Cost to ship a car from San Diego to Boise

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 953 miles from San Diego to Boise ranges from $891 to $1,512. Depending on factors like the transport type and season, you can expect your vehicle to land in Boise, ID in 2–7 days. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

Shipping a car the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Boise to San Diego car shipping guide.

Why Trust Us

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. 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.

Factors affecting San Diego to Boise car shipping costs

Companies base their car shipping costs on a variety of factors. When transporting your vehicle from San Diego to Boise, these factors will influence the cost:

Type of transport

There are different options for transporting your car from San Diego to Boise, such as open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport, each catering to specific needs. When leaving San Diego, 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 Boise, refer to our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.

Vehicle size and type

The size and weight of your vehicle play a crucial role in determining shipping costs out of San Diego. Larger and heavier vehicles are more expensive to ship. For instance, shipping a large SUV to Boise will cost more than a compact car due to the additional space and weight.

Distance and route

The distance from the America's Finest City to the City of Trees — approximately 953 miles — directly influences fuel and labor costs. The longer the journey, the higher the cost.

Time of the year

The season and weather in both San Diego and Boise can impact car shipping prices.

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.

Boise experiences hot and dry summers and winters are moderately cold.

During peak times like summer and the winter holidays, demand for car shipping services increases, leading to higher prices. Shipping your car from San Diego to Boise 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 953-mile distance between San Diego and Boise 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 San Diego to Boise typically takes between 2 and 7 days. Flexibility in delivery times can save costs, whereas expedited services ensure quicker delivery but at a premium cost.

San Diego to Boise car shipping companies

We’ve done the research, and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from San Diego to Boise:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Rental car option
  • Ship inoperable

Comparing San Diego and Boise vehicle regulations

Parking permits

  • 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.
  • Boise: Unless otherwise posted, parking regulations are enforced at all times. This includes time-restricted parking (like loading zones and 1 or 2-hour parking) Prepay on Friday evenings after enforcement hours for the following morning, or on Saturday mornings before enforcement hours begin. You can use a credit card, coins or the Parkmobile app.

Car insurance requirements

  • 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.
  • Boise: Idaho's minimum insurance mandates include $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident.

Vehicle inspections

  • 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.
  • Boise: In Idaho, all vehicles in Ada and Canyon Counties are required to pass an emissions test every two years. Additionally, out-of-state vehicle registrations must go through a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection.

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.
  • Boise: If you're moving to Idaho with an out-of-state driver's license, you must transfer it to an Idaho license within 90 days. If you have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), the transfer must be completed within 30 days.

FAQ

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

The cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Boise, ID varies based on several factors, including the type of transport (open vs. enclosed), the size and weight of the vehicle, and the current fuel prices. On average, transporting your vehicle from San Diego to Boise will range from $891 to $1,512.

How long will it take to ship my car from San Diego to Boise?

It will take approximately 2–7 days to ship your car the 953 miles from San Diego to Boise. If you need it quicker, ask your shipper about expedited delivery.

What’s the cheapest way to ship my car from San Diego to Boise?

An open-transport car carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car from San Diego to Boise. However, there are other methods. Read our post on the cheapest way to ship a car to learn more.

Helpful San Diego resources