A standard sedan shipped coast to coast on an open carrier usually costs $1,200–$2,000 one way. Most common East Coast-to-West Coast moves land around $1,300–$1,800 when the vehicle runs, the pickup and delivery points are near major highways, and your dates are reasonably flexible.
That is a planning range : not a promise and not a bait price.
Your actual number depends on the route, vehicle size, carrier capacity, trailer type, timing, pickup conditions, and delivery requirements. The quote should show those inputs clearly. It should also show what the carrier is paid, whether the price will hold, and what happens if the vehicle arrives with a documented issue.
Every other transport site can show you a low number first and explain the rest later. Do not compare teaser prices. Compare the complete shipment.
Tank Worldwide’s car shipping cost guide uses route, vehicle, timing, and service inputs to show live pricing. The quote separates the total price from carrier pay before you book.
Cross-country car shipping costs at a glance
For a standard sedan on an open carrier, use these ranges as a starting point:
| Route type | Typical miles | Open transport planning range | Enclosed transport planning range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regional move | Under 500 | $400–$750 | $700–$1,200 |
| Mid-distance move | 500–1,000 | $600–$950 | $950–$1,500 |
| Long regional move | 1,000–2,000 | $800–$1,400 | $1,300–$2,100 |
| Coast-to-coast move | 2,500–3,300 | $1,200–$2,000 | $1,900–$2,900+ |
These are not fixed menu prices. They are realistic working bands for a running, standard-size vehicle using a normal pickup window.
An SUV, pickup, luxury vehicle, oversized vehicle, inoperable car, enclosed trailer, or narrow pickup deadline can move the price higher.
For a current lane-specific estimate, use Tank Worldwide’s instant quote tool. You see service tiers, transit windows, the total price, and the carrier payment before accepting the shipment.
Popular route prices you can use for planning
Route matters more than mileage alone. A 1,300-mile move on a heavily traveled corridor may cost less than a shorter trip through rural areas with limited carrier capacity.
The ranges below are representative examples for a standard sedan on an open carrier. They are designed to help you identify an unusually low or high quote before you commit.
Los Angeles to New York: about $1,300–$1,900
This is one of the clearest examples of true cross-country car shipping. The route covers roughly 2,886 miles and follows major east-west corridors with regular carrier traffic.
Tank Worldwide’s published lane data shows a standard sedan example at approximately:
- Open transport: $1,705
- Enclosed transport: $2,765
- Economy transit: roughly 8–11 days
- Recommended transit: roughly 6–9 days
- Priority transit: roughly 5–7 days
An open-carrier quote around $1,300–$1,800 may be reasonable when capacity is healthy and the pickup and delivery points are close to major metro areas. A larger SUV or a firm pickup date can push the quote above $2,000.
Check the Los Angeles to New York lane on the Tank rate index before booking. The index is built from accepted carrier pay and platform fees on completed bookings : not from an advertised lead price.
New York to California: about $1,300–$2,000
Northbound and westbound movements can price differently depending on the exact California destination. Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Bay Area do not have identical carrier supply.
Expect a standard sedan on an open carrier to land in the broad $1,300–$2,000 range. Enclosed transport often runs $1,900–$2,900 or more.
The important comparison is not simply “New York to California.” Check:
- The actual pickup ZIP code
- The exact California delivery ZIP code
- Open or enclosed transport
- Flexible or guaranteed pickup
- Running or non-running condition
- Standard or priority service
A quote that says “California” without showing the actual lane is not detailed enough to compare.
Miami to New York: about $950–$1,500
Miami-to-New York is a major north-south corridor, but it is also affected by snowbird demand. Rates can rise when customers move vehicles north in spring or south in fall and winter.
Tank’s current rate index lists an example around:
- Distance: 1,289 miles
- Open transport: $1,050
- Enclosed transport: $1,700
- Recent trend: rising with seasonal demand
A normal sedan may price below $1,000 during a soft capacity period or above $1,400 during a high-demand window. Flexible dates can help you avoid paying for a truck that has to rearrange its entire route around your schedule.
