The Cheapest Way to Ship a Car Cross-Country
Here’s the quick answer: The cheapest way to ship a car cross-country is usually open carrier transport, which averages $1,501 – $1,695 for trips over 1,500 miles. Terminal-to-terminal delivery can lower that price, and Amtrak’s Auto Train can cost less still, but it only runs between Virginia and Florida. Below, we compare seven cheap shipping options and the best car shipping companies to get quotes from.
rating
4.7 / 5
- Refundable deposit
- Discounts available
rating
4.5 / 5
- Price lock promise
- Free car wash
rating
4.4 / 5
- Price matching
- One-day pickup
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What are the 7 cheapest ways to ship a car cross-country?
The seven cheapest ways to ship a car cross-country are hiring a moving company, open carrier transport, terminal-to-terminal shipping, driving it yourself, towing it behind a rental truck, hiring a driver, and shipping it by train. Each option trades cost against speed, convenience, and wear on your car.
1. Hire a moving company
Some full-service movers will ship your car along with your household goods, either in the moving truck or through a separate auto transport partner. National movers like Safeway Moving, American Van Lines, and Allied Van Lines are among the best interstate moving companies for this kind of move.
Some movers act as a broker rather than a carrier and hand your car to a separate auto transport company. Ask who will actually haul your car before you book.
moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator weighs distance, home size, move date, and service level together, so you can price the household move first and then see if bundling your car beats a separate shipper quote. Safeway and American Van Lines are both moveBuddha Certified, which adds $1,000 in coverage and dispute mediation if something goes wrong.
Learn more: Compare the best moving companies that ship cars
Pros & cons
- One company for your car & belongings
- Single point of contact
- Often costs more than a car shipper
- Some use low-quality car shippers
rating
4.9 / 5
- Best overall value
- Veteran owned
- Portion to charity
rating
4.9 / 5
- Certified crews
- Flat-rate pricing
- Family-owned
rating
4.23 / 5
- Specialty packing services
- White-glove reputation
- 80+ years' experience
2. Use open carrier transport
Open carrier transport means an auto transport company hauls your car on an open trailer with several other vehicles. It’s usually the cheapest hands-off option for a cross-country move, averaging $1,695 for trips over 2,500 miles compared to $2,310 for enclosed transport.
Open trailers expose your car to weather and road debris. If you have a classic car or luxury vehicle, enclosed car shipping is worth the higher price.
Door-to-door service, larger vehicles, and high-value cars all raise the price of open transport. Standard sedans on popular routes get the lowest rates.
Pros & cons
- One of the cheapest options
- Flexible service & pricing
- No miles added to your car
- Higher per-mile rates on short moves
- Limits on items packed inside
rating
4.7 / 5
- Refundable deposit
- Discounts available
rating
4.5 / 5
- Price lock promise
- Free car wash
rating
4.4 / 5
- Price matching
- One-day pickup
3. Consider terminal-to-terminal shipping
Terminal-to-terminal shipping means you drop your car at a carrier’s terminal and pick it up at another terminal near your new home. The carrier holds your car until it has a full load headed your way.
This option usually costs less than door-to-door delivery because the driver skips residential pickups and drop-offs. It works best if you live near a terminal and aren’t in a rush.
The trade-off is time. Your car may sit at the terminal for days before it ships, and the final price still depends on mileage, vehicle size, and value.
Pro tip: Ask for the exact terminal addresses before you book, since a ride to a terminal 50 miles away can cancel out the savings. Our guide on how to ship a car covers what to ask a shipper.
Pros & cons
- Cheaper than door-to-door
- Car stored at a terminal until it ships
- Option to hire a driver for pickup
- Terminals may be far from home
- Slower than standard shipping
rating
4.7 / 5
4. Drive the car yourself
Driving your car yourself skips the shipper entirely. It’s a good fit if you’re moving with pets or want to see the country, and our guide to driving vs. shipping your car breaks down the math.
Driving isn’t always cheaper. A cross-country drive takes several days, and gas, food, lodging, and maintenance can add up to more than a shipping quote.
moveBuddha’s car shipping calculator only needs your pickup location, destination, and date to return a price range, with no contact info required. That gives you a real number to compare against your road trip budget.
