Car shipping from Los Angeles, CA to New York City, NY

Our team has been in the car shipping industry for a long time. We worked for some of the largest brokers and knew there was a better way to do things.

So we set out to create a company that would be different. We want to walk you through how the process works and we guarantee to match any price you hear from a competitor.

We're a scrappy team that looks forward to earning your business.

Preparing your vehicle for the cross-country journey from Los Angeles to New York City is straightforward but important. Here's what you need to do:

Clean your car inside and out. This makes it easier to document any existing damage during the inspection process. Take photos of your vehicle from multiple angles before shipping.

Remove personal belongings. Carriers are not insured for personal items left in the vehicle. Take out toll passes, GPS devices, garage door openers, and any valuables. You can leave up to 100 pounds of items in the trunk, but this isn't recommended.

Check fluid levels and tire pressure. Ensure your car is in good working condition with no leaks. The battery should be charged and the gas tank about a quarter full—no more than half.

Disable alarms. Your car alarm should be turned off to prevent it from going off during transport and draining your battery.

Remove or secure loose parts. Retract antennas, remove custom spoilers or bike racks, and secure or remove any aftermarket accessories that could be damaged during the 2,800-mile journey.

Provide a spare key. The driver will need to load and unload your vehicle at both pickup and delivery.

For a complete checklist and additional tips, see our detailed guide on how to ship a car. Proper preparation ensures a smooth transport experience and helps protect your vehicle during its coast-to-coast trip.

Yes, your vehicle is insured during transport from Los Angeles to New York City. At Sakaem Logistics, we require all carriers to maintain a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance. Before your shipment begins, we verify that the carrier's insurance policy is valid and current.

This coverage protects your vehicle against damage during loading, transport, and unloading. All insurance costs are included in your quote—there are no hidden fees. We recommend taking photos of your vehicle before shipping and reviewing the carrier's insurance certificate, which will be provided to you.

For more details about coverage requirements and what's protected during transit, visit our guide on vehicle shipping insurance. If you have a high-value or classic car, consider enclosed transport for added protection against weather and road debris on this cross-country route.

For shipping your car from Los Angeles to New York City, we recommend scheduling your pickup at least 1-2 weeks in advance. However, booking earlier—ideally 2-4 weeks ahead—gives you the best chance of securing competitive rates and your preferred pickup dates.

Here's why advance scheduling matters: carriers traveling cross-country often bundle multiple vehicles heading in the same direction to maximize efficiency and keep costs down. When you book early, your shipment gets added to their route planning system sooner, increasing the likelihood of a quick match with a qualified carrier.

That said, if you need expedited service, many carriers can accommodate shorter timelines, though you may pay a premium for rush scheduling. Peak moving seasons (summer months and end-of-month periods) typically require more advance notice, while winter months often offer more flexibility.

Ready to get started? Learn more about how to ship a car or explore door-to-door car shipping options for maximum convenience on this cross-country route.

We accept all forms of payment. We can arrange credit cards or arrange for you to pay the carrier directly through cash/certified check. We even accept payment via Cash/Zelle/Venmo.

Your shipment with SAKAEM includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or secured below the window line. If your shipment includes ocean transit (Hawaii shipments), your vehicle must be emptied of all items. SAKAEM and your assigned carrier are not responsible for personal items left inside your vehicle. See our car shipping guide for more details.

A designated (adult) must be present at pickup and delivery. This designated person plays an important role in the shipping process including documenting the state of the vehicle and signing the Bill of Lading, which acts as a receipt of the vehicle's condition.

When shipping your vehicle from Los Angeles to New York City, you'll need to choose between two main transport methods: open and enclosed carriers.

Open Auto Transport is the most common and affordable option. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air trailer alongside other cars, exposed to weather and road conditions during the cross-country journey. This is the same method dealerships use to transport new cars. While your car will be exposed to the elements, carriers are fully insured and experienced in protecting vehicles. Open transport typically costs significantly less—often 40-60% cheaper than enclosed options.

Enclosed Auto Transport provides maximum protection by shipping your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer. This shields it from weather, road debris, and dust during the 2,800-mile trip across the country. Enclosed transport is ideal for luxury vehicles, classic cars, exotic sports cars, or any vehicle with custom paint or modifications where even minor road debris could cause costly damage. Expect to pay at least 50-60% more than open transport.

Which Should You Choose? For most everyday vehicles—sedans, SUVs, and trucks in good condition—open transport offers excellent value and reliability. Reserve enclosed transport for high-value vehicles where the extra cost is justified by the vehicle's worth. Both methods include vehicle shipping insurance, though coverage limits may differ.

Yes! We absolutely offer Door To Door Car Shipping from Los Angeles, CA to New York City, NY. This is our most popular service because it offers maximum convenience for cross-country moves.

Here's how it works: when you book your shipment, we'll ask for your preferred pickup address in Los Angeles and your delivery address in New York City. Our assigned carrier will come directly to your location—whether that's your home, office, or apartment—to pick up your vehicle. When your car arrives in New York City, the carrier will deliver it right to your door.

In most cases, door-to-door service works exactly as described. However, if your street has restrictions like low-hanging trees, narrow roads, weight limits, or tight turns that make it difficult for a large car carrier to access, the driver will contact you to arrange a nearby meeting point. This is typically a open parking lot, shopping center, or gas station within a few blocks of your address. The driver's priority is always the safe transport of your vehicle, so they'll work with you to find the most convenient alternative if needed.

The cross-country route from Los Angeles to New York City is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the country, which means we have regular carrier availability and competitive pricing. Most shipments on this route take 7-10 days, depending on the carrier's schedule and any stops along the way.

We transport sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, electric vehicles, vans and motorcycles across all 48 continental states + Hawaii. Our services even provide shipment for golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. We can ship vehicles that don't run so long as the vehicle can roll, brake, and steer, and that you can provide the carrier with a key to the vehicle. The only exception is boats, which we do not transport.

See our car shipping guide to learn more about car shipping!