Ship a Car from San Antonio to Los Angeles
Everything you need to know about auto transport from San Antonio, TX to Los Angeles, CA — pricing, transit times, seasonal tips, and how to get the best deal.
Distance
1,357 mi
Transit Time
4–6 days
Open Transport
$980 – $1,330
Enclosed Transport
$1,480 – $2,000
San Antonio to Los Angeles Auto Transport Overview
San Antonio to Los Angeles is a well-traveled Sun Belt corridor that runs along the I-10 through West Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before reaching Southern California. San Antonio's large military population — driven by Joint Base San Antonio, which includes Lackland, Randolph, and Fort Sam Houston — generates consistent demand for westbound vehicle shipments. The route is flat and direct, with carriers making the trip in four to six days under normal conditions. High freight volume on I-10 keeps rates competitive year-round.
Ranges shown are estimates from our published formula for a standard sedan in October, not quotes. Your price is set by the licensed auto transport company you choose and depends on your exact ZIPs, vehicle class, condition and pickup window. Get a free estimate for your specific vehicle and dates.
What Affects Pricing on This Route
Summer heat across the desert Southwest is the primary seasonal factor, with temperatures exceeding 110 degrees in parts of Arizona and West Texas. This rarely causes delays but is worth noting for temperature-sensitive vehicles. Winter offers mild weather along the entire route and often the best pricing. Spring sees a secondary demand bump from military PCS season, which runs March through August.
This route runs northbound. In our season table the lowest month is January ($950 – $1,290) and the highest is May ($1,090 – $1,710), a 25% swing on the same 1,357 mi. Flexible dates are the biggest lever you control.
How the October open-carrier estimate is built
- Distance
- 1,357 miroad miles (OpenStreetMap routing)
- Fixed charge
- $300Loading/unloading, dispatch and paperwork cost that does not scale with distance. Calibrated so a ~100-mile open sedan move lands near $400, consistent with published short-haul benchmarks (U.S. News, Forbes Advisor, ConsumerAffairs 2025-2026 car-shipping cost guides).
- Mileage cost
- $850Tiered marginal per-mile rates (see table)
- Diesel
- $6.18/gal (52-wk avg $4.78)EIA weekly U.S. diesel, week of 2026-10-12
- Fuel adjustment
- +6%0.206 fuel share × diesel change vs. 52-week average (ATRI 2026)
- Season
- October northbound: -5%Season × direction table
- Vehicle
- Sedan / coupe +0%Vehicle class table
- Transport
- Open carrier +0%Open vs. enclosed
- Pickup/delivery area
- Metro +0%Rural below 1,000 people/sq mi (2020 Census)
- Range
- $980 – $1,330 (mid-point ±15%, 1,357 mi)
| Vehicle class | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan / coupe | $980 – $1,330 | $1,480 – $2,000 |
| SUV / crossover | $1,100 – $1,490 | $1,650 – $2,240 |
| Pickup / large SUV | $1,230 – $1,670 | $1,850 – $2,500 |
| Van / minivan | $1,180 – $1,600 | $1,770 – $2,400 |
| Oversize / modified | $1,480 – $2,000 | $2,220 – $3,000 |
Formula v2026.09.2 · EIA U.S. diesel $6.18/gal, week of Oct 12, 2026, 52-week average $4.78 · October pricing · road miles from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM, © OpenStreetMap contributors).
Estimate, not a quote. Produced automatically by our published formula from public data; your price comes from the licensed auto transport partner you choose. How we estimate · Get your free estimate
Fuel: U.S. Energy Information Administration. Routing: © OpenStreetMap contributors (OSRM). ZIP locations: U.S. Census Bureau.
