Shipping a Car from One State to Another: What You Need to Know

Shipping a Car from One State to Another

Shipping a car isn’t as complicated as it seems. That is, of course, if you do a little research before trying to do so.

A Lot of People Make This One Big Mistake

They load Google and type, “How do you ship a car from one state to another?” The results page is a mixed bag of goodies, some useful and some not so helpful. So, how do you weed through the nonsense?

Here’s how

You need to consider several important things when you are looking to ship your car domestically in the United States:

• How do you want to ship your vehicle?
• Where are you trying to haul your vehicle?
• Does the state you are taking it to have any specific regulations?
• Do you have proper documentation showing ownership or the vehicle's right to haul?
• Do you plan to buy additional insurance to protect your vehicle during transportation?
• Are you going to hire an experienced company to facilitate the move?

All of these questions are important to ask. Hauling a car can be time-consuming if you don’t do it right. Many people think they can simply call a shipping company and load their car on a truck. It’s not that easy.

• Interstate open carrier transport averages $600–$1,300, making it significantly cheaper than driving routes exceeding 700–800 miles in fuel and wear costs.
• Most state-to-state shipments are delivered in 2–7 days; regional routes under 500 miles often arrive in 1–2 days via door-to-door service.
• Carriers must hold active DOT authority and issue a bill of lading at pickup documenting vehicle condition, which is required for all interstate transport.

How Do You Want to Ship Your Car to Another State?

When it comes to transporting a car to another state, there are several options, each with its own benefits, depending on your budget, timeline, and vehicle type.

• Ship Your Car by Rail: Rail transport is fast but often the most expensive. It’s ideal if speed is your top priority and you don’t mind paying a premium to quickly get your car across the country.
• Open Carrier Transport: The most common and budget-friendly method to ship a car to another state is by open truck. These carriers can haul multiple vehicles at once, making them more economical. However, your car will be exposed to the elements during transit.
• Enclosed Carrier Transport: For added protection, especially with high-value or classic cars, an enclosed truck shields your vehicle from weather and road debris. While more expensive than open transport, it offers peace of mind for long-distance hauls.

Many people consider driving their car themselves across state lines, but the wear and tear, fuel costs, and time involved often make shipping the better choice. Professional auto transport services offer a reliable solution if you're wondering how to ship a car from one state to another safely and efficiently.

Don’t Make This Mistake

Trust us, you don’t want to drive 2,797 miles. That will take you over 41 hours of pure driving. You are probably wondering how much this will cost you. There are no one-size-fits-all answers to this question.

The Main Things That Tend to Influence Price the Most Are:

• Distance
• Delivery method
• Turnaround time
• Size
• Fuel prices

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and to shop around for quotes. One of the easiest ways to get a quick price is to use our shipping cost calculator. Why would you want to pay more?

Where Are You Trying to Transport Your Vehicle?

This is an important question to ask because it will dictate how long and how much it will cost to ship your car.

Here are a Few Tips to Lower Your Cost:

• Make sure your car is ready to go at shipment time.
• Try to transport it along major shipment networks
• Be aware of fuel prices
• Try to avoid shipping at the start and end of winter

These suggestions may seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t understand why. There is a lot of competition in the auto-hauling industry.

But that’s a good thing for you

That means that you are often getting the best price because these companies fear that they will lose your business to their competition. Just follow the rules we listed above, and you’ll be fine.

Know the Vehicle Regulations in Your Destination State

Before you ship a car to another state, it’s essential to understand that each state has its own DMV requirements. In most cases, you’ll need to register the vehicle, provide proof of ownership, and show that it's insured in the new state. Since rules can vary, it’s smart to call the DMV in your destination state to ask about any specific steps you need to take after delivery.

Make Sure You Have Proper Ownership Documentation

To legally transport a car to another state, you must prove that you either own the vehicle or have the legal right to ship it. This might seem like a given, but it’s a common reason for shipment delays. Reputable shipping companies will always verify documentation to prevent unauthorized or suspicious shipments so have your title, bill of sale, or lienholder authorization ready before you schedule transport.

It happens all the time.

Look, we know that shipping a vehicle is hard enough as it is. Don’t make it any more complicated by trying to skirt the law. If you want to do this properly, make sure you have the following:

• The Original registration and title for the car
• A notarized letter from a bank for a vehicle that has a lien on it
• Proof of current insurance for the car
• I.D.
• Hauling a car is serious business, and many strict rules must be followed before any shipment occurs.

Do You Plan to Buy Additional Insurance to Protect Your Vehicle During Transportation?

The answer to this is yes and no.

Confusing right? Let me explain

We recommend that you start by asking the following questions:

• What type of damage does the company cover?
• Do they only cover specific sections of the vehicle?
• What is the minimum coverage?
• Do they have a deductible?
• If so, how much is the deductible?
• Will they cover damaged accessories like spoilers or mirrors?

Auto shipping companies are legally obligated to carry some form of minimum insurance, which covers the cost of damage for most vehicles.

If you are moving an extremely valuable or rare car, you will want to upgrade your insurance to keep your vehicle safe.

Accidents happen, and there is no way to predict when the unexpected will happen.

Here’s what we recommend

Take the time to read the shipping company's insurance policy, you are looking to hire if they avoid letting you look at it, RUN!

If the company stands by its reputation and is serious about its work, it will more than likely share it with you.

In most cases, your default car insurance will also cover certain types of damage. Call your insurance provider to find out what they cover and if you can upgrade your insurance during the shipment.

You can also try this

The best form of insurance is thoroughness. We always recommend that you take photos of your vehicle and document any dents and scratches before hauling it.

You will also want to ensure that your auto-shipping company documents your concerns to create a paper trail.

This will help you prove any damage that may have been caused during transportation.

One more thing!

Many people make the mistake of trying to ship their car without cleaning it.

All reputable haulers will refuse to ship your car unless it is completely empty. It has nothing to do with an obsession with cleanliness and more to do with reducing liability and increasing safety.

Shipping a car is tough. The last thing a shipping company wants to deal with is multiple damaged cars because something inside of your vehicle smashed through the window and damaged another car.

Let me explain

You will need to do the following to ship your vehicle:

• Please give it a solid wash to remove all dirt. This will help you identify any dents and scratches.
• Document all damage.
• Clean the interior of your car, including the trunk!
• Inflate your tires and charge your battery
• Top off your fluids
• Drive your car to near empty to reduce weight
• Report any mechanical problems before shipping
• Secure your hardtop if you are hauling a convertible
• Fold your side mirrors in and retract your antenna

This may seem like a lot, but doing your due diligence will save you a lot of potential trouble and make your shipping company happy.

We don’t enjoy being bossy, we just want to ensure everyone’s car makes it safely and on time.

Are You Going to Hire an Experienced Firm to Facilitate the Move?

There is nothing wrong with trying to ship your car yourself. It is challenging, but it is possible.

Haulers spend decades building networks, competing on price, and have deep insights into their industry.

You Paid a Lot of Money for Your Automobile– Protect It

Here, A-1 A-T, we understand that you worked hard to buy your vehicle.

Whether you are hauling a Nissan Leaf or a classic 1970s Ford Mustang doesn't matter. We treat all cars the same because your vehicle is unique to you.

If you are nervous about the process, don’t have the time to coordinate the shipment, or just want peace of mind, hire a professional car shipping company.

Shipping a car across state lines is pretty easy when you have a company with decades of experience overseeing the shipment.

Still feeling overwhelmed?

No problem. We’re here to help. Give us a call today!