Shipping Cost from St. Peters, Missouri to San Diego, California

The cost to ship a car from Missouri to California on a long-distance route usually lands between $1,246 and $1,865. Your total depends on distance, time of year, and transport options. See our full pricing breakdown. To get the best price, try to book in advance and compare multiple quotes.

It's usually cheaper to drive your car than to ship it, especially for shorter distances, as driving costs primarily involve fuel, while shipping adds significant professional fees and potentially higher insurance for the carrier. However, driving incurs hidden costs like wear-and-tear, depreciation, tolls, and your time, so for very long distances or if your car is unreliable, shipping might be worth the extra expense for convenience and safety, with costs varying greatly by distance, carrier, and vehicle type.

For long distances (500+ miles), shipping a car by train is generally cheaper and more eco-friendly, offering significant cost savings over trucks, though it's less flexible with fixed routes and station drop-offs. Truck transport provides more convenience and speed, with door-to-door service, but usually at a higher price, especially for longer hauls where rail's cost advantage widens.