Wire size to shop

[Mighty Mouse]

Do you have to run from your house? or is there a utility pole closer? I had a long run from a transformer to the shop. The electic company suggested to just put a new panel and meter on the shop versus sub panel. I dug the trench and they put the wire in from the transformer. It was a few feet shorter but way easier.

Great point.

OP, this could be your best option depending on where your existing transformer and meter are located relative to your shop and how much your electric company charges for new services. Electric companies often charge below cost on construction knowing they'll recoup their money over time via monthly meter fees and power bills.

 

[tdhanses]

Mighty Mouse is probably correct. This will cover most typical scenarios. Except I would not direct bury cable because I hate direct buried cable. It is cheap though, so fair enough.
But yeah, it depends on your load. That's a decently long run too, so you might want to upsize.
The code is pretty simple on this, so just calculate your load and select the corresponding wire size and conduit.

Why do you hate direct bury? Do you see the cable coatings failing?

 

[Q child]

Why do you hate direct bury? Do you see the cable coatings failing?

I do see them fail. I work for the power company in T&D though, so I see a lot more failed installations than most people. Also, you can't upgrade them. I have access to the people and equipment to pull a new run of cable through existing conduit though.
The OPs situation probably warrants direct buried cable. It just hurts my heart to say so.

 

[Weldor]

When they did mine, there was only conduit about 6 ft long. They just put in by the meter and panel plus by the tranformer. It was direct burial and that was the power co.