Distance & lane
From Modesto, cross-country lanes such as New York and Atlanta cover more ground than Phoenix, so distance, fuel, and driver time push quotes in different directions.
Modesto, CA Car Shipping 2026 Costs & Routes
Typical cost to ship a car from Modesto$1,050–$1,425
Shipping to Modesto: $900–$1,325
At a glance
- Popular laneFrom Modesto, Houston is the most common listed outbound lane: $900–$1,200 typical, 17 shipments on record, and 2–6 days in transit.
- Arriving carsTexas and Florida lead arriving-car origins in Modesto, with 30 and 27 shipments on record, respectively.
- Vehicle typeOpen transport typically adds $125 for an SUV/crossover and $400 for a pickup versus a Modesto sedan.
- California registrationNew California residents must register their car within 20 days of becoming a resident or getting a job [CA DMV].
Prices by vehicle
What it costs to ship your vehicle from Modesto
The table shows why vehicle class matters: larger SUVs and pickups typically take a bigger share of the quote than sedans on open transport. Enclosed shipping is a higher-protection option for a sedan.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan / coupe | $1,125 | $1,750 |
| SUV / crossover | $1,250 | Quote on request |
| Pickup truck | $1,525 | Quote on request |
Median customer quote on record for running vehicles leaving Modesto, across all routes. Your route and dates set the final price.
Popular routes
Top destinations from Modesto
| Destination | Typical range | Quote · transit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX17 shipments on recordCA → TX guide | $900–$1,2002–6 days transit | |
| 2 | Atlanta, GA15 shipments on recordCA → GA guide | $1,100–$1,4003–7 days transit | |
| 3 | Nashville, TN15 shipments on recordCA → TN guide | $1,075–$1,4253–7 days transit | |
| 4 | New York, NY13 shipments on recordCA → NY guide | $1,225–$1,5254–10 days transit | |
| 5 | Dallas, TX12 shipments on recordCA → TX guide | $975–$1,1002–6 days transit | |
| 6 | Washington, DC12 shipments on record | $1,175–$1,5254–10 days transit | |
| 7 | Tampa, FL11 shipments on recordCA → FL guide | $1,375–$1,8504–9 days transit | |
| 8 | Chicago, IL8 shipments on recordCA → IL guide | $1,100–$1,3253–7 days transit | |
| 9 | Phoenix, AZ8 shipments on recordCA → AZ guide | $675–$8250–3 days transit | |
| 10 | Seattle, WA8 shipments on recordCA → WA guide | $775–$9751–4 days transit | |
$500$1,000$1,500$2,000 |
Transit is SAKAEM's standard estimate by distance, counted from pickup.
Where Modesto cars come from
Cars arriving in Modesto on record mainly come from Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and Illinois. Winter snow can close Sierra Nevada passes like I-80 over Donner Pass, while summer and fall wildfires can shut highways and delay deliveries.
Shipments delivered to Modesto on record, by origin state.
Reviews
What customers say about shipping with SAKAEM
★★★★★
I shipped my car from California to Michigan and Sakaem came back with the best quote and answered all of my questions. I wish they could tell you an exact day they could pick up, but overall the service was great and I got my car in less than a week with no issues. Happy customer!
★★★★★
Archie was the best!!! Very informative and was Very experienced! He was prompt and was a day early. I would highly recommend.
★★★★★
Excellent services, on time great communication and my car got delivery so quickly and good conditions
Cost factors
What moves the price of a Modesto shipment
Season
Winter snow can close Sierra Nevada passes like I-80 over Donner Pass, and summer or fall wildfires can shut highways. Detours and route changes can affect carrier availability and pricing.
Vehicle size
SUVs and pickups take more space and weight capacity than sedans. That can limit which carriers can load your vehicle and move its quote.
Pickup access
A large carrier may not be able to reach a tight street or gated address in Downtown Modesto. Limited access can mean arranging a nearby meeting point.
Open vs enclosed
Open transport exposes a vehicle to weather and road debris, while enclosed transport adds protection and uses specialized carrier space. That extra protection can raise the quote.
Save money
5 ways to pay less (and wait less)
Plan an accessible handoff
If your address is on a tight Downtown Modesto or College Area street, ask about a nearby truck-friendly meeting point before the carrier is dispatched.
Share access details
Give the carrier exact address and entry notes, including any gate or low-clearance limits, so they can plan access from CA-99, CA-108, or nearby roads.
Keep dates flexible
If your schedule can move, say so when arranging pickup. Flexibility can help the carrier work around Sierra pass closures or wildfire shutdowns.
Compare like with like
For a Houston or Phoenix quote, compare the same transport type, vehicle condition, and pickup flexibility before choosing.
Document the car
Photograph your vehicle in daylight and note existing marks before loading. Keep the images handy for your delivery review.
Getting your car ready? See our vehicle shipping tips.
