This article is part of our Moving Guides.
Last updated October 21, 2026
To ship a car across the country, you book an auto transport company, check its federal registration, and hand the car to a truck driver who inspects it with you, hauls it, and inspects it again at delivery. Shipping a car cross country typically costs about $1,350 to $1,725 from New York to California, based on one large broker’s shipment records, and enclosed transport costs more. Plan on up to a week for a truck to be assigned and 5 to 10 days on the road. Here is what drives the price, how to avoid scams, how shipping compares with driving or selling, and what to do with the car once you arrive.
Registration and license fees for new residents in each of our nine cities are listed on our move-in costs by city page.
How much does it cost to ship a car across the country?
For a coast-to-coast trip, expect roughly $1,350 to $1,725. That’s Sherpa’s typical price for New York to California, from 2,953 shipments on that route. Sherpa doesn’t split the route price by open or enclosed, but about 93% of all its shipments went on open trucks (Sherpa, July 2026). Prices are not posted anywhere official, so the best data comes from companies that publish what customers actually paid. Sherpa Auto Transport, a broker, publishes ranges from more than 335,000 shipments, updated July 2026 (Sherpa Auto Transport). FreightWaves publishes its own 2026 estimates, built from mileage and industry pricing rather than from shipments (FreightWaves, 2026). Treat both as ranges, not quotes.
| Route or measure | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York to California | $1,350 to $1,725 typical, open and enclosed not split | Not listed | Sherpa shipment data, July 2026 |
| New York to Los Angeles (about 2,800 miles) | $1,500 to $2,100 | $2,000 to $2,800 | FreightWaves estimate, 2026 |
| Boston to Los Angeles (about 2,980 miles) | $1,350 to $1,575 on average, all vehicle and transport types | About $803 (66%) more than open | Sherpa route page, October 2026 |
| Miami to New York City (about 1,300 miles) | $1,100 to $1,800 | $1,500 to $2,500 | FreightWaves estimate, 2026 |
| Chicago to Atlanta (about 720 miles) | $850 to $1,300 | $1,200 to $1,800 | FreightWaves estimate, 2026 |
| Average of all shipments, any distance | $1,238 (typical $975 to $1,450) | $1,852 (typical $1,425 to $2,200) | Sherpa shipment data, July 2026 |
Sources: Sherpa Auto Transport calculator and Boston to Los Angeles route page; FreightWaves cost guide. Get at least three quotes for your exact dates and addresses.
Is open or enclosed transport better?
For most cars, open transport is fine. It’s the double-deck truck you see on the highway, and it carries the large majority of shipments: about 310,000 of the 335,000 in Sherpa’s data (Sherpa, July 2026). Your car is exposed to rain, dust and road grit, the same as if you drove it. Enclosed trailers keep the car covered, and they’re mostly used for classic, luxury, collector and recently restored cars (Sherpa Auto Transport, August 2026). Sherpa’s shipments show enclosed costing about $614 more on average, and its guides put the premium at roughly 30% to 75%. Fewer enclosed trucks are on the road, so you may wait longer for one.
What makes the price go up or down?
- Distance. Longer trips cost more in total but less per mile. Sherpa’s 2026 cost guide puts open transport at about $0.50 to $0.65 a mile on trips over 2,500 miles, versus $1.55 to $2.50 a mile for trips under 500 miles (Sherpa, July 2026).
- Vehicle size. SUVs and pickups take more room on the truck, so they cost more. FreightWaves’ 2026 estimates run about $150 to $400 higher for an SUV or pickup than a sedan on trips over 1,500 miles.
- Season. Sherpa says June to August prices run about 10% to 20% above average, and January to March is usually cheaper. Routes to and from Florida get busy in October and November and again in March and April, when seasonal residents move their cars (Sherpa, July 2026). That matters if you’re moving to Miami.
- Route. Trucks run most often between big metro areas on main interstates. A pickup in a big city is usually easier to fill than one in a small town far from the highway.
- Door to door or terminal. Door-to-door is the standard service. In dense neighborhoods, a full-size car hauler may not fit on your street, so the driver may ask to meet at a nearby large parking lot. Some companies offer terminal drop-off instead. Ask what each option costs.
- Car that doesn’t run. A non-running car needs a winch, which FreightWaves estimates adds about $150 to $350.
- Flexible dates. A wide pickup window gives the broker more trucks to choose from. A guaranteed or expedited date costs extra.
How long does it take to ship a car coast to coast?
