($1,517) Cost to ship a car from Miami, FL to San Jose, CA

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

• 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

1. Eship: 3.92 out of 5 stars
2. Coastal Auto Shipping: 3.8 out of 5 stars
3. AutoStar Transport Express: 3.78 out of 5 stars
4. Transport Masters Usa: 3.7 out of 5 stars
5. SHIP A CAR, INC.: 3.52 out of 5 stars

Coordinate with your movers

If you are relocating from Miami to San Jose, 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 preferred car shipper and their pricing.

Drive your car

There are plenty of pros and cons to consider before driving instead of shipping your car. A 3,000-mile trip from Miami to San Jose 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 Florida 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 Miami to San Jose safely. Keep in mind, this option still adds mileage to your vehicle.

Ship your car via train

Rail shipping offers a cost-effective and secure way to move your car to San Jose, and it’s particularly practical if your household items are also traveling by train. In fact, it’s the cheapest shipping option for vehicles. Just be aware that this approach has limited service locations and takes more time than other transport methods.

Transport method

When it comes to moving your car from Miami to San Jose, you’ll typically choose between open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport. The best option depends on the type of vehicle you’re shipping.

Open carriers are the most economical choice, while enclosed shipping gives extra security for luxury or classic models. To weigh the options for your move to San Jose, visit our guide on open vs. enclosed transport.

Vehicle size and type

Your shipping costs out of Miami 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 Jose than a compact car.

Distance and route

Distance is one of the biggest cost factors — the longer the route, the more you’ll pay. Fuel, driver time, tolls, and carrier maintenance all add up over extra miles. For instance, transporting your car 3,000 miles from Miami to San Jose will usually cost more than a shorter relocation within Florida.

Your pickup and drop-off points are also key. Routes through major highways are less expensive, while rural or remote areas push rates higher.

The time of the year

Car shipping prices fluctuate with the seasons and the weather in both Miami and San Jose.

There are two basic seasons in Miami, a hot and wet season from May through October, and a warm and dry season from November through April. During the hot and wet season, daily thundershowers occur in the humid unstable air masses. Hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, although hurricanes can develop beyond those dates. Be sure to check your weather app, especially during June through November to avoid hurricanes.

San Jose, like most of the Bay Area, has warm to hot, dry summers and mild to cool, wet winters. The city is somewhat more sheltered from rain, giving it a semi-arid feel

During busy moving periods—such as summertime or around winter holidays—demand spikes, and so do costs. Moving your car from Miami to San Jose during these times can be more expensive.

Fuel prices

Because fuel expenses vary, they directly influence the cost of shipping your car. The 3,000-mile journey from Miami to San Jose makes fuel pricing an especially important factor. If fuel prices climb, you’ll see that reflected in your transport bill.

Delivery expectations

If you’re flexible with delivery dates, you may qualify for discounts from your car shipper. Typically, transporting a vehicle from Miami to San Jose takes between seven and fifteen days. While flexibility can reduce costs, choosing expedited shipping guarantees faster delivery at a higher price.