San Diego to Tampa Car Shipping
Written by Richard Avery, President of Smart Auto Move · USDOT 2887232 · MC 969368
Shipping a car from San Diego to Tampa costs $1,500 to $1,650 on an open trailer. The trip is about 2,450 miles and takes six to eight days on the road. It runs almost entirely on Interstate 10 and I-75, and our staffed Kissimmee office is about 80 miles from Tampa at the delivery end.
San Diego to Tampa car shipping prices
Running mid-size vehicle on an open trailer, reviewed September 2026. The lower rows are the rate card lanes this price is worked from.
| Route | Distance | Days on the road | Open transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego to Tampa Bay | 2,450 miles | 6 to 8 days | $1,500 to $1,650 |
| Los Angeles to Kissimmee and Orlando OUR WORKING | 2,552 miles | 7 to 9 days | $1,425 to $1,575 |
| San Diego to Fort Lauderdale OUR WORKING | 2,600 miles | 7 to 9 days | $1,525 to $1,675 |
| Bakersfield to Tampa OUR WORKING | 2,620 miles | 7 to 9 days | $1,575 to $1,725 |
These are estimates, not fixed prices. Diesel is the biggest cost of hauling a car and its price moves, so we review these ranges as the market changes. The days shown are road time after your pickup window. Enclosed runs about 80 percent more than open. Non-running cars load by winch, which adds $200 or more. See how our national bands work.
How we priced San Diego to Tampa
Our rate card has three lanes from Southern California to Central and South Florida. San Diego to Tampa sits right among them.
Los Angeles to Orlando is the low one, at $1,425 to $1,575. Los Angeles sends more cars east than any city on the West Coast, so its trucks fill fast. Bakersfield to Tampa is the high one, at $1,575 to $1,725, because Bakersfield is farther from the main freight routes. San Diego to Fort Lauderdale lands between them.
San Diego to Tampa is a little shorter than all three, and it shares their road. That puts it at $1,500 to $1,650. When your quote comes back, expect it inside that range.
San Diego to Tampa Car Shipping Questions
What customers moving a car from San Diego County to Tampa Bay ask us most.
What does San Diego to Tampa car shipping cost?
Plan on $1,500 to $1,650 for a running mid-size car on an open trailer. That is door to door, from San Diego County to anywhere around Tampa Bay.
How long will it take?
Six to eight days on the road for about 2,450 miles. The pickup window comes first: six days on Standard or three on Expedited.
How did you arrive at that price?
From three nearby lanes on our rate card. Los Angeles to Orlando runs $1,425 to $1,575, San Diego to Fort Lauderdale $1,525 to $1,675, and Bakersfield to Tampa $1,575 to $1,725. Tampa from San Diego sits in the middle.
Is Tampa more expensive than Orlando from Southern California?
Only slightly. Tampa is about 85 miles west of Orlando on I-4, and the two share most of the same trucks. Expect a small step up at most.
Which route does the truck follow?
I-8 out of San Diego to Gila Bend, then Interstate 10 through Tucson, El Paso, Houston, New Orleans and Tallahassee. Near Lake City the truck turns south on I-75 for the last 200 miles to Tampa.
Does hurricane season change anything?
Sometimes by a day or two. The Atlantic season runs June to November, and when a storm heads for the Gulf Coast, drivers wait until roads are clear. We keep you posted.
When is the easiest time to book?
Late spring and summer. October through December is busy, since many cars head to Florida for the winter, so book three weeks ahead then.
Where in San Diego County can you collect my car?
All of them, including San Diego, Chula Vista, National City, El Cajon, La Mesa, Poway, Escondido, Carlsbad and Oceanside.
Where around Tampa Bay do you deliver?
Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Wesley Chapel, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo and Lakeland, plus the rest of the Bay area.
Can you deliver to St. Petersburg or Clearwater?
Yes. The truck crosses the bay on the Howard Frankland or Gandy Bridge. A Tampa or Brandon address is right on the truck's path, so it is the easiest to schedule if you have a choice.
Do you ship cars to MacDill Air Force Base?
Yes. Many cars on this lane go from San Diego's Navy bases to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. Give us the earliest and latest dates on your orders, and we schedule pickup between them.
Is there a Smart Auto Move office near Tampa?
