To ship a car to another state, you cannot simply find a carrier and have them ship your vehicle. Shipping cars anywhere requires a specific set of knowledge which you use as a vehicle owner to find the best carrier and get the best of services. Shipping a car to another state is about knowing various transport methods, where to find local and country level carriers, and the cost of shipping to another state. To add further, knowing how to calculate the transit time and efficient routing, modes of shipments, the factors that impact your overall car shipping experience, and finally getting to know the best carriers. If you read till the end, we will discuss these points in detail to help you become a pro in car shipping.
State to State car shipping is a vehicle shipping service where a licensed carrier ships a car to another state using one of the transport methods. People normally get this service for relocation, seasonal moves, for college, or when buying or selling cars across states. A professional car transport company handles the entire process from pickup to delivery, including the paperwork. Transporting cars to another state is the work of reliable carriers who have countrywide presence.
Shipping a car to another state involves the following car key shipping services:
Open Car Transport is a shipping method which involves shipping vehicles with many others on an open truck or trailer. It is the most common transport method where the vehicle is exposed to elements and bad weather. It is mostly preferred by standard or average value car owners. Vehicles are delivered fast, and safe and sound with open transport. The costs are super affordable for everyone.
Enclosed Car Shipping is a premium transport method where vehicles are shipped inside a fully covered trailer. It is a costly shipping method which is for vintage, luxury, exotic, or high-value cars. It has higher insurance coverage limits compared to open shipping. Most importantly fewer vehicles are transported inside a trailer, with careful handling. Your car is secure from weather, heat, debris, and elements. However, the speed is way slower than open trailers. You can consult with your carrier when shipping a car to another state.
Expedited car shipping is an express shipping service which is mostly by air delivering your car in a day or two. It is ideal for urgent relocations, last-minute moves, job transfers, military orders, or time-sensitive purchases. It is also available for open and enclosed trailer shipments. Expedited service uses either dedicated carriers or places your vehicle at the top of the carrier’s route priority list. It is an ultimate option for those who prefer speed and guaranteed pickup window more than price.
Door to Door Car Shipping is a service where that carrier picks up your vehicle from your address and delivers it at your desired location. It is the most convenient shipping method because you avoid dropping and picking up cars from the terminal. Pricing may slightly vary depending on location accessibility. It also includes a bill of lading inspection at both locations. It is a convenient shipping option for people shipping cars from state to state.
If you want to avail professional, reliable, and affordable state to state car shipping services. First off, you need to search carriers online and in the physical market that offer countrywide auto shipping services. You can check various credible channels to verify the authenticity of the companies you found. After short listing 3-4 carriers, ask them for quotations based on your vehicle, location, and budget needs. Use their Car Shipping Cost Calculator to generate quotes.
After receiving all the quotes, compare them in detail and try to find discrepancies, like price baiting, hidden charges, unwanted services, and transparency in overall quotation. The average cost of credible carriers does not differ by a big margin. Choose the best carrier depending on your needs to ship a car to another state.
According to industry experts, shipping a car to another state costs between 600 and 1,400 dollars but it depends on many other factors. The main things that affect the price are the distance, the type of vehicle, and the kind of transport you choose. Longer routes and larger vehicles often cost more. Most companies give free quotes, and the process takes only a few minutes. Even though the price may vary, state to state car shipping is often cheaper and easier than driving long distances yourself. It provides convenience, safety, and peace of mind during a move or purchase.
The average cost of shipping a car to another state is estimated between $700 and $1,300 for most standard interstate distances, depending on how far the car travels, the type of transport, and the vehicle itself. For shorter moves under about 500 miles, prices are often closer to $600 to $800, while medium distances 500 to 1500 miles usually fall in the $800 to $1200 range. Longer distances and cross-country shipments often cost around $1000 to $1500 or more. Choosing premium options such as enclosed transport, expedited pickup, or door-to-door service can increase the final price.
It takes about 2 days to 2 weeks when transporting cars to another state. But the exact duration depends on distance; the longer the route, the more the duration. Meanwhile, traffic congestion, bad weather, high demand seasons like Christmas, and New Year holidays can abruptly increase your delivery time. It is better to choose companies that offer quick delivery services along with standard ones.
To transport cars from state to state, there are many options which depend on your needs and budget. The most common choice is open transport, which is affordable and works well for everyday cars. If you want more protection, enclosed transport keeps your car inside a covered trailer and is best for luxury or classic vehicles. Many people prefer door-to-door shipping, where the driver picks up and delivers the car right at your chosen addresses. Another option is terminal-to-terminal shipping, where you drop off and pick up the car from company locations, though it is less convenient.
When transporting cars from state to state, choosing a reliable and professional state to state car shipping carrier is key. Expert carriers have a comprehensive knowledge of all the important and efficient routes that can play a vital role in shipping cars safely, and fast.
Some routes are popular among carriers, such as east coast and west coast shipping routes, such routes are widely preferred, and have more competitive prices from carriers.
Then there are less famous routes that are rarely used by carriers, and have higher costs for shipping a car to another state.
Every route has certain pros and cons, like some popular routes have less stops and obstacles, mostly the weather is good, quicker transit times, and affordable prices. Asking carriers about famous routes and researching is a must for shipping cars from state to state.
Shipping a car to another state by train is another way to move your vehicle, although it is less common than using a truck. In this method, your car is loaded onto a special rail carrier that transports vehicles between major cities. Train shipping can be cheaper in some cases because trains use less fuel and can carry many cars at once. It is also very safe and protects your car from most road risks. However, train routes are limited, so this option is only available in certain areas. You may need to drop off your car at a rail terminal and pick it up from another terminal at the destination. This makes it less convenient than door-to-door truck transport. Travel times can also vary because trains follow fixed schedules.
