Car Shipping from Los Angeles, CA to San Diego, CA

Fully insured, door-to-door auto transport. No deposit until your carrier is confirmed. 5-star rated.

Distance
136 mi
Transit Time
1-2 days
Estimated Cost
$250–$550
Major Hub

Shipping from Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles is one of the biggest auto transport markets in the world, not just the country. The Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach together are the largest vehicle import gateways in North America. Carriers run in and out of this market constantly. There are multiple Manheim locations across the metro including Manheim Los Angeles and Manheim Southern California, plus ADESA and dozens of independent auction locations. The dealer density across LA, Orange County, the Inland Empire, and San Fernando Valley is massive. If you are shipping to or from anywhere in the greater LA area, carriers have plenty of reasons to be here.

Pickups in LA typically happen within 1 to 3 days. The metro is so large that pickup location matters. Carriers generally prefer Inland Empire staging areas, San Fernando Valley, or the South Bay over deep Hollywood or West LA because of traffic and access. That said we move cars from all over the metro regularly. If you are flexible on pickup timing by even a day or two it helps us match you with a carrier already running your direction. Give us your zip code when you quote and we will give you a real timeframe.

High Volume

Arriving in San Diego, CA

San Diego is a strong and active auto transport market with some unique advantages. I-5 runs straight through the city connecting it to Los Angeles 120 miles north and to the Mexican border at San Ysidro. I-15 heads inland and north toward Riverside and Las Vegas. Carriers running the LA to San Diego corridor are constant because there is always demand in both directions. Auction activity is real here. Manheim San Diego operates out of Oceanside at the north end of the county. ADESA San Diego is located near the border in Otay Ranch. Copart and IAA both have San Diego locations as well. Add in the military presence from Camp Pendleton, MCAS Miramar, and NAS Coronado and you have a steady drumbeat of military relocation shipments year round. This is a solid, dependable market.

Deliveries to San Diego are generally smooth. Carriers on I-5 from the north have a natural endpoint here, and many load up in LA to fill the last slots with San Diego cars. Neighborhoods with wide streets and good access are easiest. If you are in downtown or near the Gaslamp Quarter, carriers may ask to deliver nearby rather than navigate the parking situation. Hillcrest and North Park are manageable. The North County cities like Escondido, Vista, and Oceanside are easy delivers and often match up with carrier routes heading back north.

Pricing on This Route

Shipping a standard sedan from Los Angeles to San Diego on open carrier currently estimates between $250 and $550. That is based on the 136-mile distance and current market conditions.

LA usually runs at or slightly below the national average on cost per mile, especially on popular lanes like LA to Phoenix, LA to Las Vegas, and LA to the Bay Area. Where costs go up is on long haul routes back to the Midwest or Southeast because carriers need to fill their truck heading home. Summer sees elevated prices as people relocate. January through March is often the best time to ship if cost is the priority. Get a quote for your specific route.

San Diego runs close to the national average on most routes. The LA to San Diego lane is one of the most competitive short hauls in the country because carriers are constantly running it. Longer routes like San Diego to Phoenix, Las Vegas, or the Pacific Northwest are very active and priced well. Routes to the Midwest or East Coast price similarly to LA because carriers use I-5 or I-40 to get there and San Diego is a natural first or last stop. Military PCS season in the spring and summer can push prices up slightly as demand spikes. Get a quote to see your exact price.

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