
Ship a Car across Country
Quickly, Safely,
and Affordably
Cross country auto transport experiences from our customers
SGT Auto Transport delivers on-time, reliable, car shipping and excellent customer service
What do you need to know about cross country car transport?
You can ship a car across country in many different ways, but most are expensive, especially when you factor in all the additional costs. The most reliable, quick, easy, and affordable way to do it is to ship your car across country with an auto transport company. This door-to-door service makes it easy to take your car from one side of the country to the other, with no hassle or stress.
What is cross country car transport?
Cross country car transport is a service that allows you to move your car from city to city, state to state, coast to coast, or anywhere in between. Your vehicle is picked up and loaded onto a trailer and delivered to your chosen location.
How long does it take to ship a car across country?
The time it takes to move a car across country depends on several things. Shipping a car across the US can take from 1-9 calendar days, depending on the distance. Rest assured we do everything we can to ensure your car is shipped swiftly, efficiently, and with no delays.
Is cross country car transport door-to-door?
Yes, cross country vehicle shipping is door-to-door, as long as the locations you choose allow it. Alternative pick-up and delivery locations will need to be arranged if the locations are not safe or are illegal. The carrier will arrange a location as close to your door as possible.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car across country?
The cost to transport a car across country depends on how you choose to do it. Driving it yourself might seem like the cheapest way to ship a car across country, but there are additional costs to include. The cheapest way by far is cross country auto transport.
What is the cost to ship a car across country?
Several factors affect the cost to ship a car across country. They include:
- Make and model: Smaller vehicles cost less to transport than larger vehicles
- Distance traveled: Shorter distances cost less than longer distances
- Delivery time frame: If you want an expedited cross country auto transport service, the average cost is higher
- Transport type: For owners of standard vehicles, open car transport is the best value option. If you’re the owner of a classic, vintage, luxury, antique, expensive, or modified car, however, enclosed auto transport might be a better option because it offers added protection. The cost is a little higher.
- Vehicle condition: Vehicles that are operable cost less. Inoperable vehicles cost more because specialist loading and unloading equipment is necessary if your vehicle can’t be moved or is modified
- Location: If you’re shipping between major cities, it costs less to ship a car across country. Countryside auto transport can cost more because of the remote locations
- Time of the year: Shipping a car cross country is much cheaper during the summer. During the winter, dangerous road conditions increase the cost.
How does shipping multiple cars across country work?
Shipping multiple cars across country works just the same as shipping a single car, however, it is generally with an open truck and trailer. Arrangements are made to pick-up the cars, load them onto the trailer, and deliver them to your chosen location. For more information, speak with our shipping advisors.
Distance |
Type of |
Avg. price |
Sample distance |
Sample price |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-500 milesmiles |
Open | $0.80 | 250 miles | $200 |
500-1000 milesmiles |
Open | $0.73 | 700 miles | $511 |
1000-1500 milesmiles |
Open | $0.70 | 1000 miles | $700 |
1500-2000 milesmiles |
Open | $0.48 | 1750 miles | $840 |
2000-2500 milesmiles |
Open | $0.37 | 2400 miles | $888 |
2500-3000 milesmiles |
Open | $0.35 | 2700 miles | $945 |
3000+ milesmiles |
Open | $0.33 | 3200 miles | $1122 |
The Avg. price per mile rates shown up above are reflective of current market conditions as of January 2020. The rates are subject to change due to seasonal fluctuations, price of gas, pick-up/delivery locations, etc.
Take a look at some of our favorite cross country car transport stories
They show how we provide an exceptional cross country vehicle transport service
How to ship a car across country in 3 easy steps
Get a quote and book your order, we pick up your vehicle and you receive your vehicle
1. Get a quote and book your order
To get your free instant quote, use our online calculator. Provide a few basic details and you’ll find out the cost to transport a car cross country with just a few clicks. Enter your pick-up city and state, delivery city and state, vehicle year, make and model, condition of the vehicle, transport type, and first available shipping date (this is the first date your car will be ready for pick-up).
For a personalized cross country vehicle shipping quote you can also call and speak with our enthusiastic shipping advisors directly, send us an email or use our Live Chat option.
You’ll get a price in just a few seconds, and it'll be all-inclusive of taxes and insurance. We guarantee there are no hidden fees and require zero payment upfront when you make your booking. Cancellation is free if you change your mind about making the booking. And let’s not forget, our cross country vehicle transport services are door-to-door.
If you’re not satisfied with the price, please get back in touch because we’ll do what we can to meet your expectations. Likewise, if you’ve had a better quote from one of our direct competitors, let us know so we can do our best to match it.
