($587) Cost to ship a car from Tucson, AZ to San Diego, CA
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 406 miles from Tucson, Arizona, to San Diego, California, ranges from $587 to $861. Costs vary depending on factors like the type of vehicle, transport method, and time of year. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We've got you covered with our San Diego to Tucson car shipping guide.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
The best Tucson to San Diego car shipping companies
We’ve done the research, and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Tucson to San Diego:
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best cross-country shipper: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for discounts: AmeriFreight Car Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for quick pickup: Easy Auto Ship
- Best marketplace: uShip
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- No upfront payment
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Competitive pricing
- Door-to-door shipping
- Competitive pricing
- Last-minute car shipments
- Guaranteed & expedited shipments
- Gap insurance coverage
- Multiple discounts
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- No upfront deposit
- Expedited shipping
- No hidden fees
- Ships motorcycles & RVs
- Discount for cash payments
- Instant pricing from multiple providers
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- Mobile app
- Shipper service history & verified reviews
- All vehicle types
Top local car shippers in Tucson
If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in Tucson, AZ:
Car Go Auto Transport
17232 N. 63rd Ave, Glendale, AZ 85308 US
cargoautotransport.com
4.28 / 5.0
Car Go Auto Transport provides highly appreciated customer service, timely delivery, and effective communication throughout the vehicle transport process, reinforcing their reputation as a reliable choice for car shipping needs. However, there have been reported instances of delays, additional unexpected charges, and some damaging incidents during transit that have raised concerns among customers about their overall practices.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Classic cars
- Motorcycles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 676058
Alternative Business Names
- Car-Go Auto Transport
Autogo Auto Transport
1661 N Swan Rd # 140, Tucson, AZ 85712 US
autogotransport.com
4.24 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Detailed inspection reports
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2786993
Alternative Business Names
- AutoGo Transport, LLC
- AutoGo Brokers, LLC
Tucson Auto Shipping Group
2 E Congress St Suite 900 #106, Tucson, AZ 85701 US
autoshippinggroup.com/locations/auto-shipping-arizona/tucson
4 / 5.0
Michael consistently receives praise for his excellent communication and friendly demeanor throughout the car shipping process. He ensures customers feel valued by checking in before and after shipping.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2239008
Auto Driveaway
7066 E 21st St, Tucson, AZ 85710 US
autodriveaway.com
3.86 / 5.0
Customers reported satisfaction with the service's reliability and quality, citing friendly staff interactions and an efficient delivery process. However, some experienced delays in customer support and issues with product inventory that affected their overall experience.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Storage solutions
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1335807
Scottsdale Auto Transport Inc.
2765 N Scottsdale Rd UNIT 325, Scottsdale, AZ 85257 US
a1autotransport.com/scottsdale
3.62 / 5.0
Great explanation of service and car arrived a day early! Excellent expectations and even better delivery! Good company to talk to.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
- Senior
- AAA
- Student
- Teacher
- Law enforcement
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 815051
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.
Car shipping alternatives from AZ to CA
- Coordinate with your movers. If you are relocating from Tucson to San Diego, many of the top long-distance moving companies partner with reputable car shippers nationwide, and can oversee auto transport for you as part of an overall relocation package. You won’t have to handle the logistics yourself, but you’ll be locked into your mover’s pick for car shipper and their pricing.
- Drive your car. There are lots of pros and cons of driving your car versus shipping it. You may be able to incorporate the 406-mile drive from Tucson to San Diego into a fun road trip, and you’ll likely save money. But all that mileage will put some wear and tear on your vehicle, and you could face inclement weather or other dangerous driving conditions.
- Use a driving service. Hiring someone else to drive your car directly from Arizona to California is an option, albeit an expensive one. And you’ll need to find a driver you trust to safely get your car from Tucson to San Diego. Plus, you’ll still be putting extra miles on your car regardless of who drives it there.
- Ship your car via train. Shipping a car by train is a cost-effective and safe way to transport your vehicle to San Diego, particularly if you’re already planning to move your household belongings by rail. In fact, it is the cheapest way to ship your car! Keep in mind that this method offers no real flexibility in terms of pickup and drop-off locations and will take longer than using a car shipper or driving.
Factors affecting Tucson to San Diego car shipping costs
When transporting your vehicle from Tucson to San Diego, these factors will influence the cost:
Transport method
There are different options for shipping your car from Tucson to San Diego, including open, enclosed, and top-loaded transport. The method you choose will depend on your specific needs.
