Ship a Car to Another State: State to State Auto Transport in All 50 States
We arrange car shipping between any two states, plus Washington DC. Find your state below for its routes and transit times, or get a quote in about a minute. Your price locks when you book.
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Shipping a Car to Another State, in Short
Shipping a standard sedan to another state costs $450 to $1,800 on an open carrier across the 24 routes we publish. Enclosed runs $875 to $2,800. Distance, the trailer, your vehicle, and the month set where your trip lands.
Most cars are picked up within a 1 to 5 day window, then spend 1 to 10 days on the truck. We book a vetted carrier already running your route, and your price locks when you book.
Who Moves Your Car
We are a licensed broker, not a carrier. MC-796224 and USDOT 2336907. We do not own trucks or employ drivers. We vet, book, and manage the carriers who do, and we stay on the shipment until it is delivered. You can check both numbers in the FMCSA SAFER system.
Before a carrier gets your car, we check its authority, its insurance on file, and its safety record. The carriers we book keep $1,000,000 in liability and $100,000 to $1,000,000 in cargo coverage.
In business since 2010, with more than 50,000 vehicles shipped. Family owned, A+ with the BBB, and on the Inc. 5000 list. When you call, a real person picks up.
Car Shipping by State: Find Your State
Every state has its own page with routes, transit times, and what to do after your car arrives. Each card lists the state's major cities and how long a new resident has to register a car there.
Jump to a region
Northeast
- ConnecticutHartford, Bridgeport & New Haven90 days to register
- MainePortland, Bangor & Lewiston30 days to register
- MassachusettsBoston, Worcester & SpringfieldNo grace period
- New HampshireManchester, Concord & Dover60 days to register
- New JerseyNewark, Jersey City & Edison60 days to register
- New YorkNew York City, Long Island & Upstate30 days to register
- PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pittsburgh & Allentown20 days to register
- Rhode IslandProvidence, Cranston & Warwick30 days to register
- VermontBurlington, South Burlington & Rutland60 days to register
Mid-Atlantic and Southeast
- DelawareWilmington, Dover & Newark60 days to register
- FloridaMiami, Orlando & Tampa10 days to register
- GeorgiaAtlanta, Savannah & Augusta30 days to register
- MarylandBaltimore, Frederick & Gaithersburg60 days to register
- North CarolinaCharlotte, Raleigh & Greensboro60 days to register
- South CarolinaGreenville, Charleston & Columbia45 days to register
- VirginiaVirginia Beach, Richmond & Alexandria30 days to register
- Washington DCIn and out of the nation's capital60 days to register
- West VirginiaCharleston, Huntington & Morgantown30 days to register
South
- AlabamaBirmingham, Huntsville & Mobile30 days to register
- ArkansasLittle Rock, Fayetteville & Fort Smith30 days to register
- KentuckyLouisville, Lexington & Bowling Green15 days to register
- LouisianaNew Orleans, Baton Rouge & Lafayette30 days to register
- MississippiJackson, Gulfport & Hattiesburg30 days to register
- OklahomaOklahoma City, Tulsa & Lawton30 days to register
- TennesseeNashville, Memphis & Knoxville30 days to register
- TexasDallas, Houston & Austin30 days to register
Midwest
- IllinoisChicago, Peoria & Rockford30 days to register
- IndianaIndianapolis, Fort Wayne & South Bend60 days to title
- IowaDes Moines, Davenport & Cedar Rapids30 days to register
- KansasWichita, Overland Park & Topeka90 days to register
- MichiganDetroit, Grand Rapids & LansingNo grace period
- MinnesotaMinneapolis, St. Paul & Rochester60 days to register
- MissouriSt. Louis, Kansas City & Springfield30 days to title
- NebraskaOmaha, Lincoln & Grand Island30 days to register