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2. We pick up your vehicle
Your assigned carrier will contact you a few hours before the pre-arranged pick-up time. As well as confirming your pick-up information, they’ll also want to clarify the location is accessible for large commercial vehicles. If the location is not safe and legal, they can arrange an alternative. There might be a wider street nearby, for example, a parking lot, or you could have it picked up from where you work. Contact is also being made to confirm someone will be available to release the vehicle. If you can’t be there at the scheduled time, you can nominate someone to act on your behalf, such as a neighbor, relative, friend, or work colleague. They do, however, have to be at least 18 years of age. Show more
3. You receive your vehicle
It won’t be long before you get a confirmation phone call to let you know your vehicle is not very far away from its delivery location. If you know you’re not going to be available, there’s the option of nominating a third-party to accept delivery on your behalf. It could be a friend, relative, colleague, or neighbor, as long as they’re aged 18 or over. Show more
We provide cross country auto transport services you can rely on
Discover what makes us the obvious choice when you want to ship your car across country
You pay $0
upfront
If you’re shipping a car across the US, book your reliable cross country shipping service with us and you pay nothing in advance. Our cross country car transport rates are also all-inclusive. We only take payment when we find a carrier and dispatch your car for shipping.
A trustworthy cross country auto transport company at uShip
uShip considers us one of the most trusted cross country auto transport providers. We have an impressive number of shipments, low ratio between booked vs. cancelled shipments, and our customer reviews are outstanding.
Full insurance
coverage
Your vehicle is fully insured and secure when you ship your car across country with SGT Auto Transport. The cost to ship a car across country includes insurance coverage and taxes. Our prices are all-inclusive and there are no hidden charges, guaranteed.
Customizable and personal cross country car transport
We understand that everyone’s needs are different, therefore we made our cross country car transport service fully customizable. Our shipping advisors will work with you to ensure you find the best way to ship a car across country. Our dispatch, support, and claims departments are also on hand to ensure your shipment is efficiently handled.
Around the clock customer support
When it comes to shipping a car across country, we’ve earned a reputation for providing smooth and hassle-free services around the clock. Our dedicated shipping advisors are available 24/7 to answer questions and monitor your shipment. If you need us, we’ll make sure we’re available and will monitor your shipment 24/7.
Cancellation is free
If you decide you want to cancel your order before we assign a carrier you pay no penalties. We’ll keep the non-refundable small partial payment if you have to cancel your order after we assign a carrier. Ship a car across country with us again in the next six months and you can use the deposit.
Enjoy many benefits when you ship a car across country
Save time, energy and money, it’s safer than driving and many more
We offer a range of cross country car transport options, depending on your needs. Open car shipping, for example, is a budget-friendly way to ship a car across country. There’s also enclosed auto transport if your vehicle is high-value. Guaranteed pick-up is an add-on service if you’re pressed for time.
An increasing number of households have more than one car. This won’t be a problem if you want to ship them across the country and we’ll make sure you get the best possible deal. For dealerships, this is an important benefit, likewise if you’re a regular exhibitor at US car shows.
Choose cross country car transport and you can ship up to 100 pounds of personal possessions with your car. You do, however, have to secure them in a box or suitcase in the trunk of your vehicle.
We carefully vet all the carriers we work with and only work with cross country car transport carriers that are experienced, reliable, professional, and trustworthy.
If you want to ship a car across the country, we’ll do all the hard work for you. Our efficient shipping advisors secure the best deal and make all the arrangements. Sit back and let us take the lead. Cross county car transport is easier than you think.
You might like the sound of a road trip, but long hours spent behind the wheel can be stressful, tiring and dangerous. Cross country car transport is safer, cheaper, quicker, and more convenient than driving. You’re also saving on unnecessary mileage and wear and tear.
How long does it take to ship a car across country?
Several factors affect the time it takes to ship a car across the country. The most obvious one is distance. It’s bound to take longer to ship a car from Montana to Louisiana than Oklahoma to Mississippi. Also, if you want your car picked up or delivered to a remote location, it’ll take the driver longer to reach there compared to a city.
The number of stops the driver has to make along the way can also affect the timeframe. Weather conditions impact the speed at which we transport your vehicle. Heavy traffic, detours, and road construction might also hamper the carrier. One final factor that has an impact is driver’s hours. The Department of Transportation mandates that truck drivers can only be on the road legally for 70 hours each week. The reason for this is to ensure truck drivers are well-rested and safe to drive.
Distance |
Avg. transit time (calendar days) |
---|---|
0 - 200 milesmiles |
1 - 2 days |
200 - 600 milesmiles |
2 - 4 days |
600 - 1000 milesmiles |
3 - 5 days |
1000 - 1500 milesmiles |
4 - 6 days |
1500 - 2000 milesmiles |
5 - 7 days |
2000 - 2400 milesmiles |
6 - 8 days |
2000+ milesmiles |
7 - 9 days |
The Avg. Transit Times shown up above can be affected by weather conditions, road conditions, traffic, etc.

When we recommend cross country car transport
If you’re relocating from one side of the country to the other, heading south for the winter or north for the summer, this is the service we recommend. Your vehicle can be picked up from your home and transported to your new location. With your cross country car transport needs taken care of, you can get on with making your own travel arrangements and be there to take delivery of your car when it arrives. It’s also a convenient auto transport service if you want to buy a car online.
