Knowing about cross-country car shipping is crucial if you want to avoid driving. We found you can ship your car cross-country for $0.78/mile.
Featured Car Shipping Companies
We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:
Best Shipping Options
SGT
Best for Locked-In Pricing
Sherpa
Best Customer Service
Easy Auto Ship
Best Deals
AmeriFreight
Affiliate disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may be compensated when you purchase the products in this article.
Article Takeaways
- Car shipping under 200 miles averages $2.92/mile, and for over 1000 miles, the average cost is $0.78/mile.
- The process can range from one day to ten days, depending on the distance you want to ship.
- Vehicle type and shipping type (open or enclosed) can change the length and cost of shipping your car across the country.
- Take your time finding the best company for your specific needs.
Whether you’re moving across the country, working long-term from another state, or if you bought a vehicle from a seller who lives a few hundred miles away, shipping a car across the country is a necessity sometimes. Hiring a car shipping company is a convenient way to facilitate the entire process.
In this article, we provide some helpful tips on how you can save time and money when hiring a vehicle shipping company or auto transporter. We also provide a free car shipping calculator to help you get the lowest price for your cross-country car shipping.
Cost To Ship A Car Across The Country
The national average cost of shipping a vehicle across short distances (less than 200 miles) is around $2.92/mile. That price drops dramatically once you ship over 1,000 miles, which averages only $0.78/mile. So if you send a vehicle from state to state, you’re better off.
Cheapest Way To Ship a Car Cross-Country
Similar to buying a car, comparing multiple quotes is the best way to save money on car shipping costs. Remember, there are many variables to consider when shipping a vehicle. Comparing the level of service, experience, and pricing between one shipping company to the next is imperative to get the best deals available. With that in mind, we have a car shipping calculator from uShip that you can use for free below:
Car Shipping Calculator
Just enter a few basic details about the car, condition, and locations, and it’ll give you a quick estimate on shipping costs and the ability to get a free quote. We were told that the calculator isn’t loading on some browsers with ad blockers, so if you have any trouble below, please disable the ad blocker and try again.
Cross-Country Car Shipping Factors
The cost of shipping a car from one place to the next depends on many factors. Here are the main things to keep in mind:
Vehicle Type
Smaller and lighter vehicles will demand lower prices, while larger and heavier vehicles will cost more. Exotic sports cars and vintage models that require special care and attention will cost more than shipping a small sedan.
Open vs. Enclosed Transport
You will typically have the option between an open or enclosed transport carrier when you ship your car. Open transport is the most economical way to ship a vehicle across the country. But for high-end luxury vehicles, expensive vintage cars, or megabuck supercars, open transport is not the best option. In this case, you probably don’t want to risk exposing your vehicle to the elements. The chances of incurring even minor damage to the paint, glass, and exterior trim will increase exponentially the farther and longer it sits on the open trailer.
Another thing to consider is how auto transport trailers usually have two levels or decks. Shipping the vehicle on the upper deck or top-loading offers better protection against fluid leaks and rock chips. You can request a top load, but shipping companies will charge more (around $75 or more) for this service.
Which one should you choose? In general, most people will choose open transport as it’s cheaper. If you have a more expensive car or money isn’t so important, closed transport might be a better option. uShip goes into more detail about the differences in this article.
How To Ship A Car Cross-Country
Shipping your car across the country is a scary process. However, if you follow our guide below, it will make the entire process much more manageable.
The first step is to find the car shipping company you want to use.
How To Find The Best Car Shipping Company
We recommend looking for three things in particular when researching car shipping companies.
Customer Reviews
The Internet is awash with customer reviews of every business under the sun. We always recommend transport providers with sterling reviews (look for comments about on-time delivery). You can also find reviews on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit.
Care & Concern
Your vehicle is one of your most expensive purchases besides your home. The best auto shipping companies will care for your vehicle like it’s their own and arrive on time with minimal delay. The reviews often tell how a given car shipping company will treat your vehicle.
Trackability
We prefer car shipping companies that offer an online tracking service. Reliable and reputable carriers will often provide necessary updates by phone, email, or text to notify you of any changes to the itinerary. Choose a shipping provider that closely monitors your vehicle, especially if you’re shipping an expensive car.
Featured Car Shipping Companies
We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:
Best Shipping Options
SGT
Best for Locked-In Pricing
Sherpa
Best Customer Service
Easy Auto Ship
Best Deals
AmeriFreight
Understanding The Pick-Up & Delivery Process
Next, you need to consider everything that goes into the pick-up and delivery of your vehicle.
Always Review The Bill of Lading
The shipping company will hand over the Bill of Lading during pick-up and delivery. The Bill of Lading is a contract between the shipping company and the vehicle owner. It contains the terms of the agreement, what vehicle is being transported, the transporter’s identity, and the vehicle’s condition before and after transporting.
After delivery, you should indicate any new damage to the vehicle after being transported in the Bill of Lading.
Do You Have To Be There?
How much do you love your car? Kidding aside, you don’t have to be there personally during pick-up or delivery, but it’s essential to have an adult there to supervise the process. You or your chosen representative must sign the Bill of Lading when picking the vehicle up.
Will My Car Be Shipped To My Exact Location?
Yes, but there are certain conditions. The driver’s job is to deliver your vehicle to your doorstep, but this is not always the case. Remember, your vehicle will be transported on a carrier truck, an enormous vehicle 60 to 70 feet long and up to 13 feet high in some cases.
