How to Ship a Car Across the Country
A coast to coast run costs $1,450 to $1,750 on an open carrier. New York to California takes 7 to 10 days on the truck. The price you book is the price you pay.
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Shipping a Car Across the Country, in Short
A coast to coast run of 2,500 miles or more costs $1,450 to $1,750 on an open carrier and $2,100 to $2,800 enclosed. Plan on a 1 to 5 day pickup window, then 7 to 10 days on the truck from New York to California.
You book a locked price, we assign a vetted carrier already running your corridor, and you sign the bill of lading at each end. That is about 10 minutes of your time.
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 operating authority, its insurance on file, and its safety record. On a 2,800 mile run, that check matters more than the price.
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.
How to Ship a Car Across the Country in 5 Steps
The process is the same on a 300 mile trip and a 3,000 mile one. Only the time on the truck changes. Our how it works page covers each step in full.
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 corridor and email you once it is set.
Pickup
The driver calls ahead. You walk the car together, note every mark, and both sign the bill of lading.
Transit
7 to 10 days coast to coast. The driver gives updates, and our dispatch team takes your calls.
Delivery
The driver calls about 24 hours out. You inspect, sign, pay the balance, and take the keys.
A deposit by card holds the booking. The balance goes to the driver at delivery by cash, certified check, Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, or money order. Your dispatcher confirms which ones your carrier takes. No fee is added at delivery.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car Across the Country?
A coast to coast run of 2,500 miles or more costs $1,450 to $1,750 on an open carrier and $2,100 to $2,800 enclosed. Per mile, that works out to about $0.55 to $0.65, against $1.20 to $2.75 on trips under 500 miles, because the truck's fixed costs spread over more miles.
The distance and route tables below come from our route pages, each priced from bookings on that lane. Where we publish nothing, we quote instead of guessing.
Cost by Distance
| Distance | Open cost | Enclosed cost | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $450 to $875 | $950 to $1,275 | 1 to 3 days |
| 500 to 1,000 miles | $575 to $1,200 | $875 to $1,700 | 1 to 4 days |
| 1,000 to 1,500 miles | $800 to $1,650 | $1,150 to $2,475 | 3 to 5 days |
| 1,500 to 2,500 miles | $650 to $1,800 | $1,000 to $2,800 | 3 to 10 days |
| 2,500 miles and up | $1,450 to $1,750 | $2,100 to $2,800 | 6 to 10 days |
Each band runs from the lowest to the highest price on the route pages in it. Two lanes in one band can sit far apart: New York to Colorado books at $650 to $1,050 and New York to Texas at $1,100 to $1,800.
Cross-Country Routes With Full Pricing
| Route | Distance | Transit | Open cost | Enclosed cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York to California | about 2,800 mi | 7 to 10 days | $1,500 to $1,750 | $2,375 to $2,800 |
| New York to Oregon | 2,600 to 3,000 mi | 7 to 10 days | $1,500 to $1,700 | $2,100 to $2,350 |
| New York to Nevada | 2,400 to 2,700 mi | 6 to 8 days | $1,450 to $1,700 | $2,150 to $2,550 |
| New York to Arizona | 2,189 to 2,450 mi | 7 to 10 days | $1,500 to $1,750 base | $2,375 to $2,800 |
| California to Tennessee | 1,810 to 2,525 mi | 4 to 8 days | $1,050 to $1,650 | $1,575 to $2,475 |
| 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 Texas | 1,370 to 2,200 mi | 4 to 6 days | $1,100 to $1,800 | $1,430 to $2,700 |
| 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 Arizona shows the base rate. In snowbird season it runs about $1,650 to $2,100 open.
