Moving to a New State? Here's How to Ship Your Car the Smart Way

Moving to a new state is one of the most exciting — and most overwhelming — experiences in adult life. Between finding a new home, coordinating movers, transferring utilities, and updating your address on approximately 400 different accounts, your car can feel like an afterthought.

It shouldn't be.

Deciding how to get your vehicle from your old home to your new one is a bigger decision than most people realize. Do you drive it yourself? Ship it? And if you ship it, when do you book, what does it cost, and how does the whole thing work?

I've helped thousands of families navigate state-to-state moves over the past 20 years. Here's everything I've learned about making the car shipping part of your move go as smoothly as possible.

Table of Contents

• Should You Drive or Ship Your Car During a Move?
• How Car Shipping Works for State-to-State Moves
• When to Book Your Car Shipment
• What Affects the Cost of Shipping During a Move
• How to Prepare Your Car Before Pickup
• Coordinating Your Car Arrival with Your Move-In Date
• Common Moving Mistakes That Affect Your Car Shipment
• State Registration: What Changes After You Move
• Start Your Move the Right Way

Should You Drive or Ship Your Car During a Move?

This is the first question most people ask, and the honest answer surprises them. For most long-distance moves, shipping your car is actually the smarter financial choice — not just the more convenient one.

Let's do the math on a move from Chicago to Dallas (about 920 miles).

Cost to Drive Yourself

• Gas (25 MPG, $3.50/gallon): ~$129
• Hotel (1 night): ~$100–$150
• Meals on the road: ~$60
• Wear and tear (IRS rate $0.67/mile × 920 miles): ~$616
• 1–2 days off work: Variable, but real
• Total: ~$905–$1,000+

Cost to Ship

• Open transport, Chicago to Dallas: ~$700–$900
• Flight home from Dallas: ~$100–$200 (or skip if moving with family)
• Total: ~$700–$1,100 — comparable to driving, without the miles on your car

And that's before you factor in the stress of a two-day drive after already managing a major move. When you're exhausted from packing, closing on a house, and saying goodbye to neighbors, the last thing you want is 15 hours behind the wheel.

For moves under 300 miles? Driving probably makes more sense. For anything longer — especially cross-country — shipping is worth serious consideration.

How Car Shipping Works for State-to-State Moves

If you've never shipped a vehicle before, the process is simpler than you'd expect. Here's how it works from start to finish.

Step 1: Get a Quote

You provide your pickup location, destination, vehicle details (make, model, year), and preferred dates. A reputable company like Furious Auto Shipping gives you an all-inclusive price — no hidden fees, no surprises at pickup.

Step 2: Book and Confirm

You book the shipment, typically with a deposit or no money down depending on the company. A dispatch team then finds the best carrier for your route.

Step 3: Pickup

The carrier arrives within your agreed pickup window (usually 1–5 days from your requested date). You and the driver conduct a joint inspection of your vehicle, documenting any pre-existing scratches or dents on a Bill of Lading. Then your car is loaded and secured on the transport carrier.

Step 4: Transit

Your car is on its way. Most carriers for state-to-state moves cover 500–600 miles per day. Depending on your route, transit takes 2–7 days.

Step 5: Delivery

The carrier delivers your vehicle to your new address (or a nearby location if your street isn't accessible to large trucks). You inspect the car again against the Bill of Lading, confirm everything is in order, and sign off on delivery.

That's it. The door-to-door auto transport process is designed to be as hands-off as possible — which is exactly what you need when you're managing a full household move.

When to Book Your Car Shipment

Timing is everything in the car shipping world, and it's especially important during a move. Here's my honest advice after two decades in this business.

Book 3–4 Weeks Before Your Move Date

This is the sweet spot. Peak moving season runs from May through August — if you're moving during these months, booking 3–4 weeks out gives your shipping company time to secure the best carrier at a fair price.

Booking last minute (under a week out) during summer can cost $200–$400 more simply because demand outpaces carrier availability.

