LiveTheVanLife · Getting your van to the workshop
Van shipping to
& from La Paz.
Enclosed vehicle transport between Tijuana and La Paz, with help planning the journey around your restoration.
Can’t make the drive? You can still bring your van to us.
We love the drive through Baja, but we understand that time, distance, or your van’s condition can make it impractical. Shipping can help you get a restoration project to our La Paz workshop, bring a completed van back north, or make a one-way Baja road trip possible.
We work with an independent vehicle transport company offering enclosed trailer transport between Tijuana and La Paz. Start by contacting us so we can match the transport arrangements to your vehicle and workshop booking.
Tijuana to La Paz. Or back again.
The service described here runs between the carrier’s Tijuana location, near the Otay Mesa border crossing on the Mexican side, and La Paz. We can help coordinate the La Paz arrangements with your workshop appointment.
You can ship in either direction, ship both ways, or combine shipping with driving. Confirm the exact drop-off and collection locations, receiving hours, and any local transfers before setting off.
Tijuana → La Paz
MXN $25,000Each-way reference price · June 2026
La Paz → Tijuana
MXN $25,000Each-way reference price · June 2026
These are the prices previously published as of June 2026, retained as a budgeting reference. They are subject to change and are not a current quotation. Ask us to confirm the carrier’s price, availability, payment arrangements, and exactly what is included for your van before booking.
Plan the border leg separately
A Tijuana–La Paz transport quote does not by itself confirm collection in the U.S. or Canada, a border-crossing service, or delivery to your home. If you need help getting the van to Tijuana, tell us where it is and what assistance you need so the options can be checked before you commit.
How to arrange shipping.
Tell us about the van and your plans
Send the year, make and model, current location, preferred direction, approximate dates, and the work you would like us to do. Include recent photos and explain whether it starts, drives, steers, brakes, and rolls freely.
Confirm the vehicle and the arrangements
Check acceptance, dimensions, loading requirements, the current quote, transport terms, and the expected schedule. Tell us about high roofs, roof racks, cargo boxes, lifted or lowered suspension, and other modifications that may affect loading or trailer clearance.
Prepare and document the handover
Agree the receiving appointment, required paperwork, keys, and contact person. Photograph the van, record its condition, and confirm which belongings the carrier will accept before leaving anything inside.
Coordinate arrival in La Paz
Keep us informed when the van has been handed over and when the carrier expects it to arrive. Delivery and the workshop receiving appointment need to be coordinated; an estimated arrival is not automatically a confirmed restoration start date.
We recommend letting us help coordinate because we know the carrier and your workshop plans. If you prefer to arrange transport directly, contact us for the carrier’s details and keep us informed of the agreed delivery arrangements.
Build flexibility into the journey.
Allow for the carrier’s schedule
Our previous experience has ranged from a few days to a week or more. Treat this as a broad planning guide, not a promised delivery window. Departure availability, loading, route conditions, weather, and other delays can affect the overall time.
Ask whether a timing estimate starts when you drop off the van or when the trailer departs. Also confirm whether a quoted arrival means arrival at the carrier’s location or delivery to the workshop.
Keep your own travel separate
Arrange flights, hotels, border travel, and onward transport around confirmed appointments. Avoid relying on an estimated van arrival for a tight connection or a fixed departure.
For a completed restoration, wait for us to confirm readiness before making collection plans. Our flying guide covers arrival options, and our vehicle-storage page explains storage if your dates do not line up. Confirm availability in advance.
A practical shipping checklist.
A clear handover helps everyone know what is traveling, how the van should be handled, and what its condition was before loading.
Vehicle & loading
- Provide accurate dimensions, including roof equipment and external accessories.
- Disclose starting problems, fluid leaks, brake or steering faults, a flat battery, or anything that affects movement.
- Confirm the carrier’s instructions for fuel level, batteries, propane systems, alarms, and isolators.
- Secure the pop-top, windows, doors, cabinets, and loose interior fittings as appropriate.
- Ask how to protect or remove vulnerable accessories such as antennas, mirrors, racks, and externally mounted equipment.
- Label keys and provide simple operating instructions for any unusual controls.
Records & belongings
- Take dated photos of all sides, the roof where safely visible, bumpers, glass, wheels, and the interior.