If you live in an area with narrow roads and low-hanging trees, or your place is downtown, it might be hard for the transporter to reach you, either when they pick up the vehicle for shipping or drop it off. If this is the case, you or your chosen representative might have to drive a little to meet the transporter in a spacious and secure location.
On the other hand, most auto transport carriers offer door-to-door service, even in rural locations. Door-to-door service means you are not required to go anywhere specifically to drop off or receive your car. However, you can usually meet the truck driver near the delivery or pick-up point (like the junction to a major interstate). Although less convenient than door-to-door service, this option may save you money on your car shipping cost.
How To Prepare Your Car For Shipping
Lastly, you will need to prepare the vehicle for shipping. We added a printable checklist for you to use when cleaning and preparing your car.
You’ll want to wash your vehicle to remove excess dirt and grime. A clean exterior makes it easier for the inspector to see any dings, scratches, or dents. It will also make it easier to see any damage that may have occurred during shipping once your car is delivered. Other than that, here are a few more tips for shipping your vehicle across the country:
- Disable the vehicle alarm if possible.
- Check the tire pressures and battery condition.
- Deactivate the vehicle’s electronic toll pass (if applicable).
- Remove exterior attachments and accessories like antennas and bike racks.
- Ensure no valuables (money, jewelry, electronics, etc.) left inside.
- Check and refill vital fluids like the engine oil, brake fluid, and transmission fluid.
- Fill the gas tank at least a quarter full. If you can help it, it’s better to ship a vehicle with less gas in the tank. More gas means more weight and higher costs.
- Make sure the parking/emergency brake is working. Car shipping companies can refuse service for a defective or non-working parking brake.
How Long To Ship A Car Cross-Country?
Shipping a vehicle a few hundred miles will likely only take one or two days, while shipping the same car across the country may take a week to 10 days. Expect to pay more if you choose an expedited or express shipping service. Expedited shipping means your vehicle will arrive faster than it usually takes for a standard service.
You’ll also need to consider the pick-up window (or the time it takes to retrieve the vehicle after scheduling the pick-up date), which generally takes between one to five days. For example, if the pick-up date is March 3rd, the pick-up window is 24 to 48 hours after the pick-up date, between March 4th to the 5th. Logistical issues are fairly common since the shipping company deals with weather, traffic, and human-related factors.
Note the pick-up window is not part of the total transit time. Keep this in mind when you’re booking an appointment with your preferred transport hauler.
Car Shipping Cross-Country: Conclusion
This article reviewed the cost and process of shipping your car across the country. To review:
- Choose a car shipping company
- Fully understand the pick-up and drop-off process
- Start to prepare your vehicle for the shipment
If you follow these steps, you will find the best and cheapest car shipping company, and the process will run smoothly.
Cross-Country Car Transport Companies
The best companies to begin your search with are SGT Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport, Easy Auto Ship, Montway, and AmeriFreight. Below you can find links to each of their plans and websites:
Featured Car Shipping Companies
We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:
Best Shipping Options
SGT
Best for Locked-In Pricing
Sherpa
Best Customer Service
Easy Auto Ship
Best Deals
AmeriFreight
Ship A Car Across The Country: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about shipping your car across the country.
Should You Book In Advance?
Yes! You’ll get better chances of scoring the best deals if you book at least two weeks in advance or roughly 15 days before the first available shipping date.
Head over to uShip’s vehicle shipping page to compare shipping quotes and book in advance.
Should I Ship My Car or Just Drive?
If the destination is less than 500 miles and driving the vehicle is a valid option, you can do so and pocket the savings.
However, there are some exceptions. Suppose your vehicle is a lease, for example. In that case, hiring a car shipping company is more reasonable than paying more money for incurring excess mileage penalties (which amounts to about 15 or 20 cents per mile). The same rule applies to vintage cars, concept cars, supercars, or limited-edition vehicles – shipping the car might just make more financial sense. In some cases, the car might not be legal on public roads (like racing cars or highly-tuned off-road vehicles).
Mind you, driving a vehicle over long distances is not devoid of added costs like food, lodging, tolls, and gas expenses – not to mention engine wear, tire wear, and depreciation. The general rule of thumb is to consider driving the vehicle if the destination is less than 500 miles away.
Do I Need Any Special Insurance?
Auto shipping companies, by law, are required to have liability and cargo insurance. It covers any damages to your vehicle incurred during the transit period. However, this type of insurance will not cover the loss of personal possessions left inside the car and is the reason why you should never leave your valuables when shipping a vehicle.
But there’s a catch. The amount of coverage varies depending on the shipping company. In some cases, the coverage may not be enough to cover the value of your vehicle. Here are things to consider when reviewing the insurance policy of your shipping provider:
– Request proof of insurance from the transport company.
– Determine the deductible.
– Review the type of damages that are covered by the policy.
– Know the limitations of the insurance policy.
Should I Purchase Additional Coverage?
Yes and no. You should get additional coverage if the policy is not enough to cover the value of your vehicle. Consider this if you’re shipping an expensive, rare, or vintage car. On the other hand, the standard liability insurance by the transport provider may be enough for an average sedan, SUV, or pickup truck.
Always read the fine print. Know the limitations and the type of damages covered by the policy before signing the dotted line.
Can I Ship a Damaged Car?
It’s possible, but the shipping rates will change depending on factors like location, size of the vehicle, and carrier type. Broken or damaged vehicles need a winch carrier, and most auto shipping companies can arrange for this type of service, albeit for a fee.