If You're Moving in Fall or Winter

Good news — the off-peak months (October through February) are much easier. You can often book 1–2 weeks out and still get great pricing and fast pickup. Some of our best deals happen in January and February when carriers are looking to fill trailers.

Be Flexible on Your Pickup Date

Here's the insider tip most people miss. Instead of giving your carrier a single hard pickup date, give a 3–5 day window. For example: "I need pickup between the 15th and 19th of the month." This flexibility lets the carrier match you with the next truck heading your direction, which often results in faster pickup and lower cost.

Pro Tip: Don't schedule your car pickup on the same day as your household movers. Life gets chaotic on moving day. Schedule your car pickup 1–2 days before the moving truck arrives, or 1–2 days after. You'll thank yourself for this buffer.

What Affects the Cost of Shipping During a Move

Several factors determine what you'll pay to ship your car during a state-to-state move. Understanding these helps you budget accurately — and find ways to save.

Distance

The biggest factor. State-to-state moves typically fall into these ranges:

• Neighboring states (under 500 miles): $400–$700
• Regional moves (500–1,000 miles): $600–$1,000
• Cross-country (2,000+ miles): $1,100–$1,800

Time of Year

Summer moves cost more — plain and simple. June, July, and August are peak season for both household movers and auto carriers. If you have flexibility on your move date, shifting to spring or fall can save $200–$400 on auto transport alone.

Your Vehicle Size

A standard sedan costs less to ship than an SUV or truck. Bigger vehicles take up more space on the carrier, which translates directly to higher cost. A full-size pickup truck might cost $100–$200 more than a compact sedan on the same route.

Open vs Enclosed Transport

For most vehicles during a regular move, open transport is the right choice. It's safe, reliable, and costs 40–60% less than enclosed. Enclosed transport makes sense for high-value vehicles (over $75,000), classic cars, or vehicles with custom paint or modifications.

How Far in Advance You Book

Book early, pay less. It's that simple. Last-minute bookings come with a premium. If your move date is set, book your car shipment the moment you know your timeline. For more on saving money, see our guide on the cheapest way to ship a car cross-country.

How to Prepare Your Car Before Pickup

A little preparation goes a long way. Here's what to do in the days before your carrier arrives.

Clean Your Car Inside and Out

This sounds trivial, but it matters. A clean exterior makes it much easier to document pre-existing scratches or dents during the inspection. A dirty car makes it harder to see — and photograph — the car's actual condition. If there's any dispute at delivery, clear before-photos are your best protection.

Take Detailed Photos Before Pickup

Walk around your vehicle and photograph every angle: front, rear, both sides, roof, and all four corners. Get close-ups of any existing chips, scratches, or dents. Do this the day before pickup and store the photos somewhere you can easily access them at delivery.

Remove Personal Items

Most carriers prohibit items in the vehicle — or strictly limit them to 100 lbs. Personal belongings are not covered by cargo insurance, and loose items shift during transit, which can damage your interior. Remove everything you don't want to risk losing.

One exception: some carriers allow a small amount of essential moving boxes in the trunk. Ask specifically when booking. This can be a convenient way to reduce a small amount of moving weight at no extra cost.

Leave the Gas Tank at 1/4

A full gas tank adds unnecessary weight and is considered a hazard by some carriers. Keep it at about 1/4 tank — enough for the driver to maneuver the vehicle during loading and unloading.

Disable Your Alarm or Set It to Lowest Sensitivity

A car alarm that goes off every time the carrier hits a bump is a headache for the driver and other customers. Disable it or set it to the minimum sensitivity before handoff.

Check for Mechanical Issues

Your vehicle needs to be operable — it should start, drive, steer, and brake normally. If you have any known mechanical issues, disclose them when booking. Inoperable vehicles can be shipped, but they require special equipment and cost more ($150–$300 extra).

