How much does it cost to move a car from one state to another and how to do it in 2024?

What you should know

Moving a car from one state to another will cost you around $1,400. Depending on several factors.

It is essential to plan the car transfer in advance. There are several steps to complete and the transfer can take several days, depending on the distance.

Hiring a company that inspires confidence is essential. Check the reviews of other users before confirming the service.

Although there is no single price, Moving a car from one state to another can cost between $700 and $1,600. The exact price will depend on the transfer distance, size, model, weight and characteristics of the car, season of the year, pick-up and delivery location, choice of transfer plan and insurance price.

In this article we will tell you how much it costs to move a car from one state to another depending on where you move your car from and to. We will also explain the process to do it without problems..

Vehicle transport prices depending on distance

Here are some average car transportation costs:

  • From the East Coast to the West Coast (and vice versa): $1,100 for a sedan; $1,300 for an SUV or truck.
  • From the East Coast to the Midwest (and vice versa): $700 for a sedan; $800 for an SUV or truck.
  • From the West Coast to the Midwest (and vice versa): $900 for a sedan; $1,100 for an SUV or truck.
  • From north to south (and vice versa): $700 for a sedan; $800 for an SUV or truck.

Shipping SUVs, vans, and pickup trucks costs about $200 more than shipping sedans for the same travel distance.

How to transport a car from one state to another?

To take your car to another state, one of the most important things you should do with enough time in advance is good planning.

If you want to avoid setbacks when transporting your car from one state to another, follow the following steps:

  1. Select the car transport company
  2. Calculate shipping costs
  3. Choose the type of transport
  4. Schedule shipping
  5. Prepare the car
  6. Gather documentation

Select the car transport company in the United States

The first thing you should do is select the company you will work with.. You want to make sure they are trustworthy and really know how to transport your car to another state.

To do this, you can visit Trustpilot and once you have read the reviews, check the Better Business Bureau.

Calculate car shipping costs from one state to another

It is important to calculate the costs for shipping cars from one state to another and select the one that best suits your needs and your pocket.

To do this, you can use companies' online quoting systems. That way you will get a quick and accurate estimate. You can also call or visit transport companies that are near your home or work.

Choose the type of transport: closed or open air

Enclosed transport protects your car with four walls, a roof and a floor in a cargo truck. Meanwhile, open-air transportation moves your vehicle without the enclosure. The latter has proven to be almost as safe for your vehicle as a closed one.

Enclosed transportation costs are 33% to 50% higher than open-air transportation.

Additionally, there are far fewer closed car trailers on the country's roads. This means that it will most likely take you longer to move your car to another state if you are looking for an enclosed transport service.

Schedule shipping in advance

The car transport service is a great logistical puzzle in which A trailer can zigzag along its entire route, picking up vehicles, dropping them off, and encountering conditions that slow down the process..

With this in mind, you must do your planning properly. The general time frame for long-distance car transportation is as follows:

  • 100-500 miles: 1 to 2 days
  • 500-1000 miles: 2 to 3 days
  • 1000-1500 miles: 3 to 4 days
  • 1500-2000 miles: 4 to 5 days
  • 2000–2500 miles: 5 and 6 days
  • 2500–3000 miles: 6 and 7 days

NOTE: When looking for shipping quotes to get your car from one state to another, ask companies to include an estimate of the shipping time for your vehicle.

Prepare your car for state-to-state transportation

Once you've chosen a car shipping company and transportation method, you'll need to prepare your vehicle. Here are some recommendations:

Clean the car

Thoroughly clean the interior of your car and wash the exterior. That way, if there are scratches, dents, scuffs, cracks, etc., you will avoid unpleasant situations where it will be your word versus the shipping company's word. Remember to take photographs for your records.

Leave it with some gasoline

Fill a quarter of the gasoline tank with fuel. This way you can move the car from the trailer to your new home without having to stop at a service station. You will also be making sure there is enough gas to load and unload the car from the trailer.

Remove your belongings

Check the glove compartment and trunk. Additional items can increase the weight of your car and, even worse, are never included in a shipping company's insurance.

It is also a good idea to remove toll or transponder devices before ship a car to another state.

Gather the documents you'll need to ship the car from one state to another

Although it is ideal to have the car registration, vehicle title, and proof of insurance when shipping, In some companies it will not be a requirement to show the three documents.

It is advisable to maintain your car insurance during the move. All transport companies insure vehicles with their own insurance policy, but it is better to have additional insurance.

Also remember that before you move, you'll probably need to register your car at your state's DMV.