California to Louisiana
Certified by
Tim DeMille
Auto Transport Expert
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CALIFORNIA TO LOUISIANA
Shipping from California to Louisiana
Planning to move your vehicle from the Golden State to the Pelican State? California to Louisiana car shipping doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. Whether you’re relocating for work, buying a car online, or snowbirding between states, choosing the right auto transport company makes all the difference. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about car shipping costs, timelines, and expert tips for a smooth journey.
Average Distance, Time and Cost
CA
California
LA
Louisiana
Popular Routes from California to Louisiana
Key Takeaways From This Article
Auto Transport from California to Louisiana
California to Louisiana car shipping costs $1,150-$1,725 and takes 3-7 days to complete the 2,012-mile journey.
Our California & Louisiana Customers
Sherpa customers love our transparent pricing with no hidden fees, 4.9-star rating from 8,000+ reviews, and Price Lock Promise that guarantees your quoted rate.
Factors that Impact Cost
Distance is the biggest cost factor for California to Louisiana shipping, with longer routes requiring more fuel and driver time across the 1,400-1,800 mile span.
Tips and Tricks to Save
Ship during off-peak winter months and choose flexible pickup windows to save the most money on your California to Louisiana transport.
How Car Shipping Works
The most important step is proper vehicle preparation – remove personal items, clean your car, and document its condition with photos before pickup.
State Insights
California’s strict emissions requirements don’t apply in Louisiana, making vehicle registration simpler after your move to the Gulf South.
What Sherpa’s Customers are Saying
The Sherpa Difference
TRANSPARENCY
Our Price Lock Promise ensures you know exactly what you’ll pay, with no hidden fees or last-minute surprises.
NATIONWIDE COVERAGE
Whether you’re shipping your vehicle across the state or across the country, our extensive network of carriers ships to all 50 states all year round.
CUSTOMER FIRST APPROACH
Sherpa has a 4.87 average customer rating with over 7,000 five-star reviews. We were recognized by Auto Business Outlook as the Top Automotive Shipping Provider in 2023 for our commitment to customer service.
CARRIER QUALITY
We carefully evaluate transportation records, accident history, and customer feedback to vet every one of our carriers. If a carrier does not meet our high standards, we do not use them.
EXPERT HANDLING
From classic cars, everyday vehicles, motorcycles and more, we have the expertise to manage all types of auto transport needs with care and precision.
Popular Routes from California to Louisiana
Factors that Affect California to Louisiana Shipping Prices
Distance
California to Louisiana spans approximately 1,400-1,800 miles depending on your exact locations. This cross-country distance significantly impacts shipping costs, with longer routes requiring more fuel and driver time.
Route
Major interstate highways like I-10 and I-40 connect California to Louisiana efficiently. These well-traveled routes offer lower shipping costs compared to remote pickup locations requiring detours off main trucking corridors.
Season
Winter months typically offer the lowest shipping rates from California to Louisiana. Summer and early fall see higher demand and prices as families relocate before school starts.
Vehicle Type
Standard sedans cost less to ship than SUVs or trucks. Larger vehicles take up more trailer space, add weight for fuel costs, and require special handling considerations.
Traffic Considerations
Avoid shipping during Thanksgiving week, Christmas, and major holiday periods when highways are congested. Plan around these peak travel times to reduce delays and potential additional costs.
Carrier Availability
Summer months may require 1-2 weeks to secure a carrier due to high demand. Off-season shipping typically finds available carriers within 3-5 days for faster service.
Open vs Enclosed
Open trailers cost significantly less and work well for most vehicles. Choose enclosed transport for luxury cars, classics, or vehicles needing weather protection during the multi-day journey.
Population Density
Major California cities and New Orleans offer competitive rates due to high carrier traffic. Rural Louisiana destinations may cost more due to limited carrier routes and accessibility.
Tips & Tricks for Saving on Vehicle Shipping
Off Season Savings
Ship your car during off-peak months to save money. Avoid busy snowbird season when rates spike. Even shifting your shipment by a few weeks can reduce costs significantly.
