Shipping a car cross-country typically costs $1,300 to $1,900 on an open carrier and $2,000 to $2,900 in an enclosed trailer in 2026, and it usually takes 7 to 10 days once the car is picked up. Price and timing depend on your exact cities, the season, your vehicle and how flexible you are with dates. For most coast-to-coast moves, shipping costs about the same as driving once you count fuel, hotels and time off, and it saves you roughly a week on the road.
Key takeaways
- Coast-to-coast shipping usually runs $1,300–$1,900 open and $2,000–$2,900 enclosed.
- Plan on 7–10 days in transit, plus 1–5 days to schedule pickup.
- Major-city routes along I-10, I-40, I-80 and I-90 are faster and cheaper than rural pickups.
- Summer, snowbird season and winter mountain weather all affect price and timing.
- Book 2–4 weeks ahead and line up your new state's title and registration steps early.
How much does cross-country car shipping cost?
Long-distance shipping has the lowest cost per mile of any car shipping trip, because the fixed costs of loading and unloading are spread over 2,500 miles or more. The total, however, is the highest you will pay. Here are typical 2026 ranges for a standard running sedan on popular coast-to-coast routes:
| Route | Approx. miles | Open (typical) | Enclosed (typical) | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York to Los Angeles | 2,800 | $1,400–$1,900 | $2,100–$2,900 | 7–10 days |
| Boston to San Francisco | 3,100 | $1,500–$1,900 | $2,200–$2,900 | 8–10 days |
| Miami to Seattle | 3,300 | $1,500–$1,900 | $2,300–$2,900 | 8–10 days |
| Atlanta to Los Angeles | 2,200 | $1,200–$1,600 | $1,800–$2,500 | 6–9 days |
| Chicago to Phoenix | 1,750 | $1,000–$1,500 | $1,600–$2,300 | 5–8 days |
SUVs and pickups usually add about $100 to $300. Inoperable vehicles, rural pickups and tight deadlines add more. Get a fast estimate for your exact cities with our car shipping cost calculator, or see how we handle long hauls on our cross-country car shipping service page.
How long does it take to ship a car across the country?
There are two parts to the timeline: the wait for pickup and the time on the road.
Pickup window
After you book, your shipment is assigned to a carrier running your route. On busy routes between big cities, that can happen the same day. In most major metros, same-day pickup is available. More often, you will get a pickup window of 1 to 5 days. Rural areas and peak seasons can stretch that a bit.
Transit time
Once loaded, coast-to-coast trips usually take 7 to 10 days. Federal hours-of-service rules limit how many hours a truck driver can drive each day, and the truck makes other pickups and deliveries along the way. A driver might cover 400 to 500 miles on a typical day, depending on stops, traffic and weather.
If you have a firm move-in date, ask about expedited car shipping or a guaranteed delivery date. Both cost more, but they remove the guesswork.
Popular cross-country routes and what to expect
Car carriers follow the main interstates that connect large cities. The closer your pickup and delivery are to these corridors, the easier your car is to schedule.
- Northern route (I-80 / I-90): New York, Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City and the Bay Area or Seattle. Winter storms in the Rockies and Sierra can slow trucks from about November to March.
- Central route (I-40 / I-70): the Carolinas and Tennessee to Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and Southern California. A solid year-round option.
- Southern route (I-10): Florida to Houston, San Antonio, Phoenix and Los Angeles. Usually the most weather-friendly route in winter, but summer heat is intense.
Big-city pairs on these corridors, such as New York to Los Angeles or Chicago to Phoenix, are some of the easiest long-haul lanes to schedule. You can see what to expect on specific lanes on our car shipping routes page.
Shipping vs. driving across the country
Many people's first instinct is to just drive. Here is an honest comparison for a typical 2,800-mile trip in a midsize car:
| Cost or factor | Driving yourself | Shipping (open carrier) |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 4–6 days on the road | About 1 hour at pickup and delivery |
| Fuel | Often a few hundred dollars, depending on gas prices and mpg | Included |
| Hotels | 3–5 nights | None |
| Meals on the road | 4–6 days' worth | None |
| Wear on your car | 2,800+ added miles, tires, oil change | No added miles beyond loading |
| Your travel | Included | A one-way flight |
| Time off work | Often several days | Usually none |
For one person in one car, the totals often come out close. Add a second car, a tight start date or winter weather, and shipping usually wins. Shipping also means you arrive rested, without a week of driving behind you.
Open or enclosed for a long-distance move?
For a coast-to-coast trip, your car will see a lot of road and weather. Open transport is still safe and is how most cars travel cross-country. Expect your car to arrive needing a wash.
