Getting your budget right is key if you’re planning a cross-country move. When deciding which transport options are best for your needs, it helps to know the cost to ship a car cross country as well as what to expect by working with a car shipping company. Utilizing cross country auto transport services can provide convenience and expertise, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience.
Whether you’re a snowbird heading to a warmer climate during the winter or moving from the East Coast to the West, our guide will help you figure out how to ship your car cross-country and what you can expect to pay for your shipment.
In This Review:
- What Is Cross Country Car Shipping?
- Who Can Benefit From Shipping a Car Across the Country?
- Cost to Ship a Car Across the Country
- Cross-Country Vehicle Shipping Quotes
- Average Auto Transport Costs
- Things That Can Affect Cross Country Shipping
- What’s The Best Way To Ship a Car Across the Country?
- Why You Should Choose Sherpa Auto Transport
- Shipping a Car Cross Country FAQs
Key Takeaways:
- Cross-country shipping is a service provided by auto transport companies, such as Sherpa, to help when you’re needing to move a vehicle hundreds to thousands of miles.
- While the specifics of your shipment and market conditions will impact the price, you can generally expect to pay $0.50 to $1.00 per mile for a cross-country transport.
- Opting for an open trailer for transport and having flexibility in your pickup window can help to lower your shipment cost.
What is Cross-Country Car Shipping?
Car shipping, sometimes called auto or vehicle transport, is a service offered by auto shipping brokers and car haulers to move your vehicle from one place to another. Car transport services are beneficial when driving your car is impossible or inconvenient.
Cross-country car shipping is a service offered by auto transport companies when you’re looking to move your vehicle a long distance, typically 1,000 miles or longer. Your vehicle will be loaded onto a trailer and transported to your location.Shipping your vehicle rather than driving it can save you time and money, especially if you’re traveling across the country.
Auto Transport Process
Here are the six steps you’ll take when planning your vehicle shipment:
- Understand your shipment needs. Determine where you would like your vehicle picked up and delivered. You may also want to familiarize yourself with some auto transport basics, such as open vs enclosed shipping.
- Request a free quote. Sherpa offers free quotes to all customers. You can request an instant quote online or give our team a call to speak to an expert.
- Lock in your shipment. Once you receive your quote and review the details, simply lock in your shipment. Nothing is due to Sherpa at the time of booking. Coordinating and possibly changing delivery dates is crucial to ensure a smooth process.
- Prepare your car for shipping. Limit the personal items in your vehicle to 100 lbs or less and store them in the trunk area. When the truck driver arrives at your pickup location, you’ll both examine the vehicle for existing damage before your car is loaded up. Make sure you have a set of keys to give to the carrier.
- Sit back and relax. While your vehicle is in transit, sit back and relax knowing you are in good hands. We provide the contact information for your assigned carrier so that you can receive updates along the way. Our Sherpa team members are also here to assist.
- Prepare for delivery. Once the trucker delivers your vehicle, you’ll both examine the car for damage again. Next, you’ll sign a Bill of Lading to complete the shipment and pay the carrier the remaining balance via cash or certified check.
Who Can Benefit From Shipping a Car Across the Country?
Auto transport services are typically most beneficial when moving a vehicle hundreds or thousands of miles. Car shipping is typically more cost-effective and quicker than driving in these circumstances.
Sherpa is here to help anyone in need of a cross-country shipment. Here are the most common groups of customers we service:
Cost to Ship a Car Across the Country
The cost for cross-country car shipping essentially hinges on what type of transport you decide to use. The two main shipping options you’ll choose between are open and enclosed auto transport. Understanding the difference between these two types of services will help to plan your vehicle shipment.
Open Auto Transport
Open auto transport means your car will be shipped on a large open-air trailer you typically see on the highway. This is the cheapest option, cutting down the cost of shipping by allowing car carriers to transport several vehicles simultaneously. This allows the car hauler to deliver and add cargo throughout the shipping route.
Keep in mind, however, that open-air carriers leave your car exposed to the elements. Adverse weather conditions and road debris could damage your vehicle during transit.
Enclosed Auto Transport
If you want extra protection for your car, consider shipping it in an enclosed carrier. Enclosed trailers have four sides and a roof. This option is especially useful for shipping a classic car or antique vehicle.
However, shipping via enclosed transport carrier is much more expensive, sometimes costing over 50% more than open car transport. There are fewer available enclosed carriers with limited space in each trailer, raising the costs and potentially increasing the time it takes to ship your car.
Cross-Country Vehicle Shipping Quotes
When it comes to shipping a car across the country, getting accurate quotes is crucial. At Sherpa Auto Transport, we provide instant quotes for cross-country vehicle shipping. Our quotes are based on various factors, including the distance, type of vehicle, and method of transportation.
We also take into account seasonal fluctuations, the price of gas, and pickup and delivery locations to ensure that our quotes are accurate and competitive.
To get a quote for cross-country vehicle shipping, simply fill out our online form or give us a call. Our team of experts will work with you to provide a customized quote that meets your needs and budget. We also offer a range of shipping options, including open and enclosed transport, to ensure that your vehicle is protected during transit.
