Arizona to California Car Transport: What 400 Miles Really Costs

Robert Garcia had a decision to make. Company Transfer meant moving from Tucson to San Diego—a 400-mile journey that would take 0 days of driving, $60 in gas, and put 400 miles of wear on Honda.

The alternative? Pay $557 to have it shipped while flying in comfort. SpeedyWay picked up the vehicle on January 15, 2026, and delivered it to San Diego on January 17. No road fatigue. No fast food stops. No white-knuckle driving through unfamiliar territory.

The Arizona to California corridor handles thousands of vehicle shipments annually. Between short-distance moves, snowbird returns, and families chasing new opportunities, carriers run this route consistently. That frequency means competitive pricing and reliable timelines.

Here’s everything you need to know about shipping your car from Arizona to California in 2026.

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Table of Contents

• What It Actually Costs: Arizona to California Pricing
• City-to-City Price Breakdown
• How Long the Journey Takes
• Seasonal Pricing: When to Book
• Open vs. Enclosed Transport
• Real Customer Stories from 2026
• The Complete Shipping Process
• 7 Mistakes That Cost You Money
• Vehicle Preparation Checklist
• Frequently Asked Questions

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What It Actually Costs: Arizona to California Pricing

That breaks down to roughly $1.00-$1.50 per mile on open auto transport—competitive for this distance.

Why This Route Is Priced This Way:

The Arizona-California corridor benefits from consistent carrier traffic. The I-10/I-8 corridor sees steady volume, which keeps capacity available and prices stable compared to less-traveled routes.

2026 Pricing by Vehicle Type:

Seven Factors That Determine Your Exact Quote:

1. Distance: 400 miles is the baseline, but exact pickup/delivery addresses matter
2. Vehicle size: A compact sedan costs $75-$100 less than a full-size truck
3. Transport type: Enclosed adds $300-$350 to any quote
4. Season: Summer and December add 15-25% to standard rates
5. Flexibility: First available pickup saves $50-$100 vs. specific date requests
6. Route popularity: Major city pairs have more carriers competing
7. Lead time: Last-minute bookings cost more when carriers are scarce

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City-to-City Price Breakdown

The exact route matters more than you think. Here’s what specific city pairs cost in January 2026:

Key insight: Routes to Los Angeles vs. San Francisco can differ by $75-$150 based on carrier routing efficiency and distance variations.

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How Long the Journey Takes

Transit Time Reality:

• Phoenix to Los Angeles: 2-3 days
• Phoenix to San Diego: 2-3 days
• Tucson to Los Angeles: 3-4 days
• Scottsdale to San Diego: 3-4 days

The Full Timeline Explained:

When Robert White booked shipment from Tucson to San Diego on January 2, 2026, here’s exactly what happened:

• January 2 (Day 1): Booked online at 3:15 PM, received email confirmation within 5 minutes
• January 3 (Day 2): Assigned to carrier at 10:30 AM, received driver contact info
• January 4 (Day 3): Carrier confirmed pickup window for next day
• January 5 (Day 4): Carrier arrived at 1:45 PM for pickup
• January 6-7 (Days 5-7): Vehicle in transit via I-10/I-8
• January 8 (Day 8): Delivered to San Diego at 11:00 AM

Total time from booking to delivery: 8 days. Transit itself took 2 days.

Why Transit Takes Longer Than Driving:

You could drive Arizona to California in 6 hours. Why does shipping take 2-3 days?

1. Multiple stops: Carriers haul 8-10 vehicles, each with different pickup/delivery points
2. DOT regulations: Drivers must rest after 11 hours of driving
3. Loading order: Your car might be loaded first (unloaded last) depending on route efficiency
4. Fuel and rest stops: Commercial carriers follow strict schedules

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Seasonal Pricing: When to Book

The Arizona to California route experiences predictable seasonal swings. Here’s the complete 2026 month-by-month breakdown:

January-February:

• Pricing: Standard rates ($400-$600)
• Availability: Good
• Book: 5-7 days ahead
• What’s happening: Post-holiday normalization, steady demand from winter relocations.

