10 Best Car Shipping Companies in San Francisco, CA
Fact Checked by:
Quick answer: For top-notch car shipping in San Francisco, CA, Nexus Auto Transport stands out. With a stellar 4.7 out of 5 stars rating, great prices, and a wide range of services, they're our top pick for moving your car. Although rates can differ, shipping your car from San Francisco typically costs between $712 and $1,489.
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| Company | Contact | Our rating | Best for | Benefits |
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4.7 |
Best overall value |
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4.5 |
Most accurate pricing |
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4.4 |
Best for budget-conscious shippers |
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4.9 |
Best for Exact Pickup Dates |
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4.4 |
Best for Damage Protection |
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Need an auto transport company in a different city? Check out our California car shipping guide.
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Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
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Top car shipping companies in San Francisco, CA
For those planning to ship their car nearby or outside of California, these are the leading auto transport services in San Francisco:
Nexus Auto Transport
http://www.nexusautotransport.com
Nexus Auto Transport, established in 2015, has rapidly become a trusted name in vehicle shipping across the US. With a network of more than 30,000 carriers, they offer services in all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. They offer open and enclosed transport, expedited shipping, and door-to-door delivery, as well as discounts for multi-vehicle shipments, cash payments, students, military members, and seniors, among others. Their Moving Season Package includes special deals and services catered to residential and commercial relocations. Customers appreciate their transparent pricing, real-time tracking, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Nexus boasts high customer satisfaction ratings, with an average of 4.7 stars across various platforms. Their user-friendly online quote system provides instant estimates, and a refundable $25 deposit secures your booking.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Live shipment tracking
- Fast, no-hassle quotes
- Door-to-door pickup
- Competitive discounts
Cons
- No international shipping
- Pay more with debit/credit card
Services Offered
- Door-to-door deliveries
- Open and enclosed trailers
- Hawaii/Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
Sherpa Auto Transport
https://www.sherpaautotransport.com
Sherpa Auto Transport is known for providing competitive pricing and strong communication throughout the car shipping process. Available in the Lower 48, Sherpa guarantees you won’t pay more than you are quoted, so you don’t have to worry about any hidden fees or other price changes. The company ships standard passenger cars, trucks, and SUVS, and can provide expedited transport, if needed.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Price Lock Promise keeps pricing fixed
- Pay by credit card available
- No deposit upfront to schedule
- $100k in cargo insurance
- Will ship inoperable vehicles as long as they can brake, roll and steer
- Ship cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans
Cons
- Online instant quote not available
- Cars only. Cannot ship boats, motorcycles, RVs, or trailers
- No international shipping
- No shipping to Alaska or Hawaii
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Insured shipping
Navi Auto Transport
https://naviautotransport.com
Navi Auto Transport is an experienced vehicle shipping company offering nationwide service across the US, including door-to-door delivery and both open and enclosed transport options. Known for its reliable scheduling and attentive customer support, Navi has earned strong customer satisfaction ratings, with many reviewers highlighting the company's transparent pricing and consistent communication. They offer instant online quotes, and their expedited shipping option makes them a solid choice for time-sensitive moves.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Price match policy
- Quick turnaround
- Discounts
- White-glove transport
- 24/7 tracking
Cons
- Limited international shipping
- No guaranteed pickup date
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Hawaii and Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
SGT Auto Transport
http://sgtautotransport.com
SGT Auto Transport is a top-rated long-distance vehicle shipper available in every state except Alaska. SGT Auto offers open or enclosed carriers for cars and motorcycles, and provides door-to-door service standard in the contiguous U.S. Get a free quote easily and quickly online, and be sure to ask about SGT’s price-matching guarantee and discounts for military members, students, and senior citizens.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Open and enclosed auto transport options available
- Car shipping to Hawaii
- Motorcycle shipping available
- Free cancellation
- Full insurance coverage included in the price
- Nothing to pay up front
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Limited international shipping
- Doesn't ship RVs
- No digital tracking
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Long-distance and international shipping
- Hawaii and Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
Ship A Car Direct
https://shipacardirect.com
Ship A Car Direct works with a widespread network of carriers to provide long-distance auto transport with quick turnaround times for cars, trucks, and SUVs. This highly-rated company also provides a Damage-Free Guarantee, which is a free contingent insurance policy that covers up to $500 of your deductible if a carrier's cargo insurance falls short. Ship A Car Direct is a great choice if you’re in a rush, since they can easily handle last-minute requests.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Home of the industry’s only 'Damage Free Guarantee'
- No deposit upfront to schedule
- Expedited Shipping Available
- Pay by credit card available
- Ship an additional 100lbs in the car for Free
- $500 complimentary damage or loss coverage
- Rental car assistance should transport take more than 14 days
Cons
- Quotes expire sometimes within 1 week
- Do not ship boats or heavy equipment
- No international shipping
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Hawaii shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc.
