Our team has been in the car shipping industry for a long time. We worked for some of the largest brokers and knew there was a better way to do things.

So we set out to create a company that would be different. We want to walk you through how the process works and we guarantee to match any price you hear from a competitor.

We’re a scrappy team that looks forward to earning your business.

Preparing your car for the cross-country trip from NYC to LA is simple but important. Start by removing all personal items – this includes toll passes like E-ZPass, phone chargers, GPS devices, and anything loose in your car. Carriers aren’t responsible for personal belongings, and items can shift during the 2,800-mile journey.

Clean your vehicle inside and out before pickup. This helps you document any existing damage and makes the inspection process smoother. Take photos of your car from all angles as proof of its condition.

Make sure your car is in good working order with at least a quarter tank of gas (but not more than half). Check that your battery is secure and your tires are properly inflated. Remove or secure any loose exterior parts like spoilers, bike racks, or custom antennas.

Have a spare key ready for the driver, and ensure your registration and insurance are current. For more detailed preparation tips, check our Vehicle Shipping Guide.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from New York City to Los Angeles. Every carrier in our network must carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before we assign your NYC to LA shipment, we check that the carrier’s insurance is active and valid. This protects your car for the entire 2,800-mile journey across the country.

What this means for you:

• Your vehicle is covered against damage during loading, transport, and unloading
• You’re protected if accidents happen on the road
• No hidden insurance fees – coverage is included in your quote

We also recommend taking photos of your car before pickup in New York City. This helps document your vehicle’s condition and makes any claims process smoother when you receive it in Los Angeles.

For shipping your car from New York City to Los Angeles, we recommend booking at least 2-3 weeks in advance. Here’s why:

Best results: Booking 3-4 weeks ahead gives carriers time to plan efficient routes and bundle your vehicle with others heading to California. This often means better rates and more reliable pickup times.

Minimum timing: Two weeks is the bare minimum, but you might face limited carrier options and higher prices during peak seasons (summer and early fall).

Last-minute bookings: While possible, scheduling with less than two weeks’ notice typically results in 20-30% higher costs and less flexible pickup windows.

Pro tip: Avoid major holidays and winter months when booking, as these periods see high demand and weather delays on the NYC to LA route.

We accept all forms of payment. We can arrange credit cards or arrange for you to pay the carrier directly through cash/certified check. We even accept payment via Cash/Zelle/Venmo.

Your shipment with SAKAEM includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or secured below the window line. If your shipment includes ocean transit (Hawaii shipments), your vehicle must be emptied of all items. SAKAEM and your assigned carrier are not responsible for personal items left inside your vehicle. See our Auto Transport Process Article for more details.

A designated (adult) must be present at pickup and delivery. 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.

When shipping your car from New York City to Los Angeles, you’ll choose between two main transport types:

Open Auto Transport:
• Your car rides on an open trailer (like you see on highways)
• Costs 40-60% less than enclosed transport
• Perfect for everyday vehicles
• Your car is exposed to weather and road debris
• Most popular choice for the NYC to LA route

Enclosed Auto Transport:
• Your car travels inside a covered trailer
• Costs significantly more but offers maximum protection
• Best for luxury cars, classics, or custom vehicles
• Protects against weather, dust, and road debris
• Limited availability means longer pickup times

Our recommendation: For most people shipping from New York City to Los Angeles, open transport works great and saves money. Choose enclosed transport if your car is worth over $50,000 or has special value you can’t replace.

Need help deciding? Contact Sakaem Logistics for a free quote on both options.

Yes, Sakaem Logistics offers door-to-door auto transport service from New York City, NY to Los Angeles, CA. This means we’ll pick up your car from your home, office, or any address you choose in NYC and deliver it directly to your specified location in LA.

Here’s how it works: When you book your shipment, simply provide us with your preferred pickup address in New York City and delivery address in Los Angeles. Our assigned carrier will coordinate with you to collect your vehicle from the NYC location and transport it safely across the country to your LA destination.

In rare cases where the carrier cannot access your exact address due to narrow streets, low bridges, or parking restrictions (common in some NYC neighborhoods), we’ll work with you to find a safe, nearby alternative like a parking lot or gas station. This ensures your car gets picked up and delivered without any issues.

Door-to-door service eliminates the hassle of driving to terminals, making your NYC to LA car shipping experience as convenient as possible.

We transport sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, electric vehicles, vans and motorcycles across all 48 continental states + Hawaii. Our services even provide shipment for golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. We can ship vehicles that don’t run so long as the vehicle can roll, brake, and steer, and that you can provide the carrier with a key to the vehicle. The only exception is boats, which we do not transport.

Visit SAKAEM Logistics’ FAQ page to learn more about car shipping!