Long distance
Ship a Car Across the Country
A 2,800-mile move is a logistics problem, not a road trip. Here is what cross-country auto transport actually costs, how long it takes and how we run it.
Timelines
Typical long-haul transit windows
Transit time starts the day the vehicle is loaded, not the day you book. Add one to five days on the front for a carrier to reach your pickup address.
| Corridor | Distance | In transit |
|---|---|---|
| Florida ↔ California | 2,600 mi | 7–9 days |
| Florida ↔ New York | 1,300 mi | 3–5 days |
| Texas ↔ Washington | 2,300 mi | 6–8 days |
| Illinois ↔ Arizona | 1,750 mi | 4–6 days |
| Massachusetts ↔ Colorado | 2,000 mi | 5–7 days |
| Michigan ↔ Nevada | 2,100 mi | 5–8 days |
Planning
What makes a cross-country move go smoothly
- Book two to three weeks ahead for coast-to-coast lanes
- Give a first-available date rather than a fixed calendar day
- Use a major metro on at least one end when you can
- Book flights only after your vehicle is dispatched
- Keep a spare key with you, not in the vehicle
- Leave a quarter tank — fuel is dead weight over 2,800 miles
- Remove toll transponders and parking passes — we are not responsible for tolls in transit
- Photograph every panel before the truck arrives
- Name a backup contact at the delivery end
Coverage
Insured for the whole distance
Every mile is covered by the carrier's active cargo policy, verified before dispatch: $250,000 cargo coverage on open carriers and $1,000,000 cargo coverage on enclosed carriers. Vehicles are secured with soft-tie wheel straps so nothing hooks the frame or suspension over a week on the road.
FAQ
Cross-country shipping questions
How much does it cost to ship a car across the country?
Coast-to-coast open transport for a standard sedan generally runs $1,100 to $1,700, and enclosed runs roughly 40 to 60 percent higher. Large SUVs, lifted trucks, non-running vehicles and rural endpoints add to that.
How long does cross-country auto transport take?
Figure seven to ten days in transit for about 2,800 miles. Drivers are capped by federal hours-of-service rules, so roughly 500 miles a day is the honest planning number.
Is it cheaper to drive it myself?
Rarely, once you add fuel, three to five nights of lodging, meals, tires and the depreciation of putting 2,800 miles on the odometer — plus the week of your own time.
Can I fly out and meet the car?
Most customers do. Book the flight after your vehicle is dispatched and you have a real delivery window from the driver, not before.
Do you ship to Alaska and Hawaii?
Yes, through port service. The vehicle moves overland to Tacoma, Long Beach or another port and continues by ocean carrier. Timelines run two to four weeks depending on sailing schedules.
What's the best time of year for a long-distance move?
Late spring and early fall are the calmest. January northbound and October southbound get tight because snowbird volume floods the same lanes and pushes carrier rates up.
Start now
Price your long-distance move
Ready for white-glove auto transport?
Open and enclosed semi-truck carriers, door-to-door delivery and a coordinator who answers the phone.