Distance & lane
A New York or Boston shipment covers far more road than a Phoenix or Los Angeles run, so distance, driver time, fuel, and carrier route demand shape the quote.
Redwood City, CA Car Shipping 2026 Costs & Routes
Typical cost to ship a car from Redwood City$925–$1,375
Shipping to Redwood City: $1,025–$1,300
At a glance
- Popular outbound laneFrom Redwood City, New York, NY leads listed lanes: 19 shipments on record, $1,375–$1,525 typical quotes, and 4–10 road days.
- Common arrival originsArriving cars most often come from Texas: 21 on record; Illinois and Florida follow with 14 each.
- City vs. metroRedwood City outbound quotes are about $50 lower than across the San Francisco metro overall.
- California registrationNew California residents must register within 20 days of becoming a resident or getting a job [CA DMV].
Prices by vehicle
What it costs to ship your vehicle from Redwood City
For a standard sedan, open transport is the lower-cost fit; an SUV takes more trailer space, while enclosed service adds protection for high-value cars at a higher quote.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan / coupe | $1,100 | $1,575 |
| SUV / crossover | $1,150 | $1,700 |
Median customer quote on record for running vehicles leaving Redwood City, across all routes. Your route and dates set the final price.
Redwood City vs. the San Francisco metro
How Redwood City compares to the rest of the San Francisco area
Typical quote from Redwood City$925–$1,375San Francisco metro: $1,025–$1,375
Compared with the metroAbout $50 lowermidpoint of the typical range
Shipments from Redwood City on record244#7 of 17 SAKAEM city pages in the San Francisco metro
Based on shipments picked up in Redwood City's own ZIP codes, compared with the whole San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro.
Popular routes
Top destinations from Redwood City
| Destination | Typical range | Quote · transit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY19 shipments on recordCA → NY guide | $1,375–$1,5254–10 days transit | |
| 2 | Boston, MA16 shipments on recordCA → MA guide | $1,325–$1,7254–10 days transit | |
| 3 | Dallas, TX13 shipments on recordCA → TX guide | $900–$1,1002–6 days transit | |
| 4 | Austin, TX12 shipments on recordCA → TX guide | $900–$1,0752–6 days transit | |
| 5 | Phoenix, AZ9 shipments on recordCA → AZ guide | $675–$7750–3 days transit | |
| 6 | Chicago, IL8 shipments on recordCA → IL guide | $950–$1,1003–7 days transit | |
| 7 | Houston, TX8 shipments on recordCA → TX guide | $1,100–$1,3002–6 days transit | |
| 8 | Baltimore, MD7 shipments on recordCA → MD guide | $1,275–$1,5254–10 days transit | |
| 9 | Los Angeles, CA7 shipments on record | $600–$7000–2 days transit | |
| 10 | Washington, DC6 shipments on record | $1,100–$1,3004–10 days transit | |
$500$750$1,000$1,250$1,500$1,750 |
Transit is SAKAEM's standard estimate by distance, counted from pickup.
Where Redwood City cars come from
Cars arriving in Redwood City most often come from Texas, followed by Illinois and Florida; Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Georgia also appear among common origins. Since many arrivals follow long interstate routes, your delivery schedule depends on where the car starts and the carrier's route into the Peninsula.
Shipments delivered to Redwood City on record, by origin state.
Reviews
What customers say about shipping with SAKAEM
★★★★★
I shipped my car from California to Michigan and Sakaem came back with the best quote and answered all of my questions. I wish they could tell you an exact day they could pick up, but overall the service was great and I got my car in less than a week with no issues. Happy customer!
★★★★★
Efficient and reliable transport at reasonable price! My car was picked up on Friday and delivered on Tuesday all the way across the country, would have been an 18-hour drive for me. Thank you!
★★★★★
Excellent customer service from the dispatcher to the driver! They also responded quick about my inquiries and concerns. Also, pickup and delivery was made extremely fast and on time. Pricing is fair. 5 star service provider.
Cost factors
What moves the price of a Redwood City shipment
Season
A carrier approaching Redwood City from inland may cross Sierra routes, where winter snow closures and summer or fall wildfires can disrupt highways and change route planning.
Vehicle size
SUVs and crossovers take more trailer space than sedans, which typically raises the transport quote. Larger vehicles can also limit how many cars fit on a carrier.
Pickup access
Tight streets, gated communities, and limited truck access in areas such as Redwood Shores can require a different loading spot or more driver coordination.
Open vs enclosed
Open carriers cost less and suit most everyday cars. Enclosed transport adds protection from road debris and weather, making it a common choice for high-value vehicles.
Save money
5 ways to pay less (and wait less)
Agree on a truck-friendly meeting point
If your street is narrow or gated in Redwood Shores or Downtown, ask dispatch to approve a nearby open meeting spot before the carrier arrives.
Keep your pickup window flexible
Offer a flexible pickup window and tell dispatch whether your car runs. That gives the team more options to match your Redwood City move to an available carrier route.
Plan ahead for an in-state move
In-state moves were rare: 15 of 244 outbound shipments on record from Redwood City were within California. Confirm a carrier option before locking your move date.
Document your car's condition
Photograph each side of the car and note existing marks before pickup. Keep your keys and inspection paperwork with you through delivery.
