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Shipping your car across the country can cost an average of $1,250, with prices ranging from $500 to $2,000 depending on distance and service level. With the right auto shipping tips, you can control those costs and keep your vehicle safe throughout the journey.
The key is preparation. Most problems in car transport happen before the carrier even picks up the vehicle. Missing paperwork, skipped inspections, or unclear details about the car’s condition can cause delays and disputes. By preparing carefully, you’ll save money, avoid stress, and give your vehicle the best chance of arriving without issues.
What You’ll Learn
Coming up in this post, you’ll learn:
The best way to move a car across the country without overspending or risking damage
Which car essentials you must prepare before shipping to make pickup easier
Practical auto shipping tips to avoid mistakes that can delay your delivery
Overview
Shipping a car across the country involves careful preparation and understanding various factors to ensure a smooth and cost-effective process. The best approach depends on individual needs, budget, and the type of vehicle being shipped.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Cost and Preparation: The average cost for shipping a car is around $1,250, ranging from $500 to $2,000, influenced by distance and service. Proper preparation is crucial to avoid delays and disputes, as most problems occur before the vehicle is even picked up.
Shipping Methods: Options include open carriers (affordable, widely available, exposed to elements) and enclosed carriers (higher cost, less common, ideal for luxury or vintage cars due to extra protection). Delivery choices are door-to-door (convenient, picked up and delivered close to addresses) or terminal-to-terminal (lower cost, requires drop-off and pickup at hubs). Expedited shipping is available for tight timelines at a premium.
Pre-Shipping Checklist: Before handing over the keys, it's essential to wash the car, take time-stamped photos of all angles and existing damage, secure or remove loose parts, remove personal items, check fluid levels, battery, and tires, disable alarms and trackers, and ensure the fuel tank is about one-quarter full.
Required Documentation: Have the vehicle title, registration, a photo ID (driver's license or passport), and insurance policy details (your own and the carrier's) ready for pickup.
Avoiding Costly Mistakes: Research and vet shipping companies by checking FMCSA registration, U.S. DOT number, and customer reviews. Be transparent about the vehicle's condition, disclosing any mechanical issues or custom features. Inspect the car immediately upon delivery and file claims quickly (within 24-48 hours) if new damage is found.
Budgeting Smartly: Lower costs by being flexible with dates, shipping during off-peak seasons (fall or winter), and choosing open carriers if special protection isn't needed.
Other Notable Considerations:
External Factors: Fuel prices, seasons, and vehicle type can influence costs and timing. Shipping during off-peak months can lead to better rates.
Luxury and Vintage Cars: These vehicles often require enclosed carriers for extra protection, soft tie-down straps, and hydraulic lifts.
Managing Disputes: If damage occurs, note it on the Bill of Lading, take photos, and contact the carrier within 24-48 hours.
Insurance: Carrier insurance is based on vehicle value and transport type. Additional gap protection or personal policies can supplement coverage.
Company Going Out of Business: If booked through a licensed broker, they can reassign the shipment to another approved carrier.
Why Preparation Matters Before Shipping
Before your car touches a carrier, the preparation you do will decide how smooth the shipment goes. Industry data shows that most disputes in auto transport are linked to skipped steps before pickup, not problems on the road.
When drivers forget to take photos, leave out key documents, or don’t disclose a car’s condition, it creates costly delays. That’s why starting with clear auto shipping tips matters. A little time spent up front protects your wallet and gives you peace of mind while your car travels cross-country.
The Best Way to Move a Car Across the Country
When you plan a long-distance move, choosing the right transport method is one of the biggest decisions. Each option comes with trade-offs in cost, protection, and availability.
Open vs. Enclosed Carriers
Open carriers: affordable, widely available, suitable for everyday vehicles, but cars are exposed to weather and road debris
Enclosed carriers: higher cost, less common, ideal for luxury, vintage, or high-value cars because they offer extra protection
Door-to-Door vs. Terminal-to-Terminal
Door-to-door: pick up and delivery as close as possible to your addresses
Terminal-to-terminal: lower cost, but you handle drop-off and pickup at designated hubs
Expedited Shipping
Faster service when you have tight timelines
Comes with a premium cost, but can be worth it depending on your schedule
Car Essentials to Prepare Before Shipping
Getting your vehicle ready before pickup is the most effective way to avoid problems later. A carrier expects your car to be safe, clean, and properly documented. Here’s what you need to do before handing over the keys.
Pre-Shipping Checklist
Wash your car: A clean surface makes scratches, dents, or chips easier to spot and document.
Take time-stamped photos: Capture your car from the front, rear, both sides, and close-ups of any existing damage. Include shots of the seats, dashboard, and trunk.
Secure or remove loose parts: Fold in mirrors and remove or tightly secure antennas, spoilers, and roof racks.
Remove personal items: Electronics, chargers, and loose accessories are not covered by carrier insurance and can shift or get lost during transit.
