Transport car across country

Major cross-country routes and corridors

• Southern route (I-10): California to Florida via Arizona, New Mexico, Texas — 2,500-2,800 miles, 7-10 days, year-round reliability
• Central route (I-40): California to North Carolina via Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee — 2,400-2,800 miles, 7-10 days, good winter alternative
• Northern route (I-80): California to New York via Nevada, Utah, Nebraska, Pennsylvania — 2,900-3,000 miles, 8-11 days, winter weather concerns
• West to East coast: Seattle/Portland to Boston/New York — 3,000-3,100 miles, 8-12 days, typically routes through I-90 or I-80
• Diagonal routes: Pacific Northwest to Southeast (Seattle to Miami) or Northeast to Southwest (Boston to San Diego) — 3,000-3,300 miles, 9-12 days

Cross-country shipping costs

Cross-country car shipping typically costs $1,200-$1,800 for open transport and $2,000-$2,800 for enclosed transport. The exact price depends on specific cities, current fuel costs, season, and vehicle size. Popular routes like California to Texas or Florida to New York tend toward the lower end due to high carrier volume and competition. Less common diagonal routes may cost slightly more. Per-mile rates for cross-country shipments offer the best value—typically $0.45-$0.60 per mile compared to $0.75-$1.00 for shorter distances.

Complete cross-country timeline

• Booking and carrier assignment (1-3 days): Get quotes, verify carrier credentials, sign contract, and receive carrier assignment confirmation
• Pickup scheduling (1-5 days): Carrier contacts you to arrange specific pickup time within your availability window
• Actual transit time (5-8 days): Vehicle travels cross-country on carrier truck, with progress updates along the way
• Delivery coordination (1-2 days): Carrier contacts you 24-48 hours before arrival to schedule final delivery window
• Total timeline: 7-14 days from booking to delivery for most cross-country shipments with standard service

Driving vs. shipping cost comparison

For a 2,500-mile cross-country trip, driving costs $1,200-$1,600 when you factor in gas ($300-$400 at 25 mpg), lodging ($300-$500 for 3-4 nights), meals ($200-$300), wear and tear ($300-$400 at $0.12-$0.16/mile), and your time value. Shipping costs $1,200-$1,800 for open transport with no mileage added, zero wear and tear, no lodging expenses, and you arrive rested. For distances over 1,500 miles, shipping often costs the same or less than driving while saving significant time and avoiding vehicle wear.

Best practices for cross-country shipping

• Book 2-4 weeks in advance for best carrier availability and pricing on popular cross-country routes
• Choose reputable carriers with experience on your specific route—ask about their regular lanes
• Verify carrier insurance covers the full transit time and any intermediate stops or transfers
• Document your vehicle thoroughly with 20+ photos before pickup for cross-country transport
• Keep fuel tank at 1/4 full or less—this is especially important for long-distance weight considerations
• Remove or secure all aftermarket accessories that could loosen during extended highway travel
• Disable alarm systems and toll transponders for the entire route (multiple states may have tolls)
• Stay in contact with the carrier during transit—request updates every 2-3 days
• Build flexibility into your delivery date—cross-country routes can face unexpected delays

Route selection: northern vs. southern vs. central

Southern routes via I-10 offer year-round reliability with minimal weather disruption, making them ideal for winter shipping. Central routes via I-40 provide a good balance of distance and weather avoidance, passing through moderate climates. Northern routes via I-80 are fastest in summer but face winter weather challenges from November through March with potential delays from snow, ice, and mountain passes. Your carrier will typically choose the route based on efficiency, current weather, and where they need to position for their next load.

Seasonal considerations for cross-country transport

• Summer (June-August): Peak season with highest demand and prices 15-25% above baseline—book 3-4 weeks ahead
• Spring (March-May): Excellent weather across most routes with moderate pricing and good availability
• Fall (September-November): Great weather but snowbird migration creates high demand on specific routes to Florida and Arizona
• Winter (December-February): Lowest prices but weather can delay northern routes—southern routes via I-10 remain reliable
• Holiday periods: Thanksgiving and Christmas see 20-30% price spikes with limited carrier availability

Common cross-country shipping mistakes to avoid

• Booking too close to your move date—cross-country shipments need 2-4 weeks lead time for best results
• Choosing carriers solely on price without checking their cross-country route experience
• Not planning for the full 7-14 day timeline and needing your car immediately at destination
• Failing to arrange temporary transportation at your destination until your vehicle arrives
• Leaving personal items in the car that shift or break during 2,500+ miles of highway travel
• Not communicating your delivery location accessibility—cross-country carriers drive large trucks
• Expecting precise delivery dates—cross-country shipping requires flexible 2-3 day delivery windows
• Skipping thorough documentation for long-distance transport where damage claims are more common