- North DakotaFargo, Bismarck & Grand ForksDue once you are a resident
- OhioColumbus, Cleveland & Cincinnati30 days to register
- South DakotaSioux Falls, Rapid City & Aberdeen90 days to register
- WisconsinMilwaukee, Madison & Green BayNo grace period
West
- ArizonaPhoenix, Tucson & MesaNo grace period
- CaliforniaLos Angeles, San Francisco & San Diego20 days to register
- ColoradoDenver, Colorado Springs & Fort Collins90 days to register
- IdahoBoise, Coeur d'Alene & Idaho Falls30 days to register
- MontanaBillings, Bozeman & Missoula60 days to register
- NevadaLas Vegas, Reno & Henderson30 days to register
- New MexicoAlbuquerque, Las Cruces & Santa FeDue once you are a resident
- OregonPortland, Salem & Eugene30 days to register
- UtahSalt Lake City, Provo & Ogden60 days to register
- WashingtonSeattle, Spokane & Tacoma30 days to register
- WyomingCheyenne, Casper & GilletteDue once you are a resident
Alaska and Hawaii
- AlaskaAnchorage, Fairbanks & Juneau10 days to register
- HawaiiHonolulu, Hilo & Kahului30 days for plates or a permit
Alaska and Hawaii ship by ocean. TOTE and Matson load Alaska cars at Tacoma, and Alaska Marine Lines barges them from Seattle. Most Alaska lanes on our tables take 10 to 24 days. Hawaii cars sail from the West Coast, and most Hawaii lanes take 14 to 31 days. Cars for Hilo and Kahului finish by barge, which adds time.
Registration windows come from each state's motor vehicle agency, as researched for that state's page. Some states start the clock sooner, such as when you take a job or your old registration runs out. Check your state's page before you go.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car to Another State?
On the 24 routes we publish, a sedan ships for $450 to $1,800 on an open carrier. Enclosed runs $875 to $2,800 on the same lanes. Some longer lanes on our state pages run higher, and Alaska and Hawaii are quoted one at a time.
Distance sets the base rate. Find the band your trip falls into for a working number. Our car shipping cost guide shows how every figure is built.
Car Shipping Cost by Distance
| Distance | Open cost | Enclosed cost |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $450 to $875 | $950 to $1,275 |
| 500 to 1,000 miles | $575 to $1,200 | $875 to $1,700 |
| 1,000 to 1,500 miles | $800 to $1,650 | $1,150 to $2,475 |
| 1,500 to 2,500 miles | $650 to $1,800 | $1,000 to $2,800 |
| 2,500 miles and up | $1,450 to $1,750 | $2,100 to $2,800 |
Each band takes the low and high of our route pages whose distance falls in it. Two lanes in the same band can sit far apart. Demand and the number of trucks on a corridor move the price as much as the miles.
What Sets Your State to State Shipping Price
- Distance. Longer trips cost more in total and less per mile. Under 500 miles, a car ships by the job, not by the mile.
- Open or enclosed. Enclosed usually runs 40 to 60 percent more than open, and more on short trips.
- Your vehicle. A bigger, heavier vehicle takes more deck space and weight, so it costs more. Lifted or oversized vehicles are quoted one at a time.
- Season. May through August runs 10 to 20 percent above base. October through December does too, and up to 35 percent on I-95 and I-75. January and February usually cost the least.
- Running or not. A car that rolls, steers, and brakes but will not start needs a winch. That adds $100 to $250.
- Pickup access and dates. A wide lot near the highway and a flexible pickup window both help. A fixed date means a truck has to come to you.
Want the real number for your trip? A real quote takes about a minute.
State to State Car Shipping Rates on Popular Routes
Twelve of the 24 lanes we publish, from short hops to coast to coast. Each route links to its own page with city pairs and the interstates the truck runs.
