Coast-to-Coast Auto Transport
Ship a Vehicle Across Country
Door-to-door vehicle shipping from one side of the country to the other. Final-price quote, vetted carriers, and $0 due at booking.
Shipment Details
20+ YEARS
of combined auto transportation experience.
10,000+
top-rated, vetted carriers within our network.
$0
due upfront. You only pay when we assign a carrier.
Cross-Country Car Shipping
Shipping a Vehicle Across the Country
Driving a car from one coast to the other is a week of your life. It's close to 3,000 miles, five or six long days behind the wheel, and a lot of gas station coffee. Most people who are moving across the country would rather fly and have the car meet them there.
That's what we do. We book your vehicle on a carrier that's already making the cross-country run, and it gets picked up at your old address and dropped off at your new one. Coast to coast usually takes about 7 to 10 days once it's on the truck.
You get a final price up front, and you don't pay anything until a carrier is assigned. Here's everything you need to know before you book.
Popular Routes
Popular Cross-Country Routes
Some of the long hauls we book most, with rough mileage and typical transit time after pickup.
| Route | Miles | Typical Transit |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA → New York, NY | ~2,800 | 7–10 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Miami, FL | ~2,750 | 7–10 days |
| San Francisco, CA → Boston, MA | ~3,100 | 8–11 days |
| Seattle, WA → Miami, FL | ~3,300 | 8–11 days |
| Houston, TX → Seattle, WA | ~2,350 | 6–9 days |
| San Diego, CA → Atlanta, GA | ~2,150 | 6–8 days |
| Portland, OR → Chicago, IL | ~2,100 | 6–8 days |
Routes run in both directions. Distances and transit times are estimates and can vary with weather, traffic, and the carrier's other stops.
The Routes
How Cars Cross the Country
Almost every cross-country load travels on one of four main interstates. Which one your car takes depends on where it's starting, where it's going, and the time of year.
I-10
Los Angeles → Phoenix → Houston → Jacksonville
The southern route. It rarely sees snow, so a lot of winter traffic shifts down here.
I-40
Southern California → Albuquerque → Oklahoma City → Nashville → North Carolina
A busy middle route across the country. It can see snow and ice in New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle.
I-80
San Francisco → Salt Lake City → Chicago area → New York City
The most direct line from Northern California to the Northeast. Mountain passes and Wyoming winters can slow it down.
I-90 / I-94
Seattle → Montana → Minneapolis or Chicago → Boston
The northern route. Great in summer. In winter, drivers often reroute south around the worst weather.
What to Expect
From Booking to Delivery
Here's how a cross-country shipment actually plays out.
- 1
Quote & Book
Tell us where the car is, where it's going, and when it's ready. You get a final price, and nothing is due when you book.
- 2
Carrier Assigned
We match your car with a vetted carrier already running a cross-country lane. Once they're assigned, you pay a deposit or the full amount, whichever you prefer.
- 3
Pickup & Inspection
The driver looks over your car with you (or someone you trust) and records its condition on the Bill of Lading. Then it's loaded and strapped down.
- 4
On the Road
Drivers are legally limited in how many hours they can drive each day, so a truck covers roughly 400 to 500 miles a day, with other pickups and drop-offs along the way.
- 5
Delivery
You inspect the car together again, note anything new on the Bill of Lading, and pay any remaining balance to the driver.
Before Pickup
Getting Your Car Ready for a Long Haul
A cross-country trip means your car will be loaded, unloaded, and looked at by a few people before it gets to you. A little prep makes the inspection easy and keeps surprises off the Bill of Lading.
None of this takes long. Most people knock it out the night before pickup.
Pre-Pickup Checklist
- Wash the car so existing scratches and dings are easy to see at inspection.
- Take your own dated photos of every side, plus the odometer.
- Leave about a quarter to half a tank of gas.
- Take out toll tags so you aren't charged for tolls on the way.
- Turn off the alarm, or tell the driver how to shut it off.
- Keep personal items to a minimum: under 100 pounds, in the trunk or below the window line.
- Check for leaks and make sure the battery and tires are in good shape.
- Have the keys ready. Plates aren't required.
Timing
The Best Time to Ship Across Country
Long-haul demand follows the seasons. Here's how the year usually goes.
Summer
Peak moving season. Every cross-country lane is busy, so book 2 to 3 weeks ahead if your dates are set.
Fall
Things calm down after Labor Day. Snowbird traffic toward Florida, Arizona, and Texas picks up in October and November.
Winter
Northern routes like I-80 and I-90 can close for snow. Drivers reroute south when they have to, which can add a day or two.
