Shipping a Car from San Francisco, CA to Orlando, FL
San Francisco, CA to Orlando, FL is a 2,900-mile eastbound route that runs across 11 states, from California to Florida. Transit after dispatch is about 5–8 days (58 hours of driving, plus stops). Demand is moderate, so pickup windows are usually easy to fill.
The Route and Corridor
A carrier on this lane works through California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. New Mexico: I-25, I-40 and I-10 climb above 5,000 feet in places. Oklahoma: I-35, I-40 and I-44 cross, and turnpikes are tolled. Expect heavy snow on the Wasatch Front and mountain passes in Utah. Metros near that straight-line path include San Jose (CA), Santa Fe (NM) and Jackson (MS), although the actual interstate routing may bend around them. Pickup is on Pacific time and delivery on Eastern time, so a driver's call can come an hour off your clock. Toll roads in Texas, Oklahoma and Florida are built into carrier pricing.
Timing and Seasonality
Southbound traffic into Orlando peaks from October to December, so book earlier in the fall and expect firmer prices. Mountain passes along the way can close in winter storms, adding a day or two between December and March. From June to November, tropical weather can force carriers to reroute near the coast, so leave a few spare days. Desert heat rarely stops trucks, but midday loading can be hard, so early-morning pickups are common. For a 2,900-mile trip, request quotes about four weeks before pickup. Across California expect mild coastal weather but snow on the Sierra passes in winter; across Florida, afternoon thunderstorms and hurricane season from June to November.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in San Francisco. A working port in the San Francisco area means customs and terminal release can affect timing for some vehicles. Trucks working San Francisco lean on I-280 and I-80. The nearest major airport, San Francisco International Airport, is a common landmark for meeting a driver. Expect to meet the driver at an open lot because of street and tunnel limits.
Delivery in Orlando. The nearest major airport, Orlando International Airport, is a common landmark for meeting a driver. The main approaches to Orlando are I-4. Central Florida tourism and relocation hub on I-4, very busy in snowbird season.
What San Francisco to Orlando Costs
A sedan on an open trailer is priced at roughly $1,160–$1,740 on this lane, or $0.50 for each of the 2,900 miles. Fixed costs spread thinly over this many miles, which pulls the rate down. Enclosed shipping adds about 45% ($1,680–$2,525), while SUV and truck surcharges bring open pricing to $1,300–$1,950. For scale, Orlando, FL to Tacoma, WA is a similar 3,029-mile move at $1,210–$1,815. Delivery to Tampa, 86 miles from Orlando, would be $1,140–$1,710. Loading in San Jose, about 70 miles from San Francisco, is within a few dollars at $1,145–$1,720.
| Trailer | Car Type | Typical Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $1,160–$1,740 | Budget-friendly default |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $1,300–$1,950 | Larger vehicles, same trailers |
| Open | Minivan | $1,300–$1,950 | Larger vehicles, same trailers |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $1,680–$2,525 | High-value or low cars |
Prices shown are for a typical sedan; actual quotes vary with exact addresses, condition and season.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Plan the meeting point. In San Francisco, agree early on a wide lot because curbside loading is often impossible.
- Ask for a call-ahead. Request a heads-up several hours before the truck reaches Orlando.
- Compare nearby pickup points. Moving the handoff a short drive from San Francisco can change the price on a 2,900-mile lane.