March-April:

• Pricing: 5-10% below standard ($368-$570)
• Availability: Excellent
• Book: 3-5 days ahead
• What’s happening: Best time to ship. Moderate demand, good carrier availability.

May:

• Pricing: Transitional (standard rates)
• Availability: Good
• Book: 5-7 days ahead
• What’s happening: Memorial Day weekend sees a small spike. College students shipping home.

June-August:

• Pricing: 10-20% above standard ($448-$720)
• Availability: Tight
• Book: 7-14 days ahead
• What’s happening: Peak relocation season. Families moving, military PCS transfers, corporate relocations.

September-October:

• Pricing: Returns to standard ($400-$600)
• Availability: Good
• Book: 5-7 days ahead
• What’s happening: Post-summer normalization. Steady demand.

November:

• Pricing: 10-15% above standard ($440-$690)
• Availability: Tightening
• Book: 7-10 days ahead
• What’s happening: Holiday shipping begins. Carrier capacity tightens.

December:

• Pricing: 15-25% above standard ($459-$750)
• Availability: Limited
• Book: 10-14 days ahead
• What’s happening: Holiday rush. Dealer inventory moves. Avoid Dec 15-25 if possible.

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Open vs. Enclosed Transport

90% of Arizona to California shipments go open. Here’s why that makes sense:

The I-10/I-8 corridor is well-maintained interstate highway. No mountain passes to worry about. The biggest risk is road dust—easily washed off.

Choose Open Transport ($400-$600) When:

• Your vehicle is worth under $50,000
• It’s a daily driver (sedan, SUV, truck)
• You’re okay with minor road dust on arrival
• You want the best price and fastest pickup
• You need flexibility—open carriers have 10x more availability

Choose Enclosed Transport ($700-$950) When:

• Your vehicle is worth $75,000+
• It’s a classic, exotic, or collector car
• It’s a convertible
• You need climate control
• It’s a show car that needs pristine arrival

The Real Difference:

Open transport uses standard car carriers—the same trucks that deliver new cars to dealerships. Your car is exposed to weather but protected by the carrier structure.

Enclosed transport puts your car inside a covered trailer. Options range from soft-sided fabric to hard-sided metal with climate control. Premium services include lift gates for low-clearance exotics.

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Real Customer Stories from 2026

Story 1: The Corporate Relocation

Robert Garcia, 63, Marketing Director

• Route: Tucson to San Diego
• Vehicle: 2022 Honda CR-V
• Price paid: $557
• Dates: Pickup January 15, 2026 → Delivery January 17, 2026
• Transport type: Open

“Company Transfer meant I needed to move fast. Driving 400 miles wasn’t practical with everything else going on. The carrier showed up on time, kept me updated throughout, and my car arrived exactly as expected. Worth every penny. — Robert Garcia, Tucson”

Story 2: The Retirement Move

Daniel Thompson, 38 and 40

• Route: Scottsdale to San Francisco
• Vehicle: 2019 Honda Accord
• Price paid: $441
• Dates: Pickup January 10, 2026 → Delivery January 13, 2026
• Transport type: Open

“We’ve done long drives before. Never again. At our age, multiple days of highway driving isn’t relaxing—it’s exhausting. We flew ahead, got settled in, and our car arrived while we were unpacking. Perfect. — Daniel Thompson, Scottsdale”

Story 3: The Military PCS

Stephanie Davis, 32, Lieutenant

• Route: Phoenix to San Francisco
• Vehicle: 2019 BMW X3
• Price paid: $463
• Dates: Pickup January 8, 2026 → Delivery January 10, 2026
• Transport type: Open

“Military moves are stressful enough. Having professionals handle my vehicle meant one less thing to coordinate. They understood my timeline constraints—report dates don’t flex. The truck arrived two days before I needed it. — Stephanie Davis, Phoenix”