| Route | Distance | Transit | Open cost | Enclosed cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York to Massachusetts | 100 to 420 mi | 1 to 3 days | $450 to $600 | $950 to $1,100 |
| New York to Virginia | 340 to 590 mi | 1 to 3 days | $550 to $875 | $975 to $1,100 |
| New York to Ohio | 450 to 625 mi | 1 to 3 days | $575 to $750 | $1,075 to $1,150 |
| Atlanta to Dallas | 750 to 850 mi | 2 to 4 days | $650 to $950 | $900 to $1,350 |
| New York to Illinois | 730 to 925 mi | 2 to 3 days | $750 to $1,175 | $1,250 to $1,350 |
| Florida to New Jersey | 1,150 to 1,350 mi | 3 to 5 days | $800 to $950 | $1,275 to $1,450 |
| New York to Florida | 1,250 to 1,450 mi | 3 to 5 days | $800 to $950 base | $1,275 to $1,450 |
| California to Texas | 1,200 to 1,800 mi | 3 to 6 days | $900 to $1,400 | $1,250 to $2,250 |
| Texas to California | 1,200 to 1,800 mi | 3 to 6 days | $750 to $1,200 | $1,050 to $1,700 |
| New York to Texas | 1,370 to 2,200 mi | 4 to 6 days | $1,100 to $1,800 | $1,430 to $2,700 |
| New York to Colorado | 1,500 to 1,800 mi | 4 to 6 days | $650 to $1,050 | $1,000 to $1,400 |
| New York to California | about 2,800 mi | 7 to 10 days | $1,500 to $1,750 | $2,375 to $2,800 |
Every figure comes from that route's page. New York to Florida shows the base rate. From October through December and in April it runs $925 to $1,275 open. See all 24 on our popular car shipping routes page.
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car to Another State?
In the lower 48, plan on a 1 to 5 day pickup window, then 1 to 10 days on the truck. A 500-mile move is often done within about a week of your first available date. A coast to coast move takes closer to two weeks. Alaska and Hawaii take longer by ocean.
Time on the Truck by Distance
| Distance | Time on the truck | Example trip |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | 1 to 2 days | Atlanta to Miami |
| 500 to 1,000 miles | 2 to 3 days | Chicago to Dallas |
| 1,000 to 1,500 miles | 3 to 5 days | Denver to Seattle |
| 1,500 to 2,000 miles | 4 to 6 days | Boston to Houston |
| 2,000 to 2,500 miles | 5 to 7 days | Phoenix to New York |
| Over 2,500 miles | 7 to 10 days | Los Angeles to Boston |
These are typical windows, not promised dates. Most carriers cover about 500 miles a day under federal hours of service rules, and weather can add a day. Each route page lists the window for its lane.
When to Book
Book 2 to 3 weeks ahead for the widest choice of pickup dates. From May through August and October through December, book 3 to 4 weeks out. We can often dispatch sooner.
Moving coast to coast? Our guide to shipping a car across the country covers the longest lanes, where shipping costs the least per mile.
Is It Cheaper to Drive or Ship Your Car to Another State?
On a short trip, drive. Past about 1,000 miles the math turns, and by 1,500 miles shipping usually wins once you count the days.
What Driving 1,500 Miles Really Costs
| Expense | Typical cost, driving |
|---|---|
| Fuel | $210 to $290 |
| Lodging, 2 nights | $160 to $360 |
| Meals | $60 to $120 |
| Tolls | $0 to $40 |
| Wear and mileage | $150 to $250 |
| Time off work | 2 to 3 days, 23 to 25 hours behind the wheel |
| Total out of pocket | $580 to $1,060 |
Figures from the drive or ship table on our Texas page, Los Angeles to Houston, about 1,550 miles. Our California to Texas route page puts shipping the same lane at $900 to $1,400 open, with no miles added.
Other Ways to Move a Car to Another State
Drive It Yourself
The cheapest choice on a short move. On a long one you pay for fuel, hotels, and meals, and you lose days of work.
Hire a Driver
A driveaway service puts a driver behind your wheel. Every mile goes on your car. Read about paying someone to drive your car first.
Tow It
Pull it on a trailer or tow dolly. You still drive every mile, with a load behind you.
Take the Train
Amtrak's Auto Train carries you and your car between Virginia and Florida. It only helps if your move runs along that line.
Shipping skips those trade-offs. The car rides while you fly, work, or pack, and it arrives with no miles added.
Open vs Enclosed Car Shipping Between States
Around nine out of ten cars ship open. Enclosed costs more and protects more. Both carry the carrier's cargo insurance.
