Ship a Car from Seattle to Los Angeles
Everything you need to know about auto transport from Seattle, WA to Los Angeles, CA — pricing, transit times, seasonal tips, and how to get the best deal.
Distance
1,135 mi
Transit Time
4–6 days
Open Transport
$1,020 – $1,600
Enclosed Transport
$1,530 – $2,400
Seattle to Los Angeles Auto Transport Overview
The Seattle to Los Angeles route runs the length of the West Coast along I-5, one of the most heavily trafficked freight corridors in the country. This route passes through Portland, Sacramento, and the Central Valley before reaching the LA basin. High carrier volume on I-5 keeps rates competitive and pickup times fast. It is especially popular for tech workers relocating between the Pacific Northwest and Southern California, as well as dealers moving inventory between the two markets.
Ranges shown are estimates from our published formula for a standard sedan in October, not quotes. Your price is set by the licensed auto transport company you choose and depends on your exact ZIPs, vehicle class, condition and pickup window. Get a free estimate for your specific vehicle and dates.
What Affects Pricing on This Route
Winter weather in the Cascade Range and Siskiyou Pass (near the Oregon-California border) can cause one- to two-day delays from November through February due to snow and chain requirements. Summer and early fall offer the smoothest transit and most competitive pricing. The rainy season in Seattle (October-March) does not typically delay pickups but enclosed transport is worth considering to avoid road spray on the long I-5 stretch.
This route runs southbound. In our season table the lowest month is January ($890 – $1,210) and the highest is November ($1,020 – $1,600), a 25% swing on the same 1,135 mi. Flexible dates are the biggest lever you control.
How the October open-carrier estimate is built
- Distance
- 1,135 miroad miles (OpenStreetMap routing)
- Fixed charge
- $300Loading/unloading, dispatch and paperwork cost that does not scale with distance. Calibrated so a ~100-mile open sedan move lands near $400, consistent with published short-haul benchmarks (U.S. News, Forbes Advisor, ConsumerAffairs 2025-2026 car-shipping cost guides).
- Mileage cost
- $772Tiered marginal per-mile rates (see table)
- Diesel
- $6.20/gal (52-wk avg $4.73)EIA weekly U.S. diesel, week of 2026-10-05
- Fuel adjustment
- +6%0.206 fuel share × diesel change vs. 52-week average (ATRI 2026)
- Season
- October southbound: +15%Season × direction table
- Vehicle
- Sedan / coupe +0%Vehicle class table
- Transport
- Open carrier +0%Open vs. enclosed
- Pickup/delivery area
- Metro +0%Rural below 1,000 people/sq mi (2020 Census)
- Range
- $1,020 – $1,600 (mid-point ±22%, 1,135 mi)
| Vehicle class | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan / coupe | $1,020 – $1,600 | $1,530 – $2,400 |
| SUV / crossover | $1,150 – $1,790 | $1,720 – $2,690 |
| Pickup / large SUV | $1,280 – $2,000 | $1,920 – $3,000 |
| Van / minivan | $1,230 – $1,920 | $1,840 – $2,880 |
| Oversize / modified | $1,530 – $2,400 | $2,300 – $3,600 |
Formula v2026.09.2 · EIA U.S. diesel $6.20/gal, week of Oct 5, 2026, 52-week average $4.73 · October pricing · road miles from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM, © OpenStreetMap contributors).
Estimate, not a quote. Produced automatically by our published formula from public data; your price comes from the licensed auto transport partner you choose. How we estimate · Get your free estimate
Fuel: U.S. Energy Information Administration. Routing: © OpenStreetMap contributors (OSRM). ZIP locations: U.S. Census Bureau.