Remove your FasTrak transponder
Take the transponder out of the car and keep it with you before transport, especially if the carrier's route uses California toll roads or bridges.
Getting your car ready? See our vehicle shipping tips.
Moving to Redwood City
Your California car checklist
Moving to Redwood City from another state? Plan your California registration, smog check, and insurance steps alongside delivery.
Register after becoming a resident
You must register your car in California within 20 days of becoming a resident or getting a job in the state. [CA DMV]
Prepare title and registration documents
Submit REG 343, your out-of-state title and last registration, and a smog certificate; get VIN verification on REG 31 from a DMV employee, police officer, or licensed vehicle verifier. Pay registration and use tax fees; usually surrender old plates. [CA DMV]
Check your liability coverage
California minimum liability is 30/60/15: $30,000 for one person's injury or death, $60,000 for multiple people, and $15,000 for property damage. [CA DMV]
Arrange a smog check
Out-of-state gas cars model year 1976 or newer need a first-registration smog check; diesel vehicles from 1998 or newer under 14,001 lbs also need one. [CA BAR]
Review window tint
Front side film must be clear and colorless, let in at least 88% of light, and the window at least 70%; rear tint requires outside mirrors on both sides. Windshield tint is limited to a top strip. [Cal. Veh. Code 26708]
Set up toll payments
FasTrak pays electronically on every California toll bridge, express lane, and toll road; one account works statewide. [FasTrak]
- County
- San Mateo County, California
- Main roads
- I-280, US-101, SR-82 (El Camino Real), SR-84 (Woodside Road)
- Neighborhoods
- Downtown, Redwood Shores, Friendly Acres, Woodside Plaza
- Nearby cities
- Palo Alto, San Mateo, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Fremont
Redwood City at a glance
Service area
Pickup and delivery in and around Redwood City
SAKAEM can arrange pickup and delivery in Downtown, Redwood Shores, Friendly Acres, Woodside Plaza, and Farmhill, using truck-friendly access near US-101, I-280, SR-82, SR-84, and SR-92. We also serve Palo Alto, San Mateo, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Fremont, Hayward, South San Francisco, and Cupertino.
Redwood City ZIP codes
- 94061
- 94062
- 94063
- 94064
- 94065
How it works
Shipping your car in four steps
Request a quote
Enter your pickup and delivery locations, vehicle, running condition, and preferred dates for a route-specific quote.
Review your options
Compare open and enclosed transport, confirm pickup access, and choose the service that suits your car.
Confirm the carrier plan
SAKAEM coordinates a carrier and confirms the pickup plan with you.
Inspect at pickup and delivery
Meet the carrier, inspect your car, and sign the Bill of Lading; check the vehicle again at delivery.
New to auto transport? Here's how to ship a car, step by step.
FAQ
Redwood City car shipping questions
How much does it cost to ship a car to or from Redwood City?
For a running car on open transport, typical Redwood City outbound quotes are $925–$1,375; inbound quotes are $1,025–$1,300. These are middle-half customer quotes on record, not guaranteed offers. Route, season, vehicle size, pickup access, and enclosed service can change your quote.
How long does car shipping take from Redwood City?
From Redwood City, the typical road estimate is 2–6 days to Dallas or Austin, 4–10 days to New York or Boston, and 0–2 days to Los Angeles. These estimates start after pickup and aren't guarantees; winter Sierra pass closures or summer and fall wildfire closures can also delay delivery.
Is my car insured during transport?
Every SAKAEM carrier is FMCSA-licensed and insured, with at least $1,000,000 liability and $100,000 cargo insurance. Before pickup, ask how the carrier handles a damage claim and document the car's condition on the inspection report and Bill of Lading. Keep a copy of your signed paperwork after delivery.
Can I leave personal items in the car?
SAKAEM allows up to 100 lbs of personal items in the trunk or below the window line. Keep belongings secured and out of the cabin, and remove valuables, documents, toll devices, and anything fragile before the carrier arrives. Confirm the limit and placement with your dispatcher.
Can you ship a non-running car?
Yes, SAKAEM can arrange shipping for a non-running vehicle if it rolls, brakes, and steers and a key is available. Tell us before booking; the carrier needs to know about loading access and condition to send suitable equipment and price the move accurately.
How do I pay for car shipping?
You can pay by card, or pay the carrier with cash or certified check; Zelle and Venmo are also accepted. Confirm which method applies to your booking before pickup, and follow the payment instructions in your order so the carrier can complete delivery without a payment delay.
Do I need to be present at pickup?
A designated adult must be at both pickup and delivery to inspect the vehicle and sign the Bill of Lading. If you can't attend, arrange another adult in advance and make sure they can access the car, keys, and agreed meeting spot.
Have another question? Browse the full car shipping FAQ.
Get a Redwood City car shipping quote
Share your route, vehicle, and preferred dates to see an option built around your move.
Sources: SAKAEM shipment records on file (October 2026); US Census Bureau (county); [CA BAR], [CA DMV], [Cal. Veh. Code 26708], [FasTrak], official state sources, verified 2026-10-01.
Industry Resources: FMCSA Carrier Lookup · U.S. Department of Transportation · SAKAEM Logistics on BBB · NHTSA