Pros & cons
- Total control of your trip
- Easy to move with pets
- Sightseeing stops along the way
- Gas, food & hotels add up
- Adds miles & wear to your car
5. Rent a truck to tow your car
Some moving truck rental companies let you tow your car behind the truck, so your belongings and your car make the trip together. You’ll need to rent a tow dolly or car trailer, and weight limits mean not every vehicle qualifies.
This option works best with one car. If you have two, someone else will need to drive the second one.
Fuel is the hidden cost. A 26-foot U-Haul truck is rated at about 10 miles per gallon empty, and towing a car pushes that number lower.
Pros & cons
- Car & belongings arrive together
- Extra storage space in your car
- Towing takes skill & slow driving
- Higher fuel costs
rating
4.3 / 5
- Affordable pricing
- Online pricing
- Several discounts
rating
4 / 5
- Most expensive
- 4 truck sizes
- Unlimited mileage
rating
4.15 / 5
- Greatest coverage
- 7 truck sizes
- One way rentals
6. Hire a driver
A driveaway service, also called a car courier, sends a screened driver to drive your car to your new home. Some driveaway companies require references and a deposit from each driver.
Hiring a driver can cost less than a car shipper, but it comes with risks. Your car picks up miles and wear, and there’s always a chance of an accident or breakdown on the road.
Pros & cons
- Door-to-door service
- Room for belongings in your car
- One-on-one care for your car
- Adds miles & wear to your car
- Hard to find reputable drivers
7. Ship your car by train
Amtrak’s Auto Train carries you and your car between Lorton, Virginia, near Washington, D.C., and Sanford, Florida, near Orlando. It’s the only passenger train in the U.S. that lets you ship your car by train, and it’s popular with snowbirds.
The trip takes about 17.5 hours, and fares start as low as $95 plus your vehicle fare. You ride in the same train, but you can’t access your car during the trip.
The Auto Train is often the cheapest way to move a car between the Mid-Atlantic and Florida. For any other route, you’ll need a different option.
Pros & cons
- Often the cheapest option
- You & your car travel together
- Room for belongings in your car
- Only runs Virginia to Florida
- Fixed schedule
What are the cheapest car shipping companies?
These three car shippers are our top budget picks because they build savings into the price with discounts, locked-in quotes, and low starting rates.
Nexus Auto Transport: Most ways to save
Nexus Auto Transport offers more discounts than most car shippers, including savings for military members, seniors, students, and multiple vehicles. Nexus also takes money off when you pay the driver in cash at delivery, and its online calculator returns a free quote in seconds.
rating
4.7 / 5
Sherpa Auto Transport: Best price protection
Sherpa Auto Transport backs every booking with a Price-Lock Promise, so the price you’re quoted is the price you pay at delivery. Sherpa’s quotes are all-inclusive, and it offers discounts for military families, first responders, returning customers, and multi-car shipments.
rating
4.5 / 5
Navi Auto Transport: Lowest starting prices
Navi Auto Transport had the lowest sample prices of our top three, starting at $500 to ship a sedan 500 miles on an open carrier, compared to $600 with Nexus. Navi also honors lower quotes from competitors and offers a discount for new customers.
rating
4.4 / 5
How much does it cost to ship a car cross-country?
Shipping a car cross-country costs about $500 – $2,500, depending on distance, vehicle size, and transport type. Here’s what you can expect to pay by distance:
| Distance | Open | Enclosed | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| <500 miles | $600 | $940 | $755 |
| 500 – 1,000 miles | $920 | $1,150 | $1,001 |
| 1,000 – 1,500 miles | $1,195 | $1,710 | $1,311 |
| 1,500 – 2,500 miles | $1,501 | $2,022 | $1,714 |
| 2,500+ miles | $1,695 | $2,310 | $2,001 |
Open transport averages $1,695 for trips over 2,500 miles, about $615 less than enclosed transport.
What affects car shipping costs?
Your vehicle, your route, and how flexible you are drive most of the price. These factors have the biggest impact on your quote:
- Add-ons: Extras cost more no matter how you ship. Expect added fees for upgraded insurance, expedited shipping, guaranteed delivery dates, remote locations, custom crating, and storage.
