Shipping a Car When You Move Out of State

Shipping a car out of state usually costs $500-$2,000 depending on distance, and for a move over about 500 miles it beats driving once you count fuel, lodging, and wear. Here’s how it works and what to budget.

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Navigating the complexities of moving out of state and shipping a car can be daunting.

With Compare The Carrier at your side, this journey transforms from a logistical puzzle into a smooth, well-organized process. This guide is your ultimate resource for understanding the nuances of car shipping options, the intricacies of determining the cost to ship a car out of state, and how to select the best car shipping companies for your needs.

Whether you’re seeking the most efficient shipping method or the most reliable auto transport service, Compare The Carrier provides all the insights you need to make informed decisions.

Let’s explore how to streamline your move and ensure your car’s shipping process is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Key Takeaways

For moves over about 500 miles, shipping your car is usually more practical than driving once you count fuel, lodging, and wear.

Coast-to-coast runs roughly $1,000-$2,000; shorter routes less. Open transport is cheapest; enclosed costs more.

Cost depends on distance, route, season, transport type, and vehicle weight.

Keep the Bill of Lading and insurance paperwork — they’re how you document condition and claim any damage.

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In this guide

Options regarding moving a car to another state

Tips for shipping your car to your new home

How much is a vehicle moving out of state cost?

Top 5 Car Shipping Companies

What documents do you need when moving out of state?

FAQ

Car Shipping Options When Moving Out of State

There are quite a few options for anyone looking to move their car to another state.

Options Regarding Moving a Car to Another State

Driving Yourself

The first option most people consider. It can make sense under about 500 miles, but past that the costs stack up: fuel, total driving days, hotels and food, the risk of a mechanical fault, and weather. With everything else a move involves, a long solo drive is rarely practical.

Total driving hours

Total days took to reach the destination

Costs of hotel and food in between

Costs of tackling a mechanical fault

Weather

Considering all these points, driving your car to the state where you are moving is not a practical idea as you would also have a million other things to do. Driving on a long route would be the last thing you would think of doing.

Hiring a Driver

Having someone drive your car takes a lot of trust. Even with a friend or family member, you’re relying on their experience and care, and a professional driver adds service and background-check costs. For most moves, it’s more hassle than it’s worth.

Whether the driver is experienced

Whether he will be able to tackle a mechanical fault?

Whether he will be careful enough with your car?

And if you hire a professional driver for this purpose, the costs of his services and his background check are something anyone would tend to avoid, with all the hectic shifting stuff already going on.

Hiring an Auto-Transport Company

By far, hiring an auto transport company seems to be the safest option out of all. To many, hiring an auto-transport company might be expensive, but that’s not the case. The charges are justified if you consider the distance and the protection, they provide to your car with zero hassle.

Tips for Shipping Your Car to Your New Home

Here are a few things you can do to ensure a sound auto shipment on your end.

Check fluid levels for any leak

Check battery charge

Remove personal belongings

Disable all alarms

Protect all the loose parts

Give a final wash to the car

Do a final thorough check

You’ve got your car shipping sorted, but what about the rest of your move? Moving out of state can feel like a massive task, but don’t sweat it – we’ve got you covered! Our video, ‘Your Ultimate Moving Checklist | Stress-free Moving Tips with Compare The Carrier,’ walks you through every step of your moving process. From organizing to packing to finalizing important tasks, we’ve got actionable tips to make your move smooth and hassle-free. Ready to ace this move? Click here to check out the video!

Estimating the Cost to Ship a Car Out of State

As a rough guide, expect $1,000-$2,000 for a coast-to-coast move, or $500-$1,000 north-to-south. An exact price is impossible to quote without the details, since several factors move it. Check the cost to ship a car for your route.

Factors Affecting Shipping Rates

If you check with different auto transport companies, you will notice that each has different shipping rates. Rates differ on various basis. These include:

Factors That Determine Cost Of Car Shipping Shipping a Car When You Move Out of State 4

Distance: More miles means a higher total, though the per-mile rate usually drops over long routes.

Weather: Harsh winter conditions make transport harder and push rates up.

Type of transport: Open-carrier is cheaper; enclosed auto transport costs more but protects the car.

Mode: Terminal-to-terminal is cheaper than door-to-door.

Vehicle weight: Heavier cars use more fuel and cost more to move.

Average Shipping Rates on Certain Routes

It is impossible to give an exact price quote for auto shipping without knowing the particulars of the vehicles and other details. Here are a few price quotes calculated for specific cars to specific destinations.

From	To	Vehicle	Cost
Texas	Pennsylvania	2010 Chevrolet	$1,455
Florida	Ohio	2016 Nissan Maxima	$745
Virginia	New Jersey	2011 Hyundai Elantra	$495

Moving to Puerto Rico from the mainland? That’s a different process entirely – your car travels by vessel from a port in Florida or New Jersey. Our Puerto Rico auto transport guide covers costs, documentation, and how to arrange the shipment.

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What Documents Do You Need When Moving Out of State?

Two documents are essential in moving a car out of state: a Bill of Lading and Insurance paperwork.

What documents do you need to ship you car out of state Shipping a Car When You Move Out of State 19

Bill of Lading

A Bill of lading (or BOL) is the most important document required for the shipment of a vehicle. It contains the condition of your vehicle pre and post-shipment. In case of any damage to your car, add it to the Bill of Lading. In this way, you can claim insurance money for that damage.

Insurance Paperwork

You should document all the forms of insurance provided to you by the company. Without any paperwork, you won’t be able to claim insurance money. Also, it contains the terms and conditions of the insurance. Make sure you carefully read them beforehand.

For a comprehensive overview of all the documents you’ll need when shipping any type of vehicle, Compare The Carrier offers a free Vehicle Shipping Document Checklist. This checklist ensures you’re fully prepared and have all necessary documentation ready for a hassle-free vehicle transport.

As we wrap up this comprehensive guide on moving out of state and shipping a car, it’s clear that with the right preparation and knowledge, the process can be significantly simplified. From understanding your car shipping options, evaluating the cost to ship a car out of state, to choosing the best car shipping companies, each step plays a crucial role in ensuring a smooth transition to your new home.

Remember, the key to a stress-free move lies in thorough planning and leveraging expert resources like Compare The Carrier. By utilizing the insights and tips provided in this guide, you’re well on your way to a successful move. Trust in reliable partners and comprehensive preparation to turn the challenge of moving and shipping your car into an exciting step towards your next adventure.

FAQ

How long does it take to ship a car?

Roughly three days to a week, depending on the route and the carrier’s schedule.

How do I know if my auto transport company is legit?

Check their USDOT number — it confirms they’re a registered carrier.

How often do cars get damaged in shipping?

Less than 1% of cars are damaged in transit, and insurance policies cover damage when it happens.

Who is responsible for damage during shipping?

The carrier is responsible for damage or loss in transit, but read the agreement and insurance terms first so you know what’s covered.

What is the average cost to ship a car out of state?

Typically $500-$1,500, depending on distance, transport type, and route. Request quotes for an estimate tailored to your move.

Should I ship my car or drive it out of state?

Under about 500 miles, driving can work. For longer moves, shipping is usually easier and often cheaper once you count fuel, lodging, and wear.

Written by

Ryan Foster

Senior Auto Transport & Logistics Specialist

12+ Years Experience

Ryan leverages 12+ years of experience to simplify complex vehicle logistics. From interstate hauls to specialized shipping, he provides transparent, actionable advice to help customers navigate the transport process with confidence.

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