Yes. Our staffed Kissimmee office is about 80 miles east of Tampa, and our staffed Los Angeles office supports San Diego pickups.
What is the Florida registration deadline?
Ten days after you become a Florida resident. Buy Florida insurance first, then get a VIN check on form 82042.
Will my car need a smog check in Florida?
No. Florida has no emissions test.
Is door-to-door included?
Yes. Every quote includes it.
Should I choose open or enclosed?
Open works for most daily drivers. Enclosed suits a classic, a low sports car or fresh paint, at about 80 percent more.
My car won't start. Can you still ship it?
Yes, on a truck with a winch. Expect about $200 or more on top of the running price.
What does Expedited do?
It cuts the pickup window to three days. The drive takes the same time.
Can a second car come along?
Yes. Two cars going to one Tampa Bay address can often ride together.
Can I pack things in the car?
Usually yes, within reason. A few boxes in the trunk, up to about 100 pounds, work well. Carrier Cargo Insurance covers the car, not the contents.
How do I prepare my car?
Give it a wash, take dated photos of each side, run the tank down to about a quarter, switch off the alarm and pull your FasTrak.
Who insures my car?
The carrier, through Carrier Cargo Insurance, from pickup in San Diego to delivery in Tampa. We send you the certificate once the truck is assigned.
Who picks my carrier?
We pick one from our vetted network of over 16,000 carriers. All of them have active FMCSA authority and insurance on file.
How can I check Smart Auto Move?
USDOT 2887232 and MC 969368 are both listed on SAFER, the FMCSA's free site.
Is it better to drive?
The drive is about 35 hours, or five days with rest, hotels and fuel. Shipping gives you those days back and saves 2,450 miles of wear.
Can my price change after I book?
It holds. The Smart Price Promise means the price we quote is the price you pay, as long as the car, route, condition and shipping details stay the same.
What information do you need?
The pickup and delivery zip codes, your car's year, make and model, whether it starts, and the date it is ready. Fill in the form at the top or call 888-709-9078.
Pacific to the Gulf on I-10 and I-75
The truck leaves San Diego on I-8 and joins Interstate 10 at Gila Bend. It follows I-10 through Tucson, El Paso, Houston and New Orleans, then along the Gulf Coast to Tallahassee.
Near Lake City, it turns south on I-75 and runs the last 200 miles into Tampa. This southern route runs year round. From June to November, which is hurricane season, a day or two of flex covers any storm.
Book three weeks ahead from October through December, when many cars head to Florida for the winter. Our guide to how long car shipping takes walks through the timeline.
Delivery across Tampa Bay
We pick up across San Diego County, from Chula Vista and National City to Poway, Escondido, Carlsbad and Oceanside.
We deliver to Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Wesley Chapel, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo and Lakeland. Tampa and Brandon sit right on I-75 and I-4, so they are the easiest stops. For St. Petersburg and Clearwater, the truck crosses the bay on the Howard Frankland or Gandy Bridge.
Military families moving to MacDill Air Force Base in South Tampa can check our military discount. Our staffed Kissimmee office is about 80 miles east, and our staffed Los Angeles office supports San Diego pickups.
Making your car a Florida car
New Florida residents have 10 days to register. Buy Florida insurance, then have a notary, a licensed Florida dealer or a police officer complete the VIN check on form 82042. Florida has no emissions test, so that is the whole list.
Our California to Florida page covers other Florida cities.
Open, enclosed or expedited to Tampa
Open trailers carry most cars on this lane at the best price. Enclosed suits a classic, a low sports car or fresh paint, and keeps summer storms and salt air off the finish, at about 80 percent more.
Expedited brings the pickup window down to three days. Students can see our college student discount, and the open and enclosed guide compares trailer types.
Who carries and insures your car to Tampa
Your car travels with a carrier from our vetted network of over 16,000. Each carrier holds active FMCSA authority with insurance on file, and we look at equipment and service history before assigning your car.
Carrier Cargo Insurance, the carrier's own policy, covers the car from loading in San Diego to delivery in Tampa, and we email the certificate once your truck is set. You can look us up on SAFER at USDOT 2887232, MC 969368.
What our customers report
Reviews from customers across our offices and service areas, Florida included. There are more on our BBB profile, where we hold an A+ rating and have been accredited since 2016.
Crystal Evans was very helpful.
More San Diego and Florida car shipping pages
Related routes and guides.