Moving across the country or out of state with an extra vehicle? If you don’t plan on driving your cars yourself, there are plenty of reliable and cheap ways to ship a car to another state, most often through an auto delivery service. Here’s everything you need to know about shipping your car to another state.

Know Your Car Shipping Options

• Terminal-to-terminal services: Your vehicle arrives and departs from a designated location, and it is consolidated with other vehicles to be shipped to another terminal location. This is typically a cheaper options, but note that there may be additional fees for storing your car at the final terminal location before picking it up.
• Door-to-door services: An auto delivery service picks up your car from an area you designate and drops it off as close to your desired final destination as possible. While this option is most convenient, it can be more expensive.

To determine which option works better for your situation, figure out how far away you are from your nearest terminals and survey any potential pick-up and drop-off spots.

Pick a Type of Auto Carrier

When shipping a car across the country, you’ll choose between open auto shipping or enclosed auto transport. There are some key differences between these two car shipping methods:

• Open shipping: Your car is stacked on a large semi-trailer with other vehicles. This option is the most affordable, but offers minimal protection from the elements, rocks, or dust throughout transport.
• Enclosed shipping: Your car is placed in a closed-in trailer with a few other cars. Walls and a ceiling offer some protection from the elements, making it more costly than open shipping. This option is recommended for luxury cars or classic cars of high value.

Get multiple quotes to find the most affordable car shipping companies for your vehicle’s needs. Keep in mind that not every auto shipping company will offer both transport options.

Consider Car Shipping Prices

Car transport prices can range anywhere from $400 to $2,500. Along with the type of auto transport service and which company you choose, car shipping costs depend on the following variables:

• Type & weight of vehicle: Larger vehicles are often more expensive to ship due to their weight, while smaller compact vehicles may be cheaper.
• Operability: If your car is inoperable, the shipping rates may be higher since it requires special equipment for loading and unloading.
• Time of year: Rates can be higher during peak moving times like the summer, on the weekends, or over holidays.
• Shipping distance: The further you need to ship the car, the higher the cost will be.
• Pick-up & drop-off locations: Shipping to or from remote or rural areas typically costs more than shipping between major cities or transport hubs.
• Pick-up & delivery date flexibility: Being flexible with your dates can lower costs, while requesting specific delivery windows or expedited shipping usually increases the price.

Find a Reliable Shipping Company

While finding an auto shipping company within your budget is important, it’s also essential to choose a trustworthy business that guarantees on-time, safe auto delivery. Here are some tips for researching car shipping companies to help you make the right decision:

• Check online ratings and user comments in online directories such as uShip, Google reviews, and Yelp.
• Find the BBB listing for the auto carrier and check their rating, reviews, and complaints.
• Call the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration hotline, or look up the USDOT number to verify the shipping company’s license and insurance record.

Update Your Auto Insurance

The government requires auto shippers to carry liability and cargo insurance, but it typically only covers the Kelley Blue Book value of your vehicle. Anything not covered should be listed on your shipping order and the bill of lading. Consider upgrading your auto policy to include comprehensive coverage for theft and collision. Make sure to thoroughly inspect and document the condition of your car before and after auto transport. Pictures and written notes will help if you need to file a claim after the transfer has been completed.

Prep Your Car for Shipping

Along with preparing and packing your items for a move, you’ll want to follow some quick steps to help prepare your vehicle for shipping:

• Remove all belongings from the car.
• Clean the vehicle’s interior and exterior.
• Document the current state of your car, including any damage, with photos and videos.
• Empty your gas tank to cut down on weight.
• Check your fluid levels.
• Remove accessories like bike racks and roof racks.

Make sure to also check with your chosen auto shipping service to see if they have any special considerations or requirements before they ship your car.

Consider Vehicle Storage Alternatives

Shipping a car across the country can be expensive, and you may find the cost isn’t worth it for you—especially if you’re moving to a place where you don’t need a car. Alternatively, you may prefer to sell your current car and buy a new one when you reach your final destination. However, if you are making a temporary move or plan to be back frequently, you may want to consider renting vehicle storage rather than shipping it. This will help ensure your vehicle is in a secure location while not in use.

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Moving soon? Find more moving guides and helpful relocation tools on the Extra Space Storage Moving Hub. And if you need vehicle storage throughout your transition, we have thousands of storage facilities across the country that offer car storage. Find a storage facility near you!

About Mike Beutler

Mike Beutler is a writer and digital content specialist who transitioned to self storage in 2020 after several years in the airline industry. His travels cultivated a passion for exploring cities across the U.S. and abroad and inspired him to learn more about practical insights for urban living. With 14 moves under his belt, both locally and cross-country, he also has a passion for minimalism and organization, and sharing tips to help others make any space feel like home while staying organized.

View all posts by Mike Beutler