Seattle to Los Angeles by month
| Month | Season | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -8% | $890 – $1,210 | $1,340 – $1,810 |
| February | typical demand | $970 – $1,310 | $1,450 – $1,970 |
| March | typical demand | $970 – $1,310 | $1,450 – $1,970 |
| April | -5% | $920 – $1,250 | $1,380 – $1,870 |
| May | -5% | $920 – $1,250 | $1,380 – $1,870 |
| June | +8% | $1,050 – $1,420 | $1,570 – $2,130 |
| July | +8% | $1,050 – $1,420 | $1,570 – $2,130 |
| August | +8% | $1,050 – $1,420 | $1,570 – $2,130 |
| September | typical demand | $970 – $1,310 | $1,450 – $1,970 |
| October (now) | +15% | $1,020 – $1,600 | $1,530 – $2,400 |
| November | +15% | $1,020 – $1,600 | $1,530 – $2,400 |
| December | -8% | $890 – $1,210 | $1,340 – $1,810 |
Formula v2026.09.2 · EIA U.S. diesel $6.20/gal, week of Oct 5, 2026, 52-week average $4.73 · October pricing · road miles from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM, © OpenStreetMap contributors).
Estimate, not a quote. Produced automatically by our published formula from public data; your price comes from the licensed auto transport partner you choose. How we estimate · Get your free estimate
Fuel: U.S. Energy Information Administration. Routing: © OpenStreetMap contributors (OSRM). ZIP locations: U.S. Census Bureau.
Open Transport
$1,020 – $1,600
The most popular and affordable option. Your vehicle rides on an open carrier alongside other vehicles. Ideal for standard cars, trucks, and SUVs.
Learn about open transport →Enclosed Transport
$1,530 – $2,400
Premium protection from weather, road debris, and other elements. Recommended for luxury, classic, exotic, or high-value vehicles.
Learn about enclosed transport →Tips for Shipping from Seattle to Los Angeles
Carriers prefer pickup locations with easy access to I-5 or I-405 — areas like Tukwila, Renton, or Federal Way work well. If you are in downtown Seattle, meet the carrier in a suburban lot to avoid the steep hills and tight streets. This route has several mountain passes, so if you are shipping a lowered vehicle, confirm the carrier can safely load and unload it on angled ramps.
Before You Ship
- ✓Remove personal items from the vehicle (carriers are not liable for personal belongings)
- ✓Document your vehicle's condition with dated photos before pickup
- ✓Leave about a quarter tank of gas — enough for loading and unloading
- ✓Disable any toll transponders or aftermarket alarms
- ✓Make sure the vehicle starts, steers, and brakes (inoperable vehicles cost more)
Seattle to Los Angeles Shipping FAQ
In October, our published formula estimates open transport from Seattle, WA to Los Angeles, CA at $1,020 – $1,600 for a standard sedan and enclosed transport at $1,530 – $2,400, over 1,135 mi of road. These are estimates, not quotes: the price is set by the licensed auto transport company you choose and depends on your exact ZIPs, vehicle class, condition and pickup window. Get your free estimate and compare offers for your specific vehicle.
Transit time from Seattle, WA to Los Angeles, CA is typically 4–6 days for the 1,135 mi route, allowing 350 to 500 miles a day plus a day at each end for pickup and delivery scheduling. This includes stops for fuel, rest, and other vehicle pickups and deliveries along the way. Weather, traffic, and seasonal demand can affect the exact timeline.
Open transport is the most popular choice for the Seattle to Los Angeles route, estimated at $1,020 – $1,600 in October. It is suitable for most standard vehicles. Enclosed transport, estimated at $1,530 – $2,400, is recommended for luxury, classic, exotic, or high-value vehicles that need extra protection from weather and road debris over the 1,135 mi distance. Learn more about open transport and enclosed transport.
Winter weather in the Cascade Range and Siskiyou Pass (near the Oregon-California border) can cause one- to two-day delays from November through February due to snow and chain requirements. Summer and early fall offer the smoothest transit and most competitive pricing. The rainy season in Seattle (October-March) does not typically delay pickups but enclosed transport is worth considering to avoid road spray on the long I-5 stretch.
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