Cost To Ship A Car Cross-Country
The cost to ship a car cross-country with open transport services typically falls between $1,168 and $2,021.
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Key Points:
- Cross-country car shipping services typically cost between $1,168 and $2,021.
- Several factors impact the cost of cross-country transport, including the type of car, vehicle condition, pickup date, delivery time, distance, and type of transport.
- Based on our review of the car shipping industry, we found Montway Auto Transport to be the best car shipping company overall.
If you’re moving from Florida to the Pacific Northwest or from Oregon to the Southeast, you’re probably curious about what shipping a car across the country would cost. In this article, we’ll look at how much cross-country auto transport could cost you as well as the factors that affect shipping prices.
It’s a good idea to collect quotes from a few of the best car shipping companies when planning a cross-country move. We’ll offer a few recommendations to get you started.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Car Across The Country?
We reached out to many of the highest-rated car shipping companies for quotes on cross-country car transport services. On average, shipping a car across the country from Boston to Los Angeles costs $1,476 or 49 cents per mile. Quotes we received ranged from $1,168 to $2,021.
We used the same type of vehicle, an operable 2019 Mazda CX-5, for each quote. Similarly, each quote is for a door-to-door delivery service and applies to a 2,985-mile shipment from Boston to Los Angeles. Below, you can see how much it costs to ship a car across the country with 14 different providers. AmeriFreight offers the cheapest car shipping rates for cross-country moves.
| Car Shipping Company | Shipping Route | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| AmeriFreight | Boston to Los Angeles (2,985 miles) | $1,168 |
| Mercury Auto Transport | Boston to Los Angeles (2,985 miles) | $1,175 |
| Door to Door Transport | Boston to Los Angeles (2,985 miles) | $1,195 |
| Ship a Car Direct | Boston to Los Angeles (2,985 miles) | $1,200 |
| RoadRunner Auto Transport | Boston to Los Angeles (2,985 miles) | $1,295 |
| SGT Auto Transport | Boston to Los Angeles (2,985 miles) | $1,337 |
| Easy Auto Ship | Boston to Los Angeles (2,985 miles) | $1,371 |
| American Auto Shipping | Boston to Los Angeles (2,985 miles) | $1,419 |
| Montway Auto Transport | Boston to Los Angeles (2,985 miles) | $1,469 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | Boston to Los Angeles (2,985 miles) | $1,500 |
| uShip | Boston to Los Angeles (2,985 miles) | $1,723 |
| Ultimate ATransport 123 | Boston to Los Angeles (2,985 miles) | $1,800 |
| Guardian Auto Transport | Boston to Los Angeles (2,985 miles) | $2,015 |
| A-1 Auto Transport | Boston to Los Angeles (2,985 miles) | $2,021 |
Generally, you’ll find the best price per mile when shipping over long distances–like with cross-country shipments. Here’s how per-mile rates change based on other shipping distances:
- Average of $1.63 per mile for a 407-mile open car shipment
- Average of 73 cents per mile for a 1,640-mile open car shipment
- Average of 49 cents per mile for a 2,985-mile open car shipment
Factors That Affect Cross-Country Car Shipping
Auto transport companies weigh a few factors when calculating a quote for your car shipment. Distance is the biggest factor, and if you’re shipping a car across the country, you’ll pay less per mile but a higher overall price.
Here are other factors that go into determining car shipping rates:
- Auto transport service: Open car transport typically costs much less than shipping your car in an enclosed trailer does. Enclosed transport is better for protecting classic cars or luxury vehicles from bad weather conditions or road debris.
- Delivery method: Door-to-door service is a more convenient delivery method than terminal-to-terminal shipping, but it’s more costly.
- Vehicle size: Larger vehicles like pickup trucks and SUVs are more expensive to ship than standard cars because they take up more space on the trailer and weigh more.
- Operability: If your vehicle isn’t drivable, it may require winching and more labor to get the car onto the carrier bed, so it will be more expensive to ship.
- Season: January and the summer months are a busier time of year for moving, so car shipping costs will increase.
- Fuel costs: If gas prices increase, so will car transport costs.
