To ship a car to another state, you get quotes from a licensed auto transport company, pick open or enclosed transport, book a pickup window, prepare the car, and sign off at both ends with a bill of lading. The whole thing usually takes a few phone calls or one online form, and most people never have to leave the driveway. What matters is doing the steps in the right order. This guide walks through each one, with current price ranges from our own pricing page and the checks that keep a good shipment from turning into a bad story.
Ship a Car to Another State: Quick Answers
| Question | Short Answer |
|---|---|
| How does it work? | A carrier loads your car on a multi-car truck at your address (or a nearby terminal), drives it across state lines, and delivers it to the destination address. |
| What does it cost? | Open transport runs about $500–$900 under 500 miles and $1,000–$1,800 past 2,000 miles. Enclosed costs roughly 40–60% more. |
| When should I book? | Two to four weeks ahead. Earlier if you are shipping between November and February. |
| Do I need to be there? | You or someone you trust must sign the paperwork at pickup and delivery. |
| Is it worth it versus driving? | Often, once you count fuel, hotels, days off work, and miles on the car. |
Price ranges are from Freedom Auto Transport’s published 2026 pricing and are planning numbers, not quotes. Your route, vehicle, and dates set the actual price.
Step 1: Decide Whether Shipping Beats Driving
Shipping a car to another state costs less than most people assume once the alternative is priced honestly. Driving a long distance means fuel, one or more nights in a hotel, meals, a flight home for whoever drove, and the wear on your tires and engine. If two people are relocating with one car, you may also need a second vehicle or a plane ticket. Shipping makes the most sense for moves of more than a day’s drive, for cars you do not want to put miles on, and for anyone who cannot spare the time.
Driving still wins for short hops between neighboring states, or when the trip is part of the plan. The rest of the time, get a quote before you rule shipping out. Our car shipping cost guide breaks down what drives the number so you can compare it fairly.
Step 2: Choose Open or Enclosed Transport
Most cars shipped between states travel on an open carrier, the same kind of multi-car trailer used to deliver new vehicles to dealerships. It is the lowest-cost option and has the most availability. Open auto transport exposes the car to weather and road dust, which is a non-issue for most daily drivers. Our guide to open car shipping covers how safe it is in practice.
Enclosed transport puts the car inside a covered trailer. It costs 40–60% more, and it makes sense for classic, exotic, luxury, and low-clearance cars. If you are undecided, our comparison of open vs. enclosed car shipping lays out the tradeoffs side by side.
Step 3: Choose Door-to-Door or Terminal Service
Door-to-door means the truck comes as close to your address as it legally and safely can. Large trucks cannot always turn onto narrow residential streets, so the driver may ask you to meet at a nearby large parking lot. That is normal. Terminal service means you drop the car at and collect it from a depot, which can save roughly $50–$150 but costs you the trip to the terminal at both ends. For most people, door-to-door service is worth the small difference. Our article on door-to-door vs. terminal car shipping shows when terminal actually pays off.
Step 4: Get Quotes and Check the Company
Ask for quotes from two or three companies, and compare the same service on each: open or enclosed, door-to-door or terminal, and the same pickup window. A quote that is far below the others usually means the price will rise later or nobody will accept the job at that rate. Our guide on how to choose an auto transport company lists what to compare, and how to spot auto transport scams covers the red flags.
Two quick checks take five minutes. First, ask whether you are dealing with a carrier or a broker. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) explains that brokers only arrange transportation of your car, and it advises avoiding any transporter or broker that does not prominently display its MC Docket number. Second, look that number up in FMCSA’s public carrier database to confirm the registration is real. The FMCSA’s consumer advisory on automobile transporters explains both points. (Note that this FMCSA page shows a last-updated date of February 2015, so use it for the registration basics and verify anything time-sensitive.)
Step 5: Book the Pickup Window
Auto transport works on pickup windows rather than exact appointment times, because a driver is coordinating several cars along a route. Book two to four weeks ahead for the best rates and availability. Peak season, November through February, runs about 20–30% higher than summer, so book earlier and expect to pay more if your move lands in winter. If you need a guaranteed date or an expedited pickup, ask for it up front, since both add to the price. Snowbirds moving on a seasonal schedule can see how timing plays out in our snowbird car shipping guide.
Step 6: Prepare the Car
A few minutes of preparation prevents most disputes. Wash the car so existing scratches and dings are visible, then take dated photos of every side, the roof, the wheels, and the odometer. Remove personal items and toll tags, keep the gas tank about a quarter full, and note any leaks or mechanical problems. A non-running vehicle can still be shipped, but it adds roughly $100–$300 because it needs a winch. Our full car shipping preparation checklist walks through every item.
Step 7: Pickup Day and the Bill of Lading
At pickup, the driver inspects the car and records its condition on the bill of lading. Walk around the car with the driver, compare notes against your photos, and do not sign until the report matches what you see. The document is your receipt and your condition record, and you will need it again at delivery. If it is new to you, read what a bill of lading is and how it protects you. For a play-by-play of both handoffs, see what to expect at pickup and delivery.
Step 8: Delivery and Final Inspection
Before you sign at delivery, inspect the car in good light and compare it to the pickup report and your photos. If you find new damage, note it on the bill of lading before you sign and before the driver leaves, then photograph it. Signing a clean report at delivery makes a later claim much harder. Most people finish with no notes at all, but it costs nothing to look. For how long the whole trip takes, see how long it takes to ship a car, and for how cargo coverage works if something does go wrong, read our guide to car shipping insurance.
What Affects the Price of Shipping a Car Out of State
Seven things move your quote, according to our published pricing:
- Distance. The main driver, though longer routes cost less per mile.
- Vehicle size and weight. Larger vehicles cost more.
- Transport type. Enclosed costs 40–60% more than open.
- Pickup and delivery flexibility. Terminal service can save $50–$150.
- Season and demand. November through February runs 20–30% above summer.
- Vehicle condition. A non-running car adds $100–$300.
- Extras. Expedited pickup and guaranteed dates cost more.
Flexible dates are the easiest lever you control. Every extra day of flexibility gives the dispatcher more room to fit your car onto a truck already headed your way.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship a car to another state?
On Freedom Auto Transport’s published 2026 ranges, open transport runs about $500–$900 under 500 miles, $700–$1,200 for 500–1,000 miles, $900–$1,500 for 1,000–2,000 miles, and $1,000–$1,800 beyond 2,000 miles. Enclosed transport costs roughly 40–60% more. Your exact price depends on the route, vehicle, and season.
How far in advance should I book?
Two to four weeks ahead gives the best rates and availability. Book earlier between November and February, when prices run about 20–30% higher than in summer.
Do I have to be present at pickup and delivery?
You or a trusted representative should be there at both ends to walk the car with the driver and sign the bill of lading. Your representative should be someone you have told the carrier about in advance.
Can I ship a car that does not run?
Usually yes. Non-running vehicles need a winch to load, which adds roughly $100–$300. Tell the company at booking so the right truck is sent.
Can I leave personal items in the car?
Ask your carrier before loading anything. Many carriers want the car empty of personal belongings, and you should confirm whether cargo insurance covers anything left inside. Our preparation checklist lists what to remove.
How do I check that an auto transport company is legitimate?
Ask for the company’s MC Docket number and look it up in FMCSA’s public carrier database. FMCSA advises avoiding any transporter or broker that does not prominently display that number.
Have a question this didn’t cover? Check our full auto transport FAQ or call 888-509-1102.
Get a Quote to Ship Your Car Out of State
Tell us where the car is and where it needs to go, and we will price open and enclosed options for your dates. Get a free estimate or call 888-509-1102.