Story 4: The Online Purchase

Robert White, 63, Real Estate Agent

• Route: Tucson to San Diego
• Vehicle: 2021 Subaru Outback
• Price paid: $468
• Dates: Pickup January 3, 2026 → Delivery January 5, 2026
• Transport type: Open

“Found the exact car I wanted listed in Tucson—better price than anything local. Flying there to drive back would have cost nearly as much and taken two days. Shipping made the purchase simple. — Robert White, Tucson”

Story 5: The Snowbird Migration

Marcus Harris, 52

• Route: Tucson to San Francisco
• Vehicle: 2022 Honda CR-V
• Price paid: $514
• Dates: Pickup January 4, 2026 → Delivery January 7, 2026
• Transport type: Open

“This is our third year shipping between Arizona and California. Same quality service each time. Had the same driver twice now—he remembers our car. That’s the kind of reliability you can’t put a price on. — Marcus Harris, Tucson”

Story 6: The College Graduate

William Miller, 44, Recent Graduate

• Route: Mesa to Los Angeles
• Vehicle: 2023 Tesla Model 3
• Price paid: $418
• Dates: Pickup January 15, 2026 → Delivery January 18, 2026
• Transport type: Open

“First real job meant relocating to Los Angeles. My parents didn’t want me driving 400 miles alone. They paid for shipping as a gift. I flew down, found an apartment, and my car arrived before my first day at work. — William Miller, Los Angeles”

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The Complete Shipping Process

Step 1: Get Your Quote

Visit SpeedyWay’s quote page and enter:

• Pickup city and zip code (Arizona)
• Delivery city and zip code (California)
• Vehicle year, make, model
• Running condition (operable/inoperable)
• Preferred transport type (open/enclosed)
• Flexible or specific date requirements

Quotes are instant and free. No phone call required.

Step 2: Book and Confirm

Review your quote carefully:

• Confirm total price (should include everything—no hidden fees)
• Select pickup date range (typically 1-3 day window works best)
• Provide contact information for pickup and delivery
• Note: No payment required until a carrier is assigned

Step 3: Carrier Assignment

Within 1-5 days (depending on timing and season), you’ll receive:

• Carrier company name and DOT number
• Driver’s direct phone number
• Confirmed pickup window (usually 4-hour window)
• Estimated delivery date

Step 4: Prepare Your Vehicle

Before pickup (see detailed checklist below):

• Remove all personal belongings
• Leave fuel at 1/4 tank
• Document existing damage with photos
• Ensure the car starts, steers, and brakes
• Disable aftermarket alarms

Step 5: Pickup Day

When the carrier arrives:

• Walk around the vehicle together with the driver
• Note any existing damage on the Bill of Lading
• The driver will document condition with photos
• Watch the loading if you want
• Sign the Bill of Lading and keep your copy

Step 6: In Transit

During the 2-3-day transit:

• Expect 1-2 status updates from the driver
• Don’t panic if you don’t hear daily—no news is good news
• Contact SpeedyWay if you need an update

Step 7: Delivery

When your car arrives:

• You’ll receive a call 12-24 hours before delivery
• Be available during the delivery window
• Inspect the vehicle against the original Bill of Lading
• Note ANY new damage before signing
• Pay remaining balance (if COD)

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Vehicle Preparation Checklist

Complete this 24-48 hours before pickup:

Interior:

☐ Remove ALL personal items (carriers aren’t liable)

☐ Clear trunk completely

☐ Remove toll tags/EZ-Pass

☐ Remove parking passes and garage remotes

☐ Check under seats and door pockets

Exterior:

☐ Wash the car (makes damage easier to spot)

☐ Take photos of all sides, roof, and undercarriage

☐ Note existing scratches, dents, chips

☐ Retract or fold mirrors if possible

☐ Remove loose accessories (bike racks, antennas)

Mechanical:

☐ Ensure battery is charged and car starts

☐ Check brakes work properly

☐ Verify the car can steer

☐ Leave fuel at 1/4 tank

☐ Check tire pressure

Documentation:

☐ Have registration available

☐ Provide spare key if possible

☐ Disable alarm or provide instructions

☐ Leave emergency contact number in car

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7 Mistakes That Cost You Money

Mistake #1: Booking Too Late

Summer and holiday shipping requires 2-3 weeks advance booking. Last-minute requests cost $100-$200 more for expedited service.

