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Featured Car Shipping Companies
We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:
If you’re looking to ship a car to or from San Diego, it’s good to know what to expect before making any arrangements. That’s why our team has reviewed the best car shipping companies in the transport industry, looking at services, delivery costs, and more to help you make the right decision for your needs.
In this article, we’ll go over what items you’ll need to book your car shipment, how much you can expect to pay, and how to make the process as hassle free as possible. To get the best deal for car shipping in San Diego, we also recommend comparing car shipping quotes online.
5 Best San Diego Car Shipping Companies
To determine the five best car shipping companies in San Diego, we researched providers’ prices, transport options, and customer service. See our top picks below.
Mercury Auto Transport: Best Overall
BBB rating: A-
Open transport cost from San Diego to Houston, TX: $1,063
Mercury Auto Transport is one of the most affordable options for shipping a car from San Diego. The provider serves all 50 states, so you can find a quote whether you’re moving one state over or across the country. The company can ship cars, trucks, motorcycles, luxury vehicles, classic cars and more. It offers enclosed shipping for more protection and flatbed shipping for non-running or salvage vehicles.
AmeriFreight: Best Value
BBB rating: A+
Open transport cost from San Diego to Houston, TX: $1,189
AmeriFreight has been in business since 2004 and offers the following discounts:
- Senior citizens
- Students
- First responders
- Active military
- Healthcare workers
- Return customers
Since AmeriFreight is one of our cheapest top providers, it’s an excellent choice for cross-country car shipping to or from San Diego.
Read more: AmeriFreight review
Montway Auto Transport: Best Service Options
Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating: A+
Open transport cost from San Diego to Houston, TX: $1,239
Founded in 2006, Montway Auto Transport has grown into an experienced leader in the car shipping industry. An extensive network of more than 30,000 carriers has helped the shipping broker maintain strong customer relationships, which is reflected in its 4.6-star customer review rating average on the BBB’s website.
Read more: Montway Auto Transport review
Best Service Options
SGT Auto Transport: Best Customer Experience
BBB rating: B
Open transport cost from San Diego to Houston, TX: $1,328
SGT Auto Transport is another great option for San Diego car shipping. While it isn’t the cheapest option upfront, the company does have a price match guarantee. That means it will match a direct competitor if you get a lower quote in writing for the same route.
Like all our top picks, SGT Auto Transport offers door-to-door service as standard with all shipments. This means the driver will get as close as possible to your pickup and destination addresses.
Ship a Car Direct: Easy Online Quotes
BBB rating: A+
Open transport cost from San Diego to Houston, TX: $1,150
With Ship a Car Direct, you can send a car from San Diego to any other state except Alaska. The company stands out for having a damage free guarantee. With this guarantee, Ship a Car Direct will step in to cover damage in the rare case that a carrier’s insurance doesn’t. This is a nice layer of security to have.
Other San Diego Car Shipping Companies
There are several reputable auto shipping companies based in San Diego, including the following:
San Diego Auto Shipping
San Diego Auto Shipping has nearly a decade of experience and ships a variety of vehicles, including boats, buses, and motorcycles. The company provides nationwide auto shipping services – even to Hawaii and Alaska – and offers door-to-door service and enclosed transport for luxury and classic cars.
For more information, visit the San Diego Auto Shipping website.
Hyperdel Auto Shipping
Hyperdel Auto Shipping offers open and enclosed auto transport, as well as single-car shipping and other custom options. The company has a network of over 10,000 movers, along with a money-back guarantee for extra peace of mind.
To learn more, visit the Hyperdel Auto Shipping website.
How Much Does Car Shipping Cost In San Diego?
Car shipping in San Diego can be pricey depending on your route. Comparing quotes from car shipping companies is your best strategy for locking in the lowest rate.
San Diego Car Shipping Cost Estimates
Here are some common auto shipping routes to and from San Diego, along with cost estimates for each car shipment.
| From | To | Mileage | Average Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | Las Vegas | 330 | $578 |
| San Diego | Denver | 1,070 | $1,107 |
| San Diego | Houston | 1,470 | $1,151 |
| New Orleans | San Diego | 1,800 | $1,164 |
| San Diego | Philadelphia | 2,745 | $1,467 |
| New York City | San Diego | 2,800 | $1,391 |
*The average cost estimate combines quotes from Mercury Auto Transport and Montway Auto Transport.
Factors That Affect Car Shipping Costs
Car shipping costs vary depending on several factors, including the ones below.
- Distance: A longer shipping route, such as San Diego to Miami, will have a lower per-mile rate but a higher overall price.
- Transport type: An enclosed car shipping container costs more than a traditional open carrier.
- Time of year: January and the summer tend to see higher rates for car shipping services, as there is more demand during these times of the year.
- Vehicle condition: Inoperable cars take more work to load and unload, so they’re more expensive to ship.
- Type of vehicle: Larger vehicles take up more room in carriers, so they often cost more to ship.
Expedited service, additional insurance coverage, and other add-ons will raise the price for car shipping.
What To Expect When Shipping A Car In San Diego
San Diego is the second-largest city in California by population and the eighth most populous in the entire country. With that in mind, it’s a good bet that heavy traffic around major cities in southern California or beyond could impact your car shipment to or from the area. We recommend being flexible in terms of pickup and delivery dates to make your vehicle transport as stress-free as possible.
There are a few basic requirements for how to ship a car in San Diego. Most auto transport providers will require the following information before you can ship your vehicle:
- Photo ID
- Proof of ownership
- Proof of car insurance
- Information about who will be present for pickup and delivery
Car Shipping to San Diego: Conclusion
Our picks for shipping a car to or from San Diego are Mercury Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, Montway Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and Ship a Car Direct. All of these providers have solid industry ratings and offer affordable average rates. Compare a few different quotes to find the best option.
San Diego Car Shipping: FAQ
What is the cheapest company to ship your car?
Mercury Auto Transport, Ship a Car Direct, and AmeriFreight are good options for cheap car shipping. To get the best rate, compare quotes from companies and be flexible with pickup and delivery dates.
Can I put stuff in my car when I ship it?
Many car shipping companies don’t allow you to put personal items in your vehicle before shipping it. The extra weight could lead to a higher shipping cost, and auto transport companies generally aren’t legally responsible for damaged or lost personal possessions.
How much does it cost to ship your car to San Diego?
Based on estimates we received from Mercury Auto Transport and Montway Auto Transport, it can cost an average of about $1,200 to ship a car to San Diego from 1,800 miles away and about $1,400 to ship one from 2,800 miles away. Shipments from shorter distances could be cheaper. Shipping costs depend on many factors, including your vehicle type and selected delivery time.
Our Methodology
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best car shipping companies.
- Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team performs ongoing secret shopper analyses for different vehicles, services, and shipping routes to give this rating.
- Shipping Options: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that an auto transport company offers an array of services. We take into account the availability of services, ability to guarantee pickup and drop-off dates, and insurance coverage options.
- Operations: We take a close look at how each auto transport company operates, including how quickly vehicles get picked up, average transit times, insurance coverage options, and more.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, a company’s history of service, and years in business when giving this score.
- Customer Service: Reputable car shippers operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We take into account customer reviews, BBB complaints, and the responsiveness of the customer service team.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
