Knowledge Base:
How To Ship Your Car Across The Country
Updated October 2024
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You need the correct information for safe transport when you ship your car across the country. Knowing the facts can help save you time, money, and hassle. That’s why AutoTransport.com put together this detailed guide on how to ship your car cross-country.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about shipping your car across the country.
How To Choose a Reliable Cross-Country Vehicle Shipping Company
Let’s start with the basics. If you’re shipping a car or vehicle across the country, you need a reliable transport company. A quick Google search for car shipping companies will bring dozens upon dozens of results.
Is the company licensed, bonded, and insured for country-wide vehicle transport?
Always ask for the company’s pertinent information to ensure they have the proper documentation and legal requirements to ship vehicles safely.
Compare Estimates.
Once you know the companies are legitimate, ask for a shipping estimate. If the company requires you to pay for a quote, it’s usually a red flag. AutoTransport.com provides free, no-obligation shipping quotes that you can compare against other companies.
But beware, the cheapest quote is not always the best quote.
Check Online Reviews.
We live in a digital age. Most reputable companies have online reviews. There are always disgruntled customers who, for some reason or another, are not satisfied with service. But, if the majority of the reviews are positive, chances are that the company is one you can trust.
When you speak with a dedicated transport agent, they’ll answer any questions you may have. If a company is quick to rush you off the phone or get you money without providing information, this is another red flag.
Cross-country car shipping is a common occurrence. Unfortunately, so are scammers and companies that will swindle you for money. Working with a reputable and reliable car shipping company is essential to having safe and hassle-free cross-country vehicle transport.
Now, let’s move into the price of shipping your vehicle across the country.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car Across the Country?
Once you’ve found that reputable vehicle shipping company, the next question is always the most important.
How much will shipping your car from the pickup point to the destination cost?
And, like so many things in life, the answer is it depends.
Cross-country covers a lot of ground. If you’re shipping a vehicle two states over, the cost will differ from shipping a car from the southernmost point of Florida to the northernmost point of Maine.
The average cost in 2024 to ship a vehicle is between $0.50 to $2.00.
But that is just an average, and many factors come into play when determining the cost of shipping a vehicle cross-country.
Here are just a few.
Transport Distance
But it’s more than just miles when averaging your car shipping quote based on distance.
Shipping a car through the same route in the opposite direction doesn’t cost the same. For example, shipping a car from Miami to California isThe distance of your cross-country transport is the miles from the pickup zip code to the destination zip code. In general, the shorter the distance, the less it will cost to ship your vehicle.
Examples:
Miles: 400
Average Price: About $400
Miles: 2,750
Average Price: About $1,280
In other words, the more miles, the more money.
Cheaper than transporting a car from California to Miami. This is because many vehicles are being shipped from Miami to California, and fewer cars are in the opposite direction, thus costing more.
Transport and Trailer Types
When you ship your car across the country, there are two main trailer options:
This is when your vehicle is loaded onto a trailer that is open on all sides. Open air trailers include flatbeds, RGNs, step deck trailers, and multilevel car carrier trailers.
An enclosed trailer is just how it sounds. All four sides are covered to protect the vehicle from the regular wear and tear from road transport. This includes protection from weather, sediment, road debris, and more.
There are two primary transport types:
- Dedicated Car Shipping
This is when your car or vehicle is directly shipped from point A to point B with no stops.
This is when your car or vehicle is transported with other customers shipping vehicles in the same direction. This tends to take longer because there are other cars to deliver on the way.
Generally speaking, when you ship in an enclosed trailer, you can only ship one vehicle at a time, so it’s almost always a dedicated transport.
When you ship on an open-air trailer, you can have dedicated or multi-car shipping options. Enclosed trailer shipping almost always costs more. Dedicated shipping, too, costs more.
These factors affect the overall shipping price when hauling your car across the country.
Time of the Year / Season
Seasonality is another factor in car shipping costs. Moving a car across the country during summer is more expensive and is termed the peak season. This is because many people are more likely to travel or move.
Shipping a car across the country during winter will take longer due to the harsh weather, thus making it more expensive. There are also fewer drivers working, which can cause delays.
