Understanding how much does it cost to ship a car nationwide helps you budget accurately and avoid surprise fees. Most car shipping cost long distance calculations use $0.40-$0.80 per mile for distances under 1,000 miles, dropping to $0.30-$0.50 per mile for cross-country routes due to economies of scale.
This complete cost of auto transport across country guide breaks down pricing by distance, vehicle type, transport method, and popular routes while providing money-saving tips to reduce your shipping expenses.
What Factors Affect Cross-Country Car Shipping Cost?
Cross-country car shipping costs vary based on distance traveled, vehicle size and weight, open versus enclosed transport, seasonal demand, route popularity, and pickup/delivery location accessibility. Understanding these factors helps you estimate costs accurately and identify savings opportunities.
Distance: While longer distances cost more overall, the per-mile rate decreases significantly. Shipping 500 miles costs $0.75 per mile ($375 total), while 2,500 miles costs $0.55 per mile ($1,375 total). Cross-country shipments benefit from lower per-mile rates as carriers maximize route efficiency.
Vehicle size: Larger vehicles cost 10-30% more than sedans. SUVs add $150-$300, trucks add $200-$400, and oversized vehicles requiring special accommodation cost even more. Weight affects fuel consumption and trailer space, directly impacting pricing.
Transport type: Open transport costs $1,000-$2,200 coast-to-coast, while enclosed transport costs $1,500-$3,000 for the same distance. Most customers (90%) choose open transport for standard vehicles, reserving enclosed for luxury, classic, or exotic cars needing weather protection.
Seasonal demand: Summer months (June-August) see 15-25% price increases due to high moving season demand. Winter brings 10-20% discounts on routes avoiding snow-affected northern states. Book 2-3 weeks ahead for best rates regardless of season.
Route popularity: High-traffic routes like CA-TX, NY-FL, and CA-FL offer lower costs due to frequent carrier availability. Uncommon routes to rural areas cost 10-20% more due to limited carrier traffic requiring special routing.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car Across the Country by Distance?
The cost of auto transport across country varies by distance, with longer routes offering better per-mile rates. Here’s the nationwide car shipping price breakdown based on current market rates:
| Distance | Open Transport | Enclosed Transport | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 miles | $600-$1,000 | $900-$1,400 | 2-4 days |
| 1,500 miles | $800-$1,300 | $1,200-$1,900 | 3-5 days |
| 2,000 miles | $1,000-$1,600 | $1,500-$2,400 | 4-7 days |
| 2,500 miles | $1,200-$2,000 | $1,800-$3,000 | 5-8 days |
| 3,000+ miles | $1,400-$2,200 | $2,100-$3,300 | 7-10 days |
Cost calculation example: Shipping from Los Angeles to New York (2,800 miles) typically costs $1,300-$1,900 for open transport or $2,000-$2,800 for enclosed. The same sedan from Seattle to Miami (3,300 miles) costs $1,500-$2,200 open or $2,200-$3,300 enclosed.
Per-mile rate decrease: Notice how per-mile costs drop significantly for longer distances. A 1,000-mile trip averages $0.75/mile, while a 2,500-mile trip drops to $0.55/mile. This economy of scale makes cross-country shipping more cost-effective per mile than shorter regional moves.
For complete pricing details, see our comprehensive car shipping cost guide covering all distance ranges and scenarios.
What’s the Difference Between Open and Enclosed Transport Costs?
Open transport costs $1,000-$2,200 for cross-country shipping, while enclosed transport costs $1,500-$3,000 for the same distance—a 40-60% price premium. The choice depends on your vehicle value, weather concerns, and budget priorities.
Open transport benefits: 90% of customers choose open transport for standard vehicles due to lower costs and faster carrier availability. Your vehicle ships on open-air trailers (the same type carrying new cars to dealerships), exposed to weather but protected by comprehensive cargo insurance. Open transport offers 1-3 day faster carrier assignment on popular cross-country routes.
Enclosed transport advantages: Enclosed trailers protect luxury, classic, exotic, or high-value vehicles from weather, road debris, and dust during transport. The premium pricing ($500-$1,000 more) buys peace of mind for vehicles worth $50,000+ or irreplaceable classics. Enclosed carriers also provide lower-capacity trailers with more careful handling.
When to choose enclosed: Vehicles worth over $50,000, classic or vintage cars, exotic automobiles, recently restored vehicles, or any car where appearance matters significantly. For standard sedans, SUVs, and trucks under $40,000, open transport provides excellent protection at better value.
Compare transport methods in detail in our open vs enclosed car shipping guide covering pros, cons, and cost comparisons.
How Much Do Popular Cross-Country Routes Cost?
Popular cross-country routes offer competitive pricing due to high carrier availability. Here are current costs for frequently traveled nationwide routes:
| Route | Distance | Open Transport | Enclosed Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| California to New York | 2,800 miles | $1,300-$1,900 | $2,000-$2,800 |
| California to Florida | 2,700 miles | $1,200-$1,800 | $1,800-$2,700 |
| California to Texas | 1,400 miles | $800-$1,400 | $1,200-$2,100 |
| New York to Florida | 1,200 miles | $700-$1,200 | $1,000-$1,800 |
| Washington to Texas | 2,300 miles | $1,100-$1,700 | $1,600-$2,500 |
| New York to California | 2,900 miles | $1,400-$2,100 | $2,100-$3,100 |
Route popularity impact: These high-traffic routes see daily carrier availability, resulting in lower costs and faster pickup times (1-3 days typically). Compare these rates to uncommon routes like Montana to Maine, which cost 15-25% more due to limited carrier traffic requiring special routing.
