Key takeaways
- Cross-country open transport: $950–$1,550. Enclosed: $1,400–$2,250.
- Transit time: 6–9 days after pickup for coast-to-coast routes.
- Per-mile rates are lower on long hauls ($0.40–$0.60/mi) than short ones.
- Book 3 weeks ahead for the best carrier matching on long-distance lanes.
Cross-country car shipping costs $950–$1,550 for open transport and $1,400–$2,250 for enclosed. Transit time is 6–9 days after pickup. These are the longest auto-transport routes — California to New York, Florida to Washington, Texas to Maine — covering 2,000–3,000 miles.
Cross-country shipping cost
- CA → NY (2,800 mi): $1,050–$1,550 open / $1,500–$2,250 enclosed / 7–9 days
- CA → FL (2,750 mi): $950–$1,450 open / $1,400–$2,100 enclosed / 6–8 days
- NY → FL (1,280 mi): $650–$1,050 open / $1,000–$1,550 enclosed / 3–5 days
- TX → WA (2,350 mi): $900–$1,400 open / $1,350–$2,000 enclosed / 6–8 days
- IL → CA (2,100 mi): $850–$1,350 open / $1,300–$1,900 enclosed / 5–7 days
Why cross-country is cost-effective per mile
The per-mile rate on a 2,500-mile shipment ($0.40–$0.60/mi) is far lower than a 500-mile shipment ($0.80–$1.40/mi). Longer routes spread fixed costs — loading, unloading, fuel stops, deadhead miles — across more revenue miles.
Cross-country shipping tips
Book 3 weeks ahead. Long-distance routes take more time to match. Advance booking gives more matching opportunities.
Consider the return route. CA → FL is heavily trafficked. FL → CA often has lower demand and better pricing.
FAQ
Cost? $950–$1,550 open, $1,400–$2,250 enclosed.
How long? 6–9 days transit. Add 5–7 days dispatch window for Standard tier.
Ship or sell-and-buy? If your car is worth more than $5,000, shipping is almost always cheaper than transaction costs of selling and buying.
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