Distance & lane
Monterey's long routes to the East Coast take more carrier time than nearby California trips. Distance and carrier availability on your particular lane both shape the quote.
Monterey, CA Car Shipping 2026 Costs & Routes
Typical cost to ship a car from Monterey$1,100–$1,600
Shipping to Monterey: $1,025–$1,475
At a glance
- Top outbound laneWashington, DC is Monterey's most common recorded destination: typical quotes are $1,300–$1,425, with 4–10 days on the road.
- Where arrivals come fromMost recorded arrivals come from Florida, Virginia, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia and Maryland; together, they account for roughly half.
- Monterey and its metroMonterey outbound quotes are about $50 higher than across the Salinas metro overall; Monterey accounts for 153 of 662 Salinas metro departures on record.
- In-state movesIn-state California moves are rare: 11 of 153 Monterey outbound shipments on record.
Prices by vehicle
What it costs to ship your vehicle from Monterey
SUVs and crossovers usually cost more to ship on an open carrier than sedans because they take more trailer space. Enclosed transport is a bigger price step for a sedan, so it makes most sense when extra protection matters to you.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan / coupe | $1,250 | $2,000 |
| SUV / crossover | $1,400 | Quote on request |
Median customer quote on record for running vehicles leaving Monterey, across all routes. Your route and dates set the final price.
Monterey vs. the Salinas metro
How Monterey compares to the rest of the Salinas area
Typical quote from Monterey$1,100–$1,600Salinas metro: $1,100–$1,525
Compared with the metroAbout $50 highermidpoint of the typical range
Shipments from Monterey on record153#1 of 2 SAKAEM city pages in the Salinas metro
Based on shipments picked up in Monterey's own ZIP codes, compared with the whole Salinas, CA metro.
Popular routes
Top destinations from Monterey
| Destination | Typical range | Quote · transit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC11 shipments on record | $1,300–$1,4254–10 days transit | |
| 2 | Providence-Warwick, RI7 shipments on record | $1,575–$2,150 | |
| 3 | Baltimore, MD5 shipments on recordCA → MD guide | $1,275–$1,5754–10 days transit | |
| 4 | Miami, FL5 shipments on recordCA → FL guide | $1,350–$2,2504–10 days transit | |
| 5 | New York, NY5 shipments on recordCA → NY guide | $1,525–$1,9254–10 days transit | |
| 6 | San Diego, CA5 shipments on record | $775–$9000–2 days transit | |
| 7 | Virginia Beach, VA5 shipments on recordCA → VA guide | $1,475–$1,8754–10 days transit | |
$750$1,250$1,750$2,250 |
Transit is SAKAEM's standard estimate by distance, counted from pickup.
Where Monterey cars come from
Arriving cars on record often start in the Southeast or Mid-Atlantic, so many deliveries cross several states before reaching Monterey. Plan around the route into the peninsula and check California road conditions, since Sierra snow and summer or fall wildfires can close highways.
Shipments delivered to Monterey 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!
★★★★★
This company truly values its clients. The whole team went above and beyond to make sure our delivery went smoothly. Great experience, friendly staff, and super dependable drivers. Five stars without a doubt!
★★★★★
Incredible service from start to finish. The communication was clear, the staff was helpful, and our goods arrived right on schedule. We’ll definitely continue working with SAKAEM for future deliveries.
Cost factors
What moves the price of a Monterey shipment
Season
Winter snow can close Sierra Nevada passes such as I-80 over Donner Pass. Summer and fall wildfires can also shut highways, forcing route changes that affect a carrier's trip.
Vehicle size
SUVs and crossovers take more trailer space than sedans, so they typically cost more on an open carrier.
Pickup access
A large truck may not safely reach a narrow street or gated property around Old Town or Downtown. Limited loading access can mean arranging a nearby meeting point.
Open vs enclosed
Open transport is the lower-cost option for most cars. Enclosed service adds protection for collector or high-value vehicles and raises the quote.
Want the full picture? Read our guide to the cost to ship a car.
Save money
5 ways to pay less (and wait less)
Keep pickup dates flexible
For Washington, DC or another long-haul booking, offer flexible pickup dates so dispatch has more room to match your route with a carrier.
Pick an easy handoff spot
If your pickup is on a narrow Old Town or Downtown block, choose a roomy meeting point near CA-1 or CA-68 and share it before dispatch.
Choose the service your car needs
Use open transport for an everyday car if extra enclosure is not important; reserve enclosed transport for a collector or high-value vehicle that benefits from added protection.
Prepare the car for loading
Put your FasTrak transponder and loose items away before handoff, then keep the keys and paperwork easy to reach.
