Car shipping service
Cross-Country Car Shipping
- Estimates clearly labeled
- Independent company rankings
- Free to compare
$0.35–$1.89 per mile
Average cost per mile
Published figures, about 2,500 miles
$875 – $4,725
Typical total cost
Standard car, about 2,500 miles
5–10 days
Transit time
Depends on distance
Long-distance moves
Best for
Free · No obligation · About a minute
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What is cross-country car shipping?
Long-haul carriers run along the main interstate corridors, picking up and dropping off cars along the way. Because drivers may drive up to 11 hours a day, a coast-to-coast trip usually takes about a week or more once you add stops, weather and rest.
- Lowest price per mile of any distance
- Door-to-door service at both ends
- Main corridors like I-10, I-40, I-70, I-80 and I-90
- Open transport for most cars, enclosed for high-value ones
- No miles, fuel or hotel nights added to your trip
Is cross-country car shipping right for you?
- You're relocating across the country
- You'd rather fly than drive for several days
- You bought a car in another region
- You want to avoid adding thousands of miles to your car
- You're a snowbird, student or service member on a long move
Cross-Country Car Shipping pricing
Price per mile by distance, from published industry studies.
| Distance | Sedan | SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $0.80–$2.20 per mile | $0.85–$2.35 per mile |
| 500–999 miles | $0.73–$1.89 per mile | $0.78–$2.02 per mile |
| 1,000–1,499 miles | $0.70–$1.89 per mile | $0.75–$2.02 per mile |
| 1,500–1,999 miles | $0.40–$1.89 per mile | $0.43–$2.02 per mile |
| 2,000+ miles | $0.35–$1.89 per mile | $0.37–$2.02 per mile |
Prices move with the season
No source publishes monthly prices for this service, so this is what the studies say about timing.
Summer moving season and the holidays tighten truck space, while mid-January to February is usually the quietest stretch of the year.
Direct Connect Auto Transport reports 2026 versus 2025 running 3% to 8% higher.
What affects the price
How it works
- Enter your routeAdd both locations, your vehicle and your pickup window to see long-distance estimates.
- Compare companiesCompare prices, transit times, reviews and licensing for companies that run your corridor.
- Book and confirm termsGet the price, pickup window, estimated transit time, deposit and cancellation terms in writing.
- Carrier assignedThe broker or carrier confirms a long-haul truck heading your way.
Pros and cons
- Pro: Lowest price per mile
- Pro: Saves days of driving and hotel costs
- Pro: No wear or mileage added to your car
- Pro: Useful for leased cars with mileage limits
- Con: About 5–10 days in transit
- Con: You may need a rental car until it arrives
- Con: Personal items usually can't ship inside
- Con: Winter weather can delay northern routes
Vehicles it suits
- Sedans and compact carsGood fit
- SUVs and crossoversGood fit
- Pickup trucksGood fit
- Electric vehiclesGood fit
- TeslaGood fit
- Luxury carsEither
- Classic carsConsider alternative
- Non-running vehiclesEither
Shipping vs. Driving a Car Cross-Country
- Estimated cost
- About $875–$4,725 for a standard car
- Often similar once hotels and meals are added
- Your time
- A few hours at pickup and delivery
- About 5–7 full days
- Wear on the car
- None
- 2,500–3,000 miles added
- Belongings
- Usually not allowed in the car
- Pack as much as fits
- Risk
- Carrier insured for damage
- Breakdowns, weather and fatigue
Columns: Ship your car · Drive it yourself
Full comparisonCompanies that list cross-country car shipping
Researched companies ordered by Trustpilot rating, adjusted for review count.
Related services
- Open Car TransportThe most common and affordable way to ship a car, on a multi-car carrier open to the air (also called open-air transport).
- Enclosed Car TransportA covered trailer that shields the car from weather, road debris and view.
- Door-to-Door Car ShippingThe driver picks up and delivers as close to your addresses as a large truck can safely reach.
- Expedited Car ShippingPriority dispatch that shortens the wait for pickup when you have a firm deadline.
- Inoperable Car ShippingTransport for cars that don't start, steer or brake, loaded with a winch or forklift.
Insurance and safety
Carriers must carry liability insurance
Most for-hire interstate carriers must file at least $750,000 in liability coverage with the FMCSA. Cargo coverage for the cars on the truck is set by the carrier, so ask for the certificate.
Source: 49 CFR 387.9Authority can be checked for free
Any broker or carrier's USDOT number, operating status and insurance on file can be looked up in the FMCSA database.
Source: FMCSA company snapshotThe Bill of Lading is signed twice
You and the driver inspect the car at pickup and again at delivery. Note any new damage on the Bill of Lading before you sign, and photograph it before the driver leaves.
Source: FMCSA: Protect your move
Frequently asked questions
What is cross-country car shipping?
Shipping a car over a long distance, usually 1,500 miles or more across several states, on a long-haul car carrier.
Is it cheaper to ship or drive a car across the country?
Often about the same. Driving 2,500–3,000 miles adds fuel, 4–6 nights of lodging, meals, wear on the car and days off work.
How much does it cost to ship a car cross-country?
Published studies put a standard car on an open truck at about $875–$4,725 for a 2,500-mile trip. Enclosed transport costs 30–60% more.
Average car shipping cost
What's the cheapest way to ship a car cross-country?
Choose open transport, be flexible with dates, avoid peak summer weeks and meet the truck near a major highway if you live far from one.
Cheapest way to ship a carWhy is the price per mile lower on long trips?
Fixed costs like loading, paperwork and dispatch are spread over more miles, and long-haul trucks run efficient interstate routes.
Car shipping cost per mileHow long does it take to ship a car across the country?
Usually about 5–10 days in transit, plus the pickup window. Weather, stops and remote locations can add time.
How long car shipping takes
Where these figures come from
Published industry studies, not Haulwide shipments. Checked Sep 16, 2026.
- SGT Auto Transport(opens in a new tab)
Published Sep 9, 2026. 30 months of the company's own shipping data (January 2024 to June 2026) across all 50 states and 1,581 state-to-state lanes, limited to completed single-vehicle open transport deliveries and mix-adjusted for distance.
- Move.org(opens in a new tab)
Published Mar 4, 2026. Nearly 800 broker quotes analyzed, priced for a running 2025 Toyota Camry with a one-week lead time using October 2025 quotes.
- Kelley Blue Book(opens in a new tab)
Published Jan 12, 2026. Quotes requested from eight transport companies for a 2025 Honda Accord on three routes from Orlando, on standard open carriers.
- Direct Connect Auto Transport(opens in a new tab)
No publication date given. The company's own carrier data for an operable sedan on open transport; the page states no publication date.
- RoadRunner Auto Transport(opens in a new tab)
Published Sep 1, 2026. The company's completed shipment history, which it describes as over 1 million vehicles delivered across 30+ years, updated September 2026. Its nationwide average is $1,215 at a median distance of 987 miles and a median $1.23 per mile.
The sources disagree, so figures are shown as the span across them rather than a single price. Pricing methodology
Ready to ship your car with cross-country car shipping?
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