($1,044) Cost to ship a car from Fort Collins, CO to San Diego, CA
Quick answer: Shipping a car 1,138 miles from Fort Collins, Colorado, to San Diego, California, typically costs between $1,044 and $1,508. Final pricing depends on details like your vehicle type, shipping method, and the time of year. For personalized pricing, try our car shipping cost calculator.
|
|
|
Shipping a car the reverse route? We've got you covered with our San Diego to Fort Collins car shipping guide.
Our track record
The best Fort Collins to San Diego car shipping companies
We’ve compared thousands of providers and identified the best car shipping companies to handle your move from Fort Collins to San Diego:
- Best for Real-Time Tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best cross-country shipper: 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 Fort Collins
If sticking with a local company is important to you, here are the top car shipping companies based in Fort Collins, CO:
- UZ Auto Trans INC: 4.1 out of 5 stars
- Driving America Auto Transport: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- Nationwide Auto Transport: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Secured Transport International, LLC.: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Ceva Logistics: 3.58 out of 5 stars
How we chose the best car shipping companies
Car shipping alternatives from CO to CA
Relocating from Fort Collins to San Diego means figuring out the best way to move your car, too. Here are the most popular car shipping options to consider, along with the pros and cons of each.
Coordinate with your movers
When relocating from Fort Collins to San Diego, 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
There are plenty of pros and cons to consider before driving instead of shipping your car. A 1,138-mile trip from Fort Collins to San Diego could turn into a fun travel experience and reduce expenses. Still, you’ll add significant mileage and could encounter bad weather and driving conditions.
Use a driving service
You could hire a professional driver to take your car from Colorado to California, though this tends to be a pricey choice. You’ll also need to ensure the driver is reliable enough to get your car from Fort Collins to San Diego safely. Keep in mind, this option still adds mileage to your vehicle.
Ship your car via train
If saving money is your priority, shipping a car by train to San Diego is worth considering. It’s not only safe but also the cheapest way to ship a car. The drawback is that there are fewer pickup and drop-off options and longer timelines compared to auto shippers or driving.
Factors affecting Fort Collins to San Diego car shipping costs
If you’re moving your car from Fort Collins to San Diego, the cost will depend on several key factors:
Transport method
You have a few different options for shipping your car from Fort Collins to San Diego, including open, enclosed, and top-loaded transport. The method you should choose depends on your specific needs.
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
One of the biggest factors influencing your shipping cost from Fort Collins is the type of vehicle you own. Larger cars cost more to move because they occupy extra space and add weight to the carrier. For example, sending a full-size SUV to San Diego will be pricier than shipping a compact sedan.
Distance and route
Basically, longer distances mean higher shipping prices. Extra miles drive up fuel usage, labor hours, tolls, and maintenance costs. So moving your car 1,138 miles from Fort Collins to San Diego will almost always cost more than a shorter in-state trip in Colorado.
Location also affects the cost. Shipments along common interstate routes are typically cheaper, while hard-to-reach destinations add to the price.
The time of the year
Seasonal demand and weather conditions in both Fort Collins and San Diego can impact car shipping prices.
August, June and September are the best months to move in Fort Collins, while December and January are the least comfortable months. Summers in Fort Collins can be mild to hot. Winters can be relatively tolerable as well.
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 Fort Collins to San Diego during these peak seasons can result in higher costs.
Fuel prices
Fuel costs are a key driver of car shipping prices. On a 1,138-mile trip from Fort Collins to San Diego, rising fuel prices can quickly push your rates higher. When gas prices spike, expect your transport costs to increase as well.
Delivery expectations
By allowing more flexibility with your delivery window, you could secure discounted rates from your shipper. The process of moving a car from Fort Collins to San Diego usually takes two–eight days. Flexible timing helps keep costs down, while expedited shipping shortens the wait for an extra fee.
Comparing Fort Collins and San Diego vehicle regulations
Parking permits
- Fort Collins: The City of Fort Collins has 3 Parking Structures and 5 Surface lots that offer permits. All structures are gateless and have the newest technology available: digital signs that provide number of available spaces on each level, and indicator lights to help you navigate through the structure. Check with the City of Fort Collins for details about parking permits and restrictions that you should know about before your move to Fort Collins.
- 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
- Fort Collins: To drive in Colorado, you must have insurance with minimum 25/50/10 liability limits, covering $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage. While meeting the state's minimum requirement, it's advisable to consider factors for determining optimal coverage levels.
- 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
- Fort Collins: To register and title your vehicle in Colorado within 90 days of moving, you'll need to provide the DMV with an out-of-state vehicle title, proof of a valid Colorado auto insurance policy, verifiable identification, and documentation of the vehicle's weight.
- 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
- Fort Collins: To obtain a Colorado driver's license, new residents must visit a Colorado DMV office in person. The process cannot be done online or by phone. A valid out-of-state license is required, with no suspensions, revocations, or cancellations, and must not have been deemed unfit to drive by CO DMV or a court.
- 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 Fort Collins to San Diego?
The cost to ship a car from Fort Collins, CO 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 Fort Collins to San Diego will range from $1,044 to $1,508.
How long will it take to ship my car from Fort Collins to San Diego?
It will take approximately two to eight days to ship your car the 1,138 miles from Fort Collins to San Diego. If you need it quicker, ask your shipper about expedited delivery.
What’s the cheapest way to ship my car from Fort Collins to San Diego?
An open-transport car carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car from Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins to San Diego?
It is generally cheaper to drive your car from Fort Collins 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 1,138-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.