Denver to Los Angeles Auto Transport
We'll ship your car 1,020 miles from Denver to Los Angeles in 3-5 days via I-70 and I-15. This Rocky Mountain to West Coast corridor is one of our most popular routes, running through Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California.
Get Your Free Quote
Fast, free, no obligation
What Makes the Denver to LA Route Special?
This route's pure drama - mountain passes, desert stretches, and some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Your car travels through four states and three time zones, crossing the Continental Divide and dropping over a mile in elevation. We ship about 150 vehicles monthly on this corridor, from Tesla Model 3s heading to tech workers in Santa Monica to classic Camaros going to collectors in Denver. The geography's challenging but our carriers know exactly what they're doing. Every driver we work with has commercial mountain driving experience and proper equipment for steep grades. Here's what's interesting - this route's actually faster than you'd think despite the mountains. I-70 through Colorado is engineered for heavy truck traffic, and once carriers hit I-15 in Utah, it's straight desert running at 80+ MPH through Nevada. The bottleneck's usually LA traffic, not the mountains. We've timed it: Denver to the California border averages 14-16 hours of driving time, then another 4-6 hours depending on LA traffic and final destination.
Best Times to Ship from Denver to Los Angeles
April through October's your sweet spot for this route. Mountain passes are clear, weather's predictable, and carrier availability is highest. We see our fastest transit times May through September when there's no weather delays. Winter shipping's totally doable but adds variables - chain requirements, possible road closures, and higher demand for enclosed auto transport to protect from road salt and harsh conditions. December through February can add 1-2 days to transit times during storm systems. Snow tires or chains are required on I-70 from September 1 through May 31, and carriers need to plan fuel stops carefully because some mountain stations close during severe weather. Here's something most people don't know - peak season pricing hits this route hard in summer. College students, snowbirds, and general relocations all spike June through August. Book 2-3 weeks ahead during peak season, or consider shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October) for better pricing and availability.
Denver Pickup Areas We Cover
We provide door-to-door delivery throughout the Denver metro area, but some neighborhoods require meeting at nearby main streets due to truck restrictions. Downtown Denver's tricky with narrow streets and parking restrictions - we usually coordinate pickup at Union Station or nearby wide streets. The suburbs are easier: Aurora, Lakewood, Thornton, Westminster, and Arvada all work fine for residential pickup. Boulder requires special coordination because of truck restrictions on many residential streets, but we make it work. Here's the deal with Denver pickups - altitude affects truck performance, especially for loaded carriers. Our drivers plan routes carefully and avoid steep residential streets when possible. We also coordinate around Denver's frequent construction projects and detours. The good news? Denver's grid system makes navigation straightforward, and there's plenty of truck-friendly parking compared to cities like San Francisco or Boston.
Los Angeles Delivery Zones and Logistics
LA delivery's where experience really matters. We deliver throughout Los Angeles County, Orange County, and parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Beverly Hills, Manhattan Beach, and other premium areas often require permits for large trucks, so we coordinate delivery locations on nearby major streets. The Port of Los Angeles area's straightforward - trucks handle there daily. But places like Malibu, Hollywood Hills, or steep areas in Pasadena require careful planning. Traffic timing's important for LA deliveries. We schedule most deliveries between 9 AM and 3 PM to avoid rush hour gridlock on the 405, 101, and 110 freeways. Downtown LA's actually easier than you'd expect because of wide commercial streets, but residential areas in the hills require meeting at the bottom of steep or narrow roads. Here's an insider tip - we maintain relationships with staging areas throughout LA County for deliveries to restricted neighborhoods. Your car gets delivered safely without the carrier struggling through impossible residential streets.
Weather and Seasonal Considerations
Mountain weather's the main variable on this route. I-70 through the Rockies sees dramatic weather changes - it can be 75°F in Denver and snowing at Loveland Pass the same day. We monitor weather forecasts constantly and communicate any delays immediately. Chain laws are strict in Colorado: trucks must carry chains from September through May, and they're required during winter storms regardless of vehicle type being transported. Nevada and California portions are usually clear sailing, though high winds through Cajon Pass (where I-15 drops into LA) can slow down high-profile trailers. Summer brings different challenges - extreme heat in the Mojave Desert portion affects truck performance and requires more frequent stops. We've seen temperatures hit 120°F+ in Barstow and Victorville during heat waves. But here's the thing - our carriers are equipped for these conditions with proper cooling systems and route planning. Winter delays happen maybe 5-10% of the time during severe storms, while summer heat rarely causes delays, just slightly slower speeds through desert sections.
How It Works
Get Your Quote
Call (310) 906-4841 or request online. We'll give you exact pricing based on your vehicle type, pickup location in Denver, and delivery address in LA.
Book Your Transport
Reserve your spot with $0 down. We'll assign a USDOT-licensed carrier and provide driver contact info 24-48 hours before pickup.
Vehicle Pickup
Driver inspects your vehicle, documents existing condition, and loads it securely. You'll receive a bill of lading and tracking information.
Delivery in LA
Driver contacts you 2-4 hours before delivery. Final inspection, payment to driver (cash, cashier's check, or money order), and you're done.
Pricing by Vehicle Type
| Vehicle | Open Carrier | Enclosed | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan / Compact | $795-$1,195 | $1,295-$1,795 | 3-5 days |
| SUV / Crossover | $845-$1,295 | $1,395-$1,895 | 3-5 days |
| Pickup Truck | $895-$1,345 | $1,445-$1,945 | 3-5 days |
| Luxury / Exotic | N/A | $1,595-$2,495 | 3-5 days |
| Motorcycle | $695-$995 | $895-$1,295 | 3-5 days |
| Inoperable Vehicle | $200+ surcharge | $1,645+ | Add 1-2 days |
Book enclosed transport during winter months if your vehicle has low ground clearance. Road salt on I-70 through the mountains can cause corrosion, and enclosed trailers provide complete weather protection through elevation changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about Liberty Car Shipping services.