Moving to Modesto
Your California car checklist
Bringing an out-of-state car to Modesto? Set up your California registration and smog paperwork early so you are ready for the DMV.
Register after moving
Register your car in California within 20 days of becoming a resident or getting a job in the state [CA DMV].
Prepare title documents
Bring REG 343, your out-of-state title, last registration, and smog certificate; have a DMV employee, police officer, or licensed verifier check the VIN on REG 31. Pay registration and use tax, and usually surrender old plates [CA DMV].
Meet insurance minimums
California requires 30/60/15 liability: $30,000 for injury or death to one person, $60,000 for more than one person, and $15,000 for property damage [CA DMV].
Check smog requirements
Out-of-state gas cars from model year 1976 or newer need a first-registration smog check. Diesel cars from 1998 or newer under 14,001 lbs also need one; most areas require checks every two years after that [CA BAR].
Review window tint
Front side film must be clear and colorless, let in at least 88% light, and keep filmed windows at 70% light or more. Rear tint requires outside mirrors on both sides; windshield tint is limited to a top strip [Cal. Veh. Code 26708].
Set up toll payment
FasTrak pays tolls on California toll bridges, express lanes, and toll roads; one account works on all of them [FasTrak].
- County
- Stanislaus County, California
- Main roads
- CA-99, CA-108, CA-132, CA-219
- Neighborhoods
- College Area, La Loma, Village One, Downtown Modesto
- Nearby cities
- Manteca, Tracy, Stockton, Merced, Livermore
Modesto at a glance
Service area
Pickup and delivery in and around Modesto
Pickup and delivery can be coordinated in College Area, La Loma, Village One, and Downtown Modesto, with truck access planned around CA-99, CA-108, CA-132, CA-219, and I-5. SAKAEM also serves Manteca, Tracy, Stockton, Merced, Livermore, Brentwood, Pleasanton, and Milpitas.
Modesto ZIP codes
- 95350
- 95351
- 95352
- 95353
- 95354
- 95355
- 95356
- 95357
- 95358
- 95397
How it works
Shipping your car in four steps
Request a quote
Share your Modesto pickup or delivery address, destination, vehicle, and preferred dates.
Choose your service
Select open or enclosed transport and confirm the quote, service details, and pickup window.
Prepare for pickup
Coordinate carrier access and get your vehicle ready for loading.
Receive your car
Meet the carrier at the agreed delivery point and close out the shipment.
New to auto transport? Here's how to ship a car, step by step.
FAQ
Modesto car shipping questions
How much does it cost to ship a car from or to Modesto?
From Modesto, typical open-transport quotes for a running vehicle are $1,050–$1,425 to ship out and $900–$1,325 to ship in. These are the middle half of quotes on record, 425 for outbound and 281 for inbound, not guaranteed offers. Your exact route, vehicle, and pickup details shape the final quote.
How long does car shipping to or from Modesto take?
From Modesto, Houston typically takes 2–6 days, Atlanta 3–7 days, and Phoenix 0–3 days on the road. Transit starts after pickup, and these estimates are not guarantees; weather, closures, and carrier schedules can shift arrival. Ask your carrier for a current pickup window once your order is arranged.
Is my car insured during transport?
Every carrier SAKAEM arranges is FMCSA-licensed and insured, with at least $1,000,000 in liability coverage and $100,000 in cargo insurance. Ask the carrier how to report damage, and review the vehicle's condition at delivery. Keep your shipping paperwork and photos together if you need to discuss a claim.
Can I put personal items in the car?
SAKAEM allows up to 100 lbs of personal items in the trunk or below the window line. Keep belongings inside that area and secure them before pickup. Ask before adding anything outside the allowed space.
Can you ship a car that does not run?
SAKAEM can ship a non-running vehicle if it rolls, brakes, and steers, and you provide a key. Tell us about its condition when you request a quote so the carrier can plan the loading setup and give you an accurate price.
How do I pay for car shipping?
You can pay by card, or pay the carrier by cash or certified check; Zelle and Venmo are accepted. Confirm your preferred method at booking and keep payment details clear with the carrier, so pickup handoff goes smoothly.
Do I need to be present at pickup and delivery?
A designated adult must be present at pickup and delivery to inspect the car and sign the Bill of Lading. If you can't be there, choose someone in advance, give them the keys, and make sure they can record the vehicle's condition with the carrier.
Have another question? Browse the full car shipping FAQ.
Ready to ship your car from Modesto?
Get a quote for your route and choose the service that fits your vehicle and schedule.
Sources: SAKAEM shipment records on file (October 2026); US Census Bureau (county); [CA BAR], [CA DMV], [Cal. Veh. Code 26708], [FasTrak], official state sources, verified 2026-10-01.
Industry Resources: FMCSA Carrier Lookup · U.S. Department of Transportation · SAKAEM Logistics on BBB · NHTSA