Cost by Vehicle Type
The tables above are sedan prices. Larger vehicles take more deck space and weight, so they add to the rate.
| Vehicle | Under 500 mi | 500 to 1,000 mi | 1,000 to 2,500 mi | Over 2,500 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | Base rate | Base rate | Base rate | Base rate |
| Compact SUV | +$50 | +$50 | +$100 | +$100 |
| SUV | +$100 | +$100 | +$150 | +$250 |
| Pickup truck | +$250 | +$300 | +$550 | +$700 |
The adds come from the vehicle price chart this page published in August 2026. A car that does not run adds $100 to $250 for a carrier with a winch. Lifted or oversized vehicles are quoted one at a time.
What Moves the Price
- Distance. Longer trips cost more in total and less per mile.
- Pickup and delivery spots. A metro near the interstate costs less than a town 60 miles off it.
- Open or enclosed. Enclosed usually runs 40 to 60 percent more.
- Vehicle size. Every SUV and truck pays for the extra deck space.
- Time of year. Summer and the fall snowbird run are the busiest stretches.
- Your dates. A pickup window of a few days gets a better rate than a fixed date.
Want the real number for your car? A locked quote takes about a minute.
Shipping a shorter distance? Our car shipping cost guide prices all 24 lanes we publish.
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car Across the Country?
Plan on 7 to 10 days on the truck for a coast to coast run like New York to California or New York to Oregon, plus a 1 to 5 day pickup window. New York to Nevada runs 6 to 8 days. Shorter cross-country lanes, like California to Texas, run 3 to 6 days.
Each Stage, Start to Finish
| Stage | How long | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Quote | About a minute | You enter the route and the car, and the price comes back |
| First available date to pickup | Usually 1 to 5 days | We assign a carrier, you get an email, and the driver calls |
| On the truck | 7 to 10 days coast to coast | About 500 miles a day, with stops for the other cars on the load |
| Delivery | Call about 24 hours ahead | Inspection, signatures, balance, and keys |
These are estimates, not promised dates. Weather, road closures, and federal hours of service rules can add a day. Our guide to pickup and delivery times explains how carriers set their schedules.
The Interstates Cross-Country Carriers Run
Coast to coast carriers run one of two corridors. I-80 runs the northern tier through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada into Northern California. I-40 runs the middle from Tennessee through Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque, and Flagstaff to Barstow. Southern lanes, like California to Texas, run I-10 through El Paso, Tucson, and Phoenix.
East Coast pickups start on I-95 and cut west across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Upstate New York cars feed onto I-90 and I-80. Carrier supply on these corridors stays deep, which is what keeps the pickup window short. Our coast to coast auto transport page covers the 2,500 mile and up lanes.
Is It Cheaper to Drive or Ship Your Car Across the Country?
On a coast to coast move, the cash cost of driving and shipping sits close together. Here is a one-way drive from New York to California, about 2,800 miles, priced from that route page.
Driving usually costs a few hundred dollars less in cash. Shipping wins once you count the week on the road and the miles on the car.
| Expense | Typical cost, driving |
|---|---|
| Fuel | $300 to $420 |
| Meals and lodging, four nights | $730 to $1,070 |
| Tolls | $60 to $100 |
| Total out of pocket | $1,090 to $1,590 |
Typical figures for a sedan and five days of driving. Shipping the same lane runs $1,500 to $1,750 open. The drive leaves out the wear, an oil change, and a week of your time.
Driving vs Shipping, Side by Side
| Factor | Driving yourself | Shipping your car |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $1,090 to $1,590 out of pocket, before wear | $1,500 to $1,750 open, locked at booking |
| Wear | Adds 2,800 or more miles | Adds zero miles |
| Time | Five days or more behind the wheel | Fly out in about six hours |
| Risk | Mountain passes, desert heat, fatigue, a breakdown far from home | Covered by the carrier's cargo insurance |
| Effort | Route planning, hotels, and a long haul | Picked up and delivered for you |
If the road trip is the point, drive it. If you are moving for work, school, or orders, shipping gives you the week back. Our guide on driving versus shipping a car breaks the math down further.
