Quick answer: To ship a car to another state, get a few quotes a few weeks ahead, choose open or enclosed transport, check the company’s USDOT number and insurance, prepare the car, and inspect it with the driver at pickup and delivery. Most state to state auto transport on an open carrier costs $400 to $700 for trips under 500 miles and $1,000 to $1,700 for 2,000 miles or more. Once the car arrives, register it in your new state.
People move cars between states for all kinds of reasons: a new job, a car bought from an out-of-state seller, a student heading to college or a winter home in the South. Whatever the reason, there are six realistic ways to get the car there. This guide compares them side by side, then walks you through shipping a car step by step, with typical costs, timelines and the paperwork you need at both ends.
6 Ways to Transport a Car to Another State
| Method | Typical cost | Speed | Your effort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open carrier | Lowest of the shipping options | Fast to book | Low | Most everyday cars |
| Enclosed carrier | Usually 40 to 60 percent more than open | A day or two slower to book | Low | Classic, luxury and high-value cars |
| Terminal-to-terminal | Can be a little less than door to door | Can add waiting time at terminals | Medium | Owners near a terminal with flexible dates |
| Driveaway service | Driver’s fee plus fuel and costs | Direct, but adds miles | Low | Cars that can handle a long drive |
| Amtrak Auto Train | A ticket for you plus the car | Overnight | Medium | Trips between Virginia and Florida only |
| Drive or tow it yourself | Fuel, hotels, meals and wear | Depends on you | High | Short moves, or when you need the car on the way |
For most moves over a few hundred miles, an open carrier with door-to-door service is the best mix of price and convenience. The rest of this guide explains why, and when another option is the better choice.
How to Ship a Car to Another State in 5 Steps
1. Get Quotes and Choose Your Method
Ask two or three companies for quotes, ideally a few weeks before you need the car moved. Give the same details to each: pickup and delivery ZIP codes, the car’s year, make and model, whether it runs, and open or enclosed. A very low quote that is far below the others is often a price no carrier will accept, which leads to delays. Our guide to car shipping cost by distance shows what a fair price looks like.
2. Check the Company
Look up the company’s USDOT and MC numbers on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website, and read recent reviews. Ask whether you are dealing with a broker, who arranges the move, or a carrier, who owns the trucks. Both are normal; a good broker checks that the carrier is licensed and insured before assigning your car. Ask for the carrier’s certificate of insurance and check the per-vehicle limit against your car’s value.
3. Book and Set a Pickup Window
Most shipments are picked up within 1 to 5 business days of your first available date. A window of a few days is easier to fill, and often cheaper, than one fixed day. If you are flying to your new home, book the car’s pickup first and plan your travel around it.
4. Prepare Your Car
Wash the car so existing marks are easy to see, then photograph every panel, the wheels and the odometer. Remove valuables, toll tags and parking passes, run the fuel down to about a quarter tank, and tell the company about any leaks or mechanical problems. Most carriers allow a small amount of luggage in the trunk; see what you can pack in your car, and use our car shipping checklist for the full list.
5. Inspect the Car at Pickup and Delivery
At pickup, walk around the car with the driver and agree on its condition on the bill of lading before you sign. Do the same at delivery, in good light, before you sign again. If you find new damage, note it on the bill of lading while the driver is there. Our guide on how to inspect your car at pickup and delivery shows what to check. Then register the car in your new state (see the paperwork section below).
The 6 Ways in Detail
1. Open Auto Transport
Open auto transport is how most cars move between states. Your car rides on a two-level open trailer with seven to ten other vehicles, so the cost of the trip is shared.
- Pros: the lowest price of the shipping options, the most trucks on the road, and quicker pickup.
- Cons: the car is exposed to weather and road dust, much as it would be if you drove it.
Best for: everyday cars, SUVs and pickups.
2. Enclosed Auto Transport
Enclosed auto transport moves your car inside a covered trailer, away from weather, debris and view. Enclosed trailers carry fewer cars, so the price per car is higher.
- Pros: full protection, liftgate loading for low cars, and more privacy for valuable vehicles.
- Cons: usually 40 to 60 percent more than open, and fewer trucks, so pickup can take a day or two longer.
Best for: classic, exotic, luxury and freshly painted cars. Our comparison of open vs enclosed car shipping helps you decide.
3. Terminal-to-Terminal Shipping
Most interstate car shipping is door to door: the driver picks up and delivers as close to your addresses as a large truck can safely reach. With terminal-to-terminal shipping, you drop the car at a storage lot in the origin state and collect it from another lot in the destination state.
- Pros: can cost a little less, and gives you flexible drop-off and collection times.
- Cons: terminals are mostly in larger cities, you must get to and from them, and the car may wait at a terminal before and after the trip. Some terminals charge storage fees.
Best for: owners who live near a terminal and are not in a hurry.
4. Driveaway Service
A driveaway service sends a professional driver to drive your car to its new state.
- Pros: no truck needed, and the car goes directly from one address to the other.
- Cons: it adds every mile of the trip to the odometer, along with tire and brake wear. You also need to confirm the service’s insurance covers the car and the driver for the whole trip.
Best for: well-maintained cars whose owners do not mind the added miles.
5. Amtrak Auto Train
The Amtrak Auto Train is the only passenger train in the U.S. that carries your car. It runs between Lorton, Virginia, near Washington, DC, and Sanford, Florida, near Orlando. You ride the same train while your car travels in an enclosed auto carrier.
- Pros: you skip the long drive on Interstate 95 and arrive with your car.
- Cons: it covers one route only, so you still have to drive to Lorton and from Sanford.
