Cross-country car shipping is one of the most common auto transport requests we handle. Whether you are relocating from New York to Los Angeles, moving from Seattle to Miami, or sending a vehicle to a family member across the country, here is your complete guide to long-distance auto transport.
Cross-Country Shipping Costs
Coast-to-coast shipping typically costs between $1,000 and $1,500 for open transport of a standard sedan. Here are common routes:
- • New York to Los Angeles: $1,100 - $1,500
- • New York to San Francisco: $1,150 - $1,550
- • Boston to Seattle: $1,200 - $1,600
- • Miami to Los Angeles: $1,100 - $1,500
- • Chicago to Los Angeles: $900 - $1,300
- • Atlanta to Seattle: $1,100 - $1,500
- • Dallas to New York: $1,000 - $1,400
Enclosed transport adds 30-50% to these prices. For a comprehensive cost breakdown, visit our [car shipping cost page](/car-shipping-cost).
How Long Does Cross-Country Shipping Take?
Coast-to-coast transit typically takes 7-10 days once your vehicle is on the carrier. Add 3-7 days for carrier assignment, so total door-to-door is usually 10-17 days.
The exact timeline depends on:
- • Your specific route
- • Number of other vehicles the carrier is picking up/delivering along the way
- • Weather and road conditions
- • DOT-mandated rest periods for drivers (11 hours max driving per day)
Popular Cross-Country Routes
East to West
The most popular cross-country routes heading westward:
- • I-80 corridor: New York/New Jersey through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah to California
- • I-40 corridor: East Coast through Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas Panhandle, New Mexico, Arizona to Southern California
- • I-10 corridor: Florida through the Gulf states, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona to Los Angeles
West to East
The same corridors in reverse, plus:
- • I-90 corridor: Seattle through Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin to the Great Lakes and Northeast
Carriers prefer established routes because they can pick up and deliver multiple vehicles along the way, which keeps costs down for everyone.
Driving vs Shipping: The Real Comparison
For a cross-country move, many people wonder whether they should just drive. Here is the honest math:
Driving coast to coast (approximately 2,800 miles):
- • Gas: $300 - $500 (depending on vehicle and fuel prices)
- • Hotels (3-4 nights): $400 - $800
- • Food: $100 - $200
- • Vehicle wear: $200+ (tires, oil change, mileage depreciation)
- • Time: 4-5 days of driving, 8+ hours per day
- • Risk: Fatigue, unfamiliar roads, potential breakdowns
- • Total: $1,000 - $1,700 plus 4-5 days of your time
Shipping + flying:
- • Transport cost: $1,000 - $1,500
- • One-way flight: $150 - $400
- • Total: $1,150 - $1,900 and you save 4-5 days
When you factor in the value of your time, the wear on your vehicle, and the exhaustion of a multi-day cross-country drive, shipping often makes more financial sense than it appears at first glance.
How to Get the Best Rate on Cross-Country Shipping
1. Be flexible on dates: A 5-7 day pickup window is cheaper than a specific date 2. Ship during off-peak months: February, April-May, and November offer the best rates 3. Book 2-3 weeks ahead: Advance booking allows optimal carrier matching 4. Choose open transport: Saves 30-50% over enclosed for standard vehicles 5. Metro-to-metro shipping: Major cities have more carrier availability and lower prices
For more money-saving strategies, read our guide on the [cheapest way to ship a car](/blog/cheapest-way-to-ship-a-car).
Cross-Country Shipping for Different Situations
Relocating for Work
Corporate relocations often include a vehicle shipping allowance. Check with your employer's relocation package. Even if it is not fully covered, partial reimbursement may be available. Keep all receipts and invoices.
Military PCS
Cross-country PCS moves may qualify for POV shipping reimbursement. See our [military shipping guide](/blog/military-pcs-car-shipping-guide) and check with your TMO.
Buying a Car Out of State
Found the perfect vehicle 2,500 miles away? Shipping it home is straightforward. Read our guide on [shipping a car from an online purchase](/blog/shipping-car-from-online-purchase).
Sending a Car to a Family Member
You can book shipping on behalf of someone else. One person can be the booking contact while a different person handles pickup and another handles delivery.
Preparing for Cross-Country Transport
Since your vehicle will be on a carrier for 7-10 days, preparation matters:
- • Fuel to 1/4 tank (less weight = slightly lower cost)
- • Remove all personal items (they add weight and are not insured)
- • Wash and photograph the vehicle before pickup
- • Check tire pressure and fluid levels
- • Disable toll transponders so you are not charged for the carrier's route
- • Follow our complete [preparation checklist](/blog/how-to-prepare-your-vehicle-for-transport)
What Happens at Each End
At Pickup
The carrier driver arrives, inspects your vehicle, documents its condition on the Bill of Lading, loads it onto the trailer, and provides you with a copy of the BOL.
At Delivery
The driver unloads your vehicle, you inspect it against the pickup BOL, sign the delivery BOL, and pay the remaining balance.
Get Your Cross-Country Quote
Ready to ship across country? Call State Wide Auto Transport at (855) 469-8090 or [get a free quote online](/quote). We ship thousands of vehicles coast to coast every year and will make sure yours arrives safely. Check our [popular routes page](/popular-routes) for more route-specific information.