Our team has been in the car shipping industry for a long time. We worked for some of the largest brokers and knew there was a better way to do things.

So we set out to create a company that would be different. We want to walk you through how the process works and we guarantee to match any price you hear from a competitor.

We’re a scrappy team that looks forward to earning your business.

Preparing your vehicle for the cross-country journey from New York City to San Francisco is simple but important. Here’s what you need to do:

Remove Personal Items: Take out all personal belongings, including toll passes (like E-ZPass), GPS devices, phone chargers, and any loose items. Carriers are not responsible for personal property.

Clean Your Car: Wash your vehicle inside and out. This helps you spot any existing damage during the pre-shipping inspection.

Document Everything: Take photos of your car from all angles, noting any scratches, dents, or wear. This protects you if issues arise.

Check Fluids and Battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank), oil, and brake fluid. Make sure the battery works and tires are properly inflated.

Disable Alarms: Turn off car alarms to prevent issues during transport.

Provide a Working Key: Give the carrier a spare key that starts the car and opens the doors.

For a complete checklist and more shipping tips, visit our Vehicle Shipping Guide. Following these steps ensures a smooth shipping experience from NYC to the Bay Area.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from New York City to San Francisco. All Sakaem Logistics carriers must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your cross-country shipment begins, we verify that your carrier’s insurance is active and valid. This protects your vehicle for the entire 2,900-mile journey from NYC to San Francisco.

What this means for you:

• Your car is covered against damage during loading, transport, and unloading
• Insurance is included in your quote – no extra fees
• We provide insurance certificates upon request

We recommend taking photos of your vehicle before pickup and reviewing the condition report with your driver. This helps document your car’s condition and makes any insurance claims smoother.

For shipping your car from New York City to San Francisco, we recommend booking at least 2-3 weeks in advance. Here’s why:

Best results: Booking 3-4 weeks ahead gives carriers time to plan routes and group shipments. This often means better prices and more reliable pickup dates.

Minimum time: Two weeks is the bare minimum. Less than this and you may face higher costs or limited carrier options.

Peak seasons: During busy times (summer months, holidays), book even earlier – up to 6 weeks ahead.

The NYC to San Francisco route is popular, so early booking helps carriers bundle your car with others heading west. This keeps your costs down and ensures smoother service.

We accept all forms of payment. We can arrange credit cards or arrange for you to pay the carrier directly through cash/certified check. We even accept payment via Cash/Zelle/Venmo.

Your shipment with SAKAEM includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or secured below the window line. If your shipment includes ocean transit (Hawaii shipments), your vehicle must be emptied of all items. SAKAEM and your assigned carrier are not responsible for personal items left inside your vehicle. See our Auto Transport Process Article for more details.

A designated (adult) must be present at pickup and delivery. This designated person plays an important role in the shipping process including documenting the state of the vehicle and signing the Bill of Lading, which acts as a receipt of the vehicle’s condition.

When shipping your car from New York City to San Francisco, you have two main transport options:

Open Auto Transport: Your vehicle travels on an open trailer exposed to weather and road conditions. This is the most popular choice because it costs less and works well for everyday cars. Most vehicles arrive in great condition despite being uncovered.

Enclosed Auto Transport: Your car rides inside a covered trailer, protected from weather, road debris, and dust. This option typically costs 40-60% more than open transport but provides maximum protection.

Choose enclosed transport if you have:

• Classic or vintage cars
• Luxury vehicles (BMW, Mercedes, etc.)
• Custom paint jobs or modifications
• Low-clearance sports cars

Choose open transport if you have:

• Standard daily-driver vehicles
• Trucks or SUVs
• A tight budget

For the NYC to San Francisco route (about 2,900 miles), both options are reliable. At Sakaem Logistics, we help you pick the right choice based on your car’s value and your budget, not what makes us the most money.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service from New York City, NY to San Francisco, CA. This service means we pick up your car right from your home or office and deliver it directly to your new address on the West Coast.

When you book with Sakaem Logistics, simply provide us with your pickup address in NYC and your delivery address in San Francisco. Our carrier will come to you – no need to drive to a terminal or depot.

Keep in mind that large car carriers can’t always access every street, especially in dense urban areas like Manhattan or hilly San Francisco neighborhoods. If your street has low bridges, tight turns, or parking restrictions, our driver will work with you to find a safe nearby location like a parking lot or wide street. This happens in less than 10% of shipments.

Door-to-door service typically costs $50-100 more than terminal-to-terminal shipping, but most customers find the convenience worth it for this cross-country route.

We transport sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, electric vehicles, vans and motorcycles across all 48 continental states + Hawaii. Our services even provide shipment for golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. We can ship vehicles that don’t run so long as the vehicle can roll, brake, and steer, and that you can provide the carrier with a key to the vehicle. The only exception is boats, which we do not transport.

Visit SAKAEM Logistics’ FAQ page to learn more about car shipping!