Moving or relocating across the country often means figuring out what to do with your vehicle. The good news? Cross country car shipping makes the process smooth, safe, and affordable. Whether you’re shipping a car from New York to California or moving a family SUV from Texas to Florida, knowing the process helps you save money and stress.
Learn everything about cross country car shipping: Compare carriers costs, timelines, and the best ways to ship a car across country safely and affordably.
What is Cross Country Car Shipping?
Cross country car shipping is the process of transporting your vehicle from one state to another — or even coast to coast — using a professional auto transport company. Instead of driving long distances yourself, you can have your vehicle picked up and delivered to your chosen destination.
You can choose between:
- Open carriers: The most common and affordable option. Ideal for standard cars and quick transport times.
- Enclosed carriers: Provide extra protection from weather and road debris. Perfect for classic or luxury cars.
Why people use cross country car shipping:
- Relocation for work or family
- College students moving to a new state
- Seasonal travelers heading south for the winter
- Buying or selling vehicles online
- Avoiding long drives and vehicle wear
By using a reliable cross country transport service, your car moves safely without adding miles or wear.
How Does Cross Country Car Transport Work?
The process of shipping a car across country is simple when handled by experienced car shipping companies. Most services provide door-to-door delivery, meaning your vehicle is picked up near your current location and delivered close to your new address.
Here’s how it typically works:
- Get a Quote
- Request an estimate for shipping a car cross country based on your route, vehicle type, and transport option.
- Compare rates between cross country car shipping companies to find the best value.
- Schedule Pickup
- Once you confirm the booking, your car is assigned to a carrier.
- You’ll receive a pickup date window, usually within a few days.
- Vehicle Inspection
- The driver inspects your car before loading it, noting any existing damage for insurance purposes.
- Transport Across Country
- Your vehicle is safely loaded onto an open or enclosed trailer and begins its trip.
Most carriers provide GPS tracking or regular updates.
- Delivery at Destination
- On arrival, the driver performs a final inspection and hands over your vehicle.
- Payment is made once delivery is confirmed.
How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Car Across the Country
The cost of shipping a car cross country depends on several key factors — distance, vehicle size, carrier type, and even the time of year. While there’s no single flat rate, you can expect the average cost of shipping a car cross country to range between $800 and $1,500 for standard sedans on open carriers.
Main pricetag when calculating your cross country car shipping cost:
- Distance traveled: The longer the route, the higher the total cost — but the lower the rate per mile.
- Vehicle size & weight: Larger or heavier vehicles increase the cost to ship car across country.
- Type of transport:
- Open transport car shipping – more affordable, best for standard vehicles.
- Enclosed transport – higher protection, preferred for exotic or classic cars.
- Open transport car shipping – more affordable, best for standard vehicles.
- Seasonal demand: Peak moving months (summer, holidays) increase prices for cross country shipping.
- Location: Pickup and drop-off in big cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, or Houston is cheaper than rural areas.
- Delivery window: Expedited or guaranteed delivery raises your cross country car shipping cost.
Example of Pricing (estimated, depends on personal circumstances):
- 500 miles → around $500–$700
- 1,000 miles → around $800–$1000
- 2,000+ miles → between $1,200–$1,600
To calculate your shipping car cross country cost, most car shipping companies provide instant online quotes. Always compare at least 3 cross country car shipping companies to ensure the best deal.
Pro Tip:
To find the cheapest way to ship a car cross country, be flexible with pickup times and choose an open car shipping carrier instead of enclosed. It’s the best balance between affordability and safety.
Cost Factors That Affect Cross Country Car Shipping
Understanding what influences your cross country car shipping cost helps you plan better and avoid surprises. Every shipment is unique, and the cost to ship car across country can vary based on several specific details.
Here are the main cost factors that determine the price of shipping a car across the country:
- Vehicle Type and Size:
Smaller sedans or coupes are cheaper to move than SUVs or trucks. Heavy or oversized vehicles increase the cost to transport car across country. - Distance and Route:
The cost to ship a car across country is tied directly to mileage. Longer routes mean more total cost but a lower per-mile rate. - Type of Transport:
- Open car shipping cross-country is the most common and affordable option.
- Enclosed car shipping cross country offers more protection but adds 30–50% to your total cost.
- Open car shipping cross-country is the most common and affordable option.
- Vehicle Condition:
Cars that can’t start or roll require special loading equipment, which increases your cross country car shipping cost. - Pickup and Delivery Locations:
Shipping between major cities (like car shipping cross country Los Angeles to New York) is cheaper than remote or rural routes due to higher carrier availability. - Seasonal Demand:
Summer and holidays are peak times for shipping cars across country. For cheap cross country car shipping, schedule your move in winter or early spring. - Delivery Timeframe:
Expedited delivery raises the cost of shipping a car across the country, while flexible delivery windows save you money.
Example Tip:
To get the most affordable rate, request multiple cross-country car shipping quotes and compare the total service — not just the base price. Some cross country car shipping companies offer seasonal discounts or multi-vehicle deals that reduce the average cost of shipping a car cross country significantly.
How Long Does Cross Country Car Shipping Take?
The time it takes for shipping a car cross country depends on the distance, route, and the carrier’s schedule. While local moves may take a couple of days, cross country car shipping generally takes 5 to 10 business days.
Average transit times for car shipping across country:
- 500–800 miles → from 1 to 3 days
- 1,000–1,500 miles → from 3 to 5 days
- 2,000+ miles → from 7 to 10 days
Several factors can influence how long it takes to transport car across country:
- Distance and route complexity (coast-to-coast routes take longest)
- Weather conditions and road closures
- Traffic, holidays, or regional demand
- Open vs enclosed carriers (open carriers are more frequent, meaning faster pickup)
- Scheduling flexibility — flexible pickup dates can reduce total wait time
Pro Tip:
Ask your carrier for tracking updates. Most cross country car shipping services provide real-time status, so you’ll always know where your vehicle is on the route.