Vehicle Size and Weight
There are dozens of different vehicle types, sizes, and weights. The larger and heavier the vehicle, the more it’s going to cost to ship.
Example:
Standard Sedan Transport
Miles: 150
Average Cost: $330
VS.
Standard SUV Shipment
Miles: 150
Average Cost: $360
Larger vehicles occupy more space, which decreases the number of vehicles a carrier can haul at once. Plus, the heavier weight burns more fuel, which also costs more.
Transport Route
The roads between the pick-up point and drop-off location influence the cost of shipping a car across the country. High traffic and road closures might cost you more and vice versa.
Other factors that may increase pricing include:
- High-cost toll roads
- Limited access routes
- Permits required for oversize or overweight vehicles
When you work with a reputable shipping company like AutoTransport.com, we search for the most cost-efficient route to provide you with the best options.
Location
Transporting vehicles to and from rural areas costs more than in big cities. This is because it takes more time. Majority of the cities are auto transport terminals thus costing less. However, transporting a car across the country far from the city through a less popular route will cost more. The driver might have a hard time maneuvering the truck to your drop off location which is a common issue with door to door car transport.
This explains why door to door car transport is more expensive than terminal to terminal. The further the drop off location is from the main highway, the more you pay.
Expedited Cross-Country Car Transport
Urgent or expedited vehicle transport costs more. In order to deliver your vehicle on time, a team is often needed to adhere to the laws and regulations of the DOT and local agencies. This allows more up-time on the road, but also requires more in cost.
Additional Shipping Requirements
If you need certain amenities, such as loading and offloading assistance, because your vehicle doesn’t run, this also costs extra. Load assistance often comes in the form of a crane or forklift that hoists your vehicle onto the trailer.
When you speak with a transport specialist, they can provide you with an accurate quote based on the above criteria.
Cross-Country Car Transport FAQs
What is Driveaway Service?
A driveaway service involves hiring a professional to drive your vehicle from one place to another on your behalf. This is different from using a trailer or freight carrier because your vehicle is driven, not loaded onto a truck.
Driveaway services are often less expensive than most car shipping methods. This requires you to work with a reputable company with reliable, professional drivers like AutoTransport.com. The process of booking a drive away is easy.
You can speak with our car shipping specialist at AutoTransport.com to get an instant quote. (800) 757-7125
What Are The Benefits of a Drive Away Service?
Besides having someone else handle the stress of a long drive, a driveaway service has plenty of other benefits as well which include :
- Faster car shipping
- Delivered To Your Door
- Personalized Attention
- Transportation Flexibility
- Professional Driver Dedicated To Your Vehicle
These advantages make driveaway services an easy choice for those looking to transport their vehicles efficiently and safely.
Why Choose Us For Your Car Shipping Services?
When you choose AutoTransport.com for your driveaway service, you’re working with a top company that provides excellent car transportation. Here’s what you can expect:
- Safe and Easy Transportation: Our trustworthy drivers are dedicated to making sure your car is transported safely.
- Free Estimates: You can call us for a free quote to find out our reasonable prices and options that fit your needs.
- Reliable Service: We understand that letting someone else drive your car can feel risky, so we make sure to provide a dependable service.
- 24/7 Tracking: You’ll have access to auto tracking at any time, and we include insurance coverage in your quote.
With AutoTransport.com, you can feel confident knowing that we take all the necessary safety steps to ensure a smooth car shipping experience. Get your free driveaway shipping quote today!
Enclosed Car Transport vs. Driveaway Service?
When choosing between enclosed car transport and driveaway service, there are key things to consider.
Enclosed Car Transport:
- Protects from weather and road debris
- Better security since car is hidden
- Great for luxury or classic cars
- Usually costs more
Driveaway Service:
- Faster delivery
- More flexible and can handle larger vehicles
- May allow personal items in the car
- Adds mileage to your vehicle
In short, enclosed transport is good for cars that need extra protection, while driveaway service can be better if you want faster delivery and flexibility. The best choice depends on what you need and how valuable your car is. Both options have their advantages which can be discussed with a car shipping specialist.
