Car Shipping Transit Times from San Diego
- Estimates clearly labeled
- Independent company rankings
- Free to compare
San Diego at a glance
- Typical price
- $550 – $4,705
- Open transport
- $0.35–$1.89 per mile
- Transit time
- 1–9 days
- Trips within California
- $240 – $660
Free · No obligation · About a minute
Get a San Diego car shipping quote
1–2 days
Under 500 miles
Nearby states
2–7 days
500–2,000 miles
Regional and mid-distance
5–12 days
2,000+ miles
Cross-country
11 hours a day
Driving limit
Federal hours-of-service rule
Transit times from San Diego to major cities
Estimated days on the road after pickup, from nearest to farthest.
| Destination | Distance | Standard transit | Open transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas, NV | 320 mi | 1–2 days | $255 – $705 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 360 mi | 1–2 days | $290 – $790 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 750 mi | 2–3 days | $550 – $1,420 |
| Portland, OR | 1,120 mi | 3–5 days | $785 – $2,115 |
| Houston, TX | 1,560 mi | 4–7 days | $625 – $2,950 |
| Chicago, IL | 2,080 mi | 5–9 days | $770 – $3,930 |
| Atlanta, GA | 2,260 mi | 5–10 days | $835 – $4,270 |
| Charlotte, NC | 2,490 mi | 5–10 days | $920 – $4,705 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 2,510 mi | 6–11 days | $880 – $4,745 |
| New York City, NY | 2,910 mi | 6–12 days | $1,020 – $5,500 |
Pickup window vs. transit time
- Day 0
Book
Compare estimates, choose a company and confirm the price, pickup window and payment terms in writing.
- Before pickup
Carrier assigned
Your order goes to a carrier with space on your route. Busy routes usually fill faster than rural ones.
- A range of days
Pickup window
Pickup happens within an agreed window, not at an exact hour. Drivers usually call ahead to set a time.
In transit
Time on the road depends on distance, weather, other stops and drivers' required rest breaks.
- On arrival
Delivery
Inspect the car against the Bill of Lading and note any new damage before you sign.
What can slow a shipment from San Diego
- Hawaii sailings leave from San Diego itselfPasha Hawaii lists a San Diego vehicle terminal, so a car going to the islands from here does not need a truck to Los Angeles or Oakland first. Ask any company quoting a Hawaii move which port they are actually sailing from.
- Orders season moves the priceNaval Base San Diego and Camp Pendleton just north of the county line generate a wave of PCS moves each summer. Carriers know it, capacity tightens from late May, and booking two or three weeks out matters more here in July than it does in February.
- Carriers stop at the borderI-5 ends at San Ysidro. A standard auto transport company will not take your car into Mexico; that is a separate customs process with its own paperwork, and a quote that casually includes it is worth questioning.
Truck drivers may drive up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, which is why long routes are measured in days, not hours. Source: FMCSA hours of service
Standard vs. expedited shipping
Example: San Diego to Houston.
Standard shipping
4–7 days in transit
- Most cost-effective
- Widest choice of carriers
- Good for flexible schedules
Expedited shipping
Sooner pickup; similar time on the road
- Priority carrier assignment
- Shorter wait for pickup
- Costs more
Delivery dates are estimates. Weather, freeway closures and other stops on the truck's route can add time, so plan a little buffer.
Ready to ship your car from San Diego?
Enter your route to compare estimated prices, pickup dates and transport companies.