Summary:
- Average cross country shipping duration: 1 week (coast-to-coast)
- Best-case scenario: 3–5 days with direct, open-carrier routes
- Longer if: Rural delivery, enclosed transport, or extreme weather
With a reliable cross country car shipping company, delays are rare and communication is constant — giving you peace of mind from pickup to delivery.
Tips for Shipping a Car Across Country
- Choose a reliable car shipping company with good reviews.
- Confirm the carrier is licensed and insured.
- Ask what’s covered by their insurance policy.
- Clean your car before pickup and take photos for records.
- Remove personal items and toll passes.
- Keep the fuel tank under ¼ full to reduce weight.
- Be flexible with pickup and delivery dates for better pricing.
- Compare multiple quotes to find the best rate.
- Read the Bill of Lading carefully before signing.
- Stay in touch with your driver or transport coordinator for updates.
- Check your car on delivery and note any changes in condition.
- Ask about multi-car discounts if you’re shipping more than one vehicle.
Is Cross Country Car Shipping a Door-to-Door Service?
Yes — most cross country car shipping companies offer door-to-door service, which means your car is picked up from and delivered as close as possible to your chosen addresses. It’s the most convenient and time-saving option for most customers.
If your street isn’t suitable for large trailers, your driver will coordinate a nearby, safe meeting point. It might be a wide parking lot or a local shopping area. This flexibility keeps things easy while ensuring safety and compliance with local traffic rules.
Some carriers still offer terminal-to-terminal shipping for those who prefer to drop off or collect their cars from a regional hub. It can be a bit cheaper, but less convenient since you’ll need to handle the extra travel yourself.
For most drivers, door-to-door car shipping across country is worth the slightly higher price because it saves hours of coordination and minimizes vehicle handling. It’s the easiest way to move your car nationwide with peace of mind.
Insurance and Protection for Cross Country Car Shipping
When choosing a cross country car shipping company, insurance coverage should always be a top priority. Every licensed auto transporter in the U.S. must carry insurance, but the limits and conditions can differ.
Before you book, ask the carrier to confirm what their policy includes. Typically, it covers damage that might occur during loading, transport, or unloading. Make sure you read the fine print—some policies don’t cover personal items left inside the vehicle or pre-existing damage.
You can also talk to your own auto insurance provider to see if they extend coverage while your vehicle is being shipped. For high-value or classic cars, many people choose to add temporary supplemental insurance for extra peace of mind.
A trustworthy cross country car shipping service will gladly share proof of coverage and explain the claims process clearly. If they hesitate or give vague answers, that’s a red flag to move on to another company.
Cross Country Car Shipping by Season
The cost of shipping a car cross country changes throughout the year because demand for carriers isn’t constant. Understanding these seasonal shifts can help you plan smarter and save.
- Auto Transport in Winter:
Rates often dip after the holidays, but icy roads and shorter daylight can delay deliveries. Some northern routes may cost slightly more due to weather risks. - Car Shipping in Spring:
A sweet spot for car shipping across country—good weather, fewer delays, and still-reasonable prices before the summer rush. - Vehicle Transport in Summer:
The busiest time for cross country car shipping companies. Many people relocate, students move, and snowbirds travel north. Expect higher prices but faster availability. - Car Transport in Fall:
A quieter period that often brings moderate prices and reliable carrier schedules. It’s a good time to move vehicles long distances if you can plan.
To get the best value, compare cross country car shipping quotes across seasons. Booking early, especially before summer, can lock in lower rates even during busy months.
Benefits of Professional Cross Country Car Shipping
Using a professional car shipping service isn’t just about convenience—it’s about protecting your car and your time. Driving cross-country means paying for gas, hotels, and food, plus adding thousands of miles to your vehicle. Shipping avoids all that.
Key benefits include:
- Time savings: Your car travels while you fly or handle your move.
- Reduced wear and tear: No added mileage or mechanical stress.
- Safety: Experienced cross country car shipping companies handle loading, securing, and delivery with specialized equipment.
- Peace of mind: Insurance coverage, tracking options, and professional support keep you informed from start to finish.
For most people, cross country auto transport is the more brilliant, safer, and surprisingly affordable choice compared to driving long-distance yourself. Yellowfin Logistics is
Cross Country Car Shipping — Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does cross country car shipping cost?
Pricing varies based on distance, vehicle size, carrier type (open or enclosed), and seasonal demand. On average, shipping a standard sedan coast-to-coast typically costs $800 to $1,500 using an open carrier.
2. How long does it take to ship a car across the country?
Most cross country shipments take 5–10 business days. Factors like weather, traffic, route, and your pickup flexibility can shorten or extend this timeframe.
3. Is cross country car shipping door-to-door?
Yes. Most carriers offer door-to-door service, meaning your vehicle is picked up and delivered as close as possible to your addresses. If the truck cannot access your street, a nearby safe meeting location will be arranged.
4. Is my vehicle insured during transport?
Absolutely. All licensed auto transport companies provide insurance that covers damage during loading, transit, and unloading. Always review the specific coverage and take photos of your vehicle before pickup.
5. Should I choose open or enclosed transport?
Open carriers are more affordable and ideal for everyday vehicles
Enclosed carriers offer enhanced protection for luxury, exotic, or classic cars
For most drivers, open transport provides the best value while still keeping the car secure.
