Distance & lane
New York and Boston are long eastbound hauls, while Texas destinations are closer. Route length, carrier demand, and how well a lane balances return loads all shape the quote.
Santa Monica, CA Car Shipping 2026 Costs & Routes
Typical cost to ship a car from Santa Monica$1,025–$1,375
Shipping to Santa Monica: $950–$1,250
At a glance
- Top outbound laneNew York, NY leads Santa Monica’s outbound routes, with 36 shipments on record, $1,175–$1,500 typical quotes, and 4–10 day estimates.
- Common arrival originsTexas leads cars arriving in Santa Monica with 38 shipments on record; Florida follows with 31.
- Vehicle pricingTypical prices are $1,125 open for sedans, $1,200 open for SUVs, and $1,725 enclosed for sedans.
- Metro comparisonSanta Monica’s outbound quote pattern is about the same as across the Los Angeles metro, making metro-wide quotes a useful comparison.
Prices by vehicle
What it costs to ship your vehicle from Santa Monica
The vehicle figures show that SUVs and crossovers typically cost a little more to ship open than sedans. Enclosed transport adds shelter for a high-value car at a higher price.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan / coupe | $1,125 | $1,725 |
| SUV / crossover | $1,200 | $2,025 |
Median customer quote on record for running vehicles leaving Santa Monica, across all routes. Your route and dates set the final price.
Santa Monica vs. the Los Angeles metro
How Santa Monica compares to the rest of the Los Angeles area
Typical quote from Santa Monica$1,025–$1,375Los Angeles metro: $1,025–$1,350
Compared with the metroAbout the samemidpoint of the typical range
Shipments from Santa Monica on record493#4 of 24 SAKAEM city pages in the Los Angeles metro
Based on shipments picked up in Santa Monica's own ZIP codes, compared with the whole Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro.
Popular routes
Top destinations from Santa Monica
| Destination | Typical range | Quote · transit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY36 shipments on recordCA → NY guide | $1,175–$1,5004–10 days transit | |
| 2 | Washington, DC33 shipments on record | $1,150–$1,4504–9 days transit | |
| 3 | Miami, FL22 shipments on recordCA → FL guide | $1,100–$1,3254–10 days transit | |
| 4 | Chicago, IL21 shipments on recordCA → IL guide | $1,075–$1,3253–7 days transit | |
| 5 | Austin, TX17 shipments on recordCA → TX guide | $925–$1,2002–6 days transit | |
| 6 | Atlanta, GA16 shipments on recordCA → GA guide | $1,000–$1,2003–7 days transit | |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA15 shipments on recordCA → PA guide | $1,100–$1,3754–10 days transit | |
| 8 | Boston, MA14 shipments on recordCA → MA guide | $1,525–$1,7004–10 days transit | |
| 9 | Dallas, TX13 shipments on recordCA → TX guide | $900–$1,3002–6 days transit | |
| 10 | Pittsburgh, PA10 shipments on recordCA → PA guide | $1,025–$1,4253–7 days transit | |
$750$1,000$1,250$1,500$1,750 |
Transit is SAKAEM's standard estimate by distance, counted from pickup.
Where Santa Monica cars come from
Texas, Florida, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and Massachusetts together account for roughly half of inbound shipments on record. Those origins span multiple regions, so coordinating with the carrier’s delivery schedule matters more than assuming a short local transfer.
Shipments delivered to Santa Monica on record, by origin state.
Reviews
What customers say about shipping with SAKAEM
★★★★★
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!
★★★★★
I was skeptical of all shipping companies but pleasantly 😮 surprised with Sakaem. They gave me a reasonable quote for shipping my car across country and lived up to their quote. They followed through on securing a driver and picked up my carb3 days after booking. My car arrived at destination intact and the driver kept me advised of locations. Everyone I dealt with from the beginning were helpful and courteous.
★★★★★
Efficient and reliable transport at reasonable price! My car was picked up on Friday and delivered on Tuesday all the way across the country, would have been an 18-hour drive for me. Thank you!
Cost factors
What moves the price of a Santa Monica shipment
Season
Snowbird demand can tighten carrier availability. Winter snow can close Sierra Nevada passes like I-80 over Donner Pass, while summer and fall wildfires can shut highways and affect routing.
Vehicle size
SUVs and crossovers take more trailer space than sedans, which can raise the carrier’s price on the same lane. Larger or specialty vehicles may need more room.
Pickup access
Carrier trucks may avoid tight streets or gated communities. A pickup in Downtown or Ocean Park that needs special access can take more coordination and affect the quote.
Open vs enclosed
Open carriers suit standard daily drivers. Enclosed service offers extra shelter for high-value vehicles, but has more limited equipment and space, so it costs more.
Want the full picture? Read our guide to the cost to ship a car.
Save money
5 ways to pay less (and wait less)
Choose a truck-friendly meeting point
If your Downtown or Ocean Park block is tight, arrange a wider nearby pickup spot and confirm it with the carrier before dispatch.
Prepare building access
For a gated or managed property, share entry instructions, clearance limits, and a local contact before the carrier arrives.
Keep your pickup window flexible
If your plans allow, offer flexible dates so the carrier can align your Santa Monica pickup with an existing I-10 or I-405 run.
