Car Shipping vs. Selling Your Car: Which Option is Right for Your Move?

Moving long distance with a car? One of the crucial decisions you'll face is whether to ship your vehicle to your new home or sell it and buy another when you arrive. This guide can help you decide whether shipping your car or selling it is the better option for you—with costs, cost comparisons, trade-offs, and more.

Should You Sell or Ship Your Car?

Whether you sell your car or ship it depends on your car's condition, the distance you're moving, and your financial situation at the time of the move. Use the table below to help you decide which option is ideal for you based on your situation.

Consider shipping your car if:

• Your car is paid off or has equity above shipping cost

• You're moving 500+ miles

• You plan to keep the car for several more years

• You need a vehicle immediately upon arriving — no shopping gap

• Your car is leased or financed

Consider selling your car if:

• Your car needs significant repairs or is near end of reliable life

• You're moving somewhere with strong public transit or walkability

• You were already considering an upgrade before the move

• Your car is a common model that's easy to replace at destination

• Cash from the sale would meaningfully help your moving budget

• Shipping cost would exceed the car's trade-in value

For most people moving long-distance, shipping tends to be the more cost-effective choice—especially when the full replacement cost is factored in. A typical cross-country shipping quote runs $1,100 to $1,500, while replacing your car in a new city can easily run $25,000 or more, plus registration fees and transportation costs during the buying gap.

Pros & Cons of Shipping Your Car

To help you with your decision, here are some common pros and cons of car shipping.

Pros:

• More affordable than buying a new car

• Can be less stressful than coordinating with a car dealership

Cons:

• Not ideal for vehicles with low resale value

• Requires coordinating pickup and delivery windows

Pros & Cons of Selling Your Car

Balance these pros and cons of selling your car when deciding which option is right for you.

Pros:

• Avoid high shipping costs

• Immediate funds to help cover other moving expenses

Cons:

• Purchasing a new vehicle is more expensive than shipping your current one

• Selling can be a time-consuming process

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car?

Car shipping costs vary based on distance—like to another state vs. cross-country—vehicle size, and how you choose to transport the vehicle—the average is around $1,000 on an open carrier and $1,400 in an enclosed carrier. The cost of shipping a car can depend on a number of different factors, including:

• Booking Timeline: Short-notice bookings can push quotes considerably higher—book at least two weeks in advance to get affordable pricing.

• Time of Year: Increased demand during summer can lead to competitive pricing. Rates tend to be lower between September and May.

• Route Popularity: Common interstate routes—like California to New York and New York to San Francisco—attract more carriers and more competitive pricing than less-traveled routes.

• Vehicle Condition: Inoperable vehicles that can't roll, steer, and brake require specialized equipment and typically add $100 to $300 to the base quote.

• Open vs. Enclosed Transport: Open carriers are budget-friendly and work well for everyday vehicles. Enclosed transport is primarily used for classic, luxury, or custom vehicles that need extra protection.

How Much Does It Cost to Sell Your Car?

Car selling costs can vary based on factors like your vehicle's value, replacement vehicle cost, temporary transportation gap, and more. The average used car listing price is around $26,000, while vehicles up to eight years old are an average of $30,000. If you sell your car through a private dealer, you'll likely get close to market value, but selling to a dealer or trading it in may get you 10 to 20% below market value. It's also important to consider the cost of the title, tax, and registration—these can range from $300 to $700 depending on the state.

The time between selling your current car and buying a new one can also impact overall costs—it typically takes one to three weeks of active shopping before you're ready to buy a car. A week of rental car use can add $350 to $700 to the true cost of selling. The table below outlines the cost of selling your car based on your situation.

How to Ship Your Car

If you've decided to ship your vehicle, the process tends to be more straightforward than most people expect. Here's what to do when shipping your car:

1. Get quotes from multiple companies. Get three to four quotes from car shipping companies with verified reviews and transparent pricing.

2. Verify Company FMCSA Registration. Any carrier or broker operating legally in the US must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Verify a company's registration and insurance status before booking.

3. Choose your transport type. Open transport for most vehicles, and enclosed for classics, luxury, or custom cars.

4. Prepare your vehicle. Remove personal belongings, as carriers typically don't insure items left inside. Document the vehicle's condition with photos before pickup.

5. Sign the bill of lading. This is the contract documenting your vehicle's condition at pickup. Make sure it's accurate before signing — you'll need it to file a claim if damage occurs in transit.

6. Inspect at delivery. Compare the vehicle's condition against the pickup bill of lading. Note any new damage before the driver leaves, and take photos.

How to Sell Your Car

If selling makes more sense for your situation, a few planning decisions can help you get closer to market value and avoid the common mistake of selling under pressure right before a move date. Keep these considerations in mind when selling:

• Know what your car is worth. Get a valuation (private party value) and cross-reference with an instant quote.

• Time the sale carefully. Selling too close to your move date can force you into accepting a lower offer—aim to finalize the sale two to four weeks before your move.

• Decide between a private sale, trade-in, and instant offer. Private sales take longer but pay the most, while trade-ins and instant offers are faster but pay less than private sale value.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can I sell my car before moving?

An instant offer from a service can close in as little as a day or two. A private sale in a healthy market may take two to four weeks. Dealer trade-ins during a new car purchase can often be handled same-day. If your timeline is tight, an instant offer is typically the most practical option, even if you net slightly less.

What happens to my car insurance when I move to a new state?

You'll need to update your insurance policy to reflect your new state of residence. Most insurers can handle the transfer, but rates, coverage requirements, and minimums vary by state. Contact your insurer before or shortly after your move to make sure you're properly covered—and register the vehicle in your new state within the required window (usually 30–90 days).

Can I move out of state with a leased car?

In most cases, yes—leased vehicles can cross state lines and you can register the car in your new state. You'll typically need to notify the leasing company, update your insurance, and re-register the vehicle in the new state within the required timeframe—usually 30–90 days. Some leases have geographic restrictions, so it's worth reviewing your agreement or calling your lessor before the move.

What should I do with my car if I'm moving internationally?

International car shipping typically costs several times more than domestic transport—often $3,000–$5,000 or more depending on the destination. For most international moves, selling and buying a vehicle at your destination is the more practical choice unless your vehicle is specialty, classic, or hard to replace.

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Moving soon? Find all the tools you'll need for your relocation on the Extra Space Storage moving hub. We also have convenient storage facilities located across the U.S. if you want to store your car before making a final decision. Find self storage near you today!