Car shipping service
Shipping vs. Driving a Car Cross-Country
Compare Cross-Country Car Shipping with the alternatives on price, protection, availability and the vehicles each option suits.
- Estimates clearly labeled
- Independent company rankings
- Free to compare
Cross-Country Car Shipping at a glance
- Cost per mile
- $0.35–$1.89 per mile
- Typical total
- $875 – $4,725
- Transit time
- 5–10 days
- Best for
- Long-distance moves
Free · No obligation · About a minute
Get a cross-country car shipping quote
Saves time
Ship your car
$0.35–$1.89 per mile
- No days behind the wheel
- No added miles or wear
- Door-to-door pickup and delivery
- Takes about 5–10 days
Your own schedule
Drive it yourself
- Estimate includes fuel, 4–6 hotel nights and meals
- About 5–7 days of driving
- Adds thousands of miles of wear
- Room to pack belongings
Quick comparison
Feature | Ship your car | Drive it yourself |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Arrival | Car arrives after you, within a window | You arrive with your car |
| Best for | Busy movers, newer or leased cars | Road trips and packed cars |
Choose ship your car if:
- Your time off work is worth more than the difference
- You have a lease with a mileage limit
- You're moving a family and flying is simpler
Choose drive it yourself if:
- You want a road trip
- You need to move belongings in the car
- You need the car the day you arrive
Our recommendation
Once fuel, hotels, meals and lost work days are added up, shipping often costs about the same as driving cross-country. Ship when your time or your car's mileage matters; drive when you want the trip.
Ready to ship your car with cross-country car shipping?
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