Houston to San Francisco car shipping is $1,600 for a mid-size car on an open trailer, covering 1,930 miles in about 5 days. The same rate applies coming back from San Francisco. Bigger vehicles, a single fixed pickup day, or a delivery address up one of San Francisco's steeper blocks will push it higher. Enclosed trailers, non-running cars and oversized trucks are priced per vehicle.

About 5 days on the road once your car is collected, covering 1,930 miles. Pickup happens inside the date range you give us, so plan on a few extra days from booking to delivery. Federal hours-of-service rules limit how long a driver can be behind the wheel each day, which sets a practical floor on transit for a trip this length.

West on I-10 through San Antonio, West Texas, El Paso, Tucson and Phoenix, then north in Southern California — up I-5 over the Grapevine and Tejon Pass, straight up the Central Valley past Bakersfield and Fresno, and across to the Bay. I-10 is the southernmost transcontinental interstate in the country, which is why this lane holds its schedule when northern routes do not.

Barely. The one place worth knowing about is Tejon Pass north of Los Angeles, which sits at just over 4,000 feet and closes occasionally in winter storms — that can add a day. Everything else on the route is flat and low. Compared with the northern lanes, which cross Donner Pass and the Wyoming high plains, this one is the reliable winter option.

Yes. Pickup is coordinated across the metro, including Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Cypress, The Woodlands and Pasadena. Katy and Sugar Land were built wide and load at the curb easily. In the Heights, where the bungalow streets are narrower, we usually load a block or two away instead, at no extra charge.

Often not, and that is normal for the city rather than a problem. Streets like Filbert and parts of 22nd hit gradients no full-size carrier will attempt, and much of the older grid has no turning room. We normally hand the car over down in the flats or at a nearby lot — it takes a few minutes, costs nothing extra, and is far quicker than working a truck up those blocks. The East Bay, the Peninsula and Marin are all straightforward.

No. Your car never sits anywhere. It goes from your address straight onto the carrier and stays covered under Carrier Cargo Insurance for the entire trip. Our offices are where dispatchers book your transport and call you with updates, not storage yards. Fewer people handle your vehicle and there is no gap in coverage between pickup and delivery.

Open is what most cars travel on and what the price on this page is based on. It is the same kind of trailer that delivers new cars to dealerships. Enclosed puts your car inside, away from road spray and debris, and is usually chosen for luxury, classic, exotic or freshly painted cars. The Bay Area sees more enclosed bookings than most markets. We price it per vehicle rather than publishing a figure.

Yes, as long as the carrier has a winch or the right equipment. Non-running cars are priced separately from the rate on this page. Tell us the true condition when you ask for a quote and the right truck turns up first time, with your price unchanged.

No. Asking for a Houston to San Francisco car shipping quote does not put you on a call list. We only use what you give us to answer you directly, and we never sell it to anyone. You are welcome to call us, though, on 213-766-0064 in California or 888-709-9078 nationally.