At Nexus, our mission is to deliver top-notch car shipping services, executed by dependable drivers, at competitive prices. So, when Nexus Auto Transport had the opportunity to partner with Matt Hardigree of The Autopian for a unique cross-country car shipping experience, we saw a perfect fit. Matt entrusted us with shipping his new Honda CR-V Hybrid from the West Coast to the East, so we were determined to give his vehicle the professional care it deserved.
From Set-Up to Booking in No Time Flat
Nexus prides itself on full transparency for over a decade, connecting thousands of customers to five-star drivers from the Pacific to the Atlantic. So, we wanted this partnering event to provide a similarly transparent look at how our business operates.
Matt lives in New York and bought the car from Galpin Honda in LA. (One of The Autopian's founders owns the dealership.) Although he considered driving the car himself or using another car shipping company that gave him mixed results in the past, he gave us a shot at shipping his car via an open transport trailer.
What made our connection with Matt so natural was that he wanted to work through our process like a typical consumer to make sure we were the right company for the job. He liked what he saw.
Our easy-to-use instant car shipping calculator sets us apart from other transport companies in the marketplace, so Matt used our calculator to secure a quote and move through scheduling.
We offered Matt a fair market rate of $1,755 for door-to-door delivery from Los Angeles to New York, based on driver availability, supply and demand, fuel costs, and other factors. From there, it was time to put together one heck of a ride for another one of our valued customers.
Scheduling and Shipping (With A Twist)
Matt paid for his shipment in advance, and James, our dispatch manager, handled the rest. Matt could step aside as James expertly coordinated with Galpin Honda to get his CR-V on the road.
James found the right, fully insured trucking partner for the job and connected our partner with Galpin to schedule a pickup. The pickup included the customary full walkaround inspection to note any potential scratches, dings, and dents.
We even scheduled the delivery of Matt's CR-V a day earlier than he asked. Since some paperwork still needed to be completed, our carrier partner stayed flexible and arranged the pickup for the following morning.
As you can see in this Instagram reel, our driver loaded Matt's CR-V with trademark efficiency and professionalism. An onboard camera accompanied the driver, Beck, and chronicled the 3,000-plus-mile cross-country car shipping experience from the sunny skies of LA to the bustling streets of New York. The Autopian then edited the footage into a brilliant time-lapse of the hauler's coast-to-coast journey across varied landscapes to NYC.
Matt noted that everything Nexus does is designed to make life easier for our clients. We handle everything from pickup to delivery, leaving no detail unchecked.
Quicker and Better Than Expected
Our commitment to full-service shipping management let Matt relax and monitor his CR-V through his preferred channels: text and email. We initially estimated a 7- or 8-day delivery window, but our trucking partner cut that drive time by a couple of days. James and Beck contacted Matt to ensure he was okay with an earlier drop-off.
He was glad we did, since he was heading out on a camping trip and worried about delays. Even with routine road hazards, road closures, and other potential pitfalls, Nexus got Matt his new ride with plenty of time to spare.
Nexus even brought Matt's car right to his door! We had previously arranged a drop-off at a nearby Home Depot parking lot because Matt's street is so narrow, yet Beck offloaded the car in front of Matt's place with no problems.
Matt was extremely gracious, providing Beck with both an optional (yet much appreciated) tip and a box of Girl Scout cookies. After a thorough walkaround inspection and a sign-off, everything was settled, and Matt's upgrade from a beat-up Subaru Forester was complete.
Delivering On What We Promise
We asked Matt to be honest about every aspect of his order, and his feedback was very positive. Other than the expected road dust, his CR-V was in the same condition as when it was loaded, and he was pleased with the secure, efficient service he received for the cost-effective price he was quoted.
Matt was so impressed with how James and our driver, Beck, conducted themselves that he recommended us to a friend. We had a blast working with The Autopian to make this all happen. We're very honored that our work met and exceeded the standards of one of the most entertaining automotive content providers out there.
Thanks again for shipping with Nexus, Matt. We're excited to work with you again.
(Nexus is a proud paid partner of The Autopian. We are their preferred shipper for domestic routes and offer them a discount on our services. You can also read his view of the experience working with Nexus Auto Transport here.)
Comparison of Cross-Country Car Shipping Methods
Transport Option |
Average Transit Time |
Weather Protection |
Best Used For |
|---|---|---|---|
Open Car Transport |
7 to 10 days coast to coast (2,500+ miles) |
None. The vehicle rides on an uncovered two-deck trailer, fully exposed for the entire run |
Standard daily drivers: family sedans, SUVs, pickups and used-car purchases |
Enclosed Car Transport |
7 to 10 days on the road — the same drive time as open service; longer wait for pickup |
Complete. Hard-sided trailers put solid walls and a roof between the vehicle and everything outside |
Collector, classic and antique vehicles; Exotics and luxury cars, particularly anything valued above roughly $100,000 |
Expedited Shipping |
Pickup in 24 to 48 hours, not standard 1 to 5 day dispatch window; same transit time |
Depends on whether paired with open or enclosed carrier |
Hard deadlines with a real cost attached: a job start date, a military report date, a home closing, an auction or sale window |
FAQs
Why did The Autopian choose open transport for the Honda CR-V Hybrid?
A Honda CR-V is a compact crossover that fits solidly in the daily driver category. With few exceptions, daily drivers don't require the protection offered by enclosed transport, which results in a substantially lower price for transporting the vehicle across the country.
How was the $1,755 shipping price determined?
In general, the price to transport a vehicle across the country is a function of:
- Open vs. Closed Carrier: Matt chose to ship his car via an open carrier, which is less expensive than an enclosed carrier.
- Carrier Availability: The trip from LA to NYC is a heavily traveled run, so high driver availability keeps prices low.
- Vehicle Size/Weight: As a compact crossover, Matt's Honda CR-V easily fits into a lower slot on the trailer.
- Per-Mile Efficiency: The LA to NYC trip is a very efficient run for carriers because they can pick up a full load in one metro area and drop it in another. No need to detour off the interstate system along the way.
- Fuel Costs: Auto transport pricing always accounts for diesel fuel costs at the time of the trip.
As noted, we factored each of these into the price we posted on the load board.
How did Nexus keep The Autopian updated during the shipment?
Nexus keeps customers informed of their shipment status via text and email, which were Matt's preferred communication methods. As always, he was also free to call our customer service team during the trip.
Since the cross-country trip went smoothly, we reached out to Matt to confirm his availability for an early drop-off, which fit his schedule and let him start his camping trip earlier than expected.
What happens if a residential street is difficult for a car carrier to access?
New York City and other metro areas can challenge door-to-door delivery because of narrow streets, tree branches, and legal restrictions. When carriers face those challenges, they contact the shipper to identify a nearby location better suited for vehicle delivery.
Typical alternative drop-off locations include major arterial roads, big-box parking lots, industrial parks, and similar sites with enough space for an 80-foot rig and unloading room behind the trailer.
