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Car Shipping in San Diego

Shipping a car to Hawaii after PCS orders, out of North County to Texas, or into a beach town for a new job. San Diego is one of the country's biggest military car shipping markets. Here's what it costs and where carriers can meet you.

Reviewed by Transportvibe Editorial Team

How much does it cost to ship a car from San Diego?

Shipping a standard sedan from San Diego costs about $450–$1,775 on an open carrier to most mainland cities, depending on distance. San Diego to Hawaii runs about $1,825–$2,675 (11–17 days, by ocean), and San Diego to New York about $1,400–$1,775 (6–9 days). Enclosed transport adds roughly 40–60%.

  • Hawaii: most San Diego cars are trucked about 110 miles to Long Beach before sailing to Honolulu.
  • Military: PCS moves from Naval Base San Diego, Camp Pendleton and Miramar peak in summer.
  • Main truck routes: I-5, I-8, I-15 and I-805.
San Diego to Hawaii
$1,825–$2,675Ocean shipping, 11–17 days
San Diego to New York
$1,400–$1,775Open carrier, 6–9 days
Pickup scheduling
1–4 daysFaster with a flexible meeting point
Enclosed transport adds
40–60%Over open-carrier price
Pickup and delivery

Where car carriers can meet you in San Diego

Inland San Diego is easy for carriers, while beach towns and older coastal neighborhoods are tight. Pick your area to see truck routes and good meeting spots.

Beach towns are hard for big trucks

Narrow streets, tight parking and limited room to turn make door pickups slow in San Diego's coastal neighborhoods. Carriers usually meet beach-area customers near I-5.

La JollaPacific BeachMission BeachOcean BeachCoronadoPoint Loma

Downtown & Uptown

Truck access: Moderate

Downtown, Little Italy, Hillcrest and North Park are reachable, but one-way streets and limited parking slow pickups. Meeting near I-5 or CA-163 is usually faster.

Truck routes

  • San Diego Freeway
  • CA 163Cabrillo Freeway
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway

Good meeting spots

  • Lots near I-5 north of downtown
  • Large retail lots in Mission Valley

Tip: Weekend events downtown and at Petco Park can close streets; avoid game days.

Prices

Car shipping prices to and from San Diego

Estimated open-carrier prices for a standard sedan. Routes with a guide link to city-by-city prices; the rest start a quote.

Shipping from San Diego

  1. San Diego → Honolulu, HI
    Ocean, plus 110 mi by truck · 11–17 days    $1,825–$2,675
    Route guide →
  2. San Diego → Phoenix, AZ
    360 mi · 1–3 days    $475–$600
  3. San Diego → Las Vegas, NV
    320 mi · 1–3 days    $450–$575
  4. San Diego → Dallas, TX
    1,420 mi · 3–5 days    $925–$1,175
    Route guide →
  5. San Diego → Seattle, WA
    1,280 mi · 3–5 days    $875–$1,125
  6. San Diego → Chicago, IL
    2,080 mi · 4–7 days    $1,150–$1,450
  7. San Diego → Jacksonville, FL
    2,510 mi · 5–8 days    $1,275–$1,625
    Route guide →
  8. San Diego → New York, NY
    2,910 mi · 6–9 days    $1,400–$1,775
    Route guide →

Shipping to San Diego

  1. Norfolk, VA → San Diego
    2,780 mi · 6–9 days    $1,350–$1,725
    Route guide →
  2. Jacksonville, FL → San Diego
    2,510 mi · 5–8 days    $1,275–$1,625
    Route guide →
  3. Houston, TX → San Diego
    1,560 mi · 3–6 days    $975–$1,250
    Route guide →
  4. Chicago, IL → San Diego
    2,080 mi · 4–7 days    $1,150–$1,450
  5. New York, NY → San Diego
    2,910 mi · 6–9 days    $1,400–$1,775
    Route guide →
  6. Honolulu, HI → San Diego
    Ocean, plus 110 mi by truck · 11–17 days    $1,825–$2,675
    Route guide →

Enclosed transport adds about 40–60%. SUVs and pickups usually add $100–$250.

Book with confidence

Three ways to ship your car in San Diego

Compare independent companies, let our own licensed team handle it, or check a quote you already have.

Full Service

Let Transportvibe handle it

Full Service is our own licensed brokerage. Our team books a vetted carrier for your San Diego move, including a truck-friendly meeting point, and handles the details. Shown separately from TrustScore rankings.

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Compare independent companies

See FMCSA-checked brokers and carriers serving San Diego, ranked by TrustScore with verified reviews. Companies can't pay to change their score.

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Paste a USDOT or MC number to see FMCSA authority, insurance status, complaint history and warning signs, including quotes far below the $450–$1,775 market range.