When leaving Tucson, open carriers are the most cost-effective option, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re uncertain which option to use to get your vehicle to San Diego, refer to our guide on comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
Vehicle size and type
Your shipping costs out of Tucson will be determined in large part by what kind of car you have. As you might guess, the bigger the vehicle, the more it will cost. This is simply because it takes up more space and adds more weight to the carrier. So, a full-size SUV will be more expensive to ship to San Diego than a compact car.
Distance and route
To put it simply — the longer the journey, the higher the price. Distance impacts pricing in terms of fuel and labor expenses, as well as adjacent costs like toll fees and carrier maintenance. Shipping your car 406 miles from Old Pueblo to America's Finest City will likely be more expensive than transporting it a shorter distance within Arizona.
Where you’re shipping your car matters here, too. Rates are usually lower for routes that are along major highways and will be higher for areas that are more remote.
The time of the year
Seasonal demand and weather conditions in both Tucson and San Diego can impact car shipping prices.
The season and weather in both Tucson and San Diego can impact car shipping prices.
Extreme heat may cause discomfort if you choose to move in the summer. Pay close attention to heat sensitive household items such as instruments, antique furniture, and electronics.
San Diego's climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters, with most of the annual precipitation falling between December and March. The city has a mild climate year-round.
During peak moving times like summer and the winter holidays, demand for car shipping services increases, leading to higher prices. Shipping your car from Tucson to San Diego during these peak seasons can result in higher costs due to increased demand.
Fuel prices
Fuel price fluctuations can greatly influence transport costs. This is a critical factor given the 406-mile distance between Tucson and San Diego and the varying fuel prices across different regions. When fuel prices are high, shipping costs will rise accordingly.
Delivery expectations
Being flexible with your delivery dates can sometimes lead to discounts from your auto shipper. However, shipping a car from Tucson to San Diego typically takes between one and four days. Flexibility in delivery times can save costs, whereas expedited services ensure quicker delivery but at a premium cost.
Comparing Tucson and San Diego vehicle regulations
Parking permits
- Tucson: Your move in the City of Tucson may require a temporary construction permit. The price for a one day permit is currently $1.25.
- San Diego: Type 1 Moving Permits: Applications must be submitted at least 2 working days prior to the intended move $16.00 permit fee Type 2 Moving Permits: Applications must be submitted at least 5 working days prior to the intended move for extra -legal loads that do not meet each of the Type 1 criteria. These moves require route evaluations prior to issuance of the permit. $212.00 Permit review and route evaluation fee is required.
Car insurance requirements
- Tucson: The mandated liability insurance minimums in Arizona are as follows: $15,000 for bodily injury liability per person per accident $30,000 for bodily injury liability for two or more people per accident $10,000 for property damage liability per accident
- San Diego: The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
Vehicle inspections
- Tucson: Emissions testing is mandatory in Phoenix and Tucson, but not in the rest of Arizona. If you reside in either Phoenix or Tucson, you are required to undergo an emissions test every two years while renewing your vehicle registration. On the other hand, car safety inspections are not mandatory in the state of Arizona.
- San Diego: California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
Driver’s license
- Tucson: If you are a former resident of another state and now reside in Arizona, you will need to visit an Arizona Motor Vehicle Services office in person to obtain an Arizona driver's license. You have a 10-day window after relocating within the state to update the address on your Arizona driver's license.
- San Diego: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car from Tucson to San Diego?
The cost to ship a car from Tucson, AZ to San Diego, CA varies based on several factors, including the type of transport (open vs. enclosed car shipping), vehicle size and weight, and the current fuel prices. On average, transporting your vehicle from Tucson to San Diego will range from $587 to $861.
How long will it take to ship my car from Tucson to San Diego?
It will take approximately one to four days to ship your car the 406 miles from Tucson to San Diego. If you need it quicker, ask your shipper about expedited delivery.
What’s the cheapest way to ship my car from Tucson to San Diego?
An open-transport car carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car from Tucson to San Diego. However, there are other methods. Read our post on the cheapest way to ship a car to learn more.
Is it cheaper to ship my car or drive it from Tucson to San Diego?
It is generally cheaper to drive your car from Tucson to San Diego than to ship it. However, when deciding whether to drive your car or ship it, you need to factor in related costs like maintenance fees that could result from the additional wear-and-tear on your vehicle during the 406-mile trip. Long-distance trips also involve food and possibly lodging, which can add up quickly.
We recommend that you reach out to at least a few of the top car shippers to ask about seasonal rates and auto transport discounts. You can also use our car shipping calculator to quickly generate and compare quotes from multiple companies.
