Shipping a Car from San Francisco, CA to Colorado Springs, CO
A 1,136-mile trip heading east, through California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado: that is San Francisco to Colorado Springs. Allow 2–3 days after pickup, in line with roughly 23 hours of highway time. This lane sees steady, moderate demand.
What San Francisco to Colorado Springs Costs
Over 1,136 miles, a standard sedan on open transport runs $680–$965 ($0.72 per mile). For a larger vehicle plan on $760–$1,080, and for enclosed carriage of a sedan plan on $985–$1,400 (about 45% above open). A comparable-length trip, Orlando, FL to Austin, TX (1,190 mi), is priced at $715–$1,010. Ending in Denver instead (66 mi from Colorado Springs) is estimated at $675–$960. Loading in San Jose, about 70 miles from San Francisco, is within a few dollars at $665–$945.
| Service | Car Type | Typical Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $680–$965 | Lowest cost, most common |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $760–$1,080 | Taller, heavier vehicles |
| Open | Minivan | $760–$1,080 | Taller, heavier vehicles |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $985–$1,400 | High-value or low cars |
Estimates are for a standard sedan; your quote depends on pickup and drop-off points, condition and season.
Timing and Seasonality
Colorado Springs has a large military community, so summer permanent-change-of-station season (about May to August) tightens carrier space. Mountain passes along the way can close in winter storms, adding a day or two between December and March. Desert heat rarely stops trucks, but midday loading can be hard, so early-morning pickups are common. For a 1,136-mile trip, request quotes about three weeks before pickup. Across California expect mild coastal weather but snow on the Sierra passes in winter; across Colorado, heavy mountain snow on I-70 and Front Range storms.
The Route and Corridor
Along the way the route touches California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado. Colorado: I-70 climbs through the Rockies near the Eisenhower Tunnel while I-25 runs the Front Range. In Nevada, I-15 and I-80 span big gaps between services. California: I-5 and Highway 99 run the length of the Central Valley, and I-15 and I-10 cross the desert. Sacramento (CA) sit close to the corridor, which is why trucks often add or drop vehicles there. Pickup is on Pacific time and delivery on Mountain time, so a driver's call can come an hour off your clock.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in San Francisco. The nearest major airport, San Francisco International Airport, is a common landmark for meeting a driver. 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. Expect to meet the driver at an open lot because of street and tunnel limits.
Delivery in Colorado Springs. Major military community around Fort Carson and the Air Force Academy, on I-25 below the Rockies. Colorado Springs Airport is the usual reference point for staging in the area. Colorado Springs has a sizeable service-member population, so permanent-change-of-station season matters.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Be flexible on the date. A four-day pickup window lets dispatchers slot your car into a load heading east.
- Vet the carrier. Check the MC number on safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and get insurance terms in writing before paying a deposit.
- Mention military orders. Service members should say so when quoting; some carriers hold space for orders-driven moves.