45125 Industrial Dr, Fremont, CA, 94538
https://www.mccollisters.com
McCollister's Transportation Group, Inc. (DOT: 289344) is a reputable car shipping company known for its comprehensive range of services and high ratings. Customers can trust them for classic car shipping, interstate deliveries, and trailer shipping. McCollister's is fully insured, providing a damage-free guarantee, and they offer open and enclosed transport options to suit various needs.
While they excel with a Google rating of 4.2 and a BBB rating of A+, their Yelp rating stands at 3.2. A potential downside for some customers is their lack of service for inoperable cars, as well as the absence of international shipping and certain discounts like military or student discounts. Despite this, their commitment to quality is evident through features like shipment tracking and a deposit-free service, which many customers find appealing.
Services Offered
- Damage Free Guarantee
- Fully Insured
- Enclosed Transport
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Storage Solutions
- Expedited Delivery
- Shipment Tracking
- Pay by Credit Card
- Trailer Shipping
- Interstate
- Heavy Equipment Shipping
- Classic Car Shipping
Car Shipping Carriers
39899 Balentine Dr #200, Newark, CA, 94560
https://carshippingcarriers.com
Car Shipping Carriers (DOT: DOT# 2249744) specializes in providing a wide range of services, including shipping inoperable cars, classic cars, motorcycles, electric vehicles, and offering both open and enclosed transport options. They stand out for their impressive Google rating of 5.0 and a BBB rating of A+, though their Yelp rating is significantly lower at 1.0, reflecting mixed customer experiences.
The company excels in providing guaranteed delivery, detailed inspection reports, and comprehensive insurance coverage to ensure peace of mind for their clients. While they offer international shipping and terminal-to-terminal delivery, a potential downside for some customers is the lack of boat, trailer, and RV shipping services. Additionally, although they provide military discounts, other discounts like those for students and seniors are not available.
Services Offered
- ATV Shipping
- Damage Free Guarantee
- Fully Insured
- Inoperable Car Transport
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- Electric Vehicle Shipping
- Military Discount
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Guaranteed Delivery
- Storage Solutions
- Expedited Delivery
- Shipment Tracking
- Pay by Credit Card
- Interstate
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Terminal to Terminal Delivery
- Classic Car Shipping
- Detailed Inspection Reports
Direct Express Auto Transport
Direct Express Auto Transport (DOT: 2231879) is a well-regarded car shipping company offering a variety of services tailored to diverse client needs. Despite a modest Yelp rating of 2.0, the company shines with a remarkable Google rating of 4.6 and an excellent A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), indicating strong customer satisfaction and business reliability.
The company provides a range of services, including interstate shipping, classic car transportation, and shipping for cars that don't run. They cater to international needs and offer both open and enclosed transport options. They provide student and military discounts but do not support cryptocurrency payments, which may inconvenience some customers.
Services Offered
- Fully Insured
- Inoperable Car Transport
- Enclosed Transport
- Military Discount
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Guaranteed Delivery
- Storage Solutions
- Expedited Delivery
- Pay by Credit Card
- Trailer Shipping
- Student Discount
- Interstate
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Terminal to Terminal Delivery
- Classic Car Shipping
- Detailed Inspection Reports
Viper Transportation
4600 Malat St, Oakland, CA, 94601
http://vipertransportation.com
Viper Transportation (DOT: 1509528) is a car shipping company that offers a range of services, including boat, classic car, and motorcycle shipping, alongside heavy equipment and international shipping. They hold a solid Yelp rating of 4.0, although their Google rating is slightly lower at 3.6, and they do not have a rating on the Better Business Bureau.