- Delivery window: Expedited service and specific pickup or delivery dates usually cost more. The more flexible your dates, the more room a shipper has to give you a deal.
- Distance: Shippers often charge less per mile on long trips, but a cross-country move still costs more in total. A short move usually carries a higher per-mile rate.
- Door-to-door service: Home delivery costs more than terminal pickup because the carrier makes extra stops on residential streets. Shippers pass that added cost on to you.
- Open vs. enclosed transport: Open vs. enclosed auto transport is one of the biggest price levers. Enclosed trailers hold fewer cars, so you’ll pay more, but they protect classic and luxury vehicles from weather and debris.
- Shipping option: Convenience costs money. Shipping by train is generally cheaper than hiring a driver, while door-to-door open transport sits in the middle.
- Type of vehicle: SUVs, trucks, and luxury cars cost more to ship because of their size and insurance needs. Non-running cars also cost more because they need a winch or other special equipment.
How can you save money when you ship a car?
Flexibility is the biggest money saver in car shipping. These tips can help you find the cheapest way to ship your car cross-country:
- Ask about discounts. Many car shippers offer car shipping discounts for veterans, seniors, students, and repeat customers. You usually have to ask for them.
- Be flexible. Shippers can offer lower rates when they can fit your car into an existing route. A wide pickup window gives them that room.
- Watch for extra fees. Many shippers charge more for oversized vehicles, collector cars, and inoperable cars. Ask for an all-in price before you sign.
- Get multiple quotes. Compare at least three quotes to see what a fair price looks like for your route. On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing quotes before booking, and our car shipping calculator lets you start without sharing contact info.
- Ship in winter. Winter is usually the cheapest time of year to ship a car because fewer people move. Summer brings peak demand and the highest prices.
Comparing quotes pays off on long routes. Better Moves Project participant Hope shipped her car 2,840 miles from Oakland, California, to Waldorf, Maryland, for $1,200:
“I compared four quotes before I hired Montway Auto Transport for my California to Maryland move. My final bill landed $160 under the estimate, since Montway ended up charging me less than they quoted.”
—Hope G., Better Moves Project
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to ship a car cross-country?
Open carrier transport with terminal-to-terminal delivery is the cheapest option for most cross-country moves. Amtrak’s Auto Train can cost less, but it only runs between Lorton, Virginia, and Sanford, Florida. Driving yourself is only cheaper if gas, food, and lodging cost less than your shipping quotes.
How much does it cost to ship a car cross-country?
Shipping a car cross-country costs about $500 – $2,500. Open transport averages $1,695 for trips over 2,500 miles, while enclosed transport averages $2,310. Get at least three quotes to find the best price for your route.
How long does it take to ship a car cross-country?
Coast-to-coast car shipping usually takes about 4 – 10 days after pickup. Sherpa Auto Transport, for example, lists 4 – 10 days for its 2,906-mile San Francisco to New York City route. Terminal-to-terminal service and winter weather can add time.
What is the cheapest time of year to ship a car?
Winter is usually the cheapest time to ship a car because fewer people move. Summer brings peak demand and the highest prices. Booking well ahead of your move date also helps you avoid last-minute rates.
What documents do I need to ship my car?
Have your photo ID, vehicle registration, and title or lienholder letter ready, since many shippers ask for them. You’ll sign a bill of lading at pickup and delivery that records your car’s condition. Ask the shipper for proof of its insurance before you book.
How did we choose the best car shipping companies?
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationwide and rated them using our car shipping company methodology. Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at whether each company offers open transport, enclosed transport, or both, plus door-to-door or terminal delivery. Companies that also ship RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher.
- Add-on services: We gave extra points for optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed reviews on Yelp, Google, Trustpilot, and other platforms to see whether each shipper delivers on time, communicates well, and stays within its estimate. We also confirmed U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) registration and checked trade association memberships.
- Availability: Companies that serve Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that serve only the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling & payment: We reviewed how easy it is to schedule service and get an accurate quote. Shippers with binding quotes, price matching, or flat-rate pricing ranked higher than those with less transparent pricing.
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