How To Ship A Car Across The Country
Moving your vehicle long-distance shouldn’t be stressful. As a fully licensed and insured nationwide auto carrier with over 15 years of experience, Number 1 Auto Transport simplifies cross-country car shipping. Our clear, competitive pricing and dedicated logistics team ensure your car arrives safely and reliably, door-to-door, guaranteed.
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Shipping a Car Across Country with Number 1 Auto Transport
Moving long distances is already complicated enough without worrying about driving your car across the country. This is why most people moving across the country choose to ship their cars using a car delivery service. While shipping a car might appear daunting, we can help simplify the process and answer any questions you may have along the way.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car Across the Country
The cost to ship a car across the country depends on a few key things. At Number 1 Auto Transport, we’ve shipped over 50,000 vehicles for over 15 years. Our quotes are always transparent, with no hidden fees.
Here are the 5 main factors that affect your car shipping cost:
- How Far You’re Shipping This is the most important factor. The farther your car needs to go, the more it will cost. For example, shipping a car from New York to Florida will cost less than from California to Texas. We specialize in these high-volume routes.
- Where You’re Shipping From Picking up a car in a busy city costs more than a quiet town. The same is true for the delivery location. This is because getting through city traffic can take more time.
- Your Choice of Transport We offer two options for shipping your vehicle. Open transport is our most popular and affordable choice. Your car ships on an open carrier. Enclosed transport costs more but gives your car extra protection from the weather and road debris.
- The Size of Your Vehicle Larger vehicles take up more space and weigh more. Shipping a large truck or SUV costs more than a small sedan. This is true for any vehicle shipping company.
- The Time of Year Seasonal demand also impacts the price. It costs more to ship a car in the summer when more people are moving. The same is true around major holidays.
Ready to get an exact price for your shipment? Just call us or fill out our simple online form for a free, instant quote.
Average Car Shipping Cost by Vehicle and Distance Across the Country
When you arrange for a professional auto transport service, the total cost depends on a variety of factors—from the type of vehicle you’re shipping to the distance it needs to travel.
In the meantime, the charts below give you a clearer idea of how prices shift with vehicle specifications, travel ranges, and carrier options.
Open vs. Enclosed: Choosing Your Cross-Country Transport Type
Reliable, Nationwide Open Car Carrier
Open carrier transport is the cheapest of the two shipment options. These carriers can hold up to ten vehicles simultaneously, reducing the expense of travel per vehicle. This is a great affordable option for most daily-drive vehicles. You can read more about open carrier transport on our site.
Secure Enclosed Car Shipping Carrier
Enclosed auto transport is the safest and most secure way to ship your car across the country. An enclosed carrier protects your vehicle from weather elements, and the specialized loading platform offers a gentler slope for safer car loading. Enclosed transport is often preferred for collectibles, exotic vehicles, and classic cars.
Driving vs. Shipping: What is the True Cost of Moving Your Car?
Deciding whether to drive or ship your car across the country can be tough. Driving seems cheaper at first, but it has hidden costs. We’ve helped over 50,000 customers with this decision. At Number 1 Auto Transport, we believe shipping your car is the best choice.
Here’s why shipping your car often saves you money and time.
- Shipping Your Car The average cost to ship your car across the country is between $800 and $1,500. This includes full insurance coverage. Your car is safely shipped while you take a short flight. You save money on gas, hotels, and food. You also save many days of travel time.
- Driving Your Car Driving your car sounds easy, but the costs add up fast. The average route is about 2,500 miles. You will spend around $400 on gas. On top of that, you have hotel rooms, food, and other travel costs. A cross-country drive can cost over $1,000. It also puts wear and tear on your car.
- The Best Option Shipping your car with a reliable company like Number 1 Auto Transport is a smart choice. You avoid the stress of a long drive. Our transparent pricing means no hidden fees. Plus, we’ve been family-owned for over 15 years, so we understand personal service. Ready to get a free quote? Just call us or fill out our online form.
Our Simple 4-Step Process to Ship Your Car Nationwide
Shipping your car across the country is simple with Number 1 Auto Transport. We walk you through every step. Our goal is to make the process easy and stress-free for you. We have a simple, four-step process.