Customers can enjoy peace of mind with fully insured shipments and both open and enclosed transport options. However, a potential downside is that Viper Transportation does not offer shipment tracking or transport for inoperable vehicles. They also do not provide various discounts, such as senior or military discounts.
Services Offered
- Fully Insured
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- Electric Vehicle Shipping
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Pay by Credit Card
- Interstate
- RV Shipping
- Heavy Equipment Shipping
- Boat Shipping
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Classic Car Shipping
Pasha Hawaii ship your car
Pasha Hawaii ship your car (DOT: 2861558) offers a variety of car shipping services, including interstate, boat, and motorcycle shipping with fully insured transport options. They also provide convenient features like terminal-to-terminal delivery and guaranteed delivery, making them a reliable choice for many customers.
Despite these advantages, they do not offer inoperable car transport, which may be a downside for those needing such services. The company's Yelp rating is 2.3, Google rating is 3.2, and they hold a BBB rating of A-, reflecting a mix of customer experiences with their services.
Services Offered
- ATV Shipping
- Fully Insured
- Enclosed Transport
- Military Discount
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Guaranteed Delivery
- Storage Solutions
- Expedited Delivery
- Shipment Tracking
- Pay by Credit Card
- Trailer Shipping
- Interstate
- Heavy Equipment Shipping
- Boat Shipping
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Terminal to Terminal Delivery
Comparing San Francisco, CA car auto transport companies
Initially, we investigated major auto transport brands, followed by an evaluation of 14 local car shipping businesses in San Francisco, 77 across California, and upwards of 518 nationwide to determine service availability and help you make the ideal choice.
Compare by services
Here's how common key car shipping services are among companies in San Francisco, across California, and nationwide:
- Guaranteed delivery: 6 in San Francisco (40.0%), 26 in California (31.33%), 176 nationwide (28.71%)
- Damage-free guarantee: 5 in San Francisco (33.33%), 23 in California (27.71%), 172 nationwide (28.06%)
- Expedited delivery: 11 in San Francisco (73.33%), 51 in California (61.45%), 333 nationwide (54.32%)
- Insurance included: 11 in San Francisco (73.33%), 65 in California (78.31%), 473 nationwide (77.16%)
- Open transport: 14 in San Francisco (93.33%), 77 in California (92.77%), 518 nationwide (84.5%)
| Company | Guaranteed delivery | Damage-free guarantee | Expedited delivery | Insurance included | Open transport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc. | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Car Shipping Carriers | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Direct Express Auto Transport | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Viper Transportation | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Pasha Hawaii ship your car | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Compare by discounts
Looking to save money? Here's how many car shipping companies offer each type of discount in San Francisco, across California, and nationwide:
- Military discount: 7 in San Francisco (46.67%), 30 in California (36.14%), 159 nationwide (25.94%)
- Senior discount: 2 in San Francisco (13.33%), 10 in California (12.05%), 39 nationwide (6.36%)
- Student discount: 1 in San Francisco (6.67%), 9 in California (10.84%), 32 nationwide (5.22%)
| Company | Military | Senior | Student | Teacher | Law Enforcement | AAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc. | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Car Shipping Carriers | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Direct Express Auto Transport | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Viper Transportation | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Pasha Hawaii ship your car | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Average cost to ship a car out of San Francisco, CA
Though not officially a major city, San Francisco has a sizeable population of 808,988 and enough regional demand to attract auto transporters. That keeps car shipping rates from San Francisco relatively stable and competitive.
The cost to ship a car out of California from San Francisco typically costs between $712 and $1,489. The exact cost to transport a car to another state from San Francisco will vary based on factors like distance and gas prices.
Here are some sample ranges for transporting a vehicle from San Francisco, California, to a different state:
| Route | Cost |
|---|---|
| California to Arizona | $954 - $1,455 |
| California to Ohio | $1,648 - $2,537 |
| California to New York | $1,863 - $3,016 |
| California to Michigan | $1,566 - $2,667 |
| California to Pennsylvania | $1,824 - $2,835 |
| Illinois to California | $1,519 - $2,474 |
| Texas to California | $1,383 - $2,038 |
| Florida to California | $1,719 - $2,753 |
| North Carolina to California | $1,784 - $2,650 |
| Georgia to California | $1,631 - $2,589 |
Check out all car shipping routes.
