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Pros and Cons of Coast-to-Coast Car Shipping
The advantages and disadvantages of Coast-to-Coast Car Shipping, and how to decide whether it fits your vehicle and budget.
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Coast-to-Coast Car Shipping at a glance
- Cost per mile
- $0.35–$1.89 per mile
- Typical total
- $980 – $5,290
- Transit time
- 6–12 days
- Best for
- Coast-to-coast moves
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Advantages of coast-to-coast car shipping
- Low price per mile on busy long-haul routes
- Plenty of carriers between major coastal metros
- Saves about a week of driving
- No miles or wear added to your car
- Door-to-door at both ends
Disadvantages
- About 6–12 days in transit
- You'll likely need a ride or rental on arrival
- Summer and snowbird seasons raise prices
- Winter storms can delay northern routes
- Personal items usually can't ship inside
Side-by-side comparison
Coast-to-Coast Open vs. Enclosed
Feature | Open transport | Enclosed transport |
|---|---|---|
| Typical sedan price | About $980–$5,290 | About $1,275–$8,465 |
| Protection | Exposed to weather and debris | Fully covered trailer |
| Availability | High on coastal metro routes | Limited, book 2–3 weeks ahead |
| Transit time | About 6–12 days | About 6–12 days |
| Best for | Everyday cars, SUVs, trucks | Luxury, exotic, classic cars |
Which option is right for you?
Choose open transport if
- You're shipping an everyday vehicle
- You want the lowest coast-to-coast price
- You want the most pickup dates
Choose enclosed transport if
- Your car is valuable, classic or exotic
- It has fresh paint or very low clearance
- You want it covered for the full week
Recommendations by vehicle
Sedans and compact cars
Open transportSUVs and crossovers
Open transportPickup trucks
Open transportTesla
Open transportElectric vehicles
Open transportLuxury cars
Either optionExotic cars
Enclosed transportClassic cars
Enclosed transport
Ready to ship your car with coast-to-coast car shipping?
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