We offer both open and enclosed auto transport

Open car transport
The budget-friendly option that’s safe and secure
This is one of our most popular cross country auto transport services. It’s very quick, easy and is the perfect auto transport solution if your budget is tight. The trailer that’s used to ship cars is open on all sides. This does mean it exposes your car to the weather, but doesn’t impact the safety and security of the service in any way. We have many years experience and can provide a value for money, reliable, cross country car transport service.

Enclosed auto transport
The preferred service for owners of luxury and classic vehicles
If you’re the proud owner of a classic, luxury, vintage, antique, sports, custom, expensive or modified vehicle you’re bound to want the best for your baby. Covered auto transport is the service you need because your pride and joy will be transported in a trailer that’s enclosed on all four sides. This means complete protection from the weather, dirt, and dust, and prying eyes. If you want the best for your prized possession, enclosed auto transport provides the best possible treatment.
Frequently asked car shipping questions
Everything you need to know about our reliable auto transport services
However you get your cross country car shipping quote, whether it’s from one of our auto transport shipping advisors or online, it is valid for seven calendar days. The cross country car transport industry is very fluid and cross country auto transport rates change weekly and this is the reason for the timeframe. There’s no need to worry, however, because fair pricing is something we believe in and will do everything we can to give you the most accurate price possible.
Yes, your vehicle is fully insured throughout the shipment. from the moment a carrier picks it up to the time of delivery it’s covered. To ensure the carriers we work with meet all insurance requirements under the Department of Transport (DOT) regulation, we pre-screen every one. Your vehicle’s value, the type of trailer used, and the company determine how much your vehicle will be insured.
It is usual for an open cross country car transport carrier to offer cargo insurance coverage between $100,000 and $150,000. An enclosed transport carrier, on the other hand, will offer cargo insurance coverage between $250,000 and $3,000,000. Carriers’ certificates of insurance can be provided upon request.
Hawaii vehicle shipments things are slightly different as they are subject to the ocean freight liner’s insurance limitations. Our shipping advisors will be able to give you more details.
Here at SGT Auto Transport, we offer two payment options with our cross country vehicle shipping services - Discounted Price and Regular Price.
- Discounted Price: Once we’ve assigned a carrier to pick up your vehicle, we collect a small partial payment from your credit or debit car. When the driver delivers your car you pay them the balance, using cash, a cashier’s check or money order.
- Regular Price: As soon as we assign a carrier to pick up your vehicle you pay in full. This means there is no balance to pay at the time of delivery.
It is usual for people to book their cross country auto transport service between 1 and 2 weeks in advance. This gives us plenty of time to find and secure your cross country shipping service promptly.
There are occasions when you might be in a hurry to move a car across country and only have a day or two before your desired pick-up date. In such instances, we can offer a guaranteed pick-up service. Speak with one of our experienced cross country car transport advisors to clarify the price and timeframe. When the cross country car shipping booking is complete, you’ll be contacted to arrange the final details.
Yes, you use our instant online quote calculator to get a free, instant cross country car transport quote. You’ll need to provide the city/ZIP codes of the pick-up and delivery locations. Alternatively, you can also call and speak with our cross country car transport shipping advisors or use Live Chat. The exact address is not required if you want a cross country car shipping quote, but you’ll need to provide it when you book your cross country vehicle transport service.
The First Available Pick-up Date is the date when your vehicle is ready to be picked up. As soon as we’ve assigned a car shipping carrier for your shipment, we’ll contact you to confirm the exact vehicle shipping date of your shipment.
Transit times for our cross country car shipping services depend on a number of things. These include road construction, traffic, seasonality, weather, driver’s hours, and detours. On average, you can expect shipping your car across country to take 1-2 days for distances under 200 miles. For distances over 2,000 miles it can take up to 9 days.
Our car shipping advisors do everything possible to ensure your car is shipped across the country with no delays, quickly, and efficiently.
There are alternatives if you’re pushed for time. Services such as express car shipping or a guaranteed pick-up expedite the shipping process.
Up to 100lbs of personal items can be shipped in the trunk/cargo area of the vehicle being shipped. However, these items must be secured in a suitcase or a single box.
It is possible to load more personal items when you move your car across country, but you must provide the estimated weight when you make your cross country car transport booking. With this information, we’ll be able to calculate an all-inclusive price.
When you ship personal items in your car specific requirements must be followed. Both front seats and front seat floorboards must be empty and free of any personal items. The backseat and backseat floorboards must also be empty and free of any personal items. That is unless you’ve received an all-inclusive rate for items to be placed there.
According to Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, items shipped outside of a vehicle on an open transport trailer are strictly forbidden. In an enclosed auto transport trailer, however, you can ship additional items such as an engine or transmission. They must be secured in a crate.
The above information doesn’t apply if you want to ship your vehicle to/from Hawaii. No personal items can be shipped inside the vehicle. If any items are found, the port will refuse the vehicle. The only exception to this rule is children’s car seats.
From the first available pick-up date, the standard car shipping pick-up window is between 1 to 4 business days. This is the date when your vehicle is ready to be picked up for cross country car transport.
Hints and tips for shipping a car across country
Cross country car shipping advice from experienced car shippers

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