The main ways to move a car long distance

You have three realistic options to get a car across the country: hire an auto transport company to move it on a truck with other vehicles, hire a company to move it alone on a dedicated truck, or drive it yourself. Auto transport (called open carrier shipping) is the cheapest and most common choice — a company loads your car onto a truck with five to nine others and delivers it to your destination. Dedicated shipping costs more but gets your car there faster and keeps it isolated. Driving yourself gives you complete control but costs time and fuel.

The choice depends on your budget, how quickly you need the car, and how much you trust someone else with it. Most people choose open carrier because the cost is predictable and the process is straightforward. If your car is new, expensive, or has sentimental value, dedicated shipping or driving it yourself may be worth the extra money.

Key Takeaways

  • Open carrier shipping (your car on a truck with others) typically costs $800 to $2,500 depending on distance and season, and takes 5 to 14 days.
  • You need a valid ID, proof of ownership, and a working car that can be driven onto the truck — most companies will not accept cars that do not start.
  • Get quotes from at least three companies and check their complaint history with the Better Business Bureau before booking.
  • The driver will inspect your car before pickup and again at delivery; photograph any existing damage beforehand so you have proof.
  • Your personal auto insurance typically does not cover the car while it is being transported, so ask the shipping company what coverage they provide.

How open carrier shipping works and what it costs

Open carrier is the standard method. A truck arrives at your location, your car is driven onto the back with other vehicles, and it travels to your destination city where it is unloaded. The cost depends on the distance, the time of year (winter and summer are more expensive), and current fuel prices. A cross-country shipment from the East Coast to the West Coast typically runs $1,200 to $2,000 for open carrier. Shorter distances or off-season moves cost less; peak season (May through September) costs more.

The process takes 5 to 14 days from pickup to delivery, though the exact timing depends on the route and whether the truck makes stops along the way. You will receive a tracking number and can check the truck's location online. The driver will call you a day or two before arrival to confirm the delivery window — usually a four-hour or eight-hour block, not an exact time.

What you need to prepare before pickup

Before the truck arrives, remove personal items from the car. The shipping company will not transport anything inside the vehicle — anything left behind is the company's property or gets discarded. Empty the glove box, trunk, and under the seats. Remove or find any loose parts like floor mats or seat covers.

Make sure the car runs and can be driven onto the truck under its own power. If the car does not start, the driver will not load it, and you will have to arrange a tow truck at your own cost. Fill the gas tank to at least a quarter full so the driver has enough fuel to move the car on and off the truck. Check the tire pressure and make sure there are no obvious leaks.

Take photographs of the car from all angles and note any existing dents, scratches, or damage. Write down the mileage. The driver will do a walk-around inspection and you will both sign a condition report — this is your proof of what the car looked like when it left. If there is damage at delivery that was not on the report, you have a claim.

Finding a shipping company and getting quotes

Do not use the first company you find. Get quotes from at least three established auto transport companies. Major carriers include Penske, UShip, AmeriFreight, and uShip (which is a marketplace that connects you to multiple carriers). When you request a quote, have ready: your pickup address, delivery address, the car's year and make, and whether it runs.

Compare the quoted price, the pickup and delivery windows, and the insurance coverage included. Ask each company what happens if the truck is delayed — some will offer a refund or credit, others will not. Check the company's complaint history on the Better Business Bureau website and read recent reviews on Google or Trustpilot. Look specifically for complaints about damage, late delivery, or communication problems.

Do not book based on price alone. A company that is $200 cheaper but has a history of late pickups or damage claims will cost you more in the end. Once you choose a company, you will sign a contract and pay a deposit (usually 25 to 50 percent of the total cost). The balance is due at delivery.

Insurance and liability during transport

Your personal auto insurance does not cover the car while it is being transported by a third party. The shipping company carries liability insurance, but the coverage is limited. Federal law requires carriers to maintain a minimum of $5,000 in liability per vehicle, though many carry more. Read the company's insurance details in the contract — they will tell you what is and is not covered.

If the car is damaged during transport, you file a claim with the shipping company, not your insurance. Document any damage with photographs when ready after delivery. The company has a set time frame (usually 30 days) to investigate and respond. If they deny the claim or offer less than you think is fair, you can escalate to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which oversees interstate carriers.

For high-value cars, some companies offer additional coverage for an extra fee. If your car is worth more than $10,000 or has special value to you, ask about this option when you get quotes.

What to expect on pickup and delivery day

The driver will call you 24 to 48 hours before arrival to confirm the pickup time. Be present for pickup — you need to sign the condition report and hand over the keys. The driver will walk around the car, note any damage, take photographs, and have you sign off. This is not the time to negotiate or argue about pre-existing damage; just make sure everything on the report is accurate.

At delivery, the same process happens in reverse. The driver will unload the car, walk around it again, and you will both sign a delivery condition report. Check the car carefully before signing — look for new dents, scratches, or damage that was not there at pickup. If you see damage, note it on the report before you sign. Take photographs of anything questionable. Do not sign the report if you disagree with its contents.

The driver will ask you to sign a release form confirming you received the car. Do not sign this until you have inspected the car fully and are satisfied with its condition. Once you sign the release, your window to file a damage claim becomes much shorter.

Alternatives if you need the car faster or want more control

If open carrier is too slow, dedicated shipping moves your car alone on a truck. This costs 50 to 100 percent more than open carrier but typically takes 3 to 7 days. Your car is the only one on the truck, so it is loaded and unloaded faster and there is no waiting for other pickups or deliveries.

If you want complete control and do not mind the time and cost, you can drive the car yourself. This lets you inspect it constantly and stop if something goes wrong. The trade-off is fuel, wear on the engine, and the time it takes — a cross-country drive is 2,500 to 3,000 miles and takes 3 to 5 days of driving. If you are moving and the car is part of your household goods, some moving companies will transport it as part of a full move, though this is usually more expensive than a dedicated auto carrier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I ship a car that does not run?

Most open carrier companies will not pick up a car that does not start or drive under its own power. You will need to arrange a tow truck to get it to a location where the carrier can pick it up, which adds cost. Some specialized carriers handle non-running vehicles, but they charge more and require advance notice.

What if the truck is delayed and my car does not arrive on time?

Delays happen — weather, mechanical issues, or traffic can push back delivery by a few days. Check your contract to see what the company's policy is. Some offer a refund or credit if pickup or delivery is more than a certain number of days late; others do not. If the delay causes you real financial harm, you can file a complaint with the FMCSA.

Do I need to be home when the car is delivered?

Yes, you need to be present to inspect the car, sign the delivery report, and take possession. Arrange for someone to be there if you cannot be. The driver will not leave the car unattended or with someone who is not authorized to receive it.

What happens if my car gets damaged during shipping?

Document the damage with photographs when ready after delivery and before you move the car. Contact the shipping company within 30 days and file a damage claim. Provide the photographs, the delivery condition report, and an estimate from a repair shop. The company will investigate and either approve the claim or deny it. If you disagree, you can file a complaint with the FMCSA.

Is it cheaper to ship a car or drive it across the country myself?

Shipping is usually cheaper if you factor in fuel, wear and tear, and your time. A cross-country drive costs $400 to $600 in fuel alone, plus hotel stays if you do not drive straight through. Open carrier shipping typically costs $1,200 to $2,000 for the same distance. If you value your time or do not want to put miles on the car, shipping is the better choice financially.