Count on one to three weeks from booking to delivery. There are two parts:
- Waiting for a truck. After you book, the broker has to find a carrier heading your way. Sherpa says this typically takes 1 to 7 days (Sherpa, July 2026). You’ll usually get a pickup window of a few days, not a fixed time.
- Time on the road. For trips of 1,500 miles or more, Sherpa lists 5 to 10 days after pickup, and its Boston to Los Angeles page shows 4 to 10 days. The truck makes other pickups and drop-offs along the way, and drivers must follow federal limits on driving hours.
Book two to three weeks before you want the car picked up, especially in summer. Line up a rental car or a transit pass for the days your car is on the truck.
What is the difference between a broker and a carrier?
A carrier owns the truck and moves your car. A broker is a middleman: it arranges the move with a carrier but doesn’t haul the car itself or take responsibility for the cargo (FMCSA, May 2023). Most companies you find online are brokers. That’s normal. A good broker can find a truck faster than you could alone. The risk is a broker that quotes a low price to win your booking and then can’t find a driver willing to haul the car for that much.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) says to be wary of any website where it isn’t clear whether the company is a broker or a carrier (FMCSA consumer advisory, last updated 2015). Ask directly: “Are you the carrier, or will you hire one?” Then ask for the carrier’s name and numbers once it’s assigned.
How do you check a car shipping company with FMCSA?
Brokers and carriers that move cars between states must be registered with FMCSA. Both get an MC docket number, and carriers also get a USDOT number. FMCSA advises avoiding any company that doesn’t clearly show its MC number on its website (FMCSA consumer advisory). Here is how to check:
- Get the numbers. Ask the broker for its MC number, and ask for the carrier’s USDOT and MC numbers once a truck is assigned.
- Look up the company. Search by USDOT number, MC number or name in FMCSA’s SAFER Company Snapshot. Check that the name and address match the company you’re dealing with.
- Check authority and insurance. FMCSA’s Licensing and Insurance search shows whether a company’s operating authority is active and what insurance or bond it has on file. A broker must keep a $75,000 surety bond or trust fund, which pays carriers and shippers if the broker doesn’t hold up its end (49 CFR 387.307, via Cornell LII).
- Ask for the carrier’s certificate of insurance. Make sure it covers cargo damage, and ask how much it pays and what the deductible is. Call your own car insurer too, so you know what your policy covers while someone else is hauling the car.
- Read reviews. Look for patterns, like missed pickup dates or a final price higher than the quote.
In May 2026, FMCSA began moving company registrations into a new system called Motus. Existing USDOT and MC numbers stay the same, and newly issued USDOT and docket numbers are randomized to fight fraud (FMCSA, accessed October 2026). The SAFER and Licensing and Insurance searches still worked in October 2026.
How do you avoid car shipping scams?
- Be wary of the lowest quote. If one price is far below the others, ask whether it’s guaranteed or just an estimate.
- Keep the deposit small. Ask when any deposit is charged and whether it’s refundable if no truck shows up. Don’t pay most of the price before a carrier is even assigned.
- Pay with a credit card where you can. FMCSA says to watch your card statement and make sure only the amount you approved was charged.
- Get everything in writing. Price, pickup window, payment terms, cancellation rules and insurance details.
- Don’t pay the driver until the delivery inspection is done and the Bill of Lading is signed.
If something goes wrong, you can file a complaint against an auto transporter in FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database (FMCSA, February 2026).
What is the Bill of Lading and why does it matter?
The Bill of Lading, or BOL, is the inspection report and receipt. At pickup, you and the driver walk around the car and mark every scratch, chip and dent on it. At delivery, you do it again. Note any new damage on the BOL before you sign. One large broker warns that its carriers won’t accept a damage claim unless the damage is noted on the BOL at delivery (NTS Logistics, June 2026). If the truck arrives at night or in the rain, write that on the BOL, check the car again in daylight, and report any damage right away.
How do you prepare a car for shipping?
- Wash it. Damage is easier to see on a clean car.
- Take photos. Shoot all four corners, the roof, wheels, bumpers and mirrors, plus close-ups of existing damage. Make sure the photos are time-stamped.
- Run the tank down. Brokers commonly ask for about a quarter tank or less (NTS Logistics, June 2026; Ship A Car, Inc., July 2026).
- Take out your belongings. Personal items left in the car generally aren’t covered by the carrier’s cargo insurance, and rules vary. Sherpa allows up to 100 pounds secured in the trunk or back seat, with valuables removed (Sherpa, October 2026). Ask your company before you pack anything in the car.
- Remove toll tags and parking passes. Otherwise you may be charged for tolls the truck goes through. Take out garage openers and documents too.
