The main ways to move a car across the country

You have three realistic options: drive it yourself, hire an auto transport company, or use a peer-to-peer shipping service. Driving yourself costs the least upfront but takes time and wear on your vehicle. Professional auto transport — the most common choice — means a carrier picks up your car, loads it onto a truck with other vehicles, and delivers it to your destination. Peer-to-peer services like uShip or Montway connect you directly with independent drivers who haul cars as side work, usually at rates between professional carriers and self-driving.

Each method has different trade-offs in speed, cost, and control. Driving takes 3 to 7 days depending on distance and your pace. Auto transport takes 5 to 14 days depending on the route and carrier schedule. Peer-to-peer can be faster or slower depending on when a driver accepts your shipment. Your choice depends on how much you value your time, how much you want to spend, and how comfortable you are handing your car to someone else.

Key Takeaways

  • Professional auto transport companies charge $800 to $2,500 for a cross-country move depending on distance, season, and whether you choose open or enclosed transport.
  • Driving yourself costs mainly in fuel and wear — roughly $0.14 to $0.20 per mile in vehicle depreciation plus gas, but no shipping fee.
  • You must have valid registration and insurance before any move; some insurers charge extra for long-distance relocations or require notice.
  • Auto transport companies require your car to be in working condition, with less than a quarter tank of fuel, and free of personal items inside.
  • Enclosed transport costs 30 to 50 percent more than open transport but protects against weather and road debris.

How auto transport companies price and schedule moves

Most carriers quote based on distance, vehicle size, and pickup/delivery locations. A sedan from Los Angeles to New York typically costs $1,200 to $1,600 on an open carrier (your car rides on a truck with others exposed to weather). An SUV or truck costs 10 to 20 percent more. Enclosed transport — your car goes inside a covered trailer — runs $1,800 to $2,500 for the same route. Prices vary by season; summer and early fall are peak moving months and cost more. Winter and early spring are cheaper.

Carriers do not always pick up on your requested date. Most offer a window of 3 to 7 days, and you choose which day within that window works. Delivery is also a window, usually 5 to 14 days after pickup depending on distance and current load. If you need a specific date — say, you close on a house on Tuesday — you cannot may provide it with standard transport. Some carriers offer expedited service for an extra fee, but even that is a window, not a promise.

Get quotes from at least three carriers. Use sites like uShip, Montway, or AmeriFreight to compare, or call carriers directly. Quotes are free and non-binding. Do not book based on price alone; check reviews on the Better Business Bureau and Google, and verify the carrier is licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). You can search any carrier's license and safety record at SaferCars.org.

What your car must be like before pickup

Your car must run and drive onto the transport truck under its own power. If it does not start or has serious mechanical problems, the carrier will refuse it or charge extra for special equipment. The fuel tank should be less than a quarter full — carriers do not want to haul heavy fuel and do not want to be liable if fuel spills. Remove all personal items from inside the car; carriers are not responsible for anything left in the vehicle, and some will refuse to transport a car with items inside.

Check your tire pressure and make sure all lights work. The carrier will document the car's condition with photos before loading. If there is existing damage — a dent, a scratch, a cracked window — point it out and ask the driver to note it on the bill of lading. This protects you if the carrier later claims they caused damage that was already there. Take your own photos from multiple angles before the carrier arrives.

Insurance and registration during a cross-country move

Your current auto insurance covers your car while it is being transported, but you must tell your insurer about the move. Some insurers charge extra for long-distance relocation; others do not. Call your agent before you book transport and ask whether your policy covers the car in transit and whether there is an additional premium. If you are moving to a new state, your registration and insurance must be updated within a certain window — usually 30 to 60 days after you arrive — so check your new state's requirements ahead of time.

If you are shipping the car to a new address but keeping your current insurance and registration temporarily, that is fine. You do not have to change them the moment the car arrives. But do change them before you drive the car on public roads in the new state. Some states require you to get a new title and registration within 30 days of moving; others give you 60 days. Check your new state's DMV website for the exact important date.

Driving your car yourself across the country

Self-driving costs less in shipping fees but more in vehicle wear and fuel. A cross-country trip of 2,500 miles costs roughly $350 to $500 in fuel (depending on your car's fuel economy and current gas prices) plus $350 to $500 in vehicle depreciation and maintenance wear. That is $700 to $1,000 total — less than most professional transport quotes, but you spend 5 to 7 days on the road and put 2,500 miles on your odometer.

You will need a valid driver's license and proof of insurance. Your current insurance covers you while driving across the country, but confirm with your insurer that your policy is active in all states you will pass through. Some insurers exclude certain states or require notice of long-distance travel. Plan your route, book hotels or plan rest stops, and consider whether you want to drive alone or with someone else. Driving alone is riskier; driving with a passenger shares the load but requires coordination.

Peer-to-peer car shipping services

Services like uShip, Montway, and Roadway connect you with independent drivers who haul cars as part of their own moves or business. You post your shipment, drivers bid on it, and you choose which driver to hire. Costs typically fall between self-driving and professional transport — $600 to $1,800 for a cross-country move — but the timeline is less predictable. A driver might accept your shipment when ready, or it might sit for days before someone bids.

These services offer less protection than licensed carriers. The driver is not insured by a major company; they carry their own insurance, which may or may not cover your car. Read the service's terms carefully and understand what happens if the car is damaged in transit. Some services hold a deposit from the driver as security; others do not. Check reviews of the specific driver before you accept their bid, and communicate clearly about pickup and delivery dates and locations.

What to do before the car is picked up

Schedule the pickup at least two weeks in advance if you are using a professional carrier. Confirm the pickup window and make sure someone will be home to hand over the keys and sign the bill of lading. The bill of lading is your contract; it lists the pickup and delivery addresses, the vehicle description, the agreed price, and the condition of the car at pickup. Read it carefully before you sign. If anything is wrong — the price is different, the delivery address is wrong, the car description does not match — do not sign. Ask the driver to correct it.

Keep a copy of the bill of lading and the carrier's contact information. You will need it to track the shipment and to file a claim if something goes wrong. Most carriers provide a tracking number; ask for it and check the status periodically. If the car is damaged during transport, you have a limited time to file a claim — usually 30 days — so document any damage with photos when ready after delivery and contact the carrier in writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to ship a car across the country?

Professional auto transport typically costs $800 to $2,500 depending on distance, vehicle size, and whether you choose open or enclosed transport. Open transport is cheaper; enclosed costs 30 to 50 percent more. Peer-to-peer services usually cost $600 to $1,800. Driving yourself costs $700 to $1,000 in fuel and vehicle wear but no shipping fee.

How long does cross-country car shipping take?

Professional carriers take 5 to 14 days depending on distance and current load. Driving yourself takes 3 to 7 days depending on how fast you drive and how many stops you make. Peer-to-peer services depend on when a driver accepts your shipment; it could be days or weeks.

Do I need to empty my car before the carrier picks it up?

Yes. Remove all personal items from inside the car. The carrier is not responsible for anything left inside, and some will refuse to transport a car with items in it. The fuel tank should be less than a quarter full.

What if my car breaks down during shipping?

If you are using a professional carrier, contact them when ready. They will arrange a tow or repair depending on the situation. If you are driving yourself, you are responsible for roadside information and repairs. If you are using a peer-to-peer service, contact the driver and the service; coverage depends on the driver's insurance and the service's terms.

Do I have to change my insurance and registration before the car is shipped?

No. Your current insurance covers the car in transit. You must update your registration and insurance in your new state within 30 to 60 days after you arrive, depending on state law. Check your new state's DMV website for the exact important date.