Get a Quote. First, we need to know what you’re shipping. Tell us your car’s year, make, and model. We also need to know the pick-up and drop-off locations.
Book Your Order. After you get your free quote, we will confirm the details. Then, we find a carrier for your car. We only work with carriers that have a proven record of safety and good service.
Car Pick-Up. The driver will call you to arrange a time and place for pick-up. You or a trusted person must be there. You will inspect the car with the driver and sign a bill of lading.
Car Delivery. The driver will call you when they are close to your destination. You will inspect your car again. Once you sign the final paperwork, the delivery is complete.
We know it can be a big decision. We have shipped over 50,000 cars over the last 15 years for customers just like you. Our team is here to help with any questions you have.
Ship a Car Across The Country in 3 Simple Steps
Request a quote, book your order, and leave the rest to us – we've got you covered from start to finish!
Free Quote & Book Your Order
We Pick Up Your Vehicle
We Deliver Your Vehicle
Ship Your Car Cross Country From Any State (Nationwide Service)
Many reasons make us one of the top car transport services companies when shipping your car across the country. For instance, every Number 1 Auto Transport driver is vetted, has a clean driving record, and is in good standing with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety.
Ship a Car Across Country: Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to the most commonly asked questions about shipping a Car Across the Country
The cost of cross-country car shipping is determined by several key factors. To give you the most accurate price, we consider:
Vehicle Specifications: The year, make, and model of your vehicle. Larger and heavier vehicles like trucks or SUVs generally cost more to transport.
Distance & Route: The total mileage and the popularity of the route. Shipping to and from major metropolitan areas is often more cost-effective.
Timing: The seasonality and your requested pickup dates. Prices can be higher during peak seasons (e.g., summer) or with last-minute requests.
Transport Type: Your choice between open auto transport (the standard, more affordable option) and enclosed auto transport (for maximum protection).
The most budget-friendly method for cross-country car shipping is open auto transport. This is the most common and widely used service, where your vehicle is transported on an open carrier. It is a safe and secure option for the vast majority of vehicles, including daily drivers and family cars. While your vehicle is exposed to the elements, professional carriers take great care to ensure a smooth journey. For high-value vehicles, classics, or custom cars, an enclosed carrier offers additional protection from road debris and weather, but it comes at a higher price point. For a personalized recommendation on the best transport type for your needs, contact our team of specialists.
Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during the entire cross-country transport. All professional car carriers are legally required to carry cargo insurance that covers any potential damage to your vehicle. In the rare event that damage occurs, it is critical to document it on the Bill of Lading (BOL) upon delivery. This is the legal document that confirms your vehicle’s condition. You must inspect your car thoroughly before signing the BOL and ensure the driver also signs off on the noted damage. This is the official and necessary first step in filing a claim, which our team is always ready to assist with.
Shipping your car across the country with a professional auto transport company is a simple, three-step process:
Get a Quote and Book: Provide us with your pickup and delivery locations, along with your vehicle’s year, make, and model. We’ll give you a competitive rate and help you select a convenient 3-day pickup window.
Vehicle Pickup: A licensed carrier will arrive at the designated location to pick up your vehicle. Together, you will perform a detailed inspection and document your vehicle’s condition on the Bill of Lading.
Delivery & Final Inspection: The carrier will transport your vehicle safely to its destination. Upon arrival, you’ll conduct a final inspection to confirm its condition and sign off on the delivery.
The typical transit time for shipping a car across the country is 7 to 10 days. This is based on a standard cross-country distance of approximately 2,500 miles, with carriers averaging around 500 miles of travel per day. For a faster delivery, it is possible to arrange a premium service with “team drivers.” These drivers alternate shifts to reduce stops and travel time, often cutting the transit window to 5 to 7 days. However, this expedited service comes with a higher cost.
We offer a variety of convenient and secure payment options for your cross-country car shipping service. Our standard payment process involves two parts: a small, refundable deposit paid upfront to secure your transport, with the remaining balance due upon delivery of your vehicle.
We accept a wide range of payment methods for your convenience, including:
All major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover)
Secure electronic transfers (Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, PayPal)
ACH and wire transfers
Certified and bank checks
Our team will provide clear payment instructions as part of your service agreement to ensure a seamless transaction.
