Distance & lane
A Los Angeles run is shorter than a cross-country trip to New York or Boston, so route length and carrier demand along the lane affect the quote.
San Francisco, CA Car Shipping 2026 Costs & Routes
Typical cost to ship a car from San Francisco$1,025–$1,375
Shipping to San Francisco: $975–$1,300
At a glance
- Common laneSan Francisco-to-Los Angeles is a common recorded lane: $625–$775 typical, with 0–2 road days and 192 shipments on record.
- Where cars arrive fromFor cars arriving in San Francisco, Texas leads with 772 shipments on record, followed by Florida with 621.
- Vehicle choiceThe vehicle table shows that larger vehicles usually cost more to ship than sedans, and enclosed transport costs more than open.
- California registrationNew residents or people taking a job in California must register their car within 20 days. [CA DMV]
Prices by vehicle
What it costs to ship your vehicle from San Francisco
San Francisco’s vehicle table shows body size matters: SUVs, pickups, and vans typically cost more to move than sedans, and enclosed transport adds cost for covered protection. Choose the transport type based on your vehicle’s value and your comfort with open exposure.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan / coupe | $1,125 | $1,725 |
| SUV / crossover | $1,250 | $1,925 |
| Pickup truck | $1,500 | $2,300 |
| Van / minivan | $1,375 | Quote on request |
Median customer quote on record for running vehicles leaving San Francisco, across all routes. Your route and dates set the final price.
Popular routes
Top destinations from San Francisco
| Destination | Typical range | Quote · transit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY616 shipments on recordCA → NY guide | $1,225–$1,5504–10 days transit | |
| 2 | Washington, DC349 shipments on record | $1,100–$1,4254–10 days transit | |
| 3 | Boston, MA338 shipments on recordCA → MA guide | $1,250–$1,5754–10 days transit | |
| 4 | Dallas, TX331 shipments on recordCA → TX guide | $975–$1,2002–6 days transit | |
| 5 | Chicago, IL279 shipments on recordCA → IL guide | $1,025–$1,2753–7 days transit | |
| 6 | Atlanta, GA258 shipments on recordCA → GA guide | $1,075–$1,3753–7 days transit | |
| 7 | Houston, TX257 shipments on recordCA → TX guide | $1,025–$1,2752–6 days transit | |
| 8 | Austin, TX256 shipments on recordCA → TX guide | $975–$1,2502–6 days transit | |
| 9 | Miami, FL237 shipments on recordCA → FL guide | $1,125–$1,4004–10 days transit | |
| 10 | Los Angeles, CA192 shipments on record | $625–$7750–2 days transit | |
$500$750$1,000$1,250$1,500$1,750 |
Transit is SAKAEM's standard estimate by distance, counted from pickup.
Where San Francisco cars come from
San Francisco-bound cars most often come from Texas and Florida, with Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois also among the leading origins; together, these six states account for roughly half of inbound shipments on record. Since many routes start far away, plan around carrier scheduling; winter snow can close Sierra Nevada passes such as I-80 over Donner Pass, and summer and fall wildfires can shut highways.
- Texas772
- Florida621
- Massachusetts451
- New York432
- Pennsylvania354
- Illinois337
Shipments delivered to San Francisco 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!
★★★★★
A little late on picking up the vehicle, but absolutely exceeded expectations at getting the vehicle delivered earlier than any of us expected. Car was in perfect shape and the driver (Nicoli) was very patient and pleasant to deal with. Truly changed my mind about shipping a vehicle across country in the future. An amazingly great experience. Worth every penny.
★★★★★
Needed to ship a vehicle from GA to MA and was looking for a local company. Delivery was super fast and I got a great price compared to some others I got online. Appreciate the help!
Cost factors
What moves the price of a San Francisco shipment
Season
Winter snow can close Sierra Nevada passes, including I-80 over Donner Pass, while summer and fall wildfires can shut highways and complicate route planning.
Vehicle size
SUVs, pickups, and vans take more trailer space than sedans, which can raise the rate; vehicle dimensions also shape which carrier can take the load.
Pickup access
Tight streets in Chinatown and North Beach, plus gated or low-clearance access, may require a nearby handoff spot instead of door-to-door loading.
Open vs enclosed
Open transport has broad carrier availability; enclosed protects high-value cars and costs more because the equipment is more specialized.
Want the full picture? Read our guide to the cost to ship a car.
Save money
5 ways to pay less (and wait less)
Keep your pickup window flexible
A flexible window can help a carrier coordinate around Bay Area traffic and route conditions instead of relying on one narrow appointment.
Suggest an easy meeting point
On a narrow Chinatown or North Beach block, suggest an open curbside meeting point before dispatch so the truck can reach the car without a difficult turn.
Share access details early
Send gate codes, garage clearance limits, and loading instructions ahead of time; if a garage is too tight, name an accessible alternate meeting point.
Plan around a major road
Offer a pickup point with straightforward access from I-80, I-280, or US 101, then confirm delivery access at the other end too.
