Shipping a car across the country is easy. Learn how it all works and how to plan your cross country vehicle transport. Get a price online.
Shipping a car across the country – or planning a full cross-country relocation – requires expert logistics, understanding of costs, and choosing the right partner to handle your transportation needs. Whether you’re relocating for a new job, purchasing a vehicle from out of state, or planning a seasonal move, this guide breaks down the full process, focusing on major details that affect your timeline, budget, and peace of mind.
Read what our customers say about their cross country car shipping experience:
Hire a company
Research and choose among the best car shipping companies. Corsia is one of the best – check our customer reviews now and call our team to discuss your auto transport needs.
Book your order
Booking your cross country car shipment is easily done online or by phone. We do not ask for money up front. Request a car shipping quote online now.
Vehicle pick-up
Choose your first available pick-up date. That is when your pick-up windows stars. With 1 to 5 business days we will pick-up your car and your shipping a car across the country service begins. We can also offer a guaranteed pick-up date.
Vehicle delivery
Accept delivery of your vehicle from across the country, when the time comes. Inspect your car alongside the carrier and sign your Bill of Lading. This is it. Your cross country car shipping is over and your car is safe at your new home!
The Distance
Distance significantly impacts the price of car shipping, as longer trips generally cost more due to higher fuel, labor, and time expenses. However, this is not always straightforward. For example, shorter trips may cost nearly as much as longer ones if they involve challenging routes or specific service requirements. Additionally, the distance pricing will depend on the vehicle type, the service level you choose, and the exact pickup and delivery locations.
The Location
Shipping a car to or from major cities is typically faster and more cost-effective than rural areas because urban areas are well-served by auto carriers. Rural locations often require extra effort, as fewer carriers travel to these areas, which can lead to higher costs and longer wait times for timely service. When shipping cross-country, rural pickups or deliveries can increase the delivery timeframe, potentially exceeding two weeks after the pickup.
Transport Type
The type of carrier you choose plays a critical role in both cost and protection during transport. For cross-country shipments, an enclosed trailer is highly recommended, particularly for high-value, luxury, or classic cars. Although enclosed transport is more expensive, it offers superior protection from weather, debris, and other potential hazards. Conversely, an open trailer is the standard in the industry and is a safe, reliable option for most vehicles. Your choice between these two transport types will significantly impact the cost and delivery timeline.
Seasonality
Seasonality directly influences car shipping prices through changes in supply and demand. During peak seasons, such as summer months or around holidays, demand for auto transport increases, leading to higher prices as truck availability diminishes. Conversely, prices may drop during off-peak seasons when demand is lower. This fluctuation means that auto transport quotes are typically valid for just one week, as rates can quickly change with market conditions. Booking in advance during high-demand periods can help ensure a spot and manage costs effectively.
Your vehicle is one of your biggest investment. Corsia works with highly experienced, vetted carriers with years of experience in cross country car shipping. We have access to more than 15,000 carriers, a network covering the entire country, and including all car shipping services. This is how we guarantee that your vehicle will be picked-up within 1 to 2 day and and delivered within the appropriate for the distance time.
Many customers are weighing the cost to move cross country versus the cost to ship a vehicle cross country separately. It’s important to understand the distinctions.
For those searching “how much does it cost to move across country?”, combining services from cross country moving companies and cross country auto transport companies may offer better pricing flexibility and timeline control.
The Cost
Cross country car shipping cost is usually the most important factor for customers. However, determining the cost involves more than just calculating the distance and vehicle type. Several factors influence the final price, and understanding these elements can help you select the best service, company, and price for your needs. These factors include distance, location, transport type, seasonality, and the company you choose.
The company
The auto transport company you select will be a crucial factor in your experience and overall satisfaction. A reliable and trustworthy company, like Corsia Logistics, will transparently explain the factors affecting your shipping cost, guide you through the entire process, and provide regular updates for peace of mind. Choosing a company that prioritizes honesty and excellent customer service ensures a smoother, less stressful shipping experience.
If you’re looking to ship a car across country, you’ll encounter several transport options. Cross country car shipping services are widely available, and they range from open carrier transport, which is the most economical and commonly used, to enclosed auto transport for luxury or classic cars that require extra protection.
People often ask, “How much does it cost to ship a car across country?” The average cost to ship car cross country typically ranges between $900 and $1,500 for standard sedans on open carriers. Factors like seasonality, vehicle size, and pickup/delivery locations can cause fluctuations. For enclosed shipping, the price can jump to $1,400–$2,000 or more.
The process is straightforward:
This type of cross country vehicle transport is used by private individuals, car dealerships, auto auctions, and even manufacturers during new model rollouts.
Whether you’re looking to move car across country or move your entire household, the company you choose matters. The best cross country moving companies and top-rated car shipping companies typically share these qualities:
Look for phrases like:
Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true. The cheapest way to ship car across country may end up costing more if delays or damages occur. Once you book your car shipping across the country, you have to choose your first available pick-up date. Our service is door-to-door, which means we need a delivery address. For both pick-up and delivery you need to be present or to have a designated person.
