California to Alaska Auto Transport Shipping
Most people picture a car carrier driving the Alaska Highway, but that is not how California to Alaska Auto Transport usually works. Your car rides a truck north on I-5 to the Port of Tacoma, about 1,110 miles from Los Angeles, and then goes onto a ship. TOTE Maritime sails from Tacoma to Anchorage twice a week all year, and the crossing takes about three days. Cars headed to Juneau, Sitka or Ketchikan go by barge instead, because no road connects those towns to the rest of the state. Fairbanks deliveries come off the ship in Anchorage and finish with a truck ride of about 360 miles. Door to door, most cars arrive in 8 to 16 days. Auto transport rates can vary a lot between carriers, which is why getting several quotes matters. We provide up to 10 free quotes from our network of licensed, insured carriers, so you can compare pricing, transit times, and service options before you decide. Because the ship schedule drives the timing, it helps to start early. Fill out the quote form on this page or call 1-800-590-6492 and we can help you plan around the sailing dates. For more information about shipping to the destination, visit our Alaska Auto Transport page.
California to Alaska Auto Transport At a Glance
| Primary Transport Corridors | I-5 to Port of Tacoma, then ship or barge |
| Approximate Distance | ~780-1,260 road miles plus ocean |
| Estimated Transit Time | 8-16 Days |
| Popular Origin Cities | Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno |
| Popular Destination Cities | Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan |
California to Alaska Auto Transport Shipping Rates
Shipping a standard car from California to Alaska usually costs $2,550 to $3,550. That price covers two trips in one: the truck ride up the West Coast and the ocean leg from Washington. It is far more than a mainland move of the same distance, mainly because space on the ship is limited and priced by the size of the vehicle.
Want real numbers for your dates? Request your free quotes here and compare offers from carriers who handle the port handoff for you.
Size matters more here than on any road-only route. The ship charges by how much room your vehicle takes up, so a full-size pickup or a lifted SUV can cost noticeably more than a sedan. TOTE does not accept vehicles over 900 cubic feet, measured with mirrors, racks, hitches and antennas included. A car that doesn't run also adds cost, because it has to be winched on and off at both the truck and the port.
Summer is the busiest season, when people move north for work and the ships fill up. Winter sailings are usually easier to book, but delivery in Anchorage or Fairbanks means snow, ice and very short days. Our guide to what affects your auto transport quote and our article on seasonal auto transport prices explain how timing changes your quote.
Average Cost & Time to Ship from California to Alaska
Prices fluctuate with carrier availability, fuel costs, and seasonal demand. Use our quote form for real-time pricing tailored to your specific vehicle, dates, and cities.
| Route | Distance | Transit Time | Price Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Anchorage, AK | ~1,110 mi + ship | 8-12 Days | $2,550 - $3,550* | Get Quote |
| San Francisco, CA to Fairbanks, AK | ~780 mi + ship + ~360 mi | 10-14 Days | $2,550 - $3,550* | Get Quote |
| San Diego, CA to Juneau, AK | ~1,260 mi + barge | 10-16 Days | $2,550 - $3,550* | Get Quote |
| San Jose, CA to Sitka, AK | ~840 mi + barge | 10-16 Days | $2,550 - $3,550* | Get Quote |
| Fresno, CA to Ketchikan, AK | ~920 mi + barge | 10-16 Days | $2,550 - $3,550* | Get Quote |
*Price estimates were updated in October 2026. Prices are estimates only and will vary based on your specific vehicle, pickup and delivery locations, transport type, and time of year. Complete the form above or call 1‑800‑590‑6492 to receive up to ten free, no-obligation quotes from licensed carriers, so you can compare real prices for your exact route before you book.
Moving to Alaska? Sailings fill up in summer, so the sooner you lock in a carrier, the more choice you get on dates. Get your free Alaska quotes now or call 1-800-590-6492.
California to Alaska Auto Transport Challenges & Tips
Shipping a vehicle from California to Alaska comes with specific considerations. Here's what you need to know before booking:
No EVs or Plug-In Hybrids on TOTE
Since August 1, 2025, TOTE Maritime no longer carries fully electric cars or plug-in hybrids between Tacoma and Anchorage. Regular hybrids that don't plug in are still accepted. If you own an EV, ask about other options before you book.
No Roads to Southeast Alaska
Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan are not connected to the highway system. Cars for those towns go by barge from Seattle or Tacoma, and barge schedules are less frequent than the Anchorage ships, which is why those trips take longer.
Winter Arrival
Between November and March, Anchorage and Fairbanks see deep cold, snow-packed roads and only a few hours of daylight. Make sure the car has the right tires, a strong battery and the right fluids for the climate you are moving to.
Tip: Measure Before You Book
The ship prices your vehicle by its size and turns away anything over 900 cubic feet. Measure length, width and height with the mirrors, roof rack and hitch on, so your quote matches what the port will charge.
Tip: Register Within 10 Days
Alaska expects new residents to register their vehicle within 10 days of moving to the state. Bring your California title, proof of insurance and ID to an Alaska DMV office.
Tip: Ask About Personal Items
Most carriers want the car empty, but TOTE allows personal items packed inside the vehicle for a flat fee, currently $181 on its Tacoma to Anchorage service. Ask your carrier whether they can arrange it before you load anything.
Questions about ships, barges or EV rules? Call 1-800-590-6492 to talk it through, or compare up to 10 free quotes from carriers who ship to Alaska.
California to Alaska Auto Transport Frequently Asked Questions
Most cars to Anchorage arrive 8 to 12 days after pickup: a few days on the truck to Tacoma, a wait for the next sailing, and about three days at sea. Fairbanks adds a truck ride of roughly 360 miles after the ship. Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan go by barge and usually take 10 to 16 days. Our Alaska car shipping guide walks through each step.
Almost never. Driving a car carrier through Canada on the Alaska Highway takes longer and costs more than shipping by sea, so nearly all California cars go by truck to the Port of Tacoma and then by ship or barge to Alaska.
Not on TOTE Maritime, which stopped accepting fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids on August 1, 2025. Standard hybrids are still accepted. If you need to move an EV, tell us when you request quotes so we can look for a carrier that offers another option. Our EV shipping guide covers battery and charge requirements.
Register the vehicle within 10 days of becoming an Alaska resident. You will need your California title, proof of insurance and ID. The Alaska DMV has a page for people new to the state. Alaska DMV: Visiting or New to Alaska
For more frequently asked questions about auto transport, visit our Auto Transport FAQs page.
More Routes from California
Shipping a car the other direction? See our Alaska to California Auto Transport page.
- California to Michigan Auto Transport
- California to New Jersey Auto Transport
- California to Georgia Auto Transport
- California to Arizona Auto Transport
Helpful Links
- FMCSA SAFER System - Verify Carrier Credentials
- Alaska Traffic Information
- California Traffic Information
- California Department of Motor Vehicles
- AccuWeather Alaska
- AccuWeather California
Call now at 1-800-590-6492 or complete the form on this page to find the best California to Alaska auto shipping rates and when a truck will be in your area.