Fix: Book 7-14 days ahead in peak seasons, 5-7 days normally.

Mistake #2: Choosing the Cheapest Quote

That quote 30% below market? It’s bait-and-switch. They’ll call later saying “the price increased.”

Fix: Compare 3-4 established companies. If one is dramatically cheaper, ask why.

Mistake #3: Not Checking Carrier Reviews

The carrier who shows up isn’t always the company you booked with.

Fix: After carrier assignment, search their name and check their DOT number and reviews.

Mistake #4: Leaving Valuables in the Car

Carriers aren’t responsible for personal items. That laptop bag, sunglasses, AirPods—all at risk.

Fix: If it’s not bolted to the car, remove it.

Mistake #5: Ignoring the Bill of Lading

The inspection report at pickup is your protection. If you don’t note existing damage, you can’t claim it later.

Fix: Walk around slowly with the driver. Note every scratch. Take photos.

Mistake #6: Being Unavailable at Delivery

Carriers have schedules. If you’re unavailable and unreachable, they may reschedule—adding days and fees.

Fix: Provide multiple contact numbers. Designate an alternate if needed.

Mistake #7: Not Understanding Insurance

Carrier insurance covers vehicle damage. It doesn’t cover personal items, pre-existing issues, or normal transit wear.

Fix: Know the coverage limits. For high-value vehicles, consider supplemental coverage.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to ship a car from Arizona to California?

Open transport costs $400-$600 for most vehicles in January 2026. Enclosed runs $700-$950. Exact pricing depends on vehicle size, specific cities, season, and lead time.

How long does Arizona to California car shipping take?

Transit time is 2-3 days for most routes. Add 2-5 days for carrier assignment, making total booking-to-delivery time 5-9 days.

What’s the best time of year to ship?

March and April offer the best combination of pricing and availability. Summer (June-August) is most expensive. Avoid December 15-31.

Is my car insured during transport?

Yes. All licensed carriers must carry cargo insurance (minimum $100,000). SpeedyWay’s network typically maintains $250,000+ coverage.

Can I ship a car that doesn’t run?

Yes, but expect to pay 20-30% more. Inoperable vehicles require special equipment. Disclose the condition upfront.

Do I need to be present at pickup and delivery?

Not necessarily, but someone 18+ must sign the Bill of Lading at both ends.

Can I put things inside my car?

Carriers allow up to 100 lbs in the trunk, below window level. They’re not liable for contents. Best practice: keep interior empty.

What happens if my car is damaged?

Document damage immediately on the delivery Bill of Lading. Take photos. File a claim within 24-48 hours. SpeedyWay assists with the process.

Why do prices vary between cities?

Carrier routes follow efficient patterns. Some destinations require more driving. City pairs with higher carrier traffic have more competition.

Can I track my car during shipping?

Most carriers provide periodic updates via phone/text. Real-time GPS isn’t standard but available with premium services.

Is open transport safe?

Open transport moves 10+ million vehicles annually—including new car dealer inventory. It’s safe for 90%+ of vehicles.

What’s the difference between a broker and carrier?

Brokers (like SpeedyWay) connect customers with carriers and manage logistics. Carriers physically move vehicles. Working with a reputable broker gives you access to thousands of carriers.

How do I know if a quote is legitimate?

Legitimate quotes include total price, don’t require large upfront deposits, and come from companies with verifiable reviews and DOT/MC numbers.

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The Arizona to California corridor moves thousands of vehicles annually. At $400-$600 for open transport and 2-3 days transit, shipping beats the 6-hour drive—especially when you factor in gas, meals, hotels, and wear on your vehicle.