Why is Auto Insurance Required For Car Shipping?
Car insurance for transport gives you peace of mind when shipping your car. You won’t worry if an accident occurs. This is because your car is fully insured while it’s being moved.
Most costs for damages or accidents are covered. You won’t have to pay for repairs or replacements. You also get protection for injuries to others in an accident with your car.
This insurance keeps your investment safe and protects you from legal problems. You can relax knowing your car and your peace of mind are protected. With the right insurance, you’re all set for worry-free car transport.
Limited Time Offer
Need Expedited Transport?
When time is of the essence, our Expedited Transport Service ensure your vehicle gets where it needs to go – quickly sand safely. Whether you’re facing a tight deadline, unexpected move, or just want your car delivered ASAP, we’ve got you covered.
Shipping a Car Across The Country Vs. Driving It Yourself
When transporting a car across the country, you have a few options. You can ship it via trailer, as discussed above, or you can drive it yourself. Each option has pros and cons, so let’s discuss what they are.
Pros of Shipping a Car Across Country
1. Safety
Using a reliable cross country car shipping company saves your car from any possible accidents and breakdowns. Driving a car for long distances increases the probability of breaking down.
2. Convenience
Leaving the burden of moving your car across the country to a professional saves you a lot of headache and time. This is because they will take care of your car from the beginning to the end.
3. Miles
You don’t want to put 3000 miles on your car and especially if it’s a lease. Going over your allocated miles on a lease can incur charges up to 0.30 cents a mile on average. Common allocated lease miles are around 12,000 miles per year.
Cons of Shipping a Car Across Country
1. Tardy Drivers
Shipping a car doesn’t always go as planned and can be late due to unavoidable circumstances. Sometimes drivers have to deliver multiple cars which causes delays. Weather conditions and traffic could also lead to late deliveries.
2. Stress
You might hire a carrier who will make you go through a string of agents and pay additional fees before your car is shipped. To avoid this hassle, do a thorough research about the company you hire and their procedures.
Pros of Driving a Car Across Country
1. Road Trip
Driving your car across the country will allow you to enjoy the scenery along the way or even stop at famous tourist attractions.
2. Freedom
You have the freedom of shipping your personal belongings with you or even a pet unlike the shipping companies that have a weight limit. (P.S, we’ve arranged dogs to ride with drivers too).
Cons of Driving a Car Across Country
1. Wear and Tear
Driving your car for long distances will have a significant effect on your car mileage. This will reduce the value of your car or make it breakdown in the middle of your journey.
2. Cost
Driving a car might seem shipper than having it shipped. However, when you accumulate the lodging, gas, miscellaneous and the cost of having your car fixed in-case it breaks down, it surpasses the shipping cost.
3. Accidents
Driving a car across the country makes the possibility of having an accident much higher than when your car is on a trailer, you might lose it within a blink of a second when driving it, but more importantly your well being, this is a common factor when shipping children or new drivers cars across country.
Cost of Shipping a Car From One State to Another
The cost of transporting a car from one state to another varies depending on factors such as;
- How common the route is.
- Distance and time taken.
- Season.
Below we will discuss some of the most common and seasonal state to state case studies;
Mini Case Study: How to Ship a Car From Florida to Washington
Once you’ve set dates for when you would like to have your car shipped, contact local or reputable car shipping companies. Provide them with your trip details. That should be where your car will be shipped from and to and the dates and details about your vehicle.
You will then receive an estimate from that company and a few others if you want to ensure you’re paying a fair amount. Make sure to consider the distance in miles and season, as we discussed in previous sections. The distance from Florida to Washington is about 3063 miles.
It takes about 5 to 7 days to transport a car from the pickup location in Florida to the given drop-off location in Washington. Highway I-90W is the shortest and most convenient when shipping a car from Florida to Washington.
Mini Case Study: How to Ship a Car from Florida to New York
This is the most common route for car shipping services. Shipping a car north east to south east can be easy. However, this is highly dependent on the season you’re moving. On a regular time of year, it can get picked up within 48 hours. However, during the snowbird season, you may experience delays and be able to get a break on the price or it will be a high market price due to the demand of those migrating north/south due to the winter.
