Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from Amsterdam to Bakersfield, California

Current shipping costs from the Netherlands to the U.S. Ocean freight (Rotterdam → New York): ~$2,750 with ~18-day transit (typical, not guaranteed). Cost variability: Fuel surcharges, congestion, equipment availability, seasonality, and carrier adjustments can move rates materially.

Driving is usually cheaper for shorter distances, but for long cross-country moves, the cost difference shrinks, and shipping often becomes more cost-effective when factoring in gas, food, lodging, wear-and-tear, and time, making it worth paying a carrier to avoid the hassle and expense of a long solo trip, though driving saves on carrier fees but adds travel time and costs.

The cheapest international car shipping method is usually Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO), where vehicles are driven onto specialized ships, costing around $900-$2500+ but leaving cars exposed; for better protection, consolidated container shipping (sharing a container) is more affordable than dedicated containers, while air freight is the fastest but most expensive, best for luxury or rare vehicles, so compare RORO vs. shared containers for budget, destination, and vehicle value to find your cheapest option.