Coordinating Your Car Arrival with Your Move-In Date

This is where state-to-state moves get tricky, and where I've seen the most stress happen. Your car ships independently of your household goods, and the timelines don't always sync up perfectly.

Here's how to manage it.

Understand the Full Timeline

From booking to delivery, most state-to-state shipments take 7–12 days total. This includes a 1–5 day pickup window plus 2–7 days of transit, depending on distance. For detailed breakdowns by distance, see our complete guide on how long car shipping takes.

Don't Assume Your Car Will Arrive Before You Do

For long-distance moves, it's common for your car to arrive 2–4 days after you do. Plan for this. Have a rental car arranged if you need to get around your new city while your vehicle is still in transit.

Communicate With Your Transport Company

A good transport company gives you regular updates. At Furious Auto Shipping, we provide tracking and proactive communication throughout transit. If you're concerned about timing, simply ask for a status update — your coordinator should always be reachable.

Be Available for Delivery

Someone needs to be present when the carrier delivers your vehicle. If you'll be at work or unavailable, arrange for a trusted person to accept delivery on your behalf. They'll need to inspect the vehicle and sign the Bill of Lading, so make sure they know what to look for.

Common Moving Mistakes That Affect Your Car Shipment

I've seen every mistake in the book. Here are the ones that cause the most problems.

Booking Too Late

The number one mistake. If you're moving in July and you try to book auto transport two days before your move date, you're going to have a bad time. Carriers are booked out, prices spike, and your timeline falls apart. Book as soon as you know your move date.

Choosing the Cheapest Quote Without Vetting the Company

Moving is expensive. It's tempting to go with whoever offers the lowest price. But in auto transport, a suspiciously low quote is usually a bait-and-switch — the company locks in your deposit, can't find a carrier at that rate, and then raises the price at the last minute when you have no other options.

Always check a company's USDOT and MC number on the FMCSA website. Read reviews on Google and the BBB. A legitimate company with a track record is worth $100–$200 more than an unknown broker offering a fantasy rate.

Not Communicating Your Address Restrictions

Car carriers are long — anywhere from 65 to 85 feet. If your new home is on a narrow street, in a gated community, or accessible only via a tight cul-de-sac, tell your carrier when booking. They can arrange to meet you at a nearby parking lot or wide street instead. Failing to mention this can result in a driver being unable to access your home, causing delays or extra fees.

Leaving Valuables in the Car

I've seen laptops, jewelry, cash, and even passports left in cars during transport. Don't do this. Personal items aren't covered by cargo insurance. Take anything of value with you.

State Registration: What Changes After You Move

Once your car arrives at your new home, you're not quite done. Most states require you to update your vehicle registration and driver's license within 30–90 days of establishing residency.

Here's what the typical process looks like:

• Update your address with your insurance company immediately — this affects your coverage and premium
• Get a new driver's license in your new state within the required timeframe (typically 30–60 days)
• Register your vehicle with the new state's DMV — you'll need your title, proof of insurance, and usually a VIN inspection or emissions test
• Check for personal property taxes — some states charge an annual fee on vehicles, which may differ significantly from your previous state

The requirements vary by state, so check your new state's DMV website for the specific process and timeline. Getting this done promptly avoids fines and keeps you legal on the road.

Start Your Move the Right Way

Moving to a new state is a major life event. The logistics are real, the stress is real, and the decisions you make in the weeks before your move date affect how smoothly everything goes.

Shipping your car doesn't have to be complicated. Book early, prepare your vehicle properly, stay in communication with your carrier, and work with a company that has a proven track record. That's really all it takes.

At Furious Auto Shipping, we've been helping families with state-to-state moves for over 20 years. We handle everything from your suburban sedan to your lifted truck, from short regional hops to coast-to-coast hauls.

Ready to get your car on the road? Use our car shipping cost calculator to get an instant estimate for your move, or call us at (888) 706-8784. Tell us where you're moving and when, and we'll take it from there. Your new adventure is waiting — let's get your car there safely.