From your pick up point in Florida to the drop off location in New York, it takes 1 to 3 days to deliver your car. Florida to New York is about 1148 miles and the most convenient highway to use is I-95 N depending on other stops from the driver.
Mini Case Study: How to Ship a Car from New York To California
This is one of the common routes with lots of drivers. We suggest that you plan your trip at least one week ahead of time to get the luxury services of having “Team Drivers.” Team drivers ultimately means your vehicle can be delivered in as little as three days. That’s because there can be two drivers in the truck simultaneously.
One is driving, and the other is sleeping, exchanging seats all week. The distance between New York and California is 2915 miles, and the most convenient highway to use is I-80 W. Shipping a vehicle from New York to California takes three days from the pickup time.
Mini Case Study: How to Ship a Car From Texas to North Dakota
Shipping a car directly south/north in the middle of the U.S. can be tricky. This is because most drivers like to travel back and forth from west to east. However, there are still some drivers. To ensure that you get a spot, you need to do the following;
- Plan early: Since drivers are harder to come by on this route, don’t wait until the last minute. Book early so that you can secure a spot.
- Contact a Reputable Broker: A reputable broker only asks for a deposit once your car is dispatched. Ensure you compare quotes and companies as well.
- Keep Your Schedule Open: If possible, have the vehicle available for pickup at least 7 to 10 days for more chances of landing a driver instead of turning them away early. You may have your car shipped early or at a later date due to delay.
The distance between Texas and North Dakota is 1226 miles. From the time of pickup of a car in Texas, it takes two days to deliver it in North Dakota. Highway US-83 N is the shortest and most reliable.
Tips for Shipping a Car Across Country
1. Get Multiple Rates From Different Brokers: Comparing different quotes will help you settle for an affordable carrier. However, make sure to call these companies yourself for verified rates. Submitting your request online, where you’re provided with estimates, isn’t enough. Remember, cheap is expensive. Reputable cross-country car shipping companies should offer a similar range of estimates.
2. Make Your Vehicle Available For Pickup Over 5 to 7 Days: Avoid restricting your pickup date to one or two days. Having an open schedule makes the rate of your car being picked up around that time higher. Shipping a vehicle across the country doesn’t always go as planned, which means delays are normal. Limiting your car pick-up to a specific day means fewer options to get it done.
3. Clean Your Car Well Before it Leaves and Remove Any Personal Belongings: This is to ensure that during the inspection, both you and the driver can see each damage and fill in the correct information on the BOL form. This will also ensure your car doesn’t arrive dirty to the extent that you can’t see any potential damages. It will be dirty during delivery but not as bad. If you need to transport your vehicle with luggage inside, ask the car shipping company about the weight they allow. The majority of the car shipping companies allow 100 lbs. Anything past that will have to be approved.
4. Research The Company You Use: Reading reviews left by previous clients will help you decide whether to work with a company. Websites like the Better Business Bureau, TransportReviews.com, and Google Reviews are best for verifying the reputation of any company.
5. Choose a Company That provides a Dedicated Specialist to Handle Your Entire Move: Don’t settle for a company that will sell you services. You shouldn’t go through a string of dispatchers to keep track of the progress. Requests and valuable information get lost when working with these kinds of companies. It should be one rep or no rep.
6. Request to Become a Certificate Holder of the Drivers Insurance: This is a very simple task that the carrier can do. It will save you lots of hassle if your car gets damaged. If you’re not a certificate holder, it will be up to the driver/carrier to place the insurance claim for you. If they don’t agree with you or refuse to pay, this can become a daunting task. Being a holder of their insurance means you can file the claim yourself.
Cross-Country Car Transport Statistics
Our Recommendation
For successful cross-country car transport, hire a reputable and experienced cross-country car shipping company. They should offer you a specialist fully dedicated to your shipment until it’s delivered. This way, you can communicate quickly.
Autotransport.com, for example, will serve you with the professionalism of an industry leader. It’s a cross-country car shipping company with resources and knowledge to ensure your car gets to the destination of your choice safely and on time.