Consider a nearby handoff
If a San Francisco address is difficult, ask whether a handoff in Oakland, Alameda, or South San Francisco fits the move before confirming locations.
Getting your car ready? See our vehicle shipping tips.
Moving to San Francisco
Your California car checklist
A move to San Francisco also means handling California registration, emissions, insurance, and equipment rules. Use this checklist to plan those tasks around your arrival.
Register after moving
Register your car in California within 20 days of becoming a resident or getting a job in the state. [CA DMV]
Transfer the title
Bring REG 343, your out-of-state title, last registration, and smog certificate. A DMV employee, police officer, or licensed verifier must check the VIN on REG 31; then pay fees and turn in old plates in most cases. [CA DMV]
Meet insurance minimums
California requires 30/60/15 liability coverage: $30,000 for one person, $60,000 for more than one person, and $15,000 for property damage. This rule began January 1, 2025. [CA DMV]
Check smog rules
Out-of-state gas cars from model year 1976 or newer need a smog check for first registration. Diesel cars from 1998 or newer under 14,001 lbs also need one. Most areas then require checks every two years. [CA BAR]
Review window tint
Front side film must be clear, colorless, and let in at least 88% of light; the window must still let in 70%. Rear tint needs outside mirrors on both sides; windshield tint is limited to a top strip. [Cal. Veh. Code 26708]
Pay tolls with FasTrak
FasTrak pays tolls electronically on every California toll bridge, express lane, and toll road; one account works statewide. [FasTrak]
- County
- San Francisco County, California
- Main roads
- I-80, I-280, US 101, SR 1
- Neighborhoods
- Chinatown, Mission, North Beach, Haight Ashbury
- Nearby cities
- Oakland, Alameda, South San Francisco, Berkeley, Richmond
San Francisco at a glance
Service area
Pickup and delivery in and around San Francisco
Pickup and delivery can be arranged in Chinatown, Mission, North Beach, Haight Ashbury, Bayview Hunters Point, and Sunset/Parkside, with route access planned around I-80, I-280, US 101, SR 1, SR 35, and SR 82. We also serve Oakland, Alameda, South San Francisco, Berkeley, Richmond, San Leandro, San Rafael, and San Mateo.
San Francisco ZIP codes
- 94102
- 94103
- 94104
- 94105
- 94107
- 94108
- 94109
- 94110
- 94111
- 94112
- 94114
- 94115
- 94116
- 94117
- 94118
- 94119
How it works
Shipping your car in four steps
Share your shipment details
Provide the pickup and delivery locations, vehicle details, running condition, and preferred dates.
Review your options
Compare the quote and transport type, then confirm access details for both locations.
Prepare for pickup
Follow the agreed handoff plan and have the vehicle ready for the carrier.
Complete delivery
Review the vehicle on arrival and close out the handoff with the carrier.
New to auto transport? Here's how to ship a car, step by step.
FAQ
San Francisco car shipping questions
How much does it cost to ship a car to or from San Francisco?
In San Francisco, typical quotes for an open, running vehicle are $1,025–$1,375 shipping out and $975–$1,300 shipping in. These are the middle half of customer quotes on record, based on 8,156 outbound and 7,347 inbound quotes. Your final price depends on route, vehicle, timing, access, and transport type.
How long does car shipping take?
For San Francisco-to-Los Angeles, the typical road estimate is 0–2 days; Dallas is 2–6 days; New York is 4–10 days. Transit starts after pickup, not when you book, and these estimates aren't guarantees. Pickup timing is separate from the days spent on the road, so keep your schedule flexible.
Is my car insured during shipping?
SAKAEM’s carriers are FMCSA-licensed and insured, with at least $1,000,000 liability and $100,000 cargo insurance. Before pickup, review the carrier’s coverage details and note existing damage on the inspection report. That gives both sides a clear record of the vehicle’s condition.
Can I leave personal items in the car?
You can leave up to 100 lbs of personal items in the trunk or below the window line. Keep loose or valuable belongings with you, and tell SAKAEM what you plan to leave before pickup so the carrier can confirm it is packed safely. Hawaii ocean shipments do not allow personal items.
Can you ship a car that does not run?
Yes, SAKAEM can ship a non-running car if it rolls, brakes, and steers, and a key is available. Tell us its condition when you request a quote so the carrier can plan the right loading equipment and access. If it cannot roll, brake, or steer, it does not meet this service condition.
How do I pay, and is a deposit required?
There is no upfront deposit, and cancellation is free. You can pay by card, or pay the carrier with cash or certified check; Zelle and Venmo are accepted. Confirm the agreed payment plan before pickup, and keep your receipt or transaction record for your own files.
Do I need to be present at pickup?
A designated adult must meet the carrier at pickup and delivery. They inspect the vehicle and sign the Bill of Lading, so arrange someone who can access the car, review its condition, and receive it if you cannot be there yourself.
Have another question? Browse the full car shipping FAQ.
Get a San Francisco car shipping quote
Share your route and vehicle details with SAKAEM to get started on a clear shipping plan.
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