New York to Miami: about $1,000–$1,600
The southbound route often follows I-95 and has strong carrier volume. That usually supports competitive pricing, but demand spikes when snowbirds move vehicles toward Florida.
A sedan shipped open from the New York metro area to Miami commonly falls in the $1,000–$1,600 planning range. Enclosed transport is commonly closer to $1,600–$2,300.
If a quote is far below that range, check the terms. It may exclude the platform fee, assume terminal delivery, use an unrealistic pickup window, or change after a carrier is assigned.
Texas to Florida: about $800–$1,200
Texas-to-Florida moves are long enough to require real planning but short enough to cost less than a coast-to-coast shipment. Dallas, Houston, Austin, Tampa, Orlando, and Miami can all produce different numbers.
A standard sedan usually falls around $800–$1,200 on an open carrier. Pickup or delivery outside the main metro corridors can add cost because the driver may need to travel extra miles without a vehicle to haul on the return leg.
Tank’s transport service page can help you review common routes and service options before requesting a quote.
California to Texas: about $950–$1,600
California-to-Texas traffic includes a high-volume southern route, but pricing can change quickly as trucks fill in one direction and look for return loads.
Plan on $950–$1,600 for a standard sedan on an open carrier. Enclosed transport may run $1,500–$2,300.
The lower end is more likely when:
- Your pickup is near Los Angeles, San Diego, or another dense metro
- Your delivery is near Dallas, Houston, Austin, or San Antonio
- You provide a broad pickup window
- The vehicle runs and rolls normally
- You choose open transport
Chicago to Los Angeles: about $950–$1,400
Chicago-to-Los Angeles covers roughly 2,000 miles. It is a long move, but it is not always priced like a full coast-to-coast run.
A standard sedan commonly lands around $950–$1,400 on an open carrier. Larger vehicles often sit near the upper end or move beyond it. Enclosed service may run $1,600–$2,300.
A quote near $700 may look attractive, but it deserves scrutiny. Ask whether the number includes the full carrier payment and whether the pickup window is realistic.
Seattle to Miami: about $1,400–$2,300
This diagonal route covers more miles and may involve mountain passes, weather exposure, and fewer direct carrier options than major east-west corridors.
A standard sedan may cost $1,400–$2,300 on an open carrier, with enclosed transport often exceeding $2,300.
The route can price higher than Los Angeles-to-New York even when both are cross-country because the carrier may have fewer efficient backhaul opportunities.
Why long routes cost less per mile
Short car shipments often have a high per-mile rate. A carrier still has to spend time loading, documenting, routing, and unloading the vehicle, even when the distance is only a few hundred miles.
Long routes spread those fixed operating costs across more miles.
Tank Worldwide’s pricing guide gives these approximate per-mile benchmarks:
- Under 200 miles: about $1.85 per mile
- 500–1,000 miles: about $0.88 per mile
- More than 2,000 miles: about $0.55 per mile
That does not mean you should multiply the mileage by a single universal rate. Fuel, tolls, route demand, truck capacity, and vehicle space all matter. Use per-mile pricing as a sanity check, not as the final quote.
The six factors that move your shipping price
1. Vehicle size takes trailer space
A sedan is usually the least expensive standard vehicle to ship. SUVs, minivans, pickups, and large trucks take more deck space and can add weight to the load.
For the Los Angeles-to-New York example, Tank Worldwide lists approximate open-transport pricing of:
- Sedan or coupe: $1,705
- SUV or minivan: $1,945
- Pickup or large SUV: $2,150
- Oversized or modified vehicle: $2,475
Do not compare a sedan quote with a pickup quote and call the difference a hidden fee. Compare vehicles with similar dimensions and conditions.
2. Open versus enclosed transport changes the total
Open transport is the standard option. Your vehicle travels on a multi-car trailer exposed to normal road conditions. It is usually the most economical choice for everyday cars.
Enclosed transport places the vehicle inside a trailer or behind protective sides. It offers more protection from road debris and weather and is often chosen for:
- Classic cars
- Collector vehicles
- Exotic cars
- Restored vehicles
- High-value luxury cars
Enclosed service commonly runs 40%–60% more than open transport on comparable routes. Tank’s open versus enclosed guide explains the difference without burying the cost gap.
