Preparing to transport your new 2024 Tesla Model Y from Austin, TX? Here’s a route that sees a lot of action! One of the best interstate shipping routes in America, the Texas to California corridor means your shipment should have a lot of carrier options and competitive pricing. Shipping an electric vehicle requires some special considerations.
The route
A distance by road from Austin to San Francisco is 1,760 miles. According to the federal Hours of Service rules, drivers cannot exceed 11 hours of driving within a single day. Consequently, carriers can only move for 400-500 miles each day. Your delivery is likely to take five to seven days.
Transit time is different from driving time. Car transporters normally collect between 7 and 10 vehicles on each trip, so additional days may be spent on scheduling both pickups and deliveries. As a rule, the last car collected will be delivered last because the last collected vehicle can arrive at the destination point faster.
When requesting a quote from the transporter, specify how much time the company will need to deliver your vehicle. A reliable transport company will provide you with an estimate of transit time but not guarantee any specific delivery date.
EV-Specific Preparation for the Tesla Model Y
For the 2024 Tesla Model Y, which is an all-electric vehicle, there are a few pre-pickup preparations that do not have to be done for a conventional automobile. The first is battery charge. Your battery charge should be somewhere from 45% to 65% before pickup. This will ensure that you have enough energy to load/unload the vehicle while driving less than a mile.
The key reason why the battery charge must be within this range is overheating. Lithium-ion batteries can get overheated when left at a high charge percentage of over 80% for several days in hot weather environments such as Texas and Nevada.
Here’s a checklist for preparing your Model Y prior to pick up:
- Ensure your battery is charged to 45%-65% prior to picking up your car
- Turn off the Sentry Mode as this will drain your battery during transportation
- Unplug any accessories using either USB or 12V ports
- Make sure you disable your auto toll system
- Get an additional set of keys and be prepared to hand it to the driver
- Wash your vehicle and take pictures of all parts of the vehicle including tires and windows before the car is picked up
- Empty out all of your belongings from the vehicle
It is important to note that the vehicle inspection at pickup will protect you in case of anything that might occur during shipment. Both the driver and yourself sign a Bill of Lading to certify the condition of the vehicle before its transportation.
Open vs. Enclosed
For a 2024 Tesla Model Y in standard condition, open transport is a practical and affordable choice. The route from Austin to San Francisco runs through major shipping corridors, so carriers are easy to find and loading is straightforward.
Enclosed transport makes more sense if your Model Y has a custom wrap, upgraded wheels or any exterior modifications that push its value beyond the standard retail price. It’s also worth considering if you prefer a fully sealed environment for the battery system during a multi-day warm-weather haul.
Hard-sided enclosed trailers provide better protection than soft-sided ones since the walls are solid rather than canvas. If you go the enclosed route, ask your carrier specifically whether they use hard-sided or soft-sided trailers.
Transport Summary
- Pickup: Austin, TX, 78759
- Delivery: San Francisco, CA, 94131
- Vehicle: 2024 Tesla Model Y
- Distance: 1760 miles
- Price: $1000 ($0.5 per-mile)
