How to Ship a Car When Moving: Costs, Options, and Tips

Figuring out how to ship a car when moving is one of the most overlooked parts of a long-distance relocation — until you realize you cannot be in two places at once. If you are driving one vehicle across the country but own a second car, or you simply do not want to put 2,500 miles on your daily driver, auto transport is the answer. The essentials: decide between open and enclosed transport, get quotes from multiple providers, verify that whoever hauls your car is licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and prep the vehicle before pickup. This guide walks through each step so you can ship a car without overpaying or getting burned by an unvetted hauler.

When you ship a car, you will deal with one of two types of companies:

• **Carriers** own the trucks and physically transport your vehicle. A single carrier is limited to its own fleet and routes.
• **Brokers** coordinate the shipment by matching your car to a vetted carrier from a large network. Brokers typically offer wider geographic coverage and faster dispatch because they are not tied to one fleet's schedule, and they handle the carrier vetting that an individual customer cannot easily do.

Neither is inherently better — many reputable operators are brokers — but you should always know which you are hiring and confirm that the *carrier* actually moving your car is properly licensed and insured.

The single biggest decision when you ship a car is the trailer type, and it drives most of the cost difference.

• **Open transport** is the standard, most economical option. Your car rides on an open multi-car trailer, exposed to weather and road debris. Roughly 90 percent of the more than 12 million vehicles moved each year by FMCSA-licensed carriers travel this way because the value math favors it for everyday cars.
• **Enclosed transport** carries your car inside a covered trailer, protecting it from the elements. It is reserved for the other 10 percent — luxury, classic, exotic, low-clearance, and high-value vehicles — and it costs meaningfully more.

For a typical sedan being shipped cross country in 2026, expect open transport to run roughly $550 – $1,200, while enclosed transport runs 30–60 percent more, commonly $900 – $2,400. Most cross-country moves land somewhere between $900 and $2,500 all-in depending on the vehicle, route, and timing.

Beyond trailer type, several factors move the price:

• **Distance.** The per-mile rate usually *decreases* as distance grows, so cross-country shipping is more cost-efficient per mile than a short haul.
• **Seasonality.** Prices spike in winter and during peak summer moving months. Popular southern routes can cost 15–25 percent more during the snowbird season and peak demand.
• **Vehicle size and condition.** Larger vehicles and non-running cars cost more.
• **Route popularity.** Common lanes between major metros are cheaper than remote pickups or deliveries.
• **Timing flexibility.** Flexible pickup windows almost always beat rush service on price.

This is where you protect yourself. Before you book anyone to ship a car, verify their federal credentials:

1. **Check FMCSA licensing.** Every legitimate carrier and broker has a USDOT number and operating authority. Brokers must also carry a surety bond (raised to $75,000 under federal rules) and proper filings. Look the company up on the FMCSA's official company-data search portal to confirm they are active and compliant. 2. **Confirm insurance.** Ask for the carrier's cargo insurance certificate and understand what it covers in the event of damage. 3. **Read the contract.** Understand the pickup and delivery windows, the deposit terms, and the cancellation policy before you pay anything. 4. **Get multiple quotes.** A quote far below the market range is a warning sign, not a bargain — it often signals a car that will sit undispatched.

Never wire a large deposit to a company you have not verified through official FMCSA channels.

A little prep prevents disputes and damage claims:

• **Wash the car** so existing scratches and dents are visible, then photograph it from every angle at pickup.
• **Remove personal items.** Carriers are not licensed to haul household goods, and loose items can shift and cause damage. This is the same principle covered in our guide on what not to pack with movers.
• **Leave about a quarter tank of gas** — enough to load and unload, not so much that it adds weight.
• **Disable the alarm**, note any existing damage on the bill of lading, and remove or retract toll transponders and parking passes.
• **Check for fluid leaks** and mechanical issues, and tell the carrier if the car is not running.

Coordinate pickup and delivery around your own travel. If you are flying to your new home, aim to have the car delivered a day or two after you arrive so you are there to inspect it. If you are driving one vehicle yourself, plan the shipment so you are not left without transportation on either end. And once you land, getting your household systems online quickly matters just as much — our guide to setting up utilities in a new home helps you avoid arriving to a house with no power or internet.

Build in buffer time. Auto transport delivery windows are ranges, not guarantees, and weather or routing can shift them by a day or two.

**How much does it cost to ship a car cross country?** In 2026, open transport for a standard sedan typically runs about $550 – $1,200, while enclosed runs 30–60 percent more (roughly $900 – $2,400). Most cross-country shipments fall between $900 and $2,500 depending on vehicle, route, and season.

**Is open or enclosed car transport better?** Open transport is fine — and far cheaper — for everyday vehicles, which is why about 90 percent of shipped cars use it. Choose enclosed only for luxury, classic, exotic, or low-clearance vehicles that cannot tolerate weather and road debris.

**How do I know if a car shipping company is legitimate?** Verify their USDOT number and operating authority on the FMCSA's official company-data search portal, confirm cargo insurance, and read the contract. Suspiciously low quotes and large upfront wire deposits are red flags.

**Can I leave personal belongings in the car?** It is best not to. Auto carriers are not licensed to transport household goods, loose items can shift and cause damage, and belongings are typically not covered by the carrier's insurance.

**How far in advance should I book car shipping?** Book one to three weeks ahead when possible. More lead time gives you flexible pickup windows, which usually means a lower price and a better chance of on-time dispatch.

**How long does cross-country car shipping take?** Coast-to-coast transport commonly takes about 7 to 10 days once dispatched, though weather, routing, and the popularity of your lane can shift the delivery window.

Shipping a car when you move comes down to choosing the right trailer, comparing honest quotes, and verifying your carrier through the FMCSA before you pay. Do that, and your vehicle arrives safely while you focus on the rest of your move.

*Sources: U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) licensing, broker financial-responsibility rules, and company-data search portal; 2026 auto-transport cost data compiled by industry providers.*