Shipping a Car from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA
A 795-mile trip heading south, through Washington, Oregon and California: that is Seattle to San Francisco. That is around 16 hours of driving at car-hauler speeds; our transit estimate is 1–2 days after dispatch. Demand is moderate, so pickup windows are usually easy to fill.
What Seattle to San Francisco Costs
A sedan on an open trailer is priced at roughly $475–$675 on this corridor, or $0.72 for each of the 795 miles. SUVs and pickups usually add about 12% ($530–$755); enclosed sedan transport is $690–$980, roughly 45% more than open. Ending in San Jose instead (70 mi from San Francisco) is estimated at $505–$720. For scale, San Francisco, CA to Phoenix, AZ is a similar 777-mile move at $465–$660. Going the other way, San Francisco, CA to Seattle, WA is estimated at $485–$685.
| Service | Car Type | Typical Price | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $475–$675 | Standard choice for everyday cars |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $530–$755 | Bigger cars, same open trailers |
| Open | Minivan | $530–$755 | Bigger cars, same open trailers |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $690–$980 | Luxury, classic and low-clearance cars |
Prices shown are for a typical sedan; actual quotes vary with exact addresses, condition and season.
Timing and Seasonality
Nothing seasonal dominates this lane; late spring through early fall is usually easiest for a standard-rate carrier. For a 795-mile trip, request quotes about three weeks before pickup. Across Washington expect rain and snow on Snoqualmie Pass and the Cascades; across California, mild coastal weather but snow on the Sierra passes in winter.
The Route and Corridor
Along the way the route touches Washington, Oregon and California. In Oregon, I-5 runs north-south and I-84 follows the Columbia Gorge. California: I-5 and Highway 99 run the length of the Central Valley, and I-15 and I-10 cross the desert. Portland (OR) sit close to the corridor, which is why trucks often add or drop vehicles there.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in Seattle. Seattle has port activity, so imported or exported vehicles may need extra release time. The nearest major airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, is a common landmark for meeting a driver. Cold-season storms around Seattle can push pickup dates back by a day or two.
Delivery in San Francisco. San Francisco has port activity, so imported or exported vehicles may need extra release time. Peninsula city with steep, narrow streets where large trucks often meet customers at a nearby lot. The main approaches to San Francisco are I-280 and I-80. Tight streets mean a meet-up at a nearby wide lot is common.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Vet the carrier. Check the MC number on safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and get insurance terms in writing before paying a deposit.
- Compare nearby pickup points. Moving the handoff a short drive from Seattle can change the price on a 795-mile lane.
- Mention port status. If the car arrives from or leaves through a port near Seattle, say so when you request quotes.