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

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 New York City to Los Angeles is straightforward but important. Here's what you need to do:

Clean your vehicle: Wash the exterior and interior before shipping. This makes it easier to document any existing damage during the inspection process.

Remove personal items: Take out all personal belongings, toll passes (like E-ZPass), and any loose items from the cabin and trunk. Carriers are not insured for personal property, and extra weight can affect shipping costs.

Document the condition: Take photos of your vehicle from all angles, noting any existing scratches, dents, or damage. This creates a record for comparison upon delivery in Los Angeles.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your vehicle has less than a quarter tank of gas (for weight and safety reasons), and verify that the battery is charged and the vehicle runs properly so carriers can load and unload it.

Remove or secure accessories: Retract antennas, remove or fold in side mirrors if possible, and take off any custom spoilers, bike racks, or roof cargo boxes that could be damaged during transport.

Disable alarms: Turn off your car alarm to prevent it from going off during the 2,800-mile journey.

Provide a key: You'll need to give the carrier a working key for loading and unloading your vehicle.

For a complete walkthrough of the preparation process, check out our detailed guide on how to ship a car. Proper preparation ensures a smooth pickup in NYC and a hassle-free delivery in LA.

Yes, your vehicle is insured during transport from New York City to Los Angeles. At Sakaem Logistics, we require all carriers in our network to maintain a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance. Before we assign your cross-country shipment, we verify that the carrier's insurance policy is active and in good standing.

This coverage protects your vehicle against damage caused by accidents or carrier negligence during transit. However, it's important to note that standard carrier insurance typically doesn't cover pre-existing damage or personal items left inside the vehicle. We recommend documenting your car's condition with photos before pickup and removing all personal belongings.

For complete peace of mind on this coast-to-coast journey, you can also check with your personal auto insurance provider about coverage during transport. If you have questions about the insurance process or want to learn more about preparing your vehicle, visit our guide on how to ship a car for detailed information.

We recommend scheduling your pickup service from New York City at least 1-2 weeks in advance for the best results. However, booking earlier gives you more advantages—the sooner you post your shipment, the more time carriers have to plan efficient routes and bundle your vehicle with others heading to Los Angeles.

Booking early typically means lower costs and more carrier options. During peak moving seasons (summer months and end-of-month periods), you may want to schedule 2-3 weeks ahead to ensure availability. If you're working with tight deadlines, our Expedited Car Shipping Services can accommodate faster pickups, though this comes at a premium price.

That said, we understand plans change. If you need last-minute shipping, we can often arrange pickups within 3-5 days, though your carrier options may be more limited. The key is to be flexible with your pickup window when possible—giving carriers a 1-2 day range rather than requiring a specific date helps them optimize their routes and keeps your costs down.

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 New York City to Los Angeles, you'll choose between two main transport methods: open and enclosed auto transport. Each has distinct advantages depending on your vehicle type and budget.

Open Auto Transport is the most popular and economical option. Your car travels on an open-air carrier—the same type you see hauling vehicles on highways. It's exposed to weather and road elements during the 2,800-mile cross-country journey, but carriers take precautions to secure vehicles properly. Open transport typically costs 40-60% less than enclosed options, making it ideal for standard vehicles in good condition. Most everyday cars, trucks, and SUVs ship this way without issues.

Enclosed Auto Transport provides maximum protection inside a covered trailer, shielding your vehicle from weather, road debris, and dust. This method costs at least 50% more than open transport, but it's worth considering for high-value vehicles, classic cars, luxury models, or cars with custom paint jobs. Enclosed trailers also carry fewer vehicles at once, which can mean more personalized service but longer wait times for pickup.

For a coast-to-coast route like NYC to LA, weather conditions vary significantly—from winter storms in the Midwest to desert heat in the Southwest. If your vehicle has sentimental or monetary value that justifies the extra cost, enclosed transport offers peace of mind. For standard vehicles, open transport is reliable and cost-effective. Learn more about your options in our Cross Country Vehicle Transport Guide or check the cost to ship a car to help make your decision.

Yes! We absolutely offer door-to-door car shipping from New York City, NY to Los Angeles, CA. This is our most popular service option because it maximizes convenience for our customers.

Here's how it works: when you book your shipment, we'll ask for your preferred pickup address in New York City and your delivery address in Los Angeles. Our assigned carrier will come directly to these locations to pick up and drop off your vehicle—whether that's your home, office, or another address you specify.

Important note about accessibility: While we always strive for true door-to-door service, large car carrier trucks need adequate space to maneuver safely. If your street has low-hanging trees, tight turns, narrow roads, or local restrictions on commercial vehicles, the driver may need to meet you at a nearby accessible location like a parking lot, shopping center, or gas station. This happens occasionally in densely populated areas of NYC or residential neighborhoods in LA, but your driver will work directly with you to find the most convenient alternative spot.

The beauty of door-to-door service on this cross-country route is that you won't need to drive to a terminal or drop-off facility. We handle the logistics so you can focus on your move. For more details about the entire shipping process, check out our guide on how to ship a car.

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!