3. Timing can add 20% or more
A flexible pickup window gives the carrier room to match your shipment with an existing route. A narrow deadline removes that flexibility.
Tank Worldwide’s published pricing guide estimates that a guaranteed pickup date can cost about 22% more than a flexible window. Priority service can also increase the price by several hundred dollars on a long route.
Pay more for a firm deadline when you need it. Do not pay for one by accident. Check whether the quote includes:
- Pickup window
- Estimated transit time
- Guaranteed or target delivery date
- Priority dispatch
- Storage if the delivery appointment changes
“Fast” is not a service level. A credible quote names the window.
4. Rural locations create deadhead miles
Metro-to-metro shipping is usually cheaper because carriers already operate there and can fill multiple spaces on a trailer.
Remote pickup and delivery locations can add cost because the driver may need to leave the main route, travel empty miles, or arrange a nearby meeting point.
You can sometimes reduce the price by choosing a safe, accessible location near a major city or highway. The carrier should approve the location in advance. Do not ask a truck to enter a narrow residential street, low-clearance area, private road, or restricted facility simply to preserve a quote.
5. Vehicle condition affects loading
A running vehicle that starts, rolls, brakes, and steers normally is easier to load.
A non-running vehicle may require a winch, forklift, special ramps, or additional loading time. Tank Worldwide’s guide estimates an additional $175 or so for winch loading in a typical case.
Tell the truth about the vehicle’s condition. “Runs” and “drives” are not interchangeable. Disclose:
- Dead battery
- Flat tires
- Locked wheels
- Mechanical failure
- Missing keys
- Suspension problems
- Modified ride height
- Inoperable brakes
A low quote based on incomplete vehicle information is not a low final cost.
6. Season and capacity move the market
Auto transport is a capacity market. Prices rise when more customers compete for available trucks and fall when carriers need loads on a lane.
Common demand patterns include:
- Southbound snowbird moves in fall and winter
- Northbound snowbird moves in spring
- Holiday congestion
- Winter weather on northern routes
- Vehicle auction cycles
- Dealer inventory movements
- College and relocation seasons
Tank’s vehicle transport rate index tracks lane pricing and recent movement. If a lane is rising, booking earlier may help you lock the current rate. If capacity is healthy, a flexible pickup window may produce a better number.
Compare quotes fairly : not just quickly
The best auto transport companies make quote comparison easy by showing the same information for every option. If the details are missing, you are comparing marketing claims instead of shipments.
Match the shipment details
Every quote should use the same:
- Pickup and delivery ZIP codes
- Vehicle year, make, model, and size
- Running or non-running condition
- Open or enclosed transport
- Pickup window
- Delivery expectation
- Door-to-door or terminal service
A quote for a flexible open carrier cannot be fairly compared with a guaranteed enclosed shipment.
Find the complete price
Ask what the displayed number includes. Look for separate line items covering:
- Carrier transportation
- Platform or broker fee
- Enclosed service
- Expedited service
- Non-running loading
- Rural access
- Storage
- Taxes or other required charges
Tank Worldwide shows the full price and the carrier payment upfront. That distinction matters. You should know whether the driver is being offered enough to accept the route, not just what the marketplace displays as a starting number.
Check whether the price will hold
The lowest quote is useless if it changes after you give your information.
Tank’s Price Lock Guarantee holds payment in escrow until delivery passes inspection. The carrier is paid after the delivery process, not simply because a truck was assigned. That creates a financial checkpoint tied to the actual handoff.
Read the conditions before accepting any guarantee. A real guarantee has a mechanism, a trigger, and a defined process.
Review the actual carrier
A broker can promise a service. The carrier performs the physical move.
The Tank carrier directory displays carrier information such as:
- FMCSA authority
- Insurance information
- On-time percentage
- Cancellation rate
- Claims history
- Verified reviews
- Shipment history
- Response performance
Tank’s Best Match ranking considers performance and route fit rather than simply sorting by the lowest bid. A carrier with a slightly higher quote may be the more practical choice if it has a stronger on-time record and fewer cancellations.
