way to move them.

It Isn’t Always Simple to Transport an Auto on Your Own – Especially If You Need to Drive It for Miles From New York to California

Relocating your car on your own, in theory, seems like a good idea. However, it comes with a long list of problems. For starters, going from NYC to LA means you’ll literally have to drive from one side of the US to another. Meaning you’ll spend a lot of time, as well as money, on this journey. That being said, hiring professionals might be a less painful way of bringing your vehicle with you.

Shipping cars in the USA is pretty common practice, but unfortunately, not all companies work in your best interest. You need to be aware of potential relocation scams and learn how to avoid them. Finding a trustworthy company should be your number one priority – after all, they will be responsible for your car, which as well might be considered a part of your family. Same way as you trust a company with your home goods, you want to be comfortable when it comes to relocating your car.

They should be reliable and help you move safely without any risk of your car getting damaged in the process. Many professional relocation companies offer car shipping services, so if they assist you with relocating other belongings, they might as well help you move a car to another address.

A person sitting inside a car
Driving on your own might be more trouble than it's worth

You Can Always Get Professional Auto Transport Service

Hiring a professional car shipping company might be the best solution for a person that is looking for car shipping advice. Having professionals in your corner can save you from unnecessary complications. As we already mentioned, moves are complex, and there are many things you need to handle – the last thing you want is to drive a car for 50+ hours while worrying about all the other responsibilities.

Professionals will make sure to provide you not only with the highest quality moving services, but they will also ensure that your car gets to your address together with all your other household belongings.

expensive car
It is highly recommended that you let professionals relocate your luxury vehicle

Figure Out How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car From New York to California

How long does it take to ship a car from NY to LA? This is a very important factor to consider when deciding how to transport your vehicle. The time needed for delivery mostly depends on the number of drivers in charge for that specific delivery as well as the number of drop-offs. The longer the distance requires a longer delivery time.

For example, let’s say there is one driver in charge of that particular transport. This means that trucks will progress 500 miles per day, considering the fact that this is a single driver’s limit by the law. That means that the average delivery period from the East Coast or West Coast is about 5 to 14 days. If you want to know the details about the delivery time of your vehicle, you can check the approximate estimation of the delivery period in a timetable your company offers.

Los Angeles street
Approximately 5 to 14 business days is enough for a vehicle to be delivered from NYC to LA

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car to Los Angeles? Price Depends on Different Factors, But You Ca Get a Free Quote

Car shipping costs will usually depend on the company’s policy and the transportation options that you choose. Professionals can transport cars from state to state in different types of carriers, so the price will, in those cases, depend on the car shipping services you choose. You can always contact them for a free quote if you’re interested in an estimated price for these services.

The cheapest way to ship your car is in an open trailer, but this kind of service brings more potential risks. In most cases, you’ll pay the higher fee for a “safer” service, which means that your vehicle will be protected during relocation and that insurance will be included, but in the end, you won’t be worried about potential damages and repairs you’ll need to pay for later.

Price Usually Depends on the Company's Policy

So, how much does it cost to ship a car? For example, shipping a car in winter is usually cheaper than relocating it during summer because the summer season is busier and more expensive because of this. Choosing a relocation in an open carrier will also reduce your potential expenses by about 40-50%. Other factors that will affect the final price include:

  • Height, length, and a curb weight of your car,
  • Distance in miles,
  • Pickup and delivery option you choose.

The distance between NYC and LA is about 2800 miles if you take the shortest route, and prices depending on previously mentioned factors, can vary from $1,000 to $3,000. Most of the reliable companies will offer you a free quote, so you can contact them for the precise offer once you give them all the information about your specific auto and preferences. If the offered price doesn’t suit your relocation budget, you can switch dates, choose a different pickup and delivery method, or move it in an open trailer that is usually cheaper.

You Have to Choose the Type of Trailer When You Ship an Auto

As we already mentioned, there are two types of trailers you get to choose from when it comes to USA auto transport. The first option is to transport in an open trailer. This is one of the most affordable and commonly chosen options, but there are some risks that come with it. During transportation, your car will be exposed to weather conditions. You want to consider this no matter if you’re choosing between relocating a car in summer or winter. For example, if you’re relocating a car in the winter season, it will be exposed to harsh weather conditions.

Enclosed auto transport is often preferred for luxury vehicle shipping. These types of trailers are super safe and highly recommended for four-wheelers that require special treatment while being transported from one state to another. Logically, transport in an enclosed trailer is a more expensive option, and it is used for transporting more valuable vehicles. Pieces can be twice as high because this type of trailer can transfer only seven cars at the same time and require additional equipment for car protection.

There Are Also Different Pickup and Delivery Options for Auto Shipping

When it comes to pickup and delivery, in most cases, you’ll also need to choose between the two most common and popular options. Again, the cost of services will depend on the fact which of these options you choose. First is terminal-to-terminal car shipping, and this is a more affordable one. With this option, you’ll need to drive your car to the designated parking terminal, and professionals will take it from there, relocate it with a carrier and deliver it to the terminal that’s closest to your new home. Once your car arrives, you can pick it up and drive it to your home.

Another option is door-to-door auto transport, which is a more expensive choice – it also makes the process much easier. If you choose this option, professionals will pick up your car at your home address and deliver it to your new home. There won’t be any extra things for you to handle, such as terminal pick-up, which can make the procedure more complicated.

You Can Pay For Additional Moving Insurance

If you’re willing to pay extra for additional insurance, you should definitely check what your options are – every company usually has its own policy when it comes to insurance coverage. They can tell you specific details, for example, which kind of damage and amount this policy can cover. If you find its cost convenient, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Learn How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Shipping

What are the proper preparations when I ship my car from New York to Los Angeles, you might wonder? Here are some things to consider:

  • Check if there are any damages, such as leaks, and take precautions while preparing it for transportation. Basic check-up includes that you check fluids, battery charge, tres, and mileage,
  • Take photos of already existing damages,
  • Wash it and check for the already existing scratches,
  • Reduce the level of gas inside the gas tank to ¼ f its full capacity,
  • Make an extra set of keys – one for you and one for the shipper,
  • Remove personal belongings and flammables from your car,
  • Secure loose parts that might fall off during transport.

When you prepare your four-wheeler for transportation, you’ll lower the chances for something bad to happen during the whole move.

Open Carrier Auto Transport

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Enclosed Auto Transport

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Ship a Car From New York to Los Angeles With Professionals and You Won’t Have Any Worries

Relocating a car on your own is a tedious job, and there is no need to put yourself under such pressure, especially when you’re relocating from NY City to LA. Driving such a long distance on your own is not only stressful – it is also dangerous and requires planning and many additional expenses for hotels, fuel, and food on the way.

It is much safer and more convenient to book a professional company and require a car shipment for a specific date. You can also contact the chosen relocation company to get a free quote. This way, you’ll know the potential cost for your shipment once you choose your preferences when it comes to the type of trailer and pickup and delivery option.

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