- Record existing marks or damage and keep a copy of the carrier’s handover paperwork.
- Remove valuables, personal documents, medication, and nonessential belongings.
- Get approval for anything left inside and supply a written personal-items inventory; take photos as a supplement.
- Confirm the ownership, registration, identification, and authorization documents required for your arrangement.
- Save the quote, agreed locations, contact details, and any specific loading instructions.
Non-running vans need advance agreement
Shipping may be an option for a van that cannot make the drive, but acceptance is not automatic. Tell us exactly what works and what does not. The carrier must confirm the equipment, access, and loading plan before the vehicle is delivered.
Know who is moving your van.
The transport company operates independently of LiveTheVanLife. We can help with communication and logistics, but we do not operate its trucks or control its scheduling and handling. Enclosed transport still involves loading, unloading, and vehicle movement.
Our experience has generally been positive, but there have been instances of scratches and damaged antennas. We want you to have that context and to understand the carrier’s terms before deciding to ship.
Confirm cover before booking
Ask the carrier what insurance or liability cover applies to your vehicle, its declared value, accessories, and accepted contents. Request the limits, exclusions, deductible, and claim procedure in writing. Confirm with your own insurer whether any cover applies during this transport.
Check condition at each handover
Compare the van with the departure photos and condition record. Record any concerns on the handover paperwork and notify the carrier promptly, following its claim procedure. Keep photographs and supporting documents, and let us know if the issue affects workshop receiving or collection.
Review the carrier’s current transport terms separately from your restoration agreement. Ask questions before handing over the keys if the price, cover, responsibilities, or process is unclear.
See your finished van before it ships.
If your van is being shipped back north, you must still visit us in La Paz to inspect and sign off on the completed work before it leaves.
This is your opportunity to walk around the van with us, review the agreed work, ask questions, and bring any concerns to our attention while the vehicle is here. Give the handover enough time so any agreed items can be addressed before transport is arranged.
Plan the visit with us
Confirm that the van is ready, agree your inspection appointment, and then plan the return shipment. Allow flexibility between sign-off and the carrier’s departure. Review your belongings, keys, documents, and the van’s condition again before dispatch.
Understand the warranty location
We warranty our work under our restoration terms, and warranty work requires the vehicle to be at our workshop in La Paz. Keep that in mind when choosing return transport and future travel. Read our restoration terms and conditions for the applicable details.
A few things clients often ask.
Can I ship one way and drive the other?
Yes. You can ship to La Paz and drive home after collection, or drive down and arrange transport north after the work is complete. If you drive, plan the journey around your van’s roadworthiness and leave time for a local shakedown after collection. Our Baja itinerary guide can help you plan the road-trip portion.
Is transport included in my restoration price?
Plan transport as a separate arrangement and confirm the costs alongside your restoration estimate. The reference prices on this page describe the carrier’s Tijuana–La Paz route. Ask what local transfers or other services, if any, are included in your specific quote.
Can I leave camping gear or spare parts inside?
Ask before packing. Carrier acceptance, weight, security, and cover for contents need to be confirmed. Remove valuables and nonessential belongings, secure anything approved to travel, and provide a written inventory of all personal items left in the van. Separately confirm that any parts intended for the restoration are appropriate for the agreed work.
Does shipping take care of border paperwork?
Do not assume that it does. This page describes transport between Tijuana and La Paz within Mexico. Confirm who will deliver and collect the vehicle, who handles any border movement, and what documents are needed for your circumstances. Use our border-crossing guide to start planning the separate border leg.
Can I deal directly with the transport company?
Yes. We can provide its contact details privately. We are also happy to help coordinate, and receive no compensation for the transport. Whichever option you choose, agree the workshop receiving or collection arrangements with us in advance.
Do I need to come to La Paz if I ship both ways?
Yes. Shipping both ways does not replace the completion visit. You must inspect and sign off on the finished work here before return shipping. Arrange that appointment once we confirm the van is ready.
Let’s plan your van’s journey.
Tell us where your van is, its year and model, whether it runs and drives, your preferred dates, and whether you need transport south, north, or both ways. We’ll help you work through the next steps for your restoration.
Page updated September 2026. Transport prices shown are the previously published June 2026 reference rates; confirm current prices, vehicle acceptance, cover, and scheduling before booking.
