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Brogan Woodburn is a writer for USA TODAY Homefront and has read dozens of extended auto warranty contracts, including the fine print that will tell you whether your car insurance covers slashed tires or can get you a new engine replacement. His editorial experience in the auto industry includes work that appears on MarketWatch and Motor1.com.
Brogan is based in Prineville, Oregon, and enjoys exploring the outdoors in his free time. Having studied guitar at Berklee College of Music, he also performs classical guitar for local events and weddings.
According to our cost research, cross-country car shipping costs an average of $1,214 for open shipping and $1,909 for enclosed transport.
The best cross-country car shipping companies include Mercury Auto Transport, Montway Auto Transport and AmeriFreight.
Shipping a car can be worth it due to the added convenience, if you have multiple cars and to prevent wear and tear on your vehicle during a move.
Planning a cross-country move is stressful even if you don’t have to ship your car. But when you use the right company, you can breathe a sigh of relief as a professional carrier transports your car thousands of miles. That said, it’s important to be aware of the cross-country car shipping process and pick the right provider that will keep you on schedule.
We spoke with Steve Yariv, the owner of Dealers Choice Auto Transport, on this issue. He said, “You really need to hire people that have five-star ratings and have a lot of good reviews.”
In this article, We’ll explain the process and costs of cross-country car shipping and recommend the best car shipping companies for the job.
Cross-country car shipping costs can range anywhere from $659 to $3,280 depending mostly on the company you choose, your vehicle, distance and service type. The time of year and price of gas can also influence what you pay. This cost range came from data we compared car shipping quotes for an operable 2020 Toyota Camry from over a dozen providers at distances between 500 and 2,400 miles.
Here are the average cross-country shipping costs we found across different distances for open transport:
Choosing open transport for your vehicle is cheaper but your car is open to the elements and environmental factors such as road debris. However, if you opt for enclosed carrier transport — shipping in an enclosed trailer alone or with few vehicles — expect to pay at least a few hundred dollars extra. To put this in perspective, for a 1,530-mile trip this extra protection costs $695 more on average.
A cross-country vehicle transport costs more than an in-state move, but you get the lowest rate per mile when you ship over long distances.
Shipping a car across the country can seem like a daunting task. But it’s not that difficult once you learn how car shipping works. We’ll break down the steps below, from planning and booking the transport to receiving your vehicle on the other side of the country:
You’ll get the best prices if you book a shipment at least two weeks in advance. If you have to move your car within a few days, you’ll pay more for expedited shipping.
Car shipping is an unpredictable industry. From flat tires to adverse weather conditions, there are a million things that can delay a car shipment outside the driver’s control. Good companies will communicate every step of the way, but you should have some flexibility in pick-up and delivery dates for a smooth experience.
The two main transport options are open and enclosed. Open shipping is the cheapest way to ship a car but your vehicle is exposed to the elements. Enclosed transport protects your car on all sides and is more expensive. Booking an enclosed carrier can be worth it for luxury and classic cars.
Once you know the ideal pickup date and service, compare quotes from multiple shippers. Look into company ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot to judge service and timeliness.
Be aware that most car shipping companies such as Montway Auto Transport are brokers that work with networks of independent car carriers. Reliable brokers work with vetted carriers that have federally required cargo and liability insurance coverages.
Once you find a good quote and company, you can book the auto transport service. The industry practice is to give you the option to pay the entire amount with a credit card or make a partial payment by card and the rest in cash on delivery. The second option is usually cheaper as carriers prefer to receive cash.
You can cancel and get a refund until a carrier has been dispatched to pick up your vehicle. If you cancel after the dispatch, you’ll receive a partial refund depending on the company’s policies. For example, Montway charges a $249 service fee for canceling after dispatch.
Car transport service is for shipping your car, not all your household items. Most companies prohibit shipping anything inside your car except a closed box or suitcase in the trunk. The cargo insurance that carriers have covers damage to your vehicle but not to personal items inside.
When the carrier arrives to get your car, you’ll sign a bill of lading that records the vehicle’s current condition. The vast majority of shipments include door-to-door service, so the carrier will get as close to your location as possible.