Flexible Pickup & Delivery
Choose flexible pickup and delivery windows to lower shipping costs. Offering carriers a five-day window for both pickup and delivery gives them scheduling freedom and saves you money.
Hub City Advantages
Pick pickup and delivery locations near major highways in California and Louisiana. Cities with highway access offer more carrier options and competitive rates than remote rural locations.
Open Trailers
Open trailers cost less than enclosed ones for standard vehicles. Save money by choosing open transport unless you’re shipping a luxury or classic car requiring extra protection.
Learn More About Open vs. Enclosed Trailers
How does Car Shipping from California to Louisiana Work?
Car shipping from California to Louisiana covers approximately 2,012 miles and typically takes 3-7 days to complete. This cross-country auto transport route connects the West Coast to the Gulf South, making it one of the most popular shipping corridors in the United States. At Sherpa Auto Transport, we handle this route daily, ensuring your vehicle arrives safely at its destination.
The California to Louisiana car shipping process begins when you request a quote and book your transport. Our team will assign a qualified carrier and provide pickup scheduling within 1-3 days. Most pickups occur at your home or office, though some remote areas may require meeting at a nearby major road or terminal for easier truck access.
During transport, your vehicle travels on either an open or enclosed carrier truck. Open carriers are more common and cost-effective, while enclosed transport offers extra protection for luxury or classic cars. The route typically follows major highways like I-10 and I-40, passing through states like Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas before reaching Louisiana.
Several factors can affect your California to Louisiana auto transport timeline. Weather conditions, especially during winter months or hurricane season, may cause slight delays. Traffic in major cities like Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, and New Orleans can also impact delivery schedules. Pricing for this route typically ranges from $1,150 to $1,725, depending on your specific pickup and delivery locations, vehicle size, and transport type selected.
California to Louisiana Car Transport: State Insights and Regulations
When planning California to Louisiana car shipping, understanding the differences in vehicle registration requirements between states is crucial. California requires smog checks for most vehicles, while Louisiana has no emissions testing requirements. This means your California-registered vehicle will need to meet Louisiana’s simpler registration process, which typically involves providing your current registration, proof of insurance, and completing a VIN inspection at the Louisiana DMV.
Vehicle modification laws differ significantly between these states. California has strict window tinting regulations allowing only 70% light transmission on front windows, while Louisiana permits 40% tinting. Frame height restrictions are more lenient in Louisiana, making it easier for truck owners relocating from California. However, both states require functioning catalytic converters, so ensure your vehicle’s emissions equipment remains intact during auto transport.
Weather considerations play a major role when moving vehicles from California’s mild climate to Louisiana’s humid subtropical environment. While winter tires aren’t necessary in Louisiana, consider having your air conditioning system inspected before car shipping, as Louisiana’s intense heat and humidity can strain cooling systems. Rust protection becomes more important due to Louisiana’s higher moisture levels and occasional flooding in coastal areas.
Insurance requirements vary between states, with Louisiana requiring minimum liability coverage of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. California’s minimums are higher at $15,000/$30,000/$5,000 respectively. Contact your insurance provider before your California to Louisiana car shipping to ensure continuous coverage and understand rate changes. Many insurers offer lower premiums in Louisiana due to reduced traffic density compared to California’s major metropolitan areas, potentially saving you money on your auto insurance after the move.
California to Louisiana Vehicle Transport FAQs
Preparing your vehicle for shipping from California to Louisiana is simple but important. Here’s what you need to do:
Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, including items in the glove box, trunk, and console. Carriers aren’t insured for personal property.
Clean your car: Wash your vehicle inside and out. This helps you spot any existing damage during the inspection.
Document condition: Take photos of your car from all angles, noting any scratches or dents.
Prepare for pickup: Remove or secure loose parts like spoilers, antennas, and bike racks. Take out toll passes and GPS devices. Make sure you have a spare key for the driver.
Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank) and that the battery works well.
For complete details, see our Vehicle Shipping Tips guide. Following these steps will help ensure your car arrives safely in Louisiana.
Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from California to Louisiana. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.
Before your car ships, we verify that your carrier’s insurance is active and valid. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their policy for extra protection.
This insurance covers your vehicle from pickup in California all the way to delivery in Louisiana. You can ship with confidence knowing your car is protected throughout the entire journey.
We recommend scheduling your car shipping service from California to Louisiana at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives you the best chance to secure competitive rates and flexible pickup dates.
Here’s why early booking matters:
- Better pricing: Carriers can plan efficient routes by grouping multiple vehicles
- More availability: Popular routes like California to Louisiana fill up quickly
- Flexible scheduling: You’ll have more pickup window options
If you need faster service, we can often accommodate rush shipments with 3-7 days notice, though this may cost more. During peak seasons (summer and fall), book even earlier if possible.
Pro tip: Have your pickup and delivery addresses ready when you book. This helps carriers plan the most efficient route for your California to Louisiana shipment.
No payment is due at the time of booking. We do require a payment method on file so that it is available to charge once a carrier is secured. We accept all major debit and credit cards, including Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express. The most convenient option is to pay for your shipment in full by credit card at the time a carrier is secured.
We also allow you to pay for your Initial Payment via credit or debit card and then pay the outstanding balance on delivery day via cash or a certified check made out to the carrier.
Your Sherpa shipment includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or secured below the window line. If you are shipping to or from a port or your shipment includes ocean transit, your vehicle must be emptied of all items. Sherpa and your assigned carrier cannot be responsible for personal items left inside the vehicle. See our Vehicle Shipping Tips for more details.
Yes. It is important that you, or another adult that you trust, is there for pickup and delivery of your vehicle. 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.
Open transport is the most common and budget-friendly option. Your car rides on an open trailer alongside other vehicles. It’s exposed to weather and road debris, but it’s perfectly safe for most cars. This method costs less and has more availability.
Enclosed transport protects your vehicle inside a covered trailer. It costs 40-60% more than open transport but shields your car from weather, dust, and road debris. Choose this for luxury cars, classics, or vehicles with custom paint jobs.
For most California to Louisiana moves, open transport works great and saves money. Pick enclosed transport if your car is worth over $50,000 or has special value to you. See our complete open vs enclosed guide for more details.
Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service from California to Louisiana. This means we’ll pick up your car from your home, office, or any address you choose in California and deliver it directly to your specified location in Louisiana.
Here’s how it works: When you book your shipment, simply provide us with your preferred pickup and delivery addresses. Our assigned carrier will coordinate with you to collect your vehicle from your California location and transport it safely to your new address in Louisiana.
In some cases, large trucks may not be able to access certain residential streets due to low-hanging branches, narrow roads, or local restrictions. If this happens, don’t worry – our carrier will work with you to find a convenient nearby location like a shopping center or gas station that’s easy for both of you to reach.
Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle compared to terminal-to-terminal shipping, where you’d need to drop off and pick up your car at specific facilities. With our California to Louisiana routes, most customers can take advantage of this convenient service.
Many Auto Transport companies try to tease customers with lower rates, only to surprise you with “hidden costs” later. At Sherpa Auto Transport, we do things differently. We provide one locked-in price upfront and stick to it. If unexpected costs arise, we pay them out of our own pocket.
While we may not always be the cheapest option at first glance, our commitment to transparency and reliability offers exceptional value. As a premium service, we ensure an stress-free experience from start to finish.
We transport sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, vans and motorcycles across the nation, including service to Alaska and Hawaii. At this time, we do not service boats, golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. We can ship both operable and inoperable vehicles so long as the vehicle can roll, brake, and steer, and that you can provide the carrier with a key to the vehicle. We can also ship electric vehicles.
Visit Sherpa’s FAQ page to learn more about car shipping!