Check route conditions
Check California highway conditions if the route crosses the Sierra or fire-affected areas, and share a backup meeting point with your contact before pickup.
Getting your car ready? See our vehicle shipping tips.
Moving to Monterey
Your California car checklist
Bringing an out-of-state car to Monterey? California has registration, smog and insurance steps to handle after your move. Use this checklist to plan the paperwork.
Register your car
Register your car within 20 days of becoming a California resident or getting a job in the state. [CA DMV]
Prepare title paperwork
Bring REG 343, your out-of-state title and last registration, and a smog certificate. Get VIN verification on REG 31, pay registration and use-tax fees, and turn in old plates in most cases. [CA DMV]
Meet insurance minimums
California requires at least 30/60/15 liability: $30,000 for injury or death to one person, $60,000 for injury or death to 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 smog check for first registration, even if new. Diesel cars from 1998 or newer under 14,001 lbs also need one; most areas require checks every two years afterward. [CA BAR]
Review window tint
Front-side film must be clear and colorless, let in at least 88% of light, and leave the filmed window at least 70% light transmission. Rear tint requires outside mirrors on both sides; windshield tint is limited to a top strip. [Cal. Veh. Code 26708]
Know the toll system
FasTrak pays electronically on every California toll bridge, express lane and toll road; one account works on all of them. [FasTrak]
- County
- Monterey County, California
- Main roads
- CA-1, CA-68, CA-218, US-101
- Neighborhoods
- New Monterey, Old Town, Downtown, Del Monte Beach
- Nearby cities
- Salinas, Santa Cruz, Cupertino, San Jose, Santa Clara
Monterey at a glance
Service area
Pickup and delivery in and around Monterey
Pickup and delivery can be arranged in New Monterey, Old Town, Downtown, Del Monte Beach and Oak Grove, with truck routing shaped by CA-1, CA-68 and CA-218. We also serve Salinas, Santa Cruz, Cupertino, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Milpitas; US-101 and I-5 are among the highways serving the area.
Monterey ZIP codes
- 93940
- 93942
- 93943
- 93944
How it works
Shipping your car in four steps
Share your route
Provide the Monterey pickup and delivery locations, vehicle type, condition and preferred dates.
Review your quote
Review the route-specific quote and choose open or enclosed transport based on your vehicle and protection needs.
Prepare for pickup
Clear the car for handoff, keep the keys ready and confirm a truck-friendly meeting point with your carrier.
Complete delivery
Meet the carrier at delivery, review the vehicle's condition and complete the handoff.
New to auto transport? Here's how to ship a car, step by step.
FAQ
Monterey car shipping questions
How much does it cost to ship a car to or from Monterey?
For open transport of a running vehicle, middle-half quotes on record for Monterey outbound shipments are $1,100–$1,600; inbound shipments are $1,025–$1,475. Vehicle size, route and service type affect your quote. These are typical quote ranges, not a quote for your exact shipment.
How long does car shipping to or from Monterey take?
For recorded Monterey outbound routes, San Diego typically takes 0–2 days on the road, while Washington, DC, Baltimore, Miami, New York and Virginia Beach are estimated at 4–10 days. Transit estimates start after pickup and are not guarantees. Winter Sierra pass closures or summer and fall wildfires can disrupt highway routes.
Is my car insured during transport?
SAKAEM's carriers are FMCSA-licensed and insured, with at least $1,000,000 in liability coverage and $100,000 in cargo insurance. Ask your coordinator how the carrier's coverage applies to your vehicle, and keep a clear record of its condition at pickup and delivery.
Can I pack personal items in the car?
SAKAEM allows up to 100 lbs of personal items in the trunk or below the window line. Keep belongings secured and within that limit; leave valuables and loose items out of the car. Confirm the loading plan with your shipping coordinator before pickup so the handoff is clear.
Can you ship a non-running car?
SAKAEM can ship a non-running vehicle if it rolls, brakes and steers, and a key is available. Tell us these details before booking so we can confirm the carrier can handle it. A car that cannot roll, brake or steer falls outside this stated service condition.
How do I pay for car shipping?
Payment options include card, or paying the carrier by cash or certified check; Zelle and Venmo are accepted too. Confirm the method and recipient shown for your booking before sending funds. Keep the payment confirmation with your shipment details, and use the payment instructions provided for your shipment.
Do I need to be present when the car is picked up?
A designated adult must be present at pickup and delivery to inspect the car and sign the Bill of Lading. Arrange for someone you trust if you cannot attend, and make sure they can walk around the car, note its condition and complete the handoff paperwork.
Have another question? Browse the full car shipping FAQ.
Get a Monterey car shipping quote
Share your route, vehicle and preferred dates, and SAKAEM will help line up a carrier for your move.
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