Confirm pickup verification
Double-brokering creates confusion about who is actually hauling your vehicle. The company you contact may not be the company that arrives.
Tank Worldwide uses VIN-verified pickup and geofenced driver check-in. The driver’s location is captured, the vehicle VIN is checked, and the pickup record identifies the actual movement. If a different truck appears, the mismatch can be flagged before the shipment proceeds.
The paperwork should protect your money and your vehicle
The digital Bill of Lading is not paperwork to ignore. It is the shipment record.
At pickup, the driver should document:
- Vehicle identity
- Exterior condition
- Existing scratches, dents, chips, and damage
- Interior condition
- Odometer reading
- Personal items, if permitted
- Pickup location and timestamp
- Photos from multiple angles
At delivery, the condition report should be repeated. Compare the pickup and delivery photos before signing. If you see a new issue, document it immediately with clear photographs and written notes.
Tank’s workflow captures photo condition reports at both checkpoints. Funds remain in escrow until delivery passes inspection and any discrepancy is recorded for review.
That is more useful than a generic “insured carrier” badge. You need evidence tied to your actual vehicle and actual handoff.
How Tank Worldwide shows the cost before you book
Tank Worldwide is a vehicle transportation marketplace, not a lead form that distributes your phone number to a list of brokers.
The workflow is direct:
- Enter your pickup ZIP, delivery ZIP, and vehicle details.
- See instant pricing across service levels.
- Review the total price and exactly what the carrier gets paid.
- Compare FMCSA-verified carrier profiles and performance metrics.
- Select a Best Match based on route fit and operating history.
- Lock the accepted price.
- Verify pickup with a VIN scan and geofenced check-in.
- Review the digital Bill of Lading and photo condition report.
- Track live shipment milestones.
- Inspect at delivery before escrow releases payment.
No lead resale. No spam calls : ever.
The support system is available 24/7 and knows your actual shipment details, including the route, carrier, vehicle, timing, and current milestone. It is run by AI, answerable to humans. Ask a question at 2 a.m. for a fast shipment-specific answer. Escalate a sensitive payment, damage, or carrier issue to a person.
Use How it works to review the complete process before you request a quote.
Should you ship the car or drive it?
For a short move, driving may cost less. For a cross-country trip, calculate the complete expense instead of comparing shipping with fuel alone.
Driving can include:
- Fuel
- Hotels
- Meals
- Tolls
- Time away from work
- Tire wear
- Oil and maintenance
- Added mileage
- Depreciation
- Weather and road risk
Once the trip passes roughly 700 miles, shipping often becomes competitive when those costs are included. A flight to your destination may also be cheaper than driving two days, especially if you need to arrive for work or a move.
Get a quote, then compare the all-in driving cost. Do not assume the lowest visible cash expense is the lowest total expense.
A practical cross-country shipping checklist
Before you accept a quote, confirm:
- The route uses exact pickup and delivery ZIP codes.
- The vehicle size is correct.
- The vehicle condition is accurately described.
- The quote states open or enclosed transport.
- The pickup window is clear.
- The delivery estimate is realistic.
- All fees are shown.
- The carrier payment is visible.
- The carrier’s authority and performance metrics are available.
- The price-lock terms are written.
- Insurance and claims procedures are explained.
- Pickup and delivery photos are required.
- You know where to track milestones.
- You know who handles escalation.
- Your phone number will not be sold or distributed.
If any answer is unclear, ask the concierge before booking.
Final cost guide
For a standard running sedan:
- East Coast to West Coast: usually $1,300–$2,000 open
- West Coast to East Coast: usually $1,300–$2,000 open
- South to North: commonly $950–$1,600 open
- Texas to Florida: commonly $800–$1,200 open
- California to Texas: commonly $950–$1,600 open
- Chicago to Los Angeles: commonly $950–$1,400 open
- Enclosed cross-country transport: often $1,900–$2,900+
- Expedited cross-country service: often $2,200–$3,100
Use these figures to plan. Then price the exact lane.
The best auto transport companies do not ask you to trust a vague estimate. They show the route, the carrier, the service level, the carrier pay, the evidence checkpoints, and the conditions that control the final price.
See your price. Then check whether the number holds.
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