Check fluid levels, battery, and tires: Make sure fluids are topped off, the battery is fully charged, and tires are properly inflated.
Disable alarms and trackers: Prevent unnecessary disruptions by turning them off or leaving instructions for the carrier.
Fuel level: Keep your gas tank about one-quarter full. This allows the car to be loaded and unloaded but keeps the weight down.
Required Documentation
Have these documents ready for pickup to avoid delays:
Vehicle title: proof of ownership
Registration: proof the car is legally registered
Photo ID: driver’s license or passport
Insurance policy: your own coverage details, along with the carrier’s policy
Auto Shipping Tips to Avoid Costly Mistakes
Even a small oversight can create big problems during car transport. These common mistakes cost time and money but are easy to avoid when you know what to watch for.
Research and Vet Shipping Companies
Start by checking each company’s credentials. Verify that they’re registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and have a valid U.S. DOT number. Look at customer reviews on platforms like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Google to learn how the company handles communication, pricing, and delivery.
Get at least three quotes from reputable carriers or brokers.
Be wary of unusually low prices; these may indicate hidden fees or unreliable service.
Be Transparent About Vehicle Condition
Always give the carrier accurate information about your car’s working condition. If your car can’t start, steer, or roll, the driver will need special equipment to load it, which can add cost and time.
Disclose mechanical issues up front.
Provide honest details about size, weight, or custom features like lift kits or spoilers.
File Claims Quickly If Needed
Inspect your car immediately upon delivery. If there’s new damage, note it on the Bill of Lading (BOL) before signing.
Take new photos and compare them to your pre-shipping images.
File your claim within 24 to 48 hours for the best chance of approval.
Budget Smartly
Several small decisions can help lower your total cost:
Be flexible with pickup and delivery dates.
Ship during off-peak seasons, like fall or winter.
Choose open carriers if your car doesn’t require special protection.
Other Factors to Consider About Car Shipping
Car shipping involves more than choosing a carrier and setting a date. Outside factors, like fuel prices, seasons, and vehicle type, can influence both cost and timing. Knowing these ahead of time helps you plan smarter and avoid last-minute stress.
How Fuel Prices and Seasons Affect Costs
Fuel prices are one of the biggest cost drivers in auto transport. When diesel prices rise, carrier rates increase to cover fuel surcharges. You can often save money by shipping during off-peak months, such as fall or winter. Demand drops after the busy summer moving season, and many carriers offer lower rates to keep their routes full.
Special Handling for Luxury and Vintage Cars
If you’re shipping a rare, restored, or luxury vehicle, standard open transport may not be the right fit. Enclosed carriers protect vehicles from weather, dirt, and road debris. They also use soft tie-down straps and hydraulic lifts to prevent scratches and underbody damage. AmeriFreight can match your car with a carrier experienced in transporting high-value or collector vehicles.
How to Manage Disputes or Damage
Even careful carriers can encounter rough roads. If your car arrives with new damage, stay calm and act fast:
Note the damage on the Bill of Lading (BOL) before signing.
Take clear photos from multiple angles.
Contact the carrier within 24–48 hours to start the claim process.
Final Thoughts
Shipping your car does not have to be complicated or stressful. When you follow smart auto shipping tips, prepare your vehicle properly, and choose the right carrier, the process becomes predictable and smooth. Small steps like taking photos, checking documents, and planning ahead can protect your time and money.
Whether you are moving across the country or sending a classic car to an event, thoughtful preparation makes all the difference. By staying informed about transport types, costs, and insurance coverage, you can avoid unnecessary surprises and feel confident that your vehicle will arrive safely at its destination.
Ship with Confidence Through AmeriFreight Auto Transport
If you are ready to put these auto shipping tips into action, choose a car shipping broker that values your vehicle as much as you do. That is where AmeriFreight Auto Transport can help.
AmeriFreight is BBB-accredited and highly rated for reliability and customer care. The company works with both open and enclosed carriers to help transport a wide range of vehicles.
Their experienced team can walk you through documentation, scheduling, and insurance details so your shipment goes smoothly from pickup to delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How is car shipping insurance calculated?
Carrier insurance is based on your vehicle’s value and the transport type. Higher-value cars or enclosed carriers usually require higher coverage limits. You can add gap protection or use your personal policy if the carrier’s limit is too low.
What should I do if my car arrives damaged?
Inspect your vehicle immediately before signing the Bill of Lading. Take photos of the damage, note it on the form, and contact the carrier within 24 to 48 hours to start a claim.
What happens if a car shipping company goes out of business during transport?
If you booked through a licensed broker like AmeriFreight, they can reassign your shipment to another approved carrier. This helps protect your schedule and your payment. Always verify that your broker is registered with the FMCSA before booking.
How do seasonal changes affect shipping costs?
Summer and holidays are peak seasons when demand increases, which raises prices and extends delivery windows. Fall and winter are typically less busy, giving you better rates and more flexible scheduling.