Open vs Enclosed Transport for a Cross-Country Move
About nine out of ten cars ship open, and most cross-country moves should too. Both carry the carrier's cargo insurance for the whole trip. Enclosed buys a covered trailer and gentler loading.
| Factor | Open transport | Enclosed transport |
|---|---|---|
| Cost, 2,500 miles and up | $1,450 to $1,750 | $2,100 to $2,800 |
| Trailer | Two-level open rack, 8 to 10 cars | Covered trailer, 2 to 7 cars |
| Exposure | Weather and road dust, like driving it | Sealed from weather and road debris |
| Booking | The most trucks on the road, books fastest | Fewer trucks, so book earlier |
| Low cars | Standard ramps | Lift gate or shallow ramps |
| 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 Transport
The right call for most cars. The same trucks that deliver new cars to dealers, at the lowest rate on the lane.
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Enclosed Transport
Worth the premium when a rock chip on a 2,800 mile run would ruin your week. Covered trailer and gentle loading.
Not sure which trailer fits your car? Get both prices in one quote.
Popular Cross-Country Car Shipping Routes
Each route guide has city pair prices, the interstates the truck runs, military bases at both ends, and the rules in the state where your car lands.
Long-Haul Route Guides
- New York to California
- New York to Oregon
- New York to Nevada
- New York to Arizona
- California to Tennessee
- New York to Colorado
- New York to Texas
- California to Texas
- Texas to California
- New York to Florida
- Florida to New Jersey
- New York to Minnesota
Ship To or From These States
- New York Auto Transport
- California Auto Transport
- Texas Auto Transport
- Florida Auto Transport
- Arizona Auto Transport
- Colorado Auto Transport
- Nevada Auto Transport
- Oregon Auto Transport
Every lane we price is on our popular routes hub, and every state has its own page on the ship by state hub.
What We Ship Across the Country
Cross-country lanes carry more than sedans. If it has wheels, there is usually a carrier for it.
Classic and Collector Cars
Enclosed trailers and soft straps for cars that cannot take a rock chip.
Exotic and Luxury Cars
Lift gate loading for low cars, and small loads when the value calls for it.
Motorcycles
Strapped in a cradle on an open or enclosed carrier, coast to coast.
Heavy Equipment
Flatbed, step deck, and RGN carriers for tractors and oversized loads.
Boats
Powerboats and sailboats on the right trailer, with the permits the route needs.
College Students
Timed to the semester, with a student discount on the quote.
Snowbirds
South in the fall and north in the spring, booked before the lanes fill.
Auction and Dealer Cars
Copart, Manheim, and IAA pickups, including cars that do not run.
Corporate Relocation
Cars for new hires and transfers, timed to the start date.
Shipping a Car Across the Country on PCS Orders
Orders to a base across the country put a hard date on your move. Here is how to time the car around it.
We work around your orders. Pickup at your address is standard where the truck fits. If your report date shifts, the pickup shifts with it, with no penalty for a date change tied to PCS paperwork. Full details on our military auto transport page.
Common Cross-Country PCS Moves
New York to California
Fort Drum, West Point, and Hancock Field to Camp Pendleton, Naval Base San Diego, Travis, and Vandenberg.
New York to Colorado
Fort Drum to Fort Carson, Hancock Field to Peterson, and West Point to the Air Force Academy.
New York to Arizona
Hancock Field to Luke, Fort Drum to Fort Huachuca, and West Point to Yuma Proving Ground.
New York to Nevada
Hancock Field to Nellis and Stewart to Creech.
California to Texas
Travis to Joint Base San Antonio and Naval Base San Diego to Corpus Christi.
California to Tennessee
Camp Pendleton to Fort Campbell and Naval Base San Diego to Millington.
Timing Your Car Around Your Report Date
Most service members get a 30 to 60 day window between orders and report date. On a coast to coast lane, plan on a 1 to 5 day pickup window and 7 to 10 days on the road. Book two to four weeks out, or as soon as your orders land.
PCS season runs May through August. Coast to coast lanes fill first, so booking early gets you more pickup dates to choose from.
