From the back roads to the highways, you've likely spotted long-distance car transportation trucks while out and about. You may have seen giant open carriers moving between five and nine automobiles on their trailers.

Enclosed trailers often prove more elusive due to the roof and walls shielding their vehicles, but you've probably passed by some of these, too. Their treasure of investment-worthy vehicles is hidden from public view.

And then, of course, some individuals move cars individually on rented trailers or using tow bars. But when it comes to major interstate or cross-country moves, a tow bar or trailer won't cut it. Instead, you'll need the services of an auto transport company.

What is Long-Distance Car Transportation?

Long-distance auto transport is when you a ship a car a significant distance across a large state, across state lines, across the country, or internationally. The best long-distance car moving services offer full-service, door-to-door car shipping options that simplify the vehicle transport process for you, the auto shipping customer.

When you need car service long-distance, look for companies like Nexus Auto Transport with a reputation for safe, secure, efficient long-distance vehicle transport. When you ship a vehicle with the right company, the benefits far outweight the potential negatives.

What Are The Benefits of Long-Distance Car Transport?

Long-distance transport offers so many benefits compared to other shipping methods that it was hard to break things down into a concise list. But, we did our best to pare things down into a list of the 8 key benefits of long-distance car transportation.

7 Benefits of Long-Distance Car Transport

It saves you time.
It saves you gas money, lodging expenses, and other costs of moving a car yourself.
It safeguards your vehicle from added wear and tear, miles, and potential damages when driving.
It’s incredibly efficient and practical, especially if you choose a door-to-door car transport service.
You can schedule a shipment in seconds and have someone else do the work.
With enclosed long-distance car shipping, you can protect a vintage or beloved vehicle from environmental hazards and road debris.
It's often more cost-effective overall than other methods of moving a car.

What Services Do Long-Distance Car Transport Companies Offer?

Long-distance transport companies provide a combination of safety, convenience, and efficiency when you need to ship a car. Most companies offer basic open hauling for long-distance shipping and enclosed hauling services for added protection.

And with a top-level company like Nexus, you can receive specialized long-distance transportation services for everything from golf carts to priceless antiques -- along with help coordinating moving services and international transport.

This is all well and good, you're probably thinking. But, how much does long-distance transport cost?

How Much Does Long-Distance Car Shipping Cost?

If you’re in the market for cheap long-distance transportation, we’ve put together this easy-to-follow pricing chart based on national car shipping cost averages.

The Average Cost Of Long-Distance Car Transport

Shipment Distance Avg. Cost Per Mile Sample Distance & Price

0-500 miles $0.80 300 miles for $240

501-1000 miles $0.73 750 miles for $548

1001-1500 miles $0.70 1200 miles for $840

1501-2000 miles $0.48 1800 miles for $864

2001-2500 miles $0.37 2500 miles for $925

2501-3000 miles $0.35 2800 miles for $980

over 3000 miles $0.35 3300 miles for $1155

Note: These national averages are for basic open hauling for a mid-sized passenger car, no special circumstances considered. Averages vary based on the particulars of a given shipment.

Now that we’ve covered the basics of long-distance shipping, here are tips you need to know about long-distance car transportation that can significantly reduce the stress and anxiety associated with a move.

Tip One: Give Yourself Plenty of Lead Time

Certain aspects of moving get all of the attention, from finding boxes to hiring private movers or renting a U-Haul. Other vital parts of relocation, such as how your car makes the journey, often get swept under the rug.

Unfortunately, neglecting this critical step in long-distance transport comes with consequences. After all, it's risky to wait until the last minute to book auto transport, especially during a busy time of year.

Not only will waiting too long to book long-distance car transport services limit your choices, but it could lead to delays and added charges for expedited shipping. You also need a clear understanding of how car shipping works so that you can make vital decisions about how you want your car shipped.

We recommend giving yourself plenty of lead time to research and comparison shop different auto shipping companies. Find out what customers have to say about Nexus Auto Transport's superior shipping services.

Tip Two: Comparison Shop Car Shipping Companies

What should long-distance car transport comparison shopping look like? You'll want to begin by getting shipping quotes from a handful of companies servicing your area. The most customer-friendly sites now offer free, no-obligation shipping quotes on their websites.