Spring
Snowbirds head home in March and April, so northbound trucks fill up. Moving season starts building again in May.
Pricing
What It Costs to Ship a Vehicle Across Country
There's no flat rate for a cross-country trip. These are the things that actually move the price.
Distance
Coast to coast is the longest trip there is, so it costs more in total. Per mile, though, it's the cheapest kind of shipping.
The Lane
Major city pairs on busy interstates price better than a small town that's a few hours off the main routes.
Time of Year
Summer and snowbird season push prices up. Late fall and winter are often cheaper, except on the snowbird lanes.
Open or Enclosed
Open is the standard and costs less. Enclosed protects your car from weather over 3,000 miles of road and costs more.
Vehicle Size & Condition
Bigger trucks and SUVs take more space. Cars that don't run need a winch. Both add to the price.
Flexibility
A pickup window of a few days gives us more trucks to choose from, which usually helps the price.
Trying to Keep Costs Down?
We put together an honest guide that compares every option, including driving it yourself, along with practical ways to lower your price.
Our Services
Ways to Ship Your Vehicle Across Country
Pick the service that fits your vehicle, budget, and timeline.
Open Auto Transport
The most common and affordable way to ship a vehicle across country.
Learn more →Enclosed Auto Transport
Full protection from weather and road debris for classic, exotic, and luxury vehicles.
Learn more →Expedited Car Shipping
Priority carrier matching when you need your car on the other coast by a certain date.
Learn more →Door-to-Door Shipping
Picked up at your old address and delivered to your new one. No terminals.
Learn more →Why NEXLogistix
Cross-Country Car Shipping You Can Trust
A licensed, bonded, and insured broker (DOT 4238940 | MC-1641261).
Texas-Based Broker
We're a family-owned company headquartered in Lake Jackson, Texas, arranging car shipping nationwide.
15+ Years in Auto Transport
Deep industry experience and relationships with more than 10,000 vetted carriers.
Final-Price Quotes
The price we quote is the price you pay. No bait-and-switch, no surprise fees.
$0 Due at Booking
You don't pay anything until a carrier is actually dispatched for your vehicle.
FAQ
Cross-Country Car Shipping FAQs
How long does it take to ship a vehicle across country?
Coast to coast usually takes about 7 to 10 days after pickup. Drivers can only drive so many hours a day by law, and they make other stops along the way. Weather on the northern routes in winter can add a day or two.
How much does it cost to ship a car across the country?
It depends on the exact pickup and delivery addresses, the size of the vehicle, open or enclosed transport, the time of year, and how flexible your dates are. Request a free quote and you'll get a final price, not an estimate that changes later.
Is it worth shipping a car instead of driving it across country?
For most people, yes. Driving 2,500 to 3,000 miles takes five days or more, with gas, hotels, food, and time off work along the way, plus a lot of miles on your car. Shipping often costs about the same and you can fly instead.
Is it safe to ship a car that far?
Yes. Cars are shipped across the country every day, including new cars headed to dealerships. Your car's condition is recorded on the Bill of Lading at pickup and checked again at delivery, and every carrier we use is required to carry cargo insurance.
Do I need to be there for pickup and delivery?
Someone needs to be there at both ends, but it doesn't have to be you. Any trusted person 18 or older can hand over the keys and sign the Bill of Lading.
Can I track my car while it's on the road?
We don't currently offer live tracking, but you can contact our team anytime for an update on your shipment.
Can I pack things in my car?
We generally recommend against it, but up to 100 pounds of personal items is allowed if it's packed in the trunk or below the window line. Personal items aren't covered by insurance, and carriers can charge extra or decline a car with too much inside.
Can you ship a car across country in the winter?
Yes. Carriers run all winter. When northern routes get snow, drivers take southern interstates like I-10 or I-40 instead, which can add a little time.
Can you ship a car that doesn't run, or a big truck?
Yes. Non-running vehicles can be winched onto the truck, and larger vehicles like lifted trucks and duallys can be shipped with a custom quote based on size and weight.
Do I have to pay upfront?
No. There's $0 due at booking. Once a carrier is assigned, you can either pay a small deposit and the remaining balance directly to the driver at delivery, or pay in full at that point so nothing is due at delivery.
Keep Exploring
Related Routes & States
Other Popular Routes
Don't see your route? We ship door-to-door between cities and states all across the country. Browse all states we serve.
Ready to Ship Your Vehicle Across Country?
Get a free, final-price quote in minutes. Nothing is due at booking, and you don't pay a thing until a carrier is dispatched.
Prefer email? hello@nexlogistix.com
Licensed, bonded & insured broker · DOT 4238940 | MC-1641261