Regional considerations: Routes to/from California, Texas, Florida, and New York offer best pricing due to high population centers and frequent shipping demand. Midwest routes connecting major cities also see competitive rates.
For specific state-to-state pricing, explore our route guides including shipping to Florida and state-specific pages.
How Can You Reduce Cross-Country Car Shipping Costs?
Reduce car shipping cost long distance by booking 2-3 weeks in advance, choosing flexible pickup dates, selecting open transport for standard vehicles, shipping during off-season months, and comparing quotes from 3-5 reputable carriers.
Book early: Last-minute bookings (under 5 days) cost 15-30% more due to limited carrier availability. Booking 2-3 weeks ahead provides time for carrier matching and better rate negotiation. Some companies offer early-bird discounts for advance reservations.
Flexible scheduling: Carriers offer 10-15% discounts for flexible pickup windows (5-7 days) versus specific date requirements. Terminal-to-terminal service (dropping off/picking up at carrier yards) saves $100-$200 versus door-to-door delivery.
Seasonal timing: Ship during fall (September-November) or early spring (March-May) for 10-20% discounts compared to summer peak season. Avoid December-January for northern routes due to weather delays, but consider winter for southern routes with lower demand.
Compare multiple quotes: Get quotes from at least 3-5 auto transport companies to identify competitive market rates. Price variations of $200-$400 are common for identical routes. Use comparison tools but verify company licensing and insurance before booking.
Choose appropriate transport: Use open transport for standard vehicles—the 40-60% enclosed premium makes sense only for high-value vehicles. Standard sedans, SUVs, and trucks under $40,000 ship safely via open carriers with comprehensive insurance coverage.
Reduce vehicle weight: Remove unnecessary items from your vehicle before shipping. Excess weight may trigger additional fees, and personal items aren’t covered by cargo insurance. Keep fuel at quarter-tank as required by most carriers.
For additional money-saving strategies, review our cheap car shipping guide with budget-friendly tips.
Conclusion: Understanding Your Cross-Country Shipping Investment
The cost to ship a car across the country averages $1,000-$2,200 for open transport and $1,500-$3,000 for enclosed, with specific pricing depending on distance, vehicle size, transport method, season, and route popularity. Understanding these factors helps you budget accurately and identify cost-saving opportunities.
Key takeaways: Expect $0.30-$0.50 per mile for cross-country distances, with coast-to-coast averaging $1,500 for standard sedans. Book 2-3 weeks ahead, choose flexible dates, select open transport for standard vehicles, and compare multiple quotes to secure best rates.
Next steps: Request quotes from 3-5 reputable carriers, verify their USDOT licenses, confirm insurance coverage, and review customer feedback before booking. Proper preparation and carrier selection ensure smooth, affordable cross-country vehicle transport.
For carrier recommendations and detailed company comparisons, explore our best car shipping companies guide featuring top-rated nationwide transporters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship a car across the country?
The cost to ship a car across the country ranges from $1,000-$2,200 for open transport and $1,500-$3,000 for enclosed transport. Coast-to-coast shipping (2,500-3,000 miles) averages $1,500 for standard sedans using open carriers, with exact pricing depending on vehicle size, season, and route.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car cross country?
The cheapest cross country car shipping method is open transport with flexible pickup dates, booked 2-3 weeks in advance during off-season (fall or early spring). This combination can save 20-30% compared to peak summer season, last-minute enclosed transport.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to New York?
Shipping a car from California to New York (2,800 miles) costs $1,300-$1,900 for open transport or $2,000-$2,800 for enclosed transport. This popular route offers competitive pricing and 1-3 day carrier assignment due to high traffic volume.
Is open or enclosed transport cheaper for cross-country shipping?
Open transport is 40-60% cheaper than enclosed for cross-country shipping, costing $1,000-$2,200 versus $1,500-$3,000. 90% of customers choose open transport for standard vehicles, reserving enclosed only for luxury, classic, or exotic cars requiring extra protection.
How long does cross-country car shipping take?
Cross-country car shipping takes 5-10 days for distances of 2,500-3,000 miles, with carrier assignment adding 1-3 days when booked in advance. Coast-to-coast routes like CA-NY typically deliver in 7-10 days total from booking to delivery.
What affects the cost of shipping a car nationwide?
The cost of auto transport across country depends on distance (main factor), vehicle size and weight, transport type (open vs enclosed), seasonal demand, route popularity, and pickup/delivery location accessibility. Longer distances offer lower per-mile rates due to economies of scale.
Should I choose open or enclosed transport for cross-country shipping?
Choose open transport for standard vehicles under $40,000 to save 40-60% on shipping costs. Select enclosed transport only for luxury vehicles over $50,000, classic cars, exotic automobiles, or recently restored vehicles where appearance protection justifies the premium pricing.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car cross country?
The cheapest time for car shipping cost long distance is fall (September-November) or early spring (March-May), offering 10-20% discounts compared to peak summer season. Avoid December-January for northern routes due to winter weather delays.
