Shipping to Oakland: $950–$1,300
The table is a useful budget compass: sedans set the lower baseline, while SUVs, pickups, and vans take more trailer capacity. Enclosed transport adds protection for valuable cars, but it is a different service choice, not a like-for-like quote.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan / coupe | $1,125 | $1,725 |
| SUV / crossover | $1,250 | $1,875 |
| Pickup truck | $1,525 | Quote on request |
| Van / minivan | $1,525 | Quote on request |
Median customer quote on record for running vehicles leaving Oakland, across all routes. Your route and dates set the final price.
Based on shipments picked up in Oakland's own ZIP codes, compared with the whole San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro.
| Destination | Typical range | Quote · transit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY41 shipments on recordCA → NY guide | $1,175–$1,5004–10 days transit | |
| 2 | Washington, DC40 shipments on record | $1,100–$1,4254–10 days transit | |
| 3 | Atlanta, GA31 shipments on recordCA → GA guide | $1,050–$1,3753–7 days transit | |
| 4 | Chicago, IL25 shipments on recordCA → IL guide | $1,050–$1,3503–7 days transit | |
| 5 | Boston, MA20 shipments on recordCA → MA guide | $1,325–$1,5254–10 days transit | |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA20 shipments on recordCA → PA guide | $1,050–$1,4754–10 days transit | |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA16 shipments on record | $600–$7750–2 days transit | |
| 8 | Portland, OR15 shipments on recordCA → OR guide | $725–$9000–3 days transit | |
| 9 | Dallas, TX14 shipments on recordCA → TX guide | $1,025–$1,1002–6 days transit | |
| 10 | Charlotte, NC13 shipments on recordCA → NC guide | $1,100–$1,3504–9 days transit | |
$500$750$1,000$1,250$1,500$1,750 |
Transit is SAKAEM's standard estimate by distance, counted from pickup.
Oakland arrivals most often come from Texas, New York, and Florida, with Massachusetts, Virginia, and Washington also among the leading origins. These long-haul routes can mean more road time than nearby California moves, so coordinate delivery around the carrier's route.
Shipments delivered to Oakland on record, by origin state.
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!
We had a communication breakdown initially, but everything worked out well! 10/10 service!
Fast and reliable service. Highly recommended. Will use again in the future. Fair pricing.
Oakland’s most common recorded outbound lane is New York, while only 36 of 639 outbound shipments on record stayed in California. Longer cross-country routes and less frequent in-state lanes can affect carrier availability and pricing.
Winter snow can close I-80 over Donner Pass, while summer and fall wildfires can shut highways. Detours and disrupted carrier routes can change the cost of moving a car to or from Oakland.
SUVs, pickups, and vans occupy more trailer space than sedans, so the carrier may need to fit fewer vehicles on a load. That capacity difference can push their quotes higher.
In dense areas such as Chinatown or Jack London District, narrow streets or gated access can keep a large carrier from reaching the door. A longer approach or alternate loading point can affect the quote.
Open trailers carry more cars at once and are the standard budget option; enclosed trailers add protection for high-value cars but have less capacity and usually cost more.
Offer a wide meeting point off a busy block in Chinatown or Jack London District; loading can be simpler than trying to reach a tight street.
A flexible pickup window can help a carrier line up your Oakland stop with a route through the Bay Area.
For a California move, provide exact pickup and delivery addresses. In-state Oakland departures are uncommon, so don't assume your precise lane is already on a truck's route.
Tell the broker about roof racks, oversized tires, or lowered clearance before quoting, and remove loose add-ons if you can.
For trips using I-80, ask about Donner Pass conditions in winter; during wildfire season, confirm the carrier has a workable highway plan.
Getting your car ready? See our vehicle shipping tips.
If you're bringing an out-of-state car into Oakland, California's registration and smog steps matter before you make a DMV trip. Use this checklist to get the right paperwork and vehicle details lined up.
Register your car in California within 20 days of becoming a resident or getting a job in the state. [CA DMV]
Bring REG 343, your out-of-state title and last registration, and a smog certificate. Have the VIN checked on REG 31; pay registration and use tax fees, and turn in old plates in most cases. [CA DMV]
Since January 1, 2025, California requires 30/60/15 liability coverage: $30,000 for one person's injury or death, $60,000 for more than one person, and $15,000 for property damage. [CA DMV]
Out-of-state gas cars from model year 1976 or newer need a first-registration smog check, even if new. Diesel cars from 1998 or newer under 14,001 lbs also need one; most areas require checks every two years after that. [CA BAR]
Front side film must be clear and colorless, let in at least 88% of light, and still allow at least 70% through the window. Rear windows may be tinted with outside mirrors on both sides; windshield tint is limited to a top strip. [Cal. Veh. Code 26708]
FasTrak pays tolls electronically on every California toll bridge, express lane, and toll road; one account works across them all. [FasTrak]
SAKAEM can arrange pickup and delivery around Oakland neighborhoods such as Temescal, Rockridge, Fruitvale, and Montclair, with truck routing via I-80, I-580, I-880, I-980, I-238, and US-101. Service also reaches Alameda, Berkeley, San Leandro, Richmond, and Walnut Creek, with a practical meeting point when a neighborhood street is too tight.
Enter Oakland pickup or delivery details, vehicle type, and whether it runs so your quote reflects the shipment you need.
Compare open or enclosed service, route timing, and pickup details before choosing an option.
Confirm an accessible meeting spot and pickup date with the carrier; prepare the vehicle and inspection notes.
Check the vehicle's condition at delivery and close out the handoff with the carrier.
New to auto transport? Here's how to ship a car, step by step.
For Oakland open transport, running vehicles, the middle half of quotes on record is $1,025–$1,400 for shipments leaving the city and $950–$1,300 for cars coming in. Your route, vehicle size, pickup access, season, and trailer type shape the actual quote. The outbound range reflects 588 quotes on record; the inbound range reflects 520.
Oakland-to-New York shipments have a 4–10 day transit estimate; Atlanta and Chicago are 3–7 days, while Los Angeles is 0–2 days. Transit estimates start after pickup and aren't guarantees. The pickup date is separate from road time, so build your schedule around both carrier dispatch and the route.
SAKAEM uses FMCSA-licensed and insured carriers, which carry at least $1,000,000 in liability coverage and $100,000 in cargo insurance. Ask what the carrier's policy covers and how to document any damage at delivery. Keep your own auto policy active as appropriate for your situation; carrier cargo coverage and your personal policy serve different purposes.
SAKAEM allows up to 100 lbs of personal items in the trunk or below the window line. Pack only what fits securely in that space, and remove valuables, documents, and anything fragile before handoff. Tell your coordinator if an item cannot be removed, rather than assuming the carrier can transport it.
SAKAEM can ship a non-running vehicle if it rolls, brakes, and steers, and you provide a key. Tell us this before booking so the carrier can plan for loading equipment and access. If the car cannot meet those conditions, ask first rather than treating it as a standard pickup.
Payment options include card, cash or certified check to the carrier, and Zelle or Venmo. Confirm your chosen method and when payment is due before pickup, so you have it ready. Keep the receipt or transaction record until the vehicle is delivered.
A designated adult needs to be present at both pickup and delivery to inspect the vehicle and sign the Bill of Lading. If you cannot attend, arrange another adult in advance and make sure they can review the car's condition with the driver. Keep the contact details and agreed meeting location handy.
Have another question? Browse the full car shipping FAQ.
Share your route and vehicle details, and SAKAEM will help you compare a clear shipping option.
Industry Resources: FMCSA Carrier Lookup · U.S. Department of Transportation · SAKAEM Logistics on BBB · NHTSA