Military Discount
Active duty, veterans, and their families get $50 off any shipment. Mention your status on the quote form or when you call.
What to Do After Your Car Arrives in a New State
Most people shipping a car across the country are moving. Your new state starts a clock on registration, and each state runs it differently.
Register within your new state's window, which runs from immediately in Arizona to 90 days in Colorado. Florida gives you 10 days. Switch your insurance to a policy written for your new state before the DMV visit. Most states on this list will not register the car without one.
New-Resident Rules in Eight Popular Destinations
| State | Register within | Tax on a car you already own | Inspection and emissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 20 days | Use tax can apply to a car bought in the last 12 months | Smog check on gas cars 1976 and newer, plus a VIN check |
| Texas | 30 days, 60 for active duty | Flat $90 new resident tax | No safety inspection since 2025. Emissions in the Houston, Dallas Fort Worth, Austin, and El Paso areas, with San Antonio added in 2026 |
| Florida | 10 days | None if owned six months or more. Most new residents pay a $225 initial registration fee | VIN verification only |
| Arizona | Immediately | None on a move (ask if bought in the last year). Yearly Vehicle License Tax | Emissions in the Phoenix and Tucson areas only |
| Colorado | 90 days | No use tax on a move. Yearly Specific Ownership Tax | VIN verification. Emissions on the Front Range |
| Nevada | 30 days | None after substantial use in another state. Yearly Governmental Services Tax | Free VIN inspection. Emissions in urban Clark and Washoe counties |
| Oregon | 30 days | None. Oregon has no sales tax | $9 VIN inspection. Emissions near Portland and Medford |
| Tennessee | 30 days | None on a move | None |
Driver License Windows
California wants a new license within 10 days. Florida, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Tennessee give you 30. Arizona wants it immediately. In Texas, check the current window with DPS when you register.
From each state's DMV or revenue agency, verified for our route pages in August 2026. Rules change, so check with the state before you go. Each route page into these states covers the full checklist.
When Is the Best Time to Ship a Car Across the Country?
January and February are the cheapest months. Summer and the fall snowbird run cost the most. Here is the year in five windows.
| Window | Demand | What drives it | Price effect | Book ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January to February | Lowest of the year | Holiday moves are done, snowbirds are settled | At base | 1 to 2 weeks |
| March to April | Building to peak | Snowbirds head north, spring moves begin | 5 to 20 percent above base | 2 to 4 weeks |
| May to August | Peak | Military PCS season, summer moves, students | 10 to 20 percent above base | 3 to 4 weeks |
| September | Shoulder | Moves taper off, snowbirds not yet booking | 5 to 10 percent above base | 2 weeks |
| October to December | Peak | Snowbirds head south, year-end moves | 10 to 20 percent above base, up to 35 on I-95 and I-75 | 3 to 4 weeks |
The premiums are the ones published on our state pages.
Winter on the Cross-Country Interstates
I-80 in Wyoming and the Sierra
Ground blizzards close I-80 in Wyoming, and Donner Pass takes chain controls and storm closures from about November through March. Carriers shift south to I-40.
I-40 at Flagstaff
The road climbs to 7,000 feet and takes snow from December through March. A storm can push a truck south to I-10.
Denver and the Rockies
I-76 into Denver drifts closed in ground blizzards, and past Denver I-70 through the Eisenhower Tunnel closes for snow. Carriers hold rather than reroute, so add a day.
A winter reroute usually adds miles, not days.
How to Prepare Your Car for a Cross-Country Shipment
Twenty minutes of prep the day before pickup prevents most problems at delivery. Work down this list.
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 on the way across.
Empty the Cabin
Up to 100 pounds can ride in the trunk or back seat, below the window line, at your own risk.
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. If not, tell us.
Flag Any Leaks
A leak can drip on the car below, so tell the driver before loading.
Car does not run? Tell us when you book. 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.
Cross-Country Car Shipping Questions
The questions people ask before they book a long haul. Our auto transport FAQ page covers the rest.