Average Auto Transport Costs
Though vehicle shipping rates will vary based on the specifics of your shipment and market conditions, you can get an idea of what transport might cost. Long-distance auto transport will typically cost less on a per mile basis than shorter routes, but may be more expensive in total.
As an example, shipments under 500 miles will typically cost between $1.50 and $2.50 per mile. If you are looking to ship your car across the country, you can expect to pay about $0.50 to $1.00 per mile for the trip.
If you are looking to ship a car from New York City to Los Angeles, you can expect to pay around $1,500, while shipping from Los Angeles to Miami will likely cost $1,350. These are estimates based on shipping an operable sedan using an open trailer.
A number of factors including the vehicle size and operability as well as trailer type will impact your shipment price.
Things That Can Affect Cross Country Shipping
Besides the distance of your car transport, the cost to ship a car cross country fluctuates based on a number of factors. Those include:
- Gas prices: If the cost of fuel is high, your transport will be more expensive.
- Time frame: Having a flexible timeline for your car shipment can help save you money, as the sooner you book your transport, the cheaper it will be. Sherpa offers expedited pickup windows for our customers in a hurry, but it does come with an added cost.
- Vehicle condition: If your car is inoperable, it will require more time, labor, and equipment to load onto the car carrier truck.
- Vehicle size: Larger vehicles, such as pickup trucks and modified vehicles cost more to transport.
- Type of transport: Open carrier shipping is generally the cheapest way to transport your vehicle, but enclosed transport offers more protection and is ideal for luxury and classic cars.
- Pickup and drop-off locations: Rural pickup and delivery locations take more fuel and travel time to reach, so they cost more than shipments to and from urban areas.
- Time of year: Demand for car shipping services rises significantly in January and the summer, so expect vehicle shipping to be more expensive during those times of year.
What’s the Best Way to Ship a Car Across the Country?
Working with an expert in the industry, like Sherpa, means you do not need to worry about anything after your shipment is booked. We take pride in servicing thousands of customers per year, providing them with a stress-free transport experience.
With our industry knowledge and expertise, our team sets you up with a customized transport plan, taking into account both your budget and shipment needs.
Why You Should Choose Sherpa Auto Transport
Since 2017, we’ve built a great reputation in the auto transport industry by shipping vehicles nationwide. We specialize in open auto transport and door-to-door delivery, making each car shipment as convenient as possible for our clients.
We hold accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), as well as an A+ rating from the organization. We are proud to have an industry-leading Total Review Score of 4.9 out of 5 stars from the thousands of customers who have rated our services.
Price Lock Promise
Our exclusive Price Lock Promise means you won’t pay more than the price of your car shipping quote. If the price we quoted you isn’t enough to secure a carrier, we’ll cover up to $300 of the difference to ensure your transport happens at your agreed upon rate.
Choosing the Right Auto Transport Company
Choosing the right auto transport company is essential when shipping a car across the country. With so many car shipping companies to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which one to use. At Sherpa Auto Transport, we pride ourselves on our reputation for providing safe, reliable, and affordable cross-country car transport services.
When choosing an auto transport company, several factors should be considered. Look for a company with experience shipping cars across the country, a good reputation, and a range of shipping options. You should also check their insurance coverage and ask about their claims process.
At Sherpa Auto Transport, we have a team of experienced professionals who are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and ensuring that your vehicle arrives safely at its destination.
Pickup and Delivery Locations
At Sherpa Auto Transport, we offer door-to-door service for cross-country car shipping. This means that we will pick up your vehicle at your specified location and deliver it to your desired destination. We have a network of pickup and delivery locations across the country, making it easy to ship your car from one state to another.
Our pickup and delivery locations are strategically located to ensure that your vehicle is transported efficiently and safely. We also offer terminal-to-terminal shipping for those who prefer to drop off and pick up their vehicle at a designated location. Our team will work with you to determine the best pickup and delivery locations for your needs.
Types of Vehicles We Ship
At Sherpa Auto Transport, we ship a wide range of vehicles across the country. From sedans and SUVs to classic cars and motorcycles, we have the expertise and equipment to transport any type of vehicle. Our team of professionals is trained to handle all types of vehicles, and we take extra care to ensure that your vehicle is protected during transit.
We also ship vehicles for individuals, dealerships, and companies, making us a one-stop solution for all your car shipping needs. Whether you need to ship a single vehicle or a fleet of cars, we have the capacity and expertise to handle your needs.
Shipping a Car Cross Country FAQs
Is it worth it to ship a car across the country?
To decide whether shipping a car across the country is worth it, consider what’s most important in your situation. If you want to avoid the hassle of a road trip or don’t want to add mileage to your vehicle, shipping your car across the country might make more sense than driving.
How much does it cost to ship a car from the East Coast to the West Coast?
Based on our estimates, when shipping a car from Florida to California, for instance, you can expect to pay between 45 and 70 cents per mile.
Is it worth it to ship a car?
When traveling long distances, it’s generally worth it to ship your car. For one thing, it’s less time consuming than driving across the country. Depending on gas prices, it may be cheaper as well. Additionally, driving will add miles and wear and tear to your vehicle, whereas shipping your car won’t.