Long Distance Car Transport Guide (2024)
Long distance car transport isn’t something people think about very often, but it’s a lifesaver when you need to move your vehicles hundreds or thousands of miles. Long distance auto transport means your vehicle is shipped on a trailer, typically across state lines. Because carriers typically cover about 500 miles a day, you can expect a cross country transport to take around 10 days when factoring in multiple pickups and deliveries along the way. Shorter trips are often completed in a week or less.
Key Takeaways:
- Long distance auto transport means your vehicle is shipped with a professional car shipping company to save you the time and expense of driving your vehicle.
- Expect long distance shipments to take 10 to 14 days from the time of pickup.
- Opting for an open trailer for transport and booking your shipment in advance can help you save on your long distance shipment.
Benefits of Long Distance Car Transport
Here are a few benefits of long distance auto transport:
- Savings on gas money, lodging expenses, and the time it would take to drive the vehicle.
- Extend the life of your vehicle by keeping off the unnecessary mileage.
- Enclosed trailers are a great option for added protection from road debris and bad weather.
- By booking in advance you can coordinate your vehicle shipment to align with your schedule.
Cost of Long Distance Car Transport
Long-distance car transport typically means that your vehicle is traveling at least 1,500 miles. For long distance shipments, you can expect to pay $1,000 to $1,700 per vehicle. Remember that the price you pay will be determined by a range of factors, including current market demand, the size of your vehicle, and what type of transport you select. The rates for enclosed auto transport or an expedited pickup window will be higher.
Long Distance Car Transport Options
You have quite a few options when it comes to how your long distance car transport will work. Here are some basic types of long distance auto shipping you need to consider before you make any arrangements:
- Door-to-door shipping: With door-to-door transport, our contracted carriers will pickup and drop-off your vehicle as close to your specified addresses as possible.
- Open carrier: Shipping your vehicle through open car transport is the most cost-effective option for long distance shipments, with over 90% of Sherpa customers opting for this service.
- Enclosed carrier: Enclosed car carriers are ideal for shipping luxury, exotic, and classic cars. They offer protection from bad weather and all kinds of road debris. Using enclosed car transport also means more security for high-end vehicles.
Long Distance Car Transport: What to Consider
There are several things to keep in mind when you’re choosing an auto transport service for your long distance car shipment. Along with what type of trailer and where your vehicle will be dropped off, you also need to think about these key factors:
- Pickup Dates: Booking as far in advance as possible is your best move when it comes to arranging your long distance car transport. An expedited pickup window will come at a cost, so getting a head start on the shipping process can help with cheap car shipping.
- Your transportation needs: If you’re sending your vehicle across the country, it could take up to two weeks to complete the journey. Be prepared to be without your car for at least 10 days before arranging moving services.
- Communication: You’ll want to be able to keep track of what’s happening with your vehicle shipping. With Sherpa’s commitment to customer support, we stay in contact from pickup through delivery.
- Carrier reliability: With our thorough vetting process, we work with only the most experienced and professional carriers in the industry. You’ll feel more at ease with your long distance car shipping experience if the company has a track record of safe transport and excellent customer service.
Why You Should Choose Sherpa Auto Transport
When you’re ready to book your long distance car transport, Sherpa is a great choice to connect you with the right car shipping service. We have a solid reputation in the auto shipping industry, shown by our A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Customers on the BBB also rate us an average of 4.9 stars out of 5.
Price Lock Promise
The initial quote you receive from Sherpa is the price you’ll pay when your vehicle reaches its destination. Our Price Lock Promise means you don’t have to worry about price changes throughout your car’s shipping journey. If the original quote doesn’t end up being enough to complete the job, we’ll provide up to $300 to keep your price the same.
Clear Pricing Backed by Data
We use a range of tools and proprietary technology to arrive at clear and complete car shipping quotes. Our team looks at historical route pricing, current market conditions, vehicle size, and other key factors to give you an all-inclusive, upfront price and peace of mind.
Clean Car Guarantee
When your shipped car arrives dirty, Sherpa will reimburse you for up to $20 for a car wash through our Clean Car Guarantee. Just send us the receipt for your car wash with the bill of lading to get a reimbursement for up to $20 on your payment method.
Long Distance Car Transport FAQs
How are cars shipped across country?
Cars are most often shipped in open-air trailers, with pickup and drop-off arranged at various locations along the routes. Enclosed car haulers are used for classic cars and other high-end vehicles. Sherpa offers door-to-door service for maximum convenience.
How long does it take to ship a car?
This depends on your shipping route, type of vehicle, and a variety of other factors, but long distance auto transport typically takes about seven to ten days. If you’re sending your vehicle in an enclosed trailer, it may take two weeks for a cross-country journey. Road conditions and weather issues could extend your car shipment timeline.
Can I put stuff in my car when I ship it?
Your inland shipment includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or below the window line. Sherpa and the carrier are not responsible for items stored in the vehicle during transit.