When your order is assigned to a car carrier, we can give you an estimated time of delivery. Due to weather, road and traffic conditions we can not guarantee an exact delivery date. Dates in logistics are always estimated.
At delivery, the driver will perform an inspection and it is recommended that the customer also inspects the vehicle. Then sign your Bill of Lading / Inspection Report and accept delivery.
On this page, we will provide you with valuable shipping a car across country tips to make the process easier for you.
One of the most significant variables in cross country car transport cost is the location. If your pickup or drop-off is in a remote or rural area, fewer carriers travel that route regularly. This may result in:
Carriers may charge an extra remote access fee (typically $100–$300) or suggest a flexible meet-up point to streamline the process.
Corsia team will explain the current cross country car shipping cost and will make sure you understand how auto transport works.
Do you need door-to-door service?
Door-to-door auto transport is one of the most convenient and popular shipping services available, providing a hassle-free experience for customers. With this service, your vehicle is picked up from and delivered to the specific addresses you specify, such as your home, office, or another convenient location.
What Does Door-to-Door Service Include?
What is Top Load Placement?
In a multi-level transport trailer, cars can be loaded onto two tiers:
Choosing a top load ensures that your car is above other vehicles, minimizing exposure to certain risks associated with transportation.
When Should You Choose Top Load Placement?
When arranging auto transport, choosing a top load placement can provide an additional layer of protection for your vehicle. Top load means your car is positioned on the upper deck of the transport trailer rather than the bottom level. This placement offers significant advantages, particularly for high-value, luxury, or classic vehicles that require extra care during transport.
Top load placement is considered a premium service, and carriers typically charge extra for this option. The cost varies depending on factors such as distance, carrier availability, and vehicle type.
With Corsia you will know the exact cost to ship a car across country, and you will work with one agent only.
In addition to passenger cars, you can also:
Corsia also specializes in:
Most Common Vehicles Shipped Across Country
According to data from auto logistics providers, the most commonly shipped vehicles across the U.S. include:
| Vehicle Model | Type | Why It’s Common |
| Toyota Camry | Midsize Sedan | High reliability and resale value |
| Honda Civic | Compact Sedan | Popular with students and city drivers |
| Ford F-150 | Full-size Pickup | Frequently relocated for work |
| Tesla Model 3 | Electric Sedan | Often shipped enclosed to preserve battery range |
| Jeep Wrangler | Compact SUV | Common for outdoor and military relocations |
| Toyota RAV4 | Compact SUV | Fuel-efficient and highly versatile |
| Subaru Outback | Wagon/SUV Crossover | Popular in northern and mountain states |
Electric vehicles (EVs) like Teslas and Rivians are increasingly part of enclosed cross country car shipping to ensure protection during long hauls.
Shipping a car across country in winter can take longer than in other seasons due to delays caused by the cold weather. Additionally, many car carriers know things can get complicated as the days get shorter and road conditions become more difficult and choose to stay home for longer. This lowers trucks availability which may affects certain route prices.
Winter is a slow season for the auto transport industry, which means shipping a car across the country cost is usually lower.
In the end of December, as well as January, is when customers can receive some good discounts across most states. The demands for the southern states is higher throughout winter, which means higher costs to ship a car south, especially Florida.
February is a good month to save on auto transport. Most drivers return on the road, but demand is low and this is the time to book car transport when you are on a budget.
Mild weather and good driver availability in the fall season results in a slightly lower car shipping cost. Usually depends on the specific destinations, but overall shipping a car across the country is cheaper.
September is often still busy on certain routes due to college students shipping cars back to school, but that is only in some states.
The rest of the season, such as the months of October and November are slower and offer good car carrier availability with some discounts available.
The spring season is a great time to ship a car! The costs are lower in early spring compare to the summer and thus it is a good time to ask for discount. The weather improves dramatically, the days get longer and carriers availability increases. Like bears, all carrier wake up and start working!
March is the month when car shipping prices remain low for most cross country routes. This is when most snowbirds start planning their return north in April and May, but it is not yet busy.
Summer is the busiest season for car shipping, hence the cost to ship a car across the country dramatically increases. The summer months is when everybody is on the move!
July and August are extremely busy months, with high demand, but also high supply of car carriers. This means that the auto transport market is in a balanced state for most states. Whether you need open car transport, enclosed car carrier or expedited delivery, the cost to ship a car will be higher compared to other seasons on most routes.
Typically between $900 and $1,500 for sedans; SUVs and trucks cost more.
Booking an open carrier during off-peak seasons with flexible pickup windows helps lower costs.
Non-running cars can still be shipped, but they require a winch, adding to the cost.
When your vehicle is assigned to a carrier, your agent will provide you with insurance certificate for complete peace of mind.