Shipping a car to another state by airplane is the fastest but also the most expensive way to transport a vehicle. In train shipments, your car is loaded onto a cargo plane and flown to another airport. This option is used for luxury, rare, or high-value cars that need maximum safety and very quick delivery. Air transport keeps the car protected from road damage, weather, and long travel times. However, it costs much more than truck or train shipping, sometimes several times higher. It also requires you to drop off and pick up the car at specific airports, which may not be close to your home.
Transporting a car to another state by truck is the most common and practical way to move a vehicle in the United States. In this method, your car is loaded onto a large transport truck that carries several cars at once. Most people choose open transport, which is affordable and works well for regular vehicles. If you want extra protection, enclosed transport keeps the car inside a covered trailer and is often used for luxury or classic cars. Travel time depends on distance and the truck’s route, but it is usually faster and easier than driving long hours yourself. This option is widely available, cost-effective, insured by law, and a trusted choice for state-to-state car shipping.
Transporting a car to another state independently is not a wise decision because a route which is more than 200-500 miles will cost way more. Fuel cost is high for longer routes, car maintenance is costly, and food will also cost an amount. Further, bad weather like torrential rains and storms can trap you on highways leaving you vulnerable. You will damage your car in case you have no experience in long distance drives. Therefore, this idea must be ruled out to save money and save your car from damage.
Factors Affecting State to State Car Shipping Costs
These factors significantly affect the costs when you ship a car to another state.
Longer routes will definitely need more fuel which increases overall costs.
If your vehicle is in a good and running condition, the carrier will drive it to the trailer, otherwise they will have to arrange a lifter which will add up to the price.
Strict schedules force the carriers to ship the car in a certain timeframe causing an increase in the prices.
Efficient routing is the reason carriers charge affordable prices, but if the route is long, bad and hard, costs will go up.
A large size vehicle or luxury cars need extra care and enclosed shipping to move. Standard sedans, SUVs, or everyday use cars are moved at normal costs.
Open shipping method is the most preferred one with standard cars, while enclosed shipping is for high-value cars with premium options. Enclosed trailer cost is twice the cost of open shipping.
In peak and snowbird seasons the demand for car shipping services is high, while there is shortage of trailers and congestion in traffic. This increases costs for shipping a car to another state.
Most carriers offer solid discounts in certain seasons to encourage car owners to think about shipping cars in off-peak seasons. There are no discounts available in peak seasons.
| Distance | Average Price Per Mile | Sample Distance | Sample Price |
| 0-500 miles | $0.80 | 250 miles | $200 |
| 500-1000 miles | $0.73 | 700 miles | $511 |
| 1000-1500 miles | $0.70 | 1000 miles | $700 |
| 1500-2000 miles | $0.48 | 1750 miles | $840 |
| 2000-2500 miles | $0.37 | 2400 miles | $888 |
| 2500-3000 miles | $0.35 | 2700 miles | $945 |
| 3000-3500 miles | $0.33 | 3200 miles | $1,122 |
Popular Car Shipping Locations
| Popular Car Shipping Locations | |
| California to Texas | Florida to New York |
| California to Florida | New York to Florida |
| Texas to California | Texas to Florida |
| Florida to California | California to New York |
| Florida to Texas | Florida to Massachusetts |
Why choose Bold Auto Transport as your state-to-state car shipping company?
If your search is not over, Bold Auto Transport is there to ship your car to another state. As a decade old state to state car shipping company, Bold Auto Transport has served thousands of customers coming from various sectors which also include individual car owners. We offer all services related to car shipping to other states. You can check us out on platforms like BBB and Google to find about our 4.5 star rating and genuine reviews from clients. So now is the time to contact us and get a free quote.
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to ship a car to another state?
The cheapest way to ship a car to another state is choosing open transport, flexible scheduling, and booking early. Rates drop when carriers fill empty space, making it cost-effective while still offering reliable, safe delivery across long distances.
What is the best way to transport a car to another state?
The best approach to shipping a car to another state is using a reputable auto transport company offering insured, licensed carriers. Professional coordination reduces delays, protects your vehicle, and ensures predictable timelines for long-distance moves.
How can I ship my car to another state?
You can arrange State to state car shipping by requesting a quote, confirming pickup dates, and preparing your vehicle. A carrier collects it from your chosen location and delivers it safely to your new destination.
Can you ship a car to another state with personal items inside?
Yes, but limits apply. When shipping car to another state, carriers allow up to 100 lbs of personal items secured below window level. Heavier loads raise risk and cost because drivers must meet weight regulations.
Is it better to ship your car or drive to another state?
It is often better when transporting car to another state to use a carrier. It avoids mileage, hotel costs, fuel expenses, and long travel fatigue. Shipping offers convenience, safety, and predictable delivery windows.
How can I prepare my car for transport?
When shipping a car from state to state, wash the vehicle, remove personal items, check tire pressure, note existing damage, and keep fuel under one-quarter. Securing loose parts ensures safe loading and smoother transit.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship your car?
Driving seems cheaper, but once fuel, lodging, food, and time are factored in, shipping cars from state to state often becomes more economical. It also reduces wear and tear, saving long-term maintenance costs.
How much does car shipping usually cost?
Prices for transport cars from state to state range from $600 to $1500 depending on distance, vehicle type, season, and trailer choice. Longer routes cost more, and enclosed transport increases pricing.
What methods of car shipping services do you offer?
We offer open, enclosed, and expedited delivery options for moving a car to another state. Each method provides insured, professional handling designed around budget, timeline, and vehicle protection needs.
Can I place an order if I don’t know the exact address?
Yes. When transporting cars from state to state, you may book using only the city and ZIP code. Final pickup or delivery addresses can be confirmed later as long as the area remains accessible to carriers.