Remember that at no time should an auto shipping company require a deposit or other obligation to receive a quote. If you encounter companies like this, consider it a red flag and move on.

Use these instantaneous quotes to begin your journey toward purchasing car booking services. Once you've narrowed your search down to shipping quotes that look both favorable and reasonable, verify each company.

Tip Three: Verify Companies You're Considering

To verify a long-distance transport company, double-check that it's adequately licensed and insured. You can do this with a little additional internet research. Check each company you consider on the Better Business Bureau website. There, you can explore customer complaints and reviews.

Next, go to the United States Department of Transportation's site, where you can look up each company's US DOT number. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), all companies involved in interstate commerce must have a US DOT number.

Tip Four: Inquire About Insurance Coverage

Once you've verified that long-distance car transport companies are legally licensed, explore their insurance coverage policies. You can frequently find these listed somewhere on each company's website. Or request a copy over the phone.

Look over this policy carefully and consider running it by your auto insurance agent. That way, you'll get a better sense of just how comprehensive it is and whether or not stop-gap insurance is necessary.

If you decide you need more insurance, inquire with the car shipper about supplemental plans. You should also ask your private auto insurance company about adding more insurance to make sure your vehicle remains fully covered during transport.

The research and verification process detailed above will help you find the best car shipping company to meet your needs. You'll gain peace of mind by doing this homework and finding an experienced, reliable car shipping company.

Tip Five: Choose a Car Shipping Service

Besides doing your research on long-distance car transport businesses, you must understand the different shipping options available to you with car shipping companies. These options impact everything from the final price you pay to the transport conditions your car will enjoy.

Open Carrier Car Transport

For the vast majority of people involved in a long-distance move, going with an open carrier makes the most sense. Yes, your car will get exposed to the elements and hazards of the road. But these risks are comparable to taking your wheels on a road trip.

If you're shipping a daily driver or commuter, this option remains the most popular way to go. It'll save you money in the long run, too.

Enclosed Carrier Car Transport

What about long-distance car transport shipping for investment-worthy vehicles? If you've got an antique, classic, exotic, or race car, go with the more expensive option, enclosed transport. An enclosed carrier will protect your vehicle from the weather, road grime, dust, and other elements encountered during a long haul.

Another choice you'll need to navigate is whether you prefer door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal shipping. Both approaches come with pros and cons. Let's dissect each further in the context of long-distance transport services.

Door-to-Door Shipping

As the name suggests, door-to-door long-distance car shipping means the driver will pick up and drop off your vehicle at the residential addresses of your choice.

In some cases, the driver may also make arrangements to meet you as close as possible to your address. The driver will choose a location that's easy for loading and off-loading.

For example, the driver might make arrangements to meet you for drop-off at the parking lot nearest your neighborhood. This option costs more, but most customers agree it's well worth it for the convenience.

Terminal-to-Terminal Shipping

For those looking for the cheapest possible auto shipping option, terminal-to-terminal shipping is often appealing. That said, you need to do your research carefully to make sure other expenses don't offset the savings you receive.

Terminal-to-terminal shipping requires you to drop your car off at a regional depot and then pick it up from another after transport. While the service costs less, you must factor in other expenses such as how far you live from each terminal and how much gas will cost to drive back and forth.

Unless you can beg, borrow, or steal a ride from a friend or family member, you'll also need a reliable means of leaving and returning to the terminals when you drop off and pick up your car. After calculating costs associated with gas, transportation, and time lost, many people go with door-to-door service.

You must also keep other costs in mind, including the storage fees charged by each terminal for leaving your car on-site for any length of time. Of course, if you've got a tight turnaround and need storage for a vehicle, the terminal approach could come in handy.

Tip Six: Understand the Shipping Process

After you've decided on a company and service type, what's next? Contact the company to book a service date and time. If the dates and destinations you initially reported during comparison shipping are accurate, the final price you receive should match your quote.

That said, shipping costs change based on supply and demand. So, don't be surprised if you notice price variations on different days. Like purchasing an airplane ticket, rates fluctuate due to the popularity of specific dates and times.

