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California to Tennessee Car Shipping
Ship your car from California to Tennessee in 5–7 days—your price appears on screen in seconds, not in a callback.
Over 1 million vehicles safely delivered Licensed & insured carriers in all 50 states Real-time tracking & dedicated support
Instant California to Tennessee Quote
Complete the form below to get your instant car transport quote
- 1Route & Date
- 2Vehicle
- 3Shipper
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from California to Tennessee?
As of September 2026, the average cost to ship a car from California to Tennessee is about $1,253, with shipments typically running $850–$1,800 depending on the exact city pair, vehicle, and season. Open auto transport is the standard choice on this corridor; enclosed transport adds weather and debris protection for about 50% more.
What Factors Affect the Cost to Ship a Car?
Distance sets the baseline: the average driving distance on this route is about 2,160 miles, and longer city pairs cost more in total while costing less per mile. From there, vehicle size and weight, open versus enclosed carrier, exact pickup and delivery locations, fuel prices, and above all season and timing move the number—demand runs busiest from spring into midsummer, though the seasonal swing on this corridor is modest. For the full breakdown, see our car shipping cost calculator.
California to Tennessee Car Shipping Pricing & Time to Ship Your Car Examples
| From California to Tennessee | Distance | Open Transport | Enclosed | Transit Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CANashville, TNMost Popular | 2,009 mi | $850–$1,350 | $1,275–$2,025 | 5–7 days | Get Quote |
| San Francisco, CAMemphis, TN | 2,094 mi | $900–$1,425 | $1,350–$2,150 | 5–7 days | Get Quote |
| San Diego, CAChattanooga, TN | 2,147 mi | $925–$1,475 | $1,375–$2,200 | 5–7 days | Get Quote |
| Sacramento, CAKnoxville, TN | 2,453 mi | $950–$1,500 | $1,425–$2,250 | 5–7 days | Get Quote |
| Fresno, CAMurfreesboro, TN | 2,156 mi | $975–$1,550 | $1,450–$2,300 | 5–7 days | Get Quote |
| San Jose, CAFranklin, TN | 2,254 mi | $875–$1,375 | $1,300–$2,075 | 5–7 days | Get Quote |
| Long Beach, CAClarksville, TN | 2,015 mi | $875–$1,400 | $1,325–$2,075 | 5–7 days | Get Quote |
Ranges reflect recent shipments for a standard sedan; SUVs and trucks typically add $100–$200. Enclosed figures are estimated at about 1.5× the open auto transport rate.
Licensed & bonded (DOT/MC). Every carrier is verified with active cargo insurance before accepting your shipment."I recently relocated from Los Angeles, CA to Dallas, TX. I found RoadRunner from Google and received excellent services from the quote to the service of picking my car and transporting across country."
California to Texas
May 2026
"Tried to have my car shipped from California to Oregon with another service, for 1 month! ridicules, called roadrunner and they pick up the car one day and it was delivered the next day. Driver was great, courteous and professional. Very reasonable pricing."
California to Oregon
May 2026
"Fast pickup. Faster delivery. Schedule for Wednesday pickup on Monday, car delivered enclosed following Monday from CA to NY. Great communication throughout. Car in perfect shape."
California to New York
October 2025
"RoadRunner was a no nonsense company. Quoted the job. Communication before pick up, day of pick, day of drop off was great. Car was picked up in Massachusetts 1/9/25 & delivered to California 1/13/25 Driver was professional & polite. I would definitely recommend & use them again."
Massachusetts to California
January 2025
Open or Enclosed Transport for California to Tennessee?
Open car transport is the right choice for the vast majority of California to Tennessee shipments. Carriers ride I-40 east through Oklahoma City into Memphis and Nashville every week, which makes open auto transport both the most available and the most economical way to ship a daily driver, SUV, or truck. Your car rides with 8–10 others on a multi-vehicle trailer, driven on via built-in ramps and secured to the deck for the run east.
Enclosed car shipping earns its premium of roughly 50% when the vehicle itself calls for it: luxury, classic, and exotic cars, a vehicle fresh off the dealer lot with no road miles, or anything you would not want exposed to weather and road debris over 2,100 miles. If you're weighing the two, our guide to the difference between enclosed and open auto transport covers it in detail.
One corridor-specific note: the southern I-40 routing avoids the worst of the northern winter, though high-plains and mountain storms can still add a day December through February. For salt-sensitive or freshly painted vehicles in those months, enclosed transport is worth the premium.
Expedited shipping is also available on this route when the calendar is not negotiable: guaranteed pickup windows and direct driver routes that get your vehicle to Tennessee faster. It is the option time-sensitive moves lean on, from corporate relocations to students starting a new semester.
The California to Tennessee Route
Most California to Tennessee shipments run I-40, with door-to-door pickup and delivery on both ends. When direct routing isn't practical, carriers relay through hubs like Oklahoma City to keep trucks full.
California to Tennessee Shipping Prices by Season
Demand on this corridor runs busiest from spring into midsummer and softest from late summer into fall. The seasonal swing is modest, so timing helps at the margins.
Monthly booking demand on the California to Tennessee corridor
Spring & Early Summer
Moving season: families, corporate relocations, and dealer traffic keep spring and early summer the firmest window for carrier space.
