Ship Car Cross Country: What’s the Cheapest and Safest Way?

When relocating for work, purchasing a vehicle from out of state, or sending a vehicle to a college student, ship a car cross country can seem overwhelming. Finding an automobile transport company that meets the requirements of cost efficiency and safety can be a hassle due to the enormous amount of transport services out there.

At Rapid Auto Shipping, our goal is to make cross-country car shipping secure, affordable, and smooth. In this guide, we will go over the answers to the cheapest and safest ways of shipping a vehicle across the United States without any stress or surprises.

Why Ship a Car Cross Country?

Driving your car may seem to be the most self evident answer, but long-distance driving has its limitations. Road trips have their own set of risks, expenses fuel, lodging, food, and time away from work, along with physical and to top it all off mental strain, add stress on the vehicle making driving not the most ideal option.

This is the reason professional auto transport services are gaining popularity amongst businesses and individuals. In most cases, it is more economical than driving, and simplifies the process while saving time which seems to be a win-win situation.

Cheapest Way to Ship a Car Cross Country

To start off, let’s focus on the most vital aspect to you—saving money.

1. Open Transport Shipping

For cross-country shipping, the most economical way is open transport shipping. This technique involves loading the vehicle on an open trailer with tons of other vehicles. This is the most common practice, and this option is the cheapest in the USA.

At Rapid Auto Shipping, our open transport carriers are fully insured, licensed, and equipped to handle your vehicle with care, so you know it is safe. With us, this option makes the most sense when it comes to choosing price and dependability.

2. Book Online Early

Getting a car shipping service while you still have time can help you save some money. Unlike early bookers, last-minute requests usually need to pay hefty charges. Booking the shipment 1-2 weeks prior, usually gets you the best rates.

3. Pay Attention to Delivery Dates

Flexibility when it comes to time can be beneficial and result in cutting down costs. For customers who are not in a hurry, selecting a standard delivery option instead of expedited shipping can help in slashing the shipping fees significantly.

4. Terminal-to-Terminal Shipping (Optional)

This method is not as popular as door-to-door shipping, but can save you some bucks. In these cases, you drop off and pick up your car at specific pre-defined locations, which also makes it cheaper. But the convenience of this term is lacking, and it is not available everywhere.

Cross Country Vehicle Transport: Tips for Safest Shipping

While cutting down costs is essential, having peace of mind is equally important. We explain how you can efficiently transport a vehicle across the country without any hassle or safety concerns.

1. Go With Registered And Insured Transport Companies

Only work with registered transport companies. Here at Rapid Auto Shipping, we are fully licensed under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) with full insurance coverage on all vehicles in transit.

No matter if it is a family SUV or a luxury car, we make sure that every vehicle is safeguarded through the entire journey.

2. Best For Expensive Cars- Use Enclosed Transport

If you need to ship exotic, luxury, or even classic cars, you should opt for covered or enclosed transport. Although it is pricier than open transport, it provides much better defense against the elements, road debris, and even prying eyes.

For high-value or fragile cars, this is the safest way to ship a car cross country.

3. Vehicle Inspection Before Loading & Insurance Coverage

Your vehicle undergoes an inspection before being loaded on the trailer. This inspection also creates a report that is jointly signed by the driver and yourself or your representative attesting to the document. This process helps in documenting the vehicle's file with existing damage and ensuring transparency.

Your mind can be at ease during the transport process with Rapid Auto Shipping knowing that our insurance policy covers the entire duration of the automotive shipping process while your vehicle is in-transit.

What is the Cost to Ship a Vehicle Cross-Country

The average cost of transporting standard sedans cross country falls between $900and$1,500, while SUVs and trucks can reach a price of $1,200to$2,00. Other factors that can influence the pricing include:

Cost of pickup and delivery

Mode of shipping (open vs enclosed)

Weight and dimension of the car

Season of the year

Demand for service in the respective area (rural and urban)

With no concealed charges as well as set pricing, Rapid Auto Shipping offers free instant quotes. Customers can also expect reliable service without any hidden fees or unexpected charges from us at a transparent price.

What are the Benefits of Rapid Auto Shipping

Rapid Auto Shipping offers the best service as a trusted partner for auto transport in the United States with the help of a vast network of satisfied clientele. Other factors that differentiate Rapid Auto Shipping from others are:

Economically priced open and enclosed shipping services

Transporters who are properly licensed and insured within the United States.

Check your car’s location in real-time during transportation.

Our customer service representatives are always ready to provide assistance at any time.

Schedule with us and enjoy convenient delivery time slots.

We will attend to your vehicle shipping needs be it coast to coast relocation or intra-state car moving at an affordable price.

Conclusion

It's important to strike a good balance between cost and safety when you need to ship a car across the country. Cost-effective open transport is often the way to go, but it does not offer as much security as enclosed transport which offers the highest level of safety. Either way, you want to work with a trusted provider like Rapid Auto Shipping, which specializes in guaranteed timely and safe vehicle delivery.

Want to get the ball rolling? Give us a call today for a quote and enjoy expert auto shipping services without the stress.