Match the service to the car
Choose open transport for a standard daily driver; reserve enclosed service for a high-value vehicle that needs extra shelter.
Plan early for an in-state move
Ask about carrier availability early for a California-to-California move: just 21 of 493 Santa Monica outbound shipments on record were in-state.
Getting your car ready? See our vehicle shipping tips.
Moving to Santa Monica
Your California car checklist
Bringing a car to Santa Monica as a new California resident? Plan for registration, title paperwork, and a smog check. The checklist below covers key state requirements to review as you prepare the car for California roads.
Register as a new resident
Register your car in California within 20 days of becoming a resident or getting a job in the state. [CA DMV]
Prepare title-transfer documents
Bring Application for Title or Registration (REG 343), your out-of-state title and last registration, and a smog certificate; get a VIN check on Verification of Vehicle form (REG 31), pay fees, and usually surrender old plates. [CA DMV]
Meet liability coverage requirements
Since January 1, 2025, California requires 30/60/15 liability: $30,000 for one person’s injury or death, $60,000 for more than one person, and $15,000 for property damage. [CA DMV]
Check smog requirements
Out-of-state gas cars 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. [CA BAR]
Review window tint
Front side film must be clear and colorless, let in at least 88% light, and leave the window at 70% or more. Rear side and rear windows may be tinted with outside mirrors on both sides; windshield tint is limited to a top strip. [Cal. Veh. Code 26708]
Know how California tolls work
FasTrak pays tolls electronically on every California toll bridge, express lane, and toll road; one account works across all of them. [FasTrak]
- County
- Los Angeles County, California
- Main roads
- I-10, I-405, CA-1 (Pacific Coast Highway), CA-2 (Santa Monica Boulevard)
- Neighborhoods
- Downtown, Mid City, Ocean Park, Pico
- Nearby cities
- Inglewood, Los Angeles, Torrance, Burbank, Glendale
Santa Monica at a glance
Service area
Pickup and delivery in and around Santa Monica
Pickup and delivery can be arranged in Downtown, Mid City, Ocean Park, Pico, Sunset Park, and Wilshire Montana, with access via I-10, I-405, CA-1, and CA-2. Service also reaches Los Angeles, Inglewood, Torrance, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Thousand Oaks, and Long Beach.
Santa Monica ZIP codes
- 90401
- 90402
- 90403
- 90404
- 90405
- 90406
- 90408
- 90409
How it works
Shipping your car in four steps
Share your route and vehicle details
Provide your Santa Monica pickup and delivery addresses, vehicle type, running condition, and preferred dates.
Review your quote and service
Choose open or enclosed transport and confirm timing, pickup location, and any access limits before booking.
Prepare the car for pickup
Clear the vehicle, have its key ready, and review its condition with the carrier at handoff.
Check the car at delivery
Review the vehicle’s condition on arrival and complete the delivery paperwork.
New to auto transport? Here's how to ship a car, step by step.
FAQ
Santa Monica car shipping questions
How much does car shipping to or from Santa Monica cost?
On-record quotes for running cars on open transport put a Santa Monica departure at $1,025–$1,375 and delivery into Santa Monica at $950–$1,250. These are the middle half of customer quotes, not a fixed offer. Your exact quote depends on route, vehicle, timing, and pickup access.
How long does car shipping take?
For Santa Monica’s leading outbound lanes on record, typical road estimates are 4–10 days to New York, 4–9 to Washington, DC, and 2–6 to Austin. Transit starts after pickup; these estimates aren't guarantees. Pickup scheduling is separate, so ask for the expected collection window.
Is my car insured during transport?
SAKAEM works with FMCSA-licensed and insured carriers that carry at least $1,000,000 in liability and $100,000 in cargo insurance. Before loading, review the carrier’s insurance details and take photos of the vehicle’s condition for your records. Keep your own copy of the photos in case you need to refer to them.
Can I leave personal items in the car?
SAKAEM allows up to 100 lbs of personal items in the trunk or below the window line. Keep loose or valuable items out, since the carrier is transporting your vehicle, not your household goods. Ask your coordinator whether your planned items fit the carrier’s loading requirements.
Can you ship a non-running car?
Yes. SAKAEM can ship a non-running car if it rolls, brakes, and steers, and you provide a key. Tell us its condition before booking so the carrier can plan equipment and access at your Santa Monica pickup and delivery point.
How do I pay for car shipping?
Payment options include card, or paying the carrier by cash or certified check; Zelle and Venmo are also accepted. Confirm the method and timing with SAKAEM before dispatch, and keep a receipt or payment confirmation for your records after the transaction.
Do I need to be present at pickup?
A designated adult must be at both pickup and delivery to inspect the car and sign the Bill of Lading. If you can’t be there, choose someone in advance, share access details, and make sure they can review the vehicle’s condition with the driver before signing.
Have another question? Browse the full car shipping FAQ.
Get a Santa Monica car shipping quote
Share your route and vehicle details with SAKAEM to get a quote tailored to your move.
Sources: SAKAEM shipment records on file (October 2026); US Census Bureau (county); [CA BAR], [CA DMV], [Cal. Veh. Code 26708], [FasTrak], official state sources, verified 2026-10-01.
Industry Resources: FMCSA Carrier Lookup · U.S. Department of Transportation · SAKAEM Logistics on BBB · NHTSA