How much does it cost to ship a car across the country?
A coast to coast run of 2,500 miles or more costs $1,450 to $1,750 on an open carrier and $2,100 to $2,800 enclosed. New York to California runs $1,500 to $1,750 open. Cross-country lanes of 1,500 to 2,500 miles run $650 to $1,800 open.
How long does it take to ship a car across the country?
Plan on 6 to 10 days on the truck for lanes of 2,500 miles and up, plus a 1 to 5 day pickup window. New York to California runs 7 to 10 days, New York to Nevada 6 to 8 days, and California to Texas 3 to 6 days. Weather and road closures can add a day.
How do I ship a car across the country?
Get a quote with both ZIP codes and your date, then book it to lock the price. We assign a vetted carrier on your corridor. You sign the bill of lading at pickup, and you inspect, sign, and pay the balance at delivery.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car across the country?
Ship open, give the carrier a pickup window of a few days, and meet the truck near the highway if your street is tight. January and February run at base rates. Skip the lowest online quote, which is usually a price no carrier will take.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship a car across the country?
Driving usually costs a few hundred dollars less in cash. A 2,800 mile drive from New York to California runs $1,090 to $1,590 out of pocket, against $1,500 to $1,750 to ship it open. Shipping wins once you count five days on the road and the wear.
How much more does it cost to ship an SUV or truck across the country?
On runs over 2,500 miles, a compact SUV adds about $100 to the sedan rate, a larger SUV about $250, and a pickup truck about $700. Lifted or oversized vehicles are quoted one at a time.
How far ahead should I book a cross-country shipment?
Two to three weeks ahead gets the widest choice of pickup dates. From May through August and October through December, book three to four weeks out. Military families should book as soon as orders land.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car across the country?
January and February, when moves are done and trucks have open slots. September is next best. May through August and October through December run 10 to 20 percent above base.
Which route will the truck take?
Coast to coast carriers run I-80 across the north or I-40 through the middle. Southern lanes, like California to Texas, run I-10. In winter, storms on I-80 push many carriers onto I-40. A reroute usually adds miles, not days.
Where will my car be picked up and delivered?
At your address wherever the truck fits. A loaded car hauler can run 75 feet, so narrow streets and low branches sometimes keep it out. Then the driver meets you at a nearby lot with room to load.
Can I put personal items in my car?
Up to 100 pounds in the trunk or back seat, 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.
Is my car insured during a cross-country shipment?
Yes. Every carrier we assign carries active cargo insurance, and we verify it before dispatch. Coverage runs from pickup through delivery. Note any damage on the bill of lading before you sign at delivery.
How do I pay for cross-country car shipping?
A deposit by credit card holds the booking. The balance is paid to the driver at delivery by cash, certified check, Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, or money order. Your dispatcher confirms which ones your carrier takes.
Can you ship a car that does not run across the country?
Yes, as long as it rolls, steers, and brakes. It needs a carrier with a winch, which adds $100 to $250. Tell us when you book, because a surprise at pickup can cost you the truck.
Do I have to register my car after it arrives in a new state?
Yes. Windows run from immediately in Arizona to 90 days in Colorado, and Florida gives you 10. Get a policy written for your new state first, and check whether your county needs an emissions test.
Do you offer military discounts on cross-country moves?
Yes. Active duty, veterans, and their families get $50 off any shipment. College students get a discount too. Mention it when you book.
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.
What are the disadvantages of shipping a car across the country?
You are without the car for the 7 to 10 days it rides coast to coast, and pickup comes in a 1 to 5 day window, not at a set hour. On an open trailer it sees the same weather as driving. Tight streets can mean meeting the driver at a nearby lot.
Ready to Ship Your Car Across the Country?
Enter your pickup and delivery points in the form above, or call and talk to a real person. Read what customers say on our auto transport reviews page, 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 from our route pages, not a binding quote. Your locked rate is confirmed at booking.