Best for: snowbirds and others moving between the Mid-Atlantic and Florida.
6. Drive or Tow It Yourself
You can drive the car yourself, or tow it behind a moving truck on a rented car trailer or tow dolly.
- Pros: you control the timing, and the car is with you when you arrive.
- Cons: fuel, hotels, meals and days off work add up, and the car takes on every mile. Towing a car behind a loaded moving truck is also harder than it looks, especially reversing and in bad weather.
Best for: short moves, or when you need the car on the way. To compare your own numbers, see whether to drive or ship your car.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car to Another State?
Car shipping is priced by distance, and the rate per mile drops as the trip gets longer. These are typical 2026 ranges for a running sedan on an open carrier with flexible pickup dates, from our car shipping cost guide:
| Distance | Typical total cost | Cost per mile |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $400 to $700 | $1.00 to $2.00 |
| 500 to 1,000 miles | $550 to $900 | $0.65 to $1.00 |
| 1,000 to 1,500 miles | $700 to $1,100 | $0.55 to $0.80 |
| 1,500 to 2,000 miles | $850 to $1,300 | $0.45 to $0.70 |
| 2,000 miles and up | $1,000 to $1,700 | $0.40 to $0.65 |
What moves your price within these ranges:
- Carrier type: enclosed usually costs 40 to 60 percent more than open.
- Vehicle size: large SUVs and pickups take more space and weight on the trailer.
- Running condition: a car that does not run needs a winch to load, which costs more.
- Season and route: the busiest routes in the busiest months can cost 10 to 20 percent more than the same route in the off season.
- Flexibility: a pickup window of a few days prices better than a fixed date.
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car to Another State?
It depends on distance, not the state line. Neighboring states usually take 1 to 3 days in transit, a few states away 3 to 5 days, and coast to coast 7 to 10 days. Add 1 to 5 business days for pickup. Our car shipping transit time guide has a full table by distance.
What Paperwork Do You Need to Ship a Car to Another State?
For the Shipment
Shipping a car within the U.S. needs very little paperwork:
- A photo ID for whoever releases and receives the car
- A set of keys, including any key needed for the trunk or gas cap
- Your registration and proof of insurance, in case the carrier asks for them
- The bill of lading, which you and the driver sign at pickup and delivery
You do not usually need the title to ship a car between states. You may need it if the car has just been sold, or if the company asks for proof of ownership. If someone else will hand over or receive the car, tell the company their name in advance.
After You Arrive: Registering the Car in Your New State
Registering in your new state is a separate step from shipping, and each state sets its own rules and deadlines, some as short as 10 days after you become a resident. Check your new state’s DMV website for the exact list. It usually includes:
- Your out-of-state title, or details of your lender if the car is financed
- Your current registration and a new driver’s license or ID
- Proof of insurance that meets the new state’s minimums
- A safety inspection, emissions test or VIN check, depending on the state
- Payment of title, registration and any sales or use taxes
Keep your old registration and insurance active until the car arrives, and tell your insurer about the move so your policy reflects your new address.
Shipping a Car to Another State in Common Situations
- Moving for a new job: ask whether your relocation package covers vehicle shipping. See shipping a car for a new job in another state.
- Buying a car out of state: the seller hands over the car and the title, and you register it in your home state. See how to ship a car bought at an online auction.
- Sending a car to a college student: book early, since late summer is one of the busiest times for car shipping. See our college car shipping checklist.
- A leased or financed car: check whether your lease or loan asks you to tell the lender when you move states. See how to ship a leased car.
- More than one car: shipping two cars on the same truck usually lowers the price per car. See how to ship multiple vehicles at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to transport a car from one state to another?
For most moves over a few hundred miles, door-to-door shipping on an open carrier. It costs the least of the shipping options, adds no miles to the car and lets you fly or drive ahead. Choose enclosed for a classic, luxury or high-value car.
How much does it cost to ship a car to another state?
On an open carrier, typically $400 to $700 for trips under 500 miles, $700 to $1,100 for 1,000 to 1,500 miles and $1,000 to $1,700 for 2,000 miles or more. Enclosed usually costs 40 to 60 percent more.
What is the cheapest way to move a car from one state to another?
An open carrier booked with a flexible pickup window. Terminal-to-terminal can cost a little less if you can drop off and collect the car yourself. For short moves, driving it yourself is often cheapest.
How long does it take to ship a car to another state?
Usually 1 to 3 days in transit for neighboring states, 3 to 5 days for a few states away and 7 to 10 days coast to coast, plus 1 to 5 business days for pickup.
Do I register my car in the new state before or after shipping?
After. Ship the car on your current registration and insurance, then register it in the new state once it arrives and you have an address there. Many states need to inspect the car or check its VIN, which they can only do once it is in the state.
Can I ship a car to another state without the title?
Usually, yes. Domestic car shipping normally needs your registration and a photo ID, not the title. You will need the title, or your lender’s details, when you register the car in the new state.
Can someone else release or receive my car?
Yes. Any adult you name can hand the car over or receive it. Give the company their name and phone number in advance, and make sure they inspect the car and sign the bill of lading.
Can I put belongings in the car?
Most carriers allow up to about 100 pounds in the trunk, below the window line. Those items are not insured, and household goods need a mover.
Ship Your Car to Another State With ABC Auto Shipping
ABC Auto Shipping is a licensed broker (USDOT #2340626, MC #797279) that matches your car with an insured carrier for door-to-door transport from state to state. Get a free quote and compare open and enclosed prices for your route. There is no deposit to book.