Factors influencing car shipping costs from San Francisco, CA
The cost of living index in San Francisco is 245, which is well above the national average. This can increase the price of car shipping due to higher labor and operational costs in the region.
- How far you're moving: Shipping your car locally within San Francisco or nearby in California often costs less than sending it across state lines.
- Urban vs. suburban moves: Whether you're moving from the heart of downtown San Francisco or out to the suburbs, your route can influence your shipping price depending on the ease of access and logistics.
- Vehicle make and condition: Smaller cars usually come with lower transport fees than big SUVs or trucks. Special vehicles like luxury and classic models from San Francisco may need custom carriers for safe loading, which raises the cost.
- Shipping methods in San Francisco: Choose between open-air transport for affordability or enclosed shipping for extra protection from weather and road hazards; the safer the option, the higher the price.
- Fuel costs: Current local fuel prices can directly impact the cost of shipping. Keep an eye on San Francisco's fuel prices, especially if you're planning along haul.
- Delivery timing: If you need your car to arrive fast or by a specific date, express and guaranteed services from San Francisco come with a higher price tag.
- Season and weather: Peak demand in summer and at month-end raises shipping prices and limits carrier availability. Spring and fall bookings generally offer better rates.
How to ship a car from San Francisco, CA
Use this San Francisco-specific checklist to compare auto transport companies and book a reliable car shipper.
- Confirm your route from San Francisco — Confirm whether you are shipping within California or to another state. Local and regional routes from San Francisco are priced differently than long cross-country hauls, and your pickup and delivery ZIP codes drive the final quote.
- Factor in San Francisco market conditions — Carrier availability in San Francisco depends on route density and local demand. The cost-of-living index is 245 (100 = national average).
- Compare national and local carriers — Compare national auto transport partners with the local San Francisco shippers listed on this page. National carriers often cover long interstate routes, while local companies may offer faster pickup in the San Francisco metro.
- Pick open vs enclosed transport — Open transport is the budget option for standard vehicles. Choose enclosed transport for classic, luxury, or high-value cars that need extra protection during loading and transit.
- Verify MC/DOT registration — Ask for each carrier's MC and USDOT numbers and verify them on the FMCSA carrier lookup before you sign a contract.
- Get 3+ quotes and schedule off-peak — Request written quotes from at least three companies using the moveBuddha car shipping calculator. Book off-peak when possible — summer and end-of-month dates fill up faster and cost more.
FAQ
Can I track my vehicle's shipment in real time in San Francisco?
Many car shipping companies in San Francisco, California offer real-time tracking. You can follow your vehicle's journey through the company's website or app, with updates on when it leaves San Francisco, the estimated arrival time, and any transit delays.
What are the most efficient routes for shipping cars out of San Francisco?
The most efficient routes for shipping a car out of San Francisco follow the major interstate corridors running through California. Carriers on high-traffic routes between large metros generally offer faster transit times and better pricing than those on less-traveled roads. Ask your carrier which interstates they use and whether your destination falls on a primary or secondary route.
How do I check the license status of a car shipping company?
To check a car shipping company's license, ask for their motor carrier (MC) number and look it up on the USDOT's FMCSA website. This works for any provider based in San Francisco or beyond.
Do I need to have insurance or an inspection to ship my car out of San Francisco?
Most carriers don't require an inspection to ship your car out of San Francisco. If you're shipping a classic or high-value vehicle, you may be asked to show proof of insurance. Always check the inspection requirements for the delivery state, as regulations vary.
Take California regulations as an example. 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.
How can I estimate car shipping costs from San Francisco?
You can use our free car shipping calculator to estimate prices based on your route and vehicle type. It's a fast, easy way to see how much it might cost to ship a car from San Francisco to your next destination.
What's the cheapest car shipping company in San Francisco?
Affordable auto transport companies serving San Francisco with cost-effective open trailer shipping include McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc., Car Shipping Carriers (offers military discounts), and Direct Express Auto Transport (offers military, student discounts).
Who ships classic cars out of San Francisco?
Trusted classic car haulers serving San Francisco with specialized enclosed shipping services include McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc., Car Shipping Carriers, and Direct Express Auto Transport.