If you choose terminal-to-terminal shipping, you’ll sign the bill of lading when you drop your vehicle off at the predetermined terminal. This is typically the terminal closest to your home.
You’ll sign the bill of lading again noting the car’s condition at the delivery location. You’ll give the rest of the payment to the driver in cash (or money order or cashier’s check) if you made a partial payment upfront.
Shipping your car is often worth it considering it saves your car from wear-and-tear over thousands of miles compared to driving it yourself. With car shipping, you don’t have to deal with the headache of planning or paying for food and lodging on the road trip. You can also use car shipping to move a second or third car you’re not able to transport yourself.
Since car shipping costs per mile decrease as the distance increases, you’ll get the most bang for your buck with cross-country car shipping. Costs range widely for cross-country shipments, so compare multiple free quotes from different auto shipping providers to find the best option.
“If you’re going across the country, the timing is seven to 10 days,” Yariv said. ”That’s the general standard timing for delivery. If you’re going from north to south, let’s say from Seattle to Los Angeles, or from Florida to New Jersey, delivery is usually within three to five days. It’s because you have to give enough time for the carriers to load and then transport and start unloading.”
Your car could share a trailer with three to 10 other vehicles depending on the type of transport. The driver will make other stops before they get to your destination. Companies offer expedited pickup for a fee but they won’t guarantee a delivery time on a specific day. That’s why it’s important to book at least two weeks in advance, so both you and the carrier have plenty of time to get the shipment done.
Below we break down our top picks for cross-country car transport based on our research of the car transport companies’ market standing, cost, services and customer experience. The costs are for a distance of 1,530 miles from Salt Lake City to Memphis, Tennessee.
Cross-country open car shipping cost: $865 (37 cents per mile)
Mercury Auto Transport offers the best rates on cross-country car shipping out of all the providers we’ve reviewed. You can get rates under 40 cents per mile for open shipping, which is considered very affordable.
Mercury offers open and enclosed shipping to all 50 states, so you can move from California to New York or Florida to Alaska. Mercury Auto Transport has an A rating with accreditation from BBB, which means it’s good about responding to complaints on the platform. It also has a 4.7-star rating from customers on BBB, which is good in this industry.
Cross-country open car shipping cost: $1,019 (43 cents per mile)
Montway Auto Transport is one of the most popular car shipping companies in the industry. It has shipped over 1.1 million vehicles since its founding in 2006, according to its site. Montway’s website has a simple car shipping calculator with instant quotes after you provide a few details.
We found it offers affordable long-distance vehicle transport rates of about 43 cents per mile. The company also has a strong reputation with an A+ rating and accreditation from BBB plus a 4.6-star customer rating on the site.
Cross-country open car shipping cost: $1,009 (43 cents per mile)
AmeriFreight is another reliable cross-country auto transport company with an A+ rating from BBB and accreditation along with a high 4.8-star customer rating.
AmeriFreight stands out for offering a variety of discounts, many of which are uncommon in the industry. There are discounts for military members, students, first responders, medical personnel and seniors. You can also save by booking a shipment within 48 hours of receiving a quote, shipping multiple vehicles or being a returning customer.
At least two weeks before your move, look into your different car shipping options. Consider factors like its transport options, cost of shipping and customer reviews before making your decision. By shopping around, you can find a company that offers a combination of reliability and affordability.
The average cost for a cross-country move is $1,290 according to our research. Keep this number in mind when receiving quotes from providers for your own move.
Compare rates from top cross-country auto transport providers below.
We base our auto shipping ratings and recommendations on our proprietary detailed methodology. We’ve assessed key aspects of the customer experience, including pricing, breadth of services offered and overall reputation, to determine which auto shipping companies offer the best service.
Auto shipping providers that meet our standards carry the required licensing and registration as a prerequisite. Each company has also maintained a good reputation via high customer ratings, which cite clear pricing, timely service and multiple shipping options for different vehicle types.
BBB ratings accurate as of May 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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