($1,475) Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Albany, NY
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 2,833 miles from San Diego, California, to Albany, New York, generally falls between $1,475 and $2,351. Variables like transport type, seasonality, and your vehicle’s specs all influence the price. For more exact numbers, check our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Albany to San Diego car shipping guide.
Our track record
The best San Diego to Albany car shipping companies
Our team has reviewed thousands of companies and narrowed down the top car shipping companies to safely move your vehicle from San Diego to Albany:
- Best for Real-Time Tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for safety & reliability: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for Budget-Conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Top local car shippers in San Diego
Prefer to keep it local? Here are the top car transport companies serving San Diego, CA:
- Auto Express Inc.: 3.88 out of 5 stars
- San Diego Auto Shipping Group: 3.64 out of 5 stars
- Auto Driveaway: 3.64 out of 5 stars
- Car Shipping Carriers Sn Diego: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Global Auto Transportation: 3.5 out of 5 stars
How we chose the best car shipping companies
Car shipping alternatives from CA to NY
If you’re relocating from San Diego to Albany, moving your vehicle is an important step. Below are the most common car transport choices, each with unique pros and cons.
Coordinate with your movers
When relocating from San Diego to Albany, most of the top-rated moving companies can bundle auto transport into your move by partnering with national car shippers. The trade-off is convenience versus flexibility, since you’ll be tied to their carrier of choice and rates.
Drive your car
Choosing whether to drive or ship your vehicle involves trade-offs. The 2,833 miles from San Diego to Albany might make for an enjoyable road trip and save you money. But the downsides include added wear on your car and potential risks from weather or long-distance driving.
Use a driving service
Hiring someone else to drive your car directly from California to New York is an option, albeit an expensive one. And you’ll need to find a driver you trust to safely get your car from San Diego to Albany. 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 Albany, 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 San Diego to Albany car shipping costs
When transporting your vehicle from San Diego to Albany, these factors will influence the cost:
Transport method
When shipping your car from San Diego to Albany, you can choose between open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport. The right option depends on your budget and vehicle type.
Open carriers from San Diego are generally the most affordable, while enclosed transport offers extra protection for high-end or classic vehicles. Not sure which is best for your move to Albany? Check out our guide on open vs. enclosed shipping.
Vehicle size and type
Your shipping costs out of San Diego 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 Albany than a compact car.
Distance and route
Simply put, the farther you ship your car, the more it will cost. Longer trips mean higher fuel and labor costs, plus added expenses like tolls and carrier maintenance. For example, transporting your vehicle 2,833 miles from San Diego to Albany will cost more than a shorter move within California.
Your destination plays a role as well. Routes that follow major highways are usually cheaper, while deliveries to remote areas tend to be more expensive.
The time of the year
Both seasonal trends and local weather in San Diego and Albany can influence what you’ll pay for car shipping.
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.
August, June and July are the best months to consider moving into Albany as weather during these months are very favorable. During October to January, Albany experiences a cold weather where it can get snow and rain and could be colder than the rest of the New York States.
High-demand periods such as summer and the winter holidays often drive up prices. If you plan to ship your car from San Diego to Albany during these busy times, expect higher costs due to increased demand.
Fuel prices
Fuel price fluctuations can greatly influence transport costs. This is a critical factor given the 2,833-mile distance between San Diego and Albany and the varying fuel prices across different regions. When fuel prices are high, shipping costs will rise accordingly.
Delivery expectations
Auto shippers sometimes offer reduced rates if you’re open to flexible delivery dates. On average, shipping from San Diego to Albany takes seven to fifteen days. Opting for flexibility can save you money, but expedited service provides quicker transport at an added cost.
Comparing San Diego and Albany 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.
- Albany: Check with the City of Albany for details about parking permits and restrictions that you should know about before your move to Albany.
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.
- Albany: To register your vehicle in New York, you must have state-issued auto liability insurance meeting minimum requirements $10,000 property damage, $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury/death for one person, $50,000/$100,000 for two or more people in an accident. Failure to comply may lead to the suspension of both your car registration and New York driver's license. Stay compliant and protected on the road with the required coverage.
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.
- Albany: If your vehicle was registered in another state that issues an inspection sticker, you have one year from the registration date or until the sticker expires to get a New York State vehicle inspection. If the previous inspection was performed in a jurisdiction that does not issue an inspection sticker, you must get a New York State inspection immediately.
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.
- Albany: New York residents must obtain a state driver license within 30 days of moving to the state.
FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car from San Diego to Albany?
The cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Albany, NY 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 San Diego to Albany will range from $1,475 to $2,351.
How long will it take to ship my car from San Diego to Albany?
It will take approximately seven to fifteen days to ship your car the 2,833 miles from San Diego to Albany. If you need it quicker, ask your shipper about expedited delivery.
What’s the cheapest way to ship my car from San Diego to Albany?
An open-transport car carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car from San Diego to Albany. 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 San Diego to Albany?
It is generally cheaper to drive your car from San Diego to Albany 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 2,833-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.
501 W Broadway Ste. 800, San Diego, CA 92101 US
3312 1228 University Ave Suite 200-161, San Diego, CA 92103 US
7419 El Cajon Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942 US
4234 Market St, San Diego, CA 92102 US