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Local know-how

What makes San Diego car shipping different

Hawaii sails from Long Beach

Most San Diego cars headed to Hawaii are trucked about 110 miles to Long Beach before sailing. Door-to-port to Honolulu runs about $1,825–$2,675.

One of the biggest military markets

Naval Base San Diego, Camp Pendleton, MCAS Miramar and NAS North Island bring constant PCS moves, peaking from May to August.

Close to the LA hub

Many San Diego loads ride on trucks running out of Los Angeles. Pickup is usually quick, but some carriers add a day to collect cars in San Diego.

Smog check before registration

Most vehicles coming from another state need a California smog certification before they can be registered, and new residents have 20 days to register.

Commute traffic on I-5 and I-15

The I-5/I-805 merge and I-15 through Miramar back up at rush hour. Midday pickups are usually faster.

No border crossings

Domestic car carriers don't cross into Mexico. Shipping a car to or from Mexico needs a cross-border specialist and customs paperwork.

Timing

Best time to ship a car in San Diego

Military PCS season drives San Diego prices most, especially on routes to Hawaii and the East Coast.

Dec–Feb

Winter

Low

Quietest season

Winter is usually the cheapest time to ship from San Diego, with mild weather and fewer military moves.

Mar–May

Spring

Moderate

PCS season builds

Military moves start picking up in late spring. Book Hawaii sailings early.

Jun–Aug

Summer

Peak

PCS and relocation peak

Summer is the busiest season, with military moves, family relocations and students. Book two to three weeks ahead.

Sep–Nov

Fall

Moderate

Steady demand

Fall brings steady demand and good weather. Snowbirds heading to Arizona add some eastbound traffic.

Moving checklist

Moving to or from San Diego with a car

Moving to San Diego

Confirm current rules with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

  • Register within 20 days of becoming a California resident, through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
  • Inspection: Most vehicles coming from another state need a smog certification before they can be registered in California, with some exemptions. California has no general annual safety inspection.
  • Minimum insurance: Liability of at least $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury and $15,000 for property damage.
  • Check base or building access. If you're delivering to base housing or a gated community, arrange access for the driver ahead of time.

Leaving San Diego

Things San Diegans forget before the truck arrives.

  • Remove your FasTrak. It can register charges on the South Bay Expressway and express lanes while the car is on the truck.
  • Pick an inland meeting point if you live in a beach community with narrow streets.
  • Check your orders. If you're moving on military orders, confirm whether the government will ship your car before booking privately.
  • Leave about a quarter tank and remove personal items before pickup.

Ready to ship your car in San Diego?

Let our Full Service team find a carrier and a meeting point that works, or check any company with the Red Flag Checker before you pay a deposit.

Questions

San Diego car shipping FAQ

How much does it cost to ship a car from San Diego?

Shipping a standard sedan from San Diego costs about $450–$1,775 on an open carrier to most mainland cities, depending on distance. San Diego to Hawaii runs about $1,825–$2,675 (11–17 days, by ocean), and San Diego to New York about $1,400–$1,775 (6–9 days). Enclosed transport adds roughly 40–60%.

How much does it cost to ship a car from San Diego to Hawaii?

About $1,825–$2,675 to Honolulu, including the truck leg to Long Beach and the sailing, which takes about 11–17 days in total. Neighbor islands cost more because of the inter-island leg.

Will the military ship my car from San Diego?

On many PCS orders to Hawaii or overseas, the government ships one privately owned vehicle. Check with your installation transportation office before booking. For moves within the mainland, you'll usually arrange shipping yourself.

Can a car carrier pick up in La Jolla or Pacific Beach?

Usually not at your door. Narrow coastal streets leave little room for a long truck, so carriers meet beach-area customers near I-5 or in Mission Valley.

Do I need a smog check after shipping my car to San Diego?

Most vehicles coming from another state need a California smog certification before they can be registered. New residents have 20 days to register with the California DMV.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from San Diego?

Book an open carrier two weeks ahead, avoid the summer PCS rush, and meet the truck near a freeway in Mission Valley, East County or North County.

How long does it take to ship a car from San Diego to the East Coast?

About 6–9 days to New York and 5–8 days to Jacksonville after pickup. Add 1–4 days for scheduling.

Can I ship my car from San Diego to Mexico?

Not with a regular domestic carrier. Cross-border shipping needs a specialist who handles Mexican customs and import permits.

Related routes and guides

How we estimate prices. Prices and transit times on this page are estimates for a standard sedan, based on route distance, typical carrier rates, seasonal demand and the extra cost of enclosed transport. Quotes from individual companies can be higher or lower. Registration details come from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV); truck route rules from Caltrans truck route information.