How To Ship A Car Across The Country
Number 1 Auto Transport offers clear, competitive pricing that makes cross-country car shipping both affordable and reliable, giving you peace of mind knowing your vehicle is in trusted hands.
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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 Shipping a Car Across Country?
Wondering how much it costs to ship a car across country? Here’s a breakdown of key factors that affect your cross-country car shipping rate:
- Distance: The longer the journey, the higher the cost. Expect this to be the main driver of your quote.
- Locations: Where you’re shipping from and to plays a role. Specific city traffic, distance from major highways, and pickup/drop-off ease can impact pricing.
- Trailer Type: Choose open-air transport for a more affordable option, or opt for enclosed trailers for extra protection at a higher cost.
- Vehicle Details: Size, and weight of your car are two factors that can influence the auto transport rate.
- Seasonality: Demand for car shipping fluctuates throughout the year. Busier seasons may lead to slightly higher prices depending on the route.
Should I Ship a Car Across Country in a Open or Enclosed Car Carrier?
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.
Should I Drive or Ship My Car Across the Country?
The transit time and costs may prompt you to consider whether it would be better to drive the car across country. It might initially seem cheaper… but there are hidden costs. On average the shortest route across the country is about 2,500 miles. The average out-of-pocket cost of driving your vehicle across the country is around $500 to $600. When you add in cost for hotel, and food, hiring a professional car shipping company might be a more prudent choice. You could purchase a plane ticket, arrive at your new home within a few hours, and wait for your car to reach your destination.
How to Ship My Car Across the Country?
Wondering how to get your car across country? We can help!
Many car owners feel unsure about choosing a company to ship their vehicle across state lines. Let’s walk you through our car shipping process to give you a clearer picture. We will need the following:
- Year, Make, Model
- Origin and destination cities
- Flexible shipping dates, if possible
- Preferred trailer type (open or enclosed)
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 to move a car across country depends on several factors, including the vehicle make/model, shipment distance, shipment date(s) of the shipment, and the type of car carrier you choose. To receive a personalized car shipping rate, you can either contact one of our experienced agents or submit a quick quote request through our form above.
An open transport service is the cheapest way to ship a car across the country. Open transport will be safe, secure, and an excellent option for cross-country travel for most vehicles. An enclosed carrier offers extra protection from weather and other hazards for exotic cars and collectibles. Call Number 1 Auto Transport to talk to an auto transport specialist who can help determine the type of shipment right for you.
To meet State and Federal requirements, vehicle carriers are fully insured with cargo coverage. Damages should be documented during vehicle delivery on the Bill of Lading, and you should obtain the driver’s signature. Having damage from auto shipping is rare, especially when using a trusted and credible cross country auto transport service.
Number 1 Auto Transport will work on getting you the best rate possible to transport your car across the country. We only need 3 pieces of information. 1) Which cities do you want your car to be picked up and delivered from. 2) Choose a 3-day (weekday) window for pickup. 3) Year, Make, Model of the vehicle being transported.
The estimated car shipping transit time when moving your car across the country is 7-10 days. It is possible to get a carrier with team drivers that will cut the transit time to 5-7 days. The approximate distance for this route is around 2,500 miles. Most auto transport carriers are able to drive 500 miles a day.
Number 1 Auto Transport offers a variety of convenient payment methods to ensure a seamless transaction for our customers. We accept all major credit cards for your convenience. Additionally, we facilitate secure electronic transfers through established platforms (Zelle, Venmo, Cashapp, Paypal) as well as ACH and wire transfers. For alternative payment preferences, certified and bank checks are also accepted.
