Best San Francisco Car Shipping Companies (2024 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: When it comes to customer ratings, costs, and available services, SGT Auto Transport is the best car shipping company in San Francisco, with a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars.
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Need an auto transport company in a different city? Check out the California car shipping page.
Why trust moveBuddha?
Our mission at moveBuddha is to make every aspect of moving easier, and we use our firsthand knowledge of the industry to simplify and streamline what can often be a stressful process.
Since moveBuddha’s foundation in 2015, our team has talked to thousands of consumers and analyzed 4,400 moving companies and 2,400 car shippers across the U.S. We’ve collected detailed car shipping experiences through our Better Moves project, and we routinely dig deep into online consumer reviews to identify the most common complaints and compliments companies receive.
We created our own system for analyzing and rating car shipping companies on important factors like pricing, variety of services, customer feedback, and availability. Our experienced editorial team fully fact-checks all content to ensure it is accurate, informative, and up-to-date.
Best car shipping companies in San Francisco
Whether you’re shipping your car locally or out of California, these are the best auto transporting companies available in San Francisco.
- SGT Auto Transport
- Easy Auto Ship
- Sherpa Auto Transport
- AmeriFreight
- Ship A Car Direct
- Car Shipping Carriers
- McCollister’s Transportation Group,Inc.
- Direct Express Auto Transport
- Viper Transportation
- Pasha Hawaii ship your car
MoveBuddha’s car shipping company reviews
For more in-depth information on each company, see our full company reviews:- A-1 Auto Transport Review
- All America Auto Transport Review
- American Auto Shipping Review
- Amerifreight Review
- Diesel Auto Express Review
- Easy Auto Ship Review
- Guardian Auto Transport Review
- Montway Auto Transport Review
- Mr. Car Shipper Review
- Nationwide Auto Transportation Review
- Nationwide United Auto Transport Review
- Nexus Auto Review
- Roadrunner Auto Review
- Sakaem Logistics Review
- SGT Auto Transport Review
- Sherpa Auto Transport Review
- Ship-a-Car Direct Review
- Shiply Review
- United Routes Review
- Victory Worldwide Transportation Review
Average car shipping costs in San Francisco
The average cost to ship a car from San Francisco to another state typically starts around $1,200, varying based on several local factors.
Below are some example rates for transporting a vehicle from San Francisco, California, to a different state:
Route | Cost |
---|---|
California to Michigan | $1,730 – $2,611 |
California to Colorado | $1,098 – $1,807 |
California to Georgia | $1,646 – $2,773 |
California to Illinois | $1,630 – $2,495 |
California to Arizona | $1,032 – $1,469 |
Florida to California | $1,788 – $2,947 |
Ohio to California | $1,612 – $2,826 |
New York to California | $1,842 – $2,954 |
North Carolina to California | $1,854 – $2,838 |
Texas to California | $1,410 – $2,118 |
Factors influencing car shipping costs from San Francisco
- The distance of your move: Transporting your vehicle within San Francisco or to another city in California can be more cost-effective than long-distance shipments across states.
- Urban vs. suburban locations: Shipping costs might differ if you’re moving the car from the bustling downtown of San Francisco to a more suburban area.
- Type and condition of your vehicle: Compact cars generally cost less to transport than larger vehicles. Classic or luxury cars from San Francisco might require special handling, increasing the price.
- Available shipping options in San Francisco: You can choose from standard open-air transport to more secure enclosed shipping. While the former is more economical, the latter is advised for protecting against San Francisco’s specific climate challenges.
- Fuel costs: Current local fuel prices can directly impact the cost of shipping. Keep an eye on San Francisco’s fuel prices, especially if planning a long haul.
- Delivery urgency: Need your car quickly? Expedited or guaranteed delivery services from San Francisco come at a premium.
- Seasonal factors and weather conditions: San Francisco’s mild year-round climate reduces weather-related delays, likely lowering car shipping costs. Extreme weather conditions are rare.
Tips for choosing the right San Francisco, CA, car shipping company
- Compare prices. In San Francisco, compare costs with a critical eye. Look for transparent pricing to avoid unexpected fees, ensuring that competitive rates do not undermine service quality. As a quick note, you should expect to pay around $1,100 in California.
- Review insurance and safety in San Francisco. Choose San Francisco companies with comprehensive insurance coverage and a strong focus on safety. Confirm their dedication to protecting your vehicle throughout its journey.
- Read customer reviews. Reading customer reviews in San Francisco, California is essential because it provides insights into the company’s reliability and service quality, helping ensure your vehicle’s safe and timely transport.
- Research thoroughly. Thorough research ensures you choose a reputable San Francisco car shipping company, minimizing risk of scams and potential financial loss. Proper vetting helps verify licensing, insurance, and customer reviews.
- Verify credentials. Ensure each company’s legitimacy by checking their licensing, insurance, and registration status. In San Francisco, this step is crucial for safeguarding your vehicle and investment.
- Compare services and costs. Analyze the range of services offered by different companies in San Francisco. Balance service quality against pricing, and be wary of unusually low rates that might indicate hidden costs or poor service.
- Ask about insurance coverage. Inquire specifically about the insurance coverage provided by companies in San Francisco. Understand the extent of coverage and the process for making claims in case of damage during transit.
- Understand delivery timelines. Clarify expected pickup and delivery times. Companies in San Francisco should offer realistic timelines and communicate any potential delays promptly.
- Check for customization options. Consider companies in San Francisco that offer customizable options, such as door-to-door delivery or specific handling requirements for your vehicle.
- Seek personal recommendations. If possible, get personal referrals from friends or family in San Francisco who have experience with car shipping companies. Firsthand experiences can be invaluable in making your decision.
FAQ
Can I track my vehicle’s shipment in real time in San Francisco?
Yes, many car shipping companies in San Francisco, California, offer real-time tracking services. Customers can often track their vehicle’s journey through the company’s website or a mobile app. You can see when your vehicle leaves San Francisco, the estimated time of arrival, and any delays that might occur during transit.
What are the most efficient routes for shipping cars out of San Francisco?
Interstate 80 runs east through Sacramento. Interstate 5 travels north to Oregon and south to Los Angeles. U.S. Route 101 heads south toward San Jose. Interstate 580 links the Bay Area to Interstate 5.
How do I check the license status of a car shipping company?
You can check the license status of any San Francisco car shipping company by looking up their motor carrier (MC) number on the USDOT’s website.
Do I need to have insurance or an inspection to ship my car out of San Francisco?
If you’ve got an antique vehicle or a car worth a lot of money, some companies may require proof of insurance before taking your vehicle out of San Francisco. While you probably won’t need an inspection before shipping your car out of California, it’s important to check local regulations once it’s in its final destination.
Take California regulations as an example. California mandates yearly safety inspections to confirm that vehicles on public roads are in good condition and safe to drive. These inspections can be done at any service station approved by the California Department of Transportation.
How we chose the best car shipping companies
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.
Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
- Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
- Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.
More car shipping resources
If you’re shipping your car out of a different city in California, these resources should help:
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