Cross-Country Car Shipping Nationwide

Coast to coast, and what it involves

A coast-to-coast move generally runs seven to ten days in transit once the vehicle is collected. That figure comes from federal hours-of-service limits rather than from the distance itself: a driver can only cover so many miles per day legally, and the truck makes other stops along the way.

Long routes are usually better value per mile than short ones. The fixed costs of a shipment, dispatch, loading, inspection, are spread across more distance. A 2,500 mile move rarely costs five times a 500 mile move.

Established lanes between major metros price better than unusual pairings, because carriers already run them and want the return load. If either end of your route is well off a main corridor, expect the rate to reflect the detour.

For a breakdown of long-distance pricing, read the real cost to ship a car across the country .

What to check before booking

• Plan for the vehicle to be unavailable for a week or more after collection
• Add contingency around winter weather on northern routes
• Confirm who signs at delivery if you are flying and arrive separately

Common questions