Shipping Cost from San Francisco, California to Riverside, California

Driving is usually cheaper for shorter distances, but for long cross-country moves, the cost difference shrinks, and shipping often becomes more cost-effective when factoring in gas, food, lodging, wear-and-tear, and time, making it worth paying a carrier to avoid the hassle and expense of a long solo trip, though driving saves on carrier fees but adds travel time and costs.

Shipping a car 3000 miles typically costs $1,200 to over $2,000, varying widely by carrier, time of year, and transport type, with open transport being cheaper ($1,250-$1,800) than enclosed ($1,600-$2,000+), but always get specific quotes as prices decrease per mile for longer hauls.

The cheapest way to ship a car to another state is usually open transport on a multi-car carrier, combined with terminal-to-terminal service, booking during off-peak seasons, and comparing quotes from multiple companies like Montway or uShip to get the best rate. Driving it yourself is cheapest if feasible, but open transport is the most affordable external service.