New York and California are about as far away as two states can get, as they are on opposite coasts of the country. They are also two of the most popular states in which to live, with the combined population of them equaling about 20% of America’s total population. If you are currently planning to move from New York to California, you should definitely consider having your vehicle shipped. Especially if you have a family or if you plan to travel alone. The trip is nearly 3,000 miles and takes 43-hours non-stop by car. So, that doesn’t include any bathroom breaks or fuel stops that you take.
This is where Long Distance Towing comes into play! We have over 20 years of experience and have a fleet of licensed, insured, and bonded agents ready to help with your move. You probably have a lot of questions at this point, so allow us to try and answer some of them:
How Long Does It Take To Ship A Car From New York To California?
As we mentioned, it takes almost two days non-stop to drive from New York to California. So, how long does a transport truck take to make the journey? Sometimes, this can be a tricky question, but generally speaking, most shipments arrive within six to eight days. Just keep in mind that the drivers can only do about 500-miles per day. Driving 3,000-miles at that rate would be six days, but you have to also factor in traffic, fuel/rest stops, weather, and other factors.
Shipping Options From New York To California
When you reach out to a customer service representative from Long Distance Towing, one of the first questions you will be asked is if you want open-air or enclosed transport. Hence, it’s vital to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each form of shipping. Let’s take a look at each in more detail:
What is open-air transport?
Open-air transport is just as it sounds; your vehicle is loaded onto a standard car hauler trailer that’s open to the elements. You’ve more than likely seen these on the highway at some point delivering a load of new cars to a dealership.
Since these trailers are open, they offer hassle-free unloading and loading. This, combined with the fact that they haul from four to twelve cars at one time, allows open air transport to be the most affordable option.
What is enclosed transport?
Enclosed transport is the opposite of open-air because the trailer used for this is entirely closed in. And for a 3,000-mile trip, this is an excellent option for anyone who wants the ultimate protection for their ride as it travels across the country.
The fact is, the weather will change as the trip goes on, and your car may be subjected to ice, hail, sand storms, etc. So, if you own luxury, exotic, or other high-end vehicles, it’s worth paying the extra money. Most agree that enclosed transport is on average about 40% more than using an open-air hauler.
What Is The Cost To Ship A Car From New York To California?
When determining the cost to ship a car from New York to California, many factors are taken into account. Choosing between an open-air hauler and an enclosed trailer is just the first factor taken into consideration. The cost to ship a car from NY to CA will be $1100-$1500 to ship a vehicle on an open carrier and $1800-$2500 to ship a car via enclosed transport. Here are some others you should know:
Flexibility and Demand
Just as being flexible with flight dates can result in cheaper plane tickets, the same is true with auto transport. It’s a supply and demand business, so you’ll pay more for busier times of the year and less for slower times.
So, if you want the best deal and aren’t in a hurry, check with the carrier to see if they have any upcoming dates where they have a hard-to-fill spot available. Or, at the least, be sure to avoid the high-demand times of the year, such as summer and around the holidays.
What Make of Vehicle Do You Own?
Do you own a large SUV or an economy-sized car? The larger your car’s body is, and the more it weighs, the more you’ll pay to have it transported. Remember that trucking companies are limited to a maximum payload, so it usually costs more for oversized vehicles because the truck can carry fewer vehicles.
Distance and Final Destination
Finally, distance and where the final destination is located will affect the cost. At their closest, the distance from New York to California is 2,200-miles, and at their furthest, they’re over 3,100 miles. That may be a wide gap of mileage, but either way, it’s a lot of roads to cover. When you take the distance between the two states into account, there’s no surprise that this is one of the more expensive routes for shipping a car.
The Bottom Line
In the end, the easiest way to move a car from New York to California is with the help of an auto transport company. We here at Long Distance Towing are ready to help and would love to hear from you! Give us a call today!