The two states involved will determine the answer to this. Transporting a car professionally is a costly endeavor. Yet, it is an efficient and affordable way of moving your car in the long run. You surely can wonder the cost you will have to pay to ship a vehicle to another state.
There are a lot of things to consider when the price is being calculated. Each moving jobs are different. And you might need to transport 2 cars to 2 different states and discover that your prices will vary differently. Shipping a car cost an average of between $500 and $1,000.
While shipping cost for a small van, pick-up truck, or SUV is an average of $600 to $1,100. You can also consider the shipping cost at a per-mile charge, which often runs between $0.30 per mile and up to $1.00 per mile. This is based on the path, vehicle’s size, nature of vehicle shipping service, and the season you are shipping.
In this article
Average Cost of Moving Car From One Place to Another
Although several factors determine car shipping costs, you can expect to pay about $500 for short out-of-state shipping to $1,500 for long interstate shipping. It will cost higher to ship a car to another country, but out-of-state car shipping is affordable.
For example, you will pay an average of $650 to $850 to haul sedans between Florida and New York. You will be charged between $800 and $1,100 to ship SUVs, pick-up trucks, and vans the same distance by the same company.
Average car shipping cost price table
Routes | Cost |
Midwest – East Coast | $685 |
South – North | $710 |
Midwest – West Coast | $920 |
East Coast – West Coast | $1,105 |
Average shipping cost for a truck or SUV
Routes | Cost |
Midwest – East Coast | $785 |
South – North | $815 |
Midwest – West Coast | $1,060 |
East Coast – West Coast | $1270 |
General interstate shipping costs for a car as given by car shipping companies:
For example, A-1 Auto transport:
Routes | Cost |
California – New York | $1,285 |
Seattle – Texas | $1,007 |
Minnesota – Arizona | $944 |
Massachusetts – Florida | $864 |
Illinois – North Carolina | $595 |
Ohio – Oregon | $1,323 |
Pennsylvania – Colorado | $952 |
How to calculate out-of-state Car Shipping Cost?
Many variables determine the median cost of car shipping; some are affected by location or seasonality.
Each of these factors will be discussed here:
What are the available options?
There are two major options for auto transportation, and it includes brokers and carriers. Brokers will charge you a fee to get your shipper for your car. Carriers perform the loading, hauling, and delivery of vehicles.
You will go through less stress when you go with a broker, but you will get limited information about your shipping process, unlike when you work with a carrier. Regardless of the option you choose, there are several ways to ship your car:
- Door-to-door: It implies that the company comes straight to your specified pick-up point and ships the vehicle to the preferred destination.
- Terminal-to-terminal: This delivery method involves dropping off your vehicle at the nearest storage center and picking it up from a similar storage center closer to your destination address. Due to extra driving time and the difference in pick-up and drop-off locations, door-to-door service is more expensive than terminal-to-terminal. Get ready to pay an extra fee if the car is to be physically loaded onto the delivery truck because it is inoperable.
What is the distance you are shipping a car?
For all shipments, the longer the shipping distance, the more expensive it gets to ship. The average cost of shipping costs about $50 per 100 miles. However, this figure changes between companies and can vary based on your shipping location and the destination of the car.
Shipping companies may charge more for shipments to be delivered in local areas where there is low transport activity. If you are just shipping over the state lines, driving the car may be cheaper than shipping it.
More fuel will be needed to travel partway or across the United States, and these costs must be compared to the estimated shipping expense.
When do you want to receive the car?
Car shipping from one coast to another in the United States takes around 5 to 14 days. Car shipping from north to south or to any coast from Midwest takes between 3-8 days.
Do you want the date brought forward? You will be charged extra for expedited shipping of your car, which could range between $200 and $500 above the basic rate.
This may be added to the extra cost of shipping a vehicle during peak season, which ranges between $200 and $300. This is usually around summer.
The cost can be reduced when you ship during the off-season, but it will still be more costly to expedite the shipping process. There is no possibility of completing a shipping process at your desired time, even if it is done within a standard timeline.
Some car shipping companies endeavor to reduce uncertainty by offering expedited transport services with smaller pick-up timeframes and guaranteed dates for arrival.
You can reduce the shipping times by choosing a single carrier instead of a multi-carrier for your car. With this, the driver doesn’t need to make multiple stops to pick up other vehicles.
Can I pack personal belongings in my car during a long-distance move?
Yes, you can typically pack personal belongings in your car when moving long distance. However, it’s essential to check with the long-distance movers or car shipping company you’ve chosen to ensure they have specific guidelines and limitations.
Some companies might allow a certain amount of personal items, while others might require your car to be completely empty. Always communicate your intentions and get clarity on their policies to avoid any surprises on moving day.
Remember that the weight of your belongings can impact the overall cost of shipping your car. Additionally, items left in the car might not be covered by insurance, so it’s crucial to pack responsibly and ensure valuable items are secure. If you’re uncertain about what’s allowed, don’t hesitate to ask your chosen car shipping company for guidance.
How reliable is the shipping company?
When working directly with a shipping company instead of a broker, you need to research each available option carefully before you make a final decision. With online reviews, you can get an insight into other people’s experiences and get to know how companies take care of disputes.
The Better Business Bureau website is a perfect place to check for a company’s reputation and the Department of Transportation for their registration using their USDOT number.
Immediately you have a list of possible cross country moving companies, contact each of them to get references and proof of insurance. Check if a deposit is required or offer partial payment in advance.
Check if they will refund this money in case things go wrong. You may also get a discount from some companies if you are transporting more than a vehicle at a time, so always ask how you can save money.
Cheapest Way to Ship a Car for Long Distance?
The cheapest way to ship a car long distance typically involves choosing open transport, which is less expensive than enclosed shipping.
Booking in advance, being flexible with pickup and delivery dates, and selecting terminal-to-terminal services over door-to-door can further reduce costs.
Comparing quotes from multiple carriers also helps in finding the most affordable option for long-distance car shipping.
Conclusion
The cost of car shipping domestically starts from $500 to $1,500. terminal-to-terminal transport with open-air transport will be the most affordable option. Normally, it would help if you were careful of ridiculously low car shipping quotes.
Most companies that do this usually have hidden fees. Some of them do business with the cheapest truck rental service that will not prioritize care for your belongings.
Be sure to request any deals offered by the company to benefit from it to reduce the price. You can get affordable car shipping if you have the right mindset. With our network of reputable car shipping companies, you are covered and guaranteed of quality car shipping service.