- Check the basics. The car should start and drive onto the truck. Note any leaks, and tell the company about a weak battery or alarm quirks.
- Make a key plan. The driver needs a key. Keep a spare yourself.
- Remove loose add-ons. Take off bike racks, cargo boxes and anything that could come loose.
Should you ship your car, drive it, or sell it?
It depends on your car, your time and the city you’re moving to. One rough yardstick for driving costs is the IRS business mileage rate, which is based on the fixed and variable costs of running a car. It’s 76 cents a mile for July 1 to December 31, 2026 (IRS, July 2026). At that rate, a 2,800-mile drive works out to about $2,100 in car costs. That’s a high estimate, since you’d pay insurance and some of the car’s loss in value anyway. Then add hotels and food. The federal government’s standard travel rates are $113 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals from October 2026 through September 2027 (GSA, August 2026). For live gas prices along your route, check AAA.
| Option | Ship it | Drive it | Sell it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main costs | About $1,350 to $1,725 coast to coast, typical (Sherpa, July 2026), plus a rental or rides while you wait | Gas, wear and miles on the car, plus about five nights of hotels and six days of meals for a 2,800-mile trip | Selling takes effort, and you may need to buy or rent a car later |
| Your time | A few hours for pickup and delivery | About six days at 500 miles a day for 2,800 miles | Time to list and sell, but no trip |
| Risk | Small chance of damage, or picking the wrong company | Breakdowns, weather, fatigue | Selling in a hurry can mean a lower price |
| Makes sense when | You’re flying, the car is worth keeping, or you can’t take a week off | You have time, you’re moving pets or belongings, or you want the trip | The car is old, you’re moving to a transit city, or parking will cost a lot |
Some movers drive one car and ship a second. Others fly and ship. If you drive, plan your stops and hotels before you leave, and keep your car’s documents with you, not in a moving box.
Do you even need a car in New York or Chicago?
Many people don’t. In New York City, the subway runs around the clock and buses reach most of the five boroughs. In Chicago, CTA trains and buses cover much of the city, and Metra trains serve the suburbs. A car in either city also means paying for parking. Chicago requires a city vehicle sticker within 30 days of becoming a resident (City of Chicago, accessed October 2026). If you’re moving to either city and don’t plan to leave town often, selling the car and renting when you need one may cost less than shipping it. In Houston, Dallas, Atlanta and Nashville, most newcomers keep a car.
How do you register a car and get a license after moving to a new state?
Every state on our list gives new residents a deadline, usually 30 days, to get a local license and register the car. The usual order is insurance first, then any required inspection, then the license, then title and registration. Georgia, for example, won’t register your car until you hold a Georgia license or ID (Georgia Department of Revenue, October 2026).
| City (state) | Driver’s license | Register the car | Inspection and other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago (Illinois) | Within 90 days | Within 30 days | Most gas cars from 1996 on need an emissions test once they’re 4 years old. Chicago city sticker within 30 days. |
| New York City (New York) | Within 30 days | Within 30 days | New York insurance required. Use the 10-day inspection sticker from your registration packet, then get a New York inspection. |
| Miami (Florida) | Within 30 days | Within 10 days, per the state (the Miami-Dade Tax Collector says 30) | Buy Florida insurance first; you need it to title and register. Cars titled in another state need a VIN verification. |
| Houston, Dallas, Austin (Texas) | Within 90 days | Within 30 days | No safety inspection for most private cars since January 1, 2025; a $7.50 fee is paid at registration instead. Emissions test still required in Harris, Dallas and Travis counties, among others. |
| Atlanta (Georgia) | Within 30 days | Within 30 days | One-time 3% title ad valorem tax on the car’s value. Emissions test in 13 metro counties, including Fulton and DeKalb. |
| Denver (Colorado) | Within 30 days | Within 90 days | Emissions test for most gas cars older than about 7 model years. |
| Nashville (Tennessee) | Within 30 days | Within 30 days | No emissions test in Davidson County since February 5, 2022. |
Sources: state motor vehicle and driver license agencies, statutes and city pages listed under Sources (accessed October 2026). Most deadlines count from the day you become a resident, and each state defines that a little differently. In Colorado, for example, you’re a resident once you work or run a business in the state, or after 90 straight days of living there (Colorado DMV, October 2026). Tennessee asks people moving from Illinois and a few other states to bring a driving record from their old state (Tennessee Department of Safety, October 2026).
Book DMV appointments as soon as you have a lease. Bring your title (or your lender’s details if you have a car loan), your old registration, proof of insurance in the new state, and proof of your new address. Our city guides cover the local steps for Chicago, New York, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Austin, Denver and Nashville.