How the Two Trailers Compare
| Factor | Open transport | Enclosed transport |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | The base rate on every route | Usually 40 to 60 percent more |
| Trailer | Two-level open rack, 8 to 10 cars | Hard-sided or soft-sided trailer that holds fewer cars |
| Exposure | Weather and road dust, like a day of driving | Sealed from weather and road debris |
| Trucks on the road | About 85 percent of car haulers. Books in 1 to 2 weeks | About 15 percent. Book 2 to 3 weeks ahead |
| Best for | Daily drivers, SUVs, trucks, and leases | Classics, exotics, low cars, and fresh paint |
Which One Should You Book?
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Open Car Shipping
The right call for most moves. The same trucks that deliver new cars to dealers, at the lowest rate on the route.
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Enclosed Auto Transport
Worth the premium when the car is worth it. A covered trailer, gentle loading, and a carrier that hauls high-value cars.
Not sure which trailer fits your car? Get both prices in one quote.
How to Ship a Car to Another State in 5 Steps
Every state to state shipment runs on the same five steps. Our how car shipping works guide covers each one.
Quote
Give us the car, both ZIP codes, and your first available date. Your price locks when you book.
Match
We assign a vetted carrier already running your route and email you once it is set.
Pickup
The driver calls ahead. You inspect the car together and both sign the bill of lading.
Transit
Your car rides to the new state while the driver and our dispatch team keep you posted.
Delivery
The driver calls about 24 hours out. You inspect, sign, pay the balance, and take the keys.
How to Prepare Your Car for a State to State Move
A little prep the day before pickup prevents most problems at delivery.
Wash It
A clean car makes every scratch and chip easy to see at inspection.
Photograph It
Every panel, the roof, the wheels, and the odometer, with the date showing.
Leave a Quarter Tank
More fuel adds weight and buys you nothing.
Pull the Toll Tag
Or it bills you for every toll the truck drives through.
Empty the Cabin
Up to 100 pounds can ride in the trunk or back seat, below the window line, at your own risk. It is not covered.
Remove Loose Parts
Fold the mirrors, lower the antenna, and take off racks and loose trim.
Check the Basics
The battery, tires, and brakes need to work so the car rolls on and off.
Keep Your Title
The carrier needs the keys, not the title. Keep it with you for registering the car in your new state.
Car does not run? Tell us when you book, and read our guide to shipping a car that does not run. The car shipping prep checklist and our notes on personal items in the car cover the rest.
After Your Car Arrives in Your New State
Register the car before your new state's deadline, switch your insurance, and pass any inspection the state requires. Deadlines run from no grace period to 90 days. Your state's page lists its exact rules.
Registration Deadlines Run From None to 90 Days
Thirty days is the most common window, in 23 states. Florida and Alaska give 10, Kentucky gives 15, and California and Pennsylvania give 20. Ten states and DC give 60, and Colorado, Connecticut, Kansas, and South Dakota give 90.
Arizona, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Wisconsin give no grace period at all. North Dakota, New Mexico, and Wyoming set no day count, so you register once you become a resident. The card for each state above shows its window.
Some States Want Their Own Insurance First
Massachusetts will not register the car until a licensed Massachusetts insurance agent stamps your application. Michigan will not register a car on an out-of-state policy.
Call your insurer before the move. Our guide to keeping your car insurance when you move to a new state covers what changes.
Some States Inspect the Car Before It Gets Plates
Kentucky needs a sheriff's inspection, Kansas a Highway Patrol VIN inspection, and Ohio an $8 VIN inspection. Delaware and DC send the car through a DMV inspection first.
What Every State to State Shipment Includes
The same terms on every route, whether the car goes 200 miles or 2,800.
Price Lock Guarantee
The quote you book is the price you pay. No fuel surcharge later and no fee at delivery.
Deposit After Pickup
A deposit is charged after pickup, once the carrier has your car. We take all major credit cards for it.
Balance at Delivery
Paid to the driver by cash, certified check, Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, or money order. Your dispatcher confirms which ones your carrier takes.
Cargo Insurance
The carriers we book keep $1,000,000 in liability and $100,000 to $1,000,000 in cargo coverage. We verify it before dispatch.
Discounts
$50 off for active duty, veterans, and their families through our military auto transport program. Students save through college student car shipping.
Real People
Call Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm ET, or Saturday 9am to 5pm ET. A person who books cars every day picks up.