Late Summer & Fall
The softest stretch of the year: good availability and the friendliest pricing on the corridor.
Holidays
Demand firms up briefly around the holidays, then settles; winter weather is the only wildcard on mountain stretches.
Late Winter
Demand builds steadily toward the spring moving season; standard booking windows apply.
How Long Does California to Tennessee Car Shipping Take?
Transit begins at pickup, not booking. Plan on 1–3 extra days for carrier dispatch, more during the spring–summer moving season.
- 1
Request your quote
Enter your ZIP codes, vehicle details, and preferred dates. Your price appears on screen right away.
- 2
Book the lane
Reserve your pickup window, 7–14 days ahead is the sweet spot. No upfront deposit.
- 3
Carrier dispatch
We match your shipment with a vetted carrier and coordinate pickup, typically within 1–3 days.
- 4
Transit to Tennessee
Your vehicle runs the corridor, trackable in real time, arriving 5–7 days after pickup.
- 5
Tennessee delivery
The driver calls ahead to confirm timing and access, then you inspect your vehicle together and sign at delivery.
Booking 7–14 days ahead gets the best rates on this corridor, 2–3 weeks during the spring–summer moving season. Flexible pickup windows price lower than fixed dates.
See Your CA to TN PriceShipping from the State of California
RoadRunner picks up vehicles across California every week, from Los Angeles and San Diego to San Jose, San Francisco, and everywhere in between.
Pickup happens at your home, office, or the nearest spot a full-size auto transport carrier can legally and safely reach, with real-time tracking from the moment your vehicle is loaded.
Shipping to the State of Tennessee
We deliver to every major Tennessee metro, from Memphis and New South Memphis to Nashville and Knoxville, plus the smaller towns between them.
With open and enclosed equipment across a 30,000+ auto transport network, the driver calls ahead to confirm timing and access, then delivers as close to your door as the truck can legally and safely get.
Pickup and Delivery Notes for the California to Tennessee Route
Most handoffs on this corridor are straightforward door-to-door pickups. The exceptions, we handle routinely.
LA & Bay Area street access
Dense blocks and hillside streets are serviceable. Carriers get as close to your door as they can legally and safely get; on tight streets the driver may meet you at a wider spot nearby.
Gated & HOA communities
Common on both ends of this corridor. Provide a gate code or arrange a guest pass at booking and the driver coordinates the rest.
Nashville & Memphis deliveries
Nashville, Memphis, and the surrounding suburbs are straightforward deliveries with room for a full-size carrier at most addresses.
East Tennessee & the hills
From Knoxville and Chattanooga to the hill towns, drivers coordinate delivery at your home or the nearest spot the truck can safely reach.
Flexible handoff points
Home, office, dealership, or airport—drivers coordinate pickup and delivery wherever a full-size carrier has room to work.
Southern-route weather
The corridor runs year-round on the southern routing. Winter storms can still add a day, and we communicate any delay proactively.
Shipping a Car from California, Made Simple
See how RoadRunner moves vehicles out of California: instant pricing, door-to-door pickup, and real-time tracking the whole way to Tennessee.
- Door-to-door pickup across California
- Open and enclosed auto transport on this corridor
- No upfront deposit
Before the carrier arrives
Three things to handle between booking and pickup day. They take an hour in total and make both handoffs smooth.
Schedule in advance
Book 7–14 days ahead for the best rates, and 2–3 weeks during the spring–summer moving season (April–July), when carrier space on this corridor is tightest.
Prep and empty the vehicle
Wash the car, leave about a quarter tank of fuel, and remove personal items. Anything left inside is not protected against loss or damage in transit.
Inspect at pickup and delivery
Walk around the vehicle with the driver at both ends, photograph its condition, and note anything new on the Bill of Lading before signing.
RoadRunner Auto Transport: The California to Tennessee Car Shipping Experts
RoadRunner Auto Transport has run the California to Tennessee corridor for over 30 years, dispatching vehicles between Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and Sacramento and every corner of Tennessee including Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. Our auto transport services cover open and enclosed shipping, door-to-door delivery, and expedited options.
Enter your pickup and delivery ZIP codes with some basic vehicle details, and your price appears on screen in seconds. A shipping coordinator then confirms the details and matches your shipment with a vetted carrier. Learn more about what sets RoadRunner apart.
Does Your Shipment Need a Specialized Service?
Most CA to TN vehicles ride standard open auto transport, but this corridor carries everything. If yours fits one of these, the dedicated service is the better starting point.
Tennessee to California Car Shipping
Heading back west? RoadRunner runs the Tennessee to California corridor year-round with the same door-to-door service and the same carrier network.
Get a Tennessee to California QuotePopular Related Shipping Routes
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Excellent communication on everything and received my vehicle from California to Indiana a day early. Delivery driver was very helpful. He called often and got as close to my house as he could (one block away) with his large truck in a large parking lot. I walked back to my other vehicle that I came from work with, but he even offered to drive it to my house, and I could drive him back to the truck then in my other car.
- Your price appears on screen in seconds
- No upfront deposit
- Cancel anytime before pickup
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the vehicle transportation process.
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