Relocating to a new city is one of those experiences that feels exciting in theory and completely overwhelming in practice. Between finding an apartment, setting up utilities, transferring your records, and figuring out where the nearest grocery store is — the last thing you want to stress about is how your car is going to get there.
The good news is that shipping your car is more straightforward than most people expect. But like any service you’ve never used before, there are real things worth knowing before you book. This guide covers all of it — the costs, the process, what to watch out for, and how to make your move as smooth as possible.
Why People Ship Their Cars Instead of Driving
The knee-jerk reaction for most people is to just drive the car themselves. And sometimes, that makes sense. But once you actually do the math, shipping often wins.
Think about what a cross-country drive actually costs: gas, at least one or two nights in a hotel, food on the road, the wear and mileage added to your vehicle, and the pure physical exhaustion of spending days behind the wheel. If you’re moving from, say, Chicago to Los Angeles, you’re looking at roughly 2,000 miles. That’s not a weekend road trip — that’s a commitment.
On top of the practical costs, there’s the opportunity cost. Driving across the country takes time you could spend settling into your new place, getting ahead at your new job, or just resting before a major life transition.
Shipping your car lets you fly to your destination, start unpacking, and have your vehicle delivered to your door while you’re already getting settled.
How Car Shipping Actually Works
If you’ve never shipped a vehicle before, the process can seem mysterious. It’s actually pretty logical once you understand the basics.
You start by getting a quote from an auto transport company, which will depend on a few key factors: where the car is going, how far, what type of carrier you choose, and when you need it picked up.
Once you book, a carrier is assigned to your shipment. On pickup day, the driver inspects your car and notes any pre-existing damage on a condition report — this is your protection, so take photos before they arrive. The car is then loaded onto a carrier (more on the different types below) and transported to your destination. On delivery, another inspection happens to confirm the car arrived in the same condition it left.
If you want a full breakdown of the logistics — timelines, what to expect on pickup day, and how to prepare your vehicle — this guide on how car shipping works walks through each step in plain language.
Open vs. Enclosed Transport: Which One Do You Need?
This is usually the first question people ask, and the answer depends mostly on what you’re shipping.
Open transport is the standard choice for the vast majority of moves. Your car rides on an open-air carrier — the same kind you see on highways hauling new cars from factories to dealerships. It’s reliable, widely available, and significantly more affordable than the alternative. For everyday vehicles like sedans, SUVs, and trucks, it’s the practical, cost-effective option that gets the job done well. If you’re not sure where to start, Mile Auto Transport offers door-to-door shipping across the entire US with transparent pricing and no hidden fees.
Enclosed transport is the choice for vehicles that need extra protection — luxury cars, classic and vintage vehicles, high-end sports cars, or anything where exposure to weather and road debris is a genuine concern. You’re paying more, but you’re getting a fully covered carrier and typically a more specialized level of handling.
For most people relocating with a standard vehicle, open transport is all they need.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Shipping Your Car?
Car shipping quotes can vary quite a bit, and it’s worth understanding why so you’re not comparing apples to oranges.
Distance is the biggest driver. Longer routes cost more in absolute terms, but the per-mile rate actually tends to drop on longer hauls. A 500-mile shipment might cost more per mile than a 2,000-mile one.
Route popularity plays a surprising role. High-traffic corridors — think Chicago to Miami, or New York to Los Angeles — have more carriers available, which keeps prices competitive. If you’re moving to or from a smaller city or a rural area, expect slightly higher costs because carriers have to make less efficient detours.
Season and timing matter more than people expect. Summer is peak moving season, which means higher demand and higher prices. If you have flexibility, booking in late fall or winter often gets you a better rate. Booking several weeks out also helps.
Vehicle size affects pricing because larger vehicles take up more space on the carrier. An oversized pickup truck will cost more to ship than a compact sedan.
Transport type — as covered above — is the most controllable cost variable. Open transport is considerably cheaper than enclosed.
How Long Does It Take?
Transit times vary based on distance and route. For shorter moves of a few hundred miles, delivery can happen within a day or two. Cross-country shipments typically take anywhere from five to ten days, depending on the route and carrier schedule.
One thing to plan for: there’s usually a pickup window rather than an exact date. Carriers are coordinating multiple vehicles across large distances, so flexibility on your end helps. If you need a guaranteed pickup date, expedited shipping is available at a higher cost — useful if your timeline is tight.
Things to Do Before Your Car Gets Picked Up
A few simple steps before pickup day will save you from headaches later.
Document everything. Take photos of your car from every angle — front, back, sides, roof, and any existing scratches or dents. This creates a clear baseline in case you need to reference the condition report.
Clear out personal items. Most transport companies don’t allow (or insure) personal belongings left in the vehicle. Some carriers allow a small amount of weight in the trunk, but check with your provider. Either way, remove anything valuable.
Leave about a quarter tank of gas. Enough for the car to be driven on and off the carrier, but not so much that it adds unnecessary weight.
Disable your alarm if possible. A car alarm going off repeatedly during transport is a headache for the driver and can cause issues.
Check for any leaks or mechanical issues. Carriers can refuse a vehicle that’s leaking fluids. If your car has any known issues, mention them when booking.
How to Find a Trustworthy Car Shipping Company
This is where people sometimes go wrong — prioritizing price above everything else and ending up with a bad experience. Here’s what to actually look for.
Read real reviews. Google reviews and Trustpilot are more reliable than testimonials on a company’s own website. Look for consistency in the feedback — how they handle problems is often more telling than the easy five-star experiences.
Verify licensing. Any legitimate auto transport broker or carrier should be registered with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). You can look up their MC number to confirm they’re operating legally.
Understand what’s included in the insurance. Ask directly what the carrier’s insurance covers during transport and what happens in the unlikely event of damage. Get it in writing.
Watch for suspiciously low quotes. If a price seems too good to be true, it usually is. Low-ball quotes can be a tactic to get you booked, with costs added later — or a sign of a company cutting corners on insurance and quality.
Look for clear communication. A company that’s hard to reach before you’ve paid is not going to magically improve once your car is on a carrier. Responsiveness during the booking process is a reliable signal.
A Few Final Thoughts Before Your Move
Shipping your car for a relocation is, at its core, a fairly simple transaction — but the details matter. Give yourself enough lead time to book thoughtfully, do your homework on the company you choose, and document your car’s condition before and after.
The people who have bad experiences with car shipping usually rushed the decision, picked the cheapest option without research, or didn’t take photos before pickup. Avoid those three mistakes and you’re almost certainly going to have a smooth experience.
Your new city is already waiting. Let someone else handle getting your car there.