Shipping a Car to Another State: Questions
Quick answers before you book. Our auto transport FAQ page covers the rest.
How much does it cost to ship a car to another state?
Across the 24 routes we publish, a standard sedan costs $450 to $1,800 on an open carrier and $875 to $2,800 enclosed. Distance, vehicle size, trailer type, and the month set where your trip lands. Your price locks when you book.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car to another state?
Ship open and give the carrier a 3 to 5 day pickup window. Meet the truck at a wide lot near the highway, and ship in January or February if you can. The lowest number online is usually a price no carrier will run.
How long does it take to ship a car from state to state?
Most cars are picked up within a 1 to 5 day window. Time on the truck runs 1 to 2 days under 500 miles and 7 to 10 days coast to coast. Weather and road closures can add a day.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car to another state?
On a short trip, driving is cheaper. On a 1,500-mile move, driving costs $580 to $1,060 out of pocket plus 2 to 3 days of your time. Shipping the same lane runs $900 to $1,400 open, with no miles on the car.
How do I ship a car to another state?
Get a quote with both ZIP codes, the car, and your first available date, and lock the price. We assign a vetted carrier. The driver picks up the car and you both sign the bill of lading. At delivery you inspect, sign, and pay the balance.
Can I put personal items in my car when I ship it?
Up to 100 pounds in the trunk or back seat, kept below the window line, at your own risk. Those items are not covered by the carrier's cargo insurance, so leave valuables, electronics, and documents out.
Do I have to be there at pickup and delivery?
No. Anyone you trust can meet the driver, walk the car, and sign the bill of lading for you. Leave them a set of keys and give us their name and number when you book.
Do I need the title to ship my car to another state?
No. The carrier needs the car, the keys, and a signed bill of lading. Keep the title with you, because your new state asks for it when you register the car.
Can you ship a car I bought in another state?
Yes. We book pickups from dealers, auctions, and private sellers. Send us the pickup address, and for an auction the gate pass or release form. Then you title and register the car in your home state.
Can you ship a car that does not run to another state?
Yes. If it rolls, steers, and brakes, the carrier winches it onto the truck, which adds $100 to $250. A car that cannot roll needs a specialty rig and its own quote. Tell us when you book.
Is my car insured while it ships to another state?
Yes. The carriers we book keep $1,000,000 in liability and $100,000 to $1,000,000 in cargo coverage, and we verify it before dispatch. Coverage runs from pickup through delivery. Ask for the carrier's certificate and we will send it.
How soon do I have to register my car in my new state?
It depends on the state. Thirty days is the most common window. The range runs from no grace period in states like Massachusetts and Michigan to 90 days in Colorado and South Dakota. Each state's page lists its rules.
Can you ship a car to Alaska or Hawaii?
Yes, by ocean from the West Coast. Most Alaska lanes on our tables take 10 to 24 days, and most Hawaii lanes take 14 to 31 days. Cars bound for Hilo or Kahului finish by barge and take longer.
Do you offer a military discount for a PCS move?
Yes. Active duty, veterans, and their families get $50 off any shipment. College students get a discount too. Mention it when you book.
What happens if my car arrives damaged?
Write the damage on the bill of lading before you sign, and have the driver sign it too. Take photos, then call us and the carrier right away. In most cases the carrier asks for three repair estimates and pays one.
Is Number 1 Auto Transport a broker or a carrier?
We are a licensed broker, not a carrier. MC-796224 and USDOT 2336907. We do not own trucks or employ drivers. We vet, book, and manage the carriers who do, and we stay on the shipment until it is delivered.
Get Your State to State Car Shipping Quote
Enter your pickup and delivery points in the form at the top of this page, or call and talk to a real person. Read our auto transport reviews, then lock your rate.
Number 1 Auto Transport
Phone: 855.422.4141
Hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm ET, Saturday 9am to 5pm ET
MC-796224 | USDOT 2336907
Number 1 Auto Transport is a licensed and bonded auto transport broker, not a motor carrier. We arrange transportation with vetted, FMCSA-authorized carriers who hold active cargo insurance. Prices and transit times shown are typical ranges, not a binding quote. Your locked rate is confirmed at booking.