San Antonio to Los Angeles by month
| Month | Season | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -8% | $950 – $1,290 | $1,430 – $1,940 |
| February | typical demand | $1,040 – $1,400 | $1,550 – $2,100 |
| March | typical demand | $1,040 – $1,400 | $1,550 – $2,100 |
| April | +15% | $1,090 – $1,710 | $1,640 – $2,570 |
| May | +15% | $1,090 – $1,710 | $1,640 – $2,570 |
| June | +8% | $1,120 – $1,510 | $1,680 – $2,270 |
| July | +8% | $1,120 – $1,510 | $1,680 – $2,270 |
| August | +8% | $1,120 – $1,510 | $1,680 – $2,270 |
| September | typical demand | $1,040 – $1,400 | $1,550 – $2,100 |
| October (now) | -5% | $980 – $1,330 | $1,480 – $2,000 |
| November | -5% | $980 – $1,330 | $1,480 – $2,000 |
| December | -8% | $950 – $1,290 | $1,430 – $1,940 |
Formula v2026.09.2 · EIA U.S. diesel $6.18/gal, week of Oct 12, 2026, 52-week average $4.78 · October pricing · road miles from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM, © OpenStreetMap contributors).
Estimate, not a quote. Produced automatically by our published formula from public data; your price comes from the licensed auto transport partner you choose. How we estimate · Get your free estimate
Fuel: U.S. Energy Information Administration. Routing: © OpenStreetMap contributors (OSRM). ZIP locations: U.S. Census Bureau.
Open Transport
$980 – $1,330
The most popular and affordable option. Your vehicle rides on an open carrier alongside other vehicles. Ideal for standard cars, trucks, and SUVs.
Learn about open transport →Enclosed Transport
$1,480 – $2,000
Premium protection from weather, road debris, and other elements. Recommended for luxury, classic, exotic, or high-value vehicles.
Learn about enclosed transport →Tips for Shipping from San Antonio to Los Angeles
San Antonio is spread out, so provide your exact location — whether you are near the Loop 1604 area, inside Loop 410, or closer to one of the military installations. Carriers heading west on I-10 often pick up in Houston and San Antonio on the same run, so flexibility on your pickup date can land you a better rate. Make sure to remove toll transponders or switch them off to avoid charges on the Texas toll roads.
Before You Ship
- ✓Remove personal items from the vehicle (carriers are not liable for personal belongings)
- ✓Document your vehicle's condition with dated photos before pickup
- ✓Leave about a quarter tank of gas — enough for loading and unloading
- ✓Disable any toll transponders or aftermarket alarms
- ✓Make sure the vehicle starts, steers, and brakes (inoperable vehicles cost more)
San Antonio to Los Angeles Shipping FAQ
In October, our published formula estimates open transport from San Antonio, TX to Los Angeles, CA at $980 – $1,330 for a standard sedan and enclosed transport at $1,480 – $2,000, over 1,357 mi of road. These are estimates, not quotes: the price is set by the licensed auto transport company you choose and depends on your exact ZIPs, vehicle class, condition and pickup window. Get your free estimate and compare offers for your specific vehicle.
Transit time from San Antonio, TX to Los Angeles, CA is typically 4–6 days for the 1,357 mi route, allowing 350 to 500 miles a day plus a day at each end for pickup and delivery scheduling. This includes stops for fuel, rest, and other vehicle pickups and deliveries along the way. Weather, traffic, and seasonal demand can affect the exact timeline.
Open transport is the most popular choice for the San Antonio to Los Angeles route, estimated at $980 – $1,330 in October. It is suitable for most standard vehicles. Enclosed transport, estimated at $1,480 – $2,000, is recommended for luxury, classic, exotic, or high-value vehicles that need extra protection from weather and road debris over the 1,357 mi distance. Learn more about open transport and enclosed transport.
Summer heat across the desert Southwest is the primary seasonal factor, with temperatures exceeding 110 degrees in parts of Arizona and West Texas. This rarely causes delays but is worth noting for temperature-sensitive vehicles. Winter offers mild weather along the entire route and often the best pricing. Spring sees a secondary demand bump from military PCS season, which runs March through August.
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