Another factor that can impact the final price tag for auto shipping is your pickup and drop-off locations. Urban areas tend to be cheaper because driver's networks visit them more frequently. But rural locations take drivers off their routes, adding time and gas expenses.

When choosing pickup and drop-off dates, know that you must be available to meet the driver for each event. If that's not possible, then you'll need to make arrangements for a trusted individual to meet the driver. This person must inspect and sign off on your car's condition, so don't leave this task to just anybody.

While en route, the best long-distance car transport services will let you track your ride during cross-country car shipping. That way, you'll enjoy peace of mind throughout the process. Finally, you (or a person designated by you) will meet the driver to unload and receive the car after the relocation is complete.

Tip Seven: Cultivating Realistic Expectations

We live in a fast-paced world where consumers expect services yesterday. But when it comes to auto shipping, you must cultivate realistic expectations. After all, the process takes time, and your car will need to fit into a driver's overall hauling schedule.

How long will it take your car to ship? Most long-distance car movers say anywhere from six days to four weeks.

Why the massive discrepancy in these timeframes? Because car transportation relies on many different factors, including current road conditions, traffic patterns, how many vehicles get transported on each hauler, and more.

Some car transport companies pride themselves on fast turnaround times while others ask for extra days to ensure the best service possible. It can be difficult for companies to predict accurate timelines when it comes to auto shipping.

For this reason, most companies provide a buffer to account for potential delays. That said, the majority of cars reach their destinations in six to 12 days.

Tip Eight: Inquire About Payment Options and Documentation

When booking long-distance car movers, most customers are responsible for two payments:

Initial payment due at the time of the reservation
Payment to the driver at the time of delivery
Beyond this, you'll find significant variations when it comes to how payments get tendered. For this reason, ask ahead about acceptable payment types.

Typically, you'll need a debit or credit card to secure a booking. As for drop-off, many companies require a check or cash at the time of delivery. Make sure you have this sorted out ahead of time so that you don't hold up your driver when they arrive with your ride.

Besides having your payment ready, inquire into the documentation the shipping company requires. This documentation changes based on where you're shipping your vehicle to and from.

That said, long-distance car shipping always requires a Bill of Lading and Insurance Terms and Conditions. You'll need to provide lien holder authorization and absent owner authorization for shipments to and from Hawaii.

Some companies also ask for a photo ID, proof of insurance, title, and registration at pickup time. These last items are based on company preference, but make sure you have them ready if needed, or the driver might refuse to accept your car.

Tip Nine: Prep Your Car for Transport

Many customers wonder whether they can transport personal belongings during long-distance car shipping. While some auto hauling companies might permit a limited amount of personal possessions in the vehicle, most don't recommend it.

Extra stuff in your vehicle could throw off the driver's weight maximums. It also represents a theft risk, and carriers don't carry insurance for belongings that might get taken from your car en route.

We recommend not tempting thieves or sketchy long-distance car transport employees with junk in your trunk. What's more, if you don't move it ahead of time, some drivers will refuse to transport your car.

Besides removing unnecessary junk from your car, check your tire pressure, and give it a thorough wash. Make sure the fluid levels are adequate but don't top off the fuel tank. Keeping it around a quarter full is ideal for car transport.

Remember that transport drivers remain on incredibly tight schedules. Make sure your car is prepped ahead of time, so you don't make your driver wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you ship personal items in your car?

Most long-distance car moving companies have stringent guidelines against moving personal items in your car. At Nexus, we advise that you remove all personal belongings before you ship a car. After all, your belongings are not insured during the car shipping process.

Under special circumstances, some drivers might grant exceptions for an added fee. However, please remove all personal items from your automobile unless otherwise agreed upon and noted.

Is your car fully insured during the shipping process?

Looking for the safest bet for car movers long-distance? Choose Nexus! Your vehicle is always fully insured when you use our long-distance auto shipping services. For more information on coverage specifics, contact us at (224) 218-2949. We’ll be happy to assist you.

How do you pay for long-distance car shipping?

At Nexus, you can pay for long-distance car transport services before your shipment with a debit card, credit card, or PayPal account. If there is a balance due when your driver arrives, you can pay them directly via money order, check, or cash.