Frequently asked questions about shipping a car across the country
Is it cheaper to ship a car or drive it across the country?
Often the two come out close. Shipping coast to coast typically runs about $1,350 to $1,725 (Sherpa, New York to California, July 2026). Driving adds gas, about five nights of hotels, meals and miles on the car. Driving usually wins if you’re moving pets or belongings, or if your time off is free. Shipping usually wins if you’d rather fly.
Can I pack my car with boxes when I ship it?
Usually only a little, and at your own risk. Belongings in the car generally aren’t covered by the carrier’s cargo insurance. Some companies allow a set weight, such as Sherpa’s 100-pound limit in the trunk or back seat. Ask before you pack.
How do I know if a car shipping company is legit?
Ask for its MC number and look it up in FMCSA’s SAFER Company Snapshot and Licensing and Insurance search. Check that the authority is active, that a broker has its $75,000 bond on file, and that the name matches. Get the carrier’s certificate of insurance once a truck is assigned.
How soon do I have to register my car after moving?
Usually within 30 days. Illinois, New York, Texas, Georgia and Tennessee give 30. Colorado gives you 90 days. Florida’s motor vehicle agency says 10 days, though the Miami-Dade Tax Collector says 30, so go early. Get insurance in the new state and any required emissions test first.
Sources
- Shipping prices and times: Sherpa Auto Transport, Car Shipping Cost Calculator (July 2026)
- Route example: Sherpa Auto Transport, Boston to Los Angeles car shipping (October 2026)
- Price per mile: Sherpa Auto Transport, Car Shipping Costs in 2026 (July 2026)
- Open vs enclosed: Sherpa Auto Transport, Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping (August 2026)
- Personal items: Sherpa Auto Transport, Cross Country Car Shipping 2026 Guide (October 2026)
- Price estimates: FreightWaves, How Much Does It Cost To Ship a Car in 2026? (2026)
- Brokers and carriers: FMCSA, Definitions of motor carrier, broker and freight forwarder authorities (May 2023)
- Auto transporter advice: FMCSA, Consumer Advisory About Automobile Transporters (February 2015)
- Company lookup: FMCSA, SAFER Company Snapshot (accessed October 2026)
- Authority and insurance: FMCSA, Licensing and Insurance public search (accessed October 2026)
- Broker bond: Cornell LII, 49 CFR 387.307 Property broker surety bond or trust fund (accessed October 2026)
- Motus: FMCSA, What’s coming with Motus (accessed October 2026) and FMCSA, Registration (accessed October 2026)
- Complaints: FMCSA, Eligible Complaints (February 2026) and FMCSA, How to File a Complaint (April 2026)
- Bill of Lading and prep: NTS Logistics, Preparing Your Vehicle for Transport (June 2026)
- Prep checklist: Ship A Car, Inc., The Essential Car Shipping Checklist (July 2026)
- Mileage rate: IRS, Standard mileage rates (July 2026)
- Travel rates: GSA, Per Diem Bulletin FTR 27-01 (August 2026)
- Illinois license: Illinois General Assembly, 625 ILCS 5/6-102 (accessed October 2026)
- Illinois registration: Illinois General Assembly, 625 ILCS 5/3-801 (accessed October 2026)
- Illinois emissions: Illinois Air Team, Does My Vehicle Need to be Tested? (October 2026)
- Chicago city sticker: City of Chicago, New Resident Information for Drivers (accessed October 2026)
- New York license: New York DMV, Moving to or from New York State (October 2026)
- New York registration: New York DMV, Register an out-of-state vehicle (October 2026)
- Florida: FLHSMV, New Resident (October 2026)
- Miami-Dade: Miami-Dade Tax Collector, New Florida Residents (October 2026)
- Texas registration: TxDMV, New to Texas (October 2026)
- Texas inspections: Texas DPS, Vehicle Safety Inspection Program Changes Now in Effect (January 2025)
- Georgia registration: Georgia Department of Revenue, New to Georgia? (October 2026)
- Georgia license: Georgia DDS, Transfer Out-of-State Driver’s License/ID (October 2026)
- Colorado: Colorado DMV, Welcome to Colorado (October 2026)
- Colorado emissions: Air Care Colorado, Need to Know (October 2026)
- Tennessee license: Tennessee Department of Safety, New Residents (October 2026)
- Tennessee registration: Tennessee Department of Revenue, VR-6 New Residents Should Register Within 30 Days (April 2021)
- Nashville emissions: Metro Nashville Public Health, Vehicle Inspection (October 2026)
Author: Go Big City Team
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