How To Save On Car Shipping Costs
Whether shipping your car long-distance or within your state, there are always ways to save money on your transport. Here are a few things you can do:
| Book early | Giving car transport companies more time to bid on a job will allow for more competitive pricing. It’s good to book at least two weeks in advance. |
| Choose open auto transport | Open carrier shipping is typically the cheapest way to transport a vehicle. Car haulers can fit multiple cars on open trailers, allowing them to pick up and drop off cargo in multiple locations along a route. Enclosed carriers can usually fit only one or two vehicles. |
| Choose terminal-to-terminal delivery | Shipping to a specific terminal is less convenient than shipping right to your door, but it cuts down on fuel and mileage costs for the carrier – which saves you money on auto transport.
Some providers don’t offer this shipping option, so if you’re looking to save money, choose a vehicle transport company that does. |
| Compare car shipping quotes | Most transport companies offer ways to get free quotes, either through instant quote tools or car shipping calculators. It’s helpful to compare at least two companies to get the best rates. |
Best Companies To Ship A Car Cross-Country
To make sure you’re getting the best price for your cross-country car transport, we recommend comparing vehicle shipping quotes from a few different providers. In the sections below, we’ll take a look at three of the top auto shipping companies on the market.
Montway Auto Transport: Best Overall
Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating: A+
Headquarters: Schaumburg, Illinois
Hawaii shipping: Yes
Montway Auto Transport offers door-to-door delivery, open and enclosed transport options, expedited shipping service, and auto transport to and from Hawaii. The company works with a network of over 30,000 car carriers and offers regular updates and around-the-clock monitoring of your transport for maximum peace of mind.
Sherpa Auto Transport: Positive Customer Experience
BBB rating: A+
Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina
Hawaii shipping: No
The main draw for Sherpa Auto Transport is its Price Lock Promise. This means your quote is locked in and you won’t be surprised by any hidden fees or unexpected charges. If your original quote proves to be insufficient to secure your car transport service, Sherpa will pitch in up to $300 to cover the difference. The company offers open and enclosed shipping as well as door-to-door delivery.
SGT Auto Transport
BBB rating: B
Headquarters: Bohemia, New York
Hawaii shipping: Yes
Since 2014, SGT Auto Transport has delivered over 42,000 vehicles. The shipping broker works with a vast network of over 25,000 transport carriers and offers both open and enclosed shipping. With SGT, you can choose your own delivery location or ship your vehicle to and from a terminal. SGT promises to match the price of any other vehicle shipping company if you get a better quote somewhere else.
Cost To Ship A Car Cross-Country: Conclusion
While AmeriFreight was cheapest in our route analysis, you may find a cheaper cross-country shipping company depending on your situation. We recommend comparing three quotes at least two weeks in advance to find the best option for your needs.
Cost To Ship A Car Cross-Country: FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the cost associated with a cross-country auto shipment.
How much does it cost to ship a car from the West Coast to the East Coast?
According to our research, shipping a car from the West Coast to the East Coast can cost between $1,168 and $2,021. That cost will change depending on the pickup location as well as the drop-off location. For instance, a transport from Seattle to Miami may cost more than a shipment from California to Virginia.
Is it better to ship or drive a car cross-country?
There are pros and cons to both shipping and driving a car across the country. Shipping is generally cheaper than driving, but most transport companies won’t let you pack personal items into the vehicle. Driving takes longer and requires costs for gas, food, and more, but you have more control over the schedule. If you need to get across the country quickly, shipping your vehicle could be less of a hassle.
What is the average cost to ship a car?
We’ve found that the average cost to ship a car is around 88 cents per mile with open car transport. But the cost depends on the distance, too. We found short distances cost $1.63 per mile, medium distances cost 73 cents per mile, and long distances cost 49 cents per mile.
How We Rate Auto Shipping Companies
Our review team extensively researches car shipping providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:
- Reliability: Providers that earn strong ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and have a long history in the auto transport industry score well in this category.
- Services: We take a look at what types of transport services are available through each company, including open and enclosed transport, door-to-door shipping, and more. Those with wider service selections are more likely to meet consumers’ needs.
- Pricing: Our team performs a secret shopper analysis to get quotes for a variety of shipping routes and services. We compare each company’s costs to industry average prices to see how it stands up to the competition.
- Customer Experience: We consider customer reviews on sites like the BBB and Trustpilot to better understand the consumer experience. Car shipping companies with convenient quote processes also perform well in this category.