Enclosed transport makes sense for classic, luxury, exotic or low-clearance cars, and for any car crossing snowy mountain passes or salted roads in winter. On a long route, the price gap is wider, often $700 to $1,000 or more. Compare both on our open car shipping and enclosed car shipping pages. CTS offers enclosed transport for supercars and exotics, with coverage up to $2 million available.
Best time of year to ship a car cross-country
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (March–May) | Moderate demand. Late spring brings snowbirds heading north, which can raise prices on south-to-north routes. |
| Summer (June–August) | Peak moving season. Higher prices and busier carriers; book early. |
| Fall (September–November) | Demand eases after summer, then snowbird traffic heads south. Good time for east-west moves. |
| Winter (December–February) | Fewer moves, but snow and ice on northern and mountain routes can cause delays and raise prices. |
If your dates are flexible, early fall and late winter on southern routes are often the sweet spots.
Your cross-country car shipping checklist
- 3–4 weeks before: get quotes, compare written all-in prices and book.
- 2 weeks before: confirm addresses and who will be at pickup and delivery.
- 1 week before: fix leaks, check tires and battery, and look up your new state's title and registration rules.
- 2–3 days before: remove personal items and toll tags; run fuel down to about a quarter tank.
- 1 day before: wash the car and take dated photos of every side, the roof, interior and odometer.
- Pickup: walk the inspection, check the Bill of Lading, sign and keep your copy.
- Delivery: inspect again, note any new damage before signing, and pay any balance due.
See the full vehicle shipping checklist for more detail.
Planning your car shipment around a big move
A cross-country car shipment rarely happens on its own. It is usually one piece of a larger move, with movers, flights, a lease end date and a new job start date all in play. A little coordination keeps those pieces from colliding.
Line up your dates in the right order
Work backward from the day you need the car. If you need it the day you start a new job, count back 7 to 10 days of transit plus a few days for the pickup window. That usually means the car should be ready for pickup two weeks before you need it. If that is too long to go without a car, consider a rental for the gap, or ask about a guaranteed delivery date.
If your car arrives before you do
This happens often on long moves. Plan ahead by naming a trusted adult at the destination who can meet the driver, inspect the car and sign the Bill of Lading. Share your pickup photos with them so they know what to look for. If no one is available, ask your shipper about short-term storage near the delivery address, which may add a fee.
Keep the car and your household goods separate
Car carriers are not moving companies. Your belongings should travel with your movers or in a rental truck, not packed in the car. Personal items in a shipped car are not covered by cargo insurance, and extra weight can add cost or get the load refused.
Shipping more than one vehicle
Many families move two cars at once. Booking them together can lower the price per car, since both can often ride on the same truck. If you also have a motorcycle, ask about adding it; see motorcycle shipping.
Choosing a company for a long-distance shipment
On a 3,000-mile trip, the quality of your shipper matters more than on a short hop. A cheap quote that never gets picked up by a carrier can cost you days you do not have. Before you book, check these points:
- The company's USDOT and MC numbers are active on the FMCSA website.
- The quote is written, all-in and clear about whether it can change after booking.
- There is no large upfront deposit. CTS charges $0 to book.
- You know the carrier's cargo insurance amount before pickup.
- You will get updates while your car is on the road.
CTS shipments are arranged by Niki Auto Transport (USDOT 4535689, MC 1799148), with access to more than 100,000 licensed and insured carriers.
After you arrive: registration and insurance
When you move to a new state, you will typically need to get a new driver's license, register the car and update your insurance. Deadlines vary widely by state, often from about 10 days to 90 days after you become a resident. Some states also require a safety or emissions inspection, or a VIN check for cars coming from out of state.
Rules change, so confirm the exact steps and deadlines with your new state's motor vehicle agency. Call your insurance company before the move as well, because rates and required coverage can change from state to state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to ship a car across the country?
Book open transport 2 to 4 weeks ahead, keep your pickup window flexible, choose pickup and delivery points near major cities or highways, and avoid peak summer weeks if you can.
Can I ship my car and fly at the same time?
Yes. Most people schedule pickup a few days before they fly and have a friend, family member or neighbor receive the car if it arrives before they do.
Can I ship two cars together?
Yes, and it can lower the cost per car because both can ride on the same truck. Ask for a multi-vehicle quote.
Will my car be safe on such a long trip?
Yes. Licensed carriers are required to carry cargo insurance, and cars move coast to coast every day. You will get 24/7 in-transit updates from CTS throughout the trip.
Do you ship to Hawaii and Alaska?
Yes. CTS serves all 50 states. Hawaii shipments cross by ocean vessel, and Alaska may involve road or sea transport. See Hawaii car shipping and Alaska car shipping.
Moving coast to coast? Get a free quote with $0 deposit, backed by our Best Price Guarantee.
Updated November 4, 2026