Cheapest Way to Ship a Car Across Country (2025 Guide)

Shipping a car cross-country costs **$1,200-$2,500** on average, but you can reduce this by **30-50%** with the right strategies.

5 Ways to Get the Cheapest Car Shipping

1. Use Open Transport (Save $500-$800)

**What it is:** Your car is shipped on an open trailer (like you see on highways)

**Savings:** 40-60% cheaper than enclosed

**Best for:** Standard vehicles, daily drivers

Pros:

Most affordable option

Widely available

Faster scheduling

Cons:

Exposed to weather

Road debris risk

2. Ship During Off-Peak Season (Save $200-$400)

**Peak seasons** (expensive):

Summer (June-August)

Snowbird season (Oct-Nov, Mar-Apr)

Holidays

Cheap seasons:

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Early spring (Feb-Mar)

**Tip:** Book 2-4 weeks in advance for best rates.

3. Use Terminal-to-Terminal (Save $150-$300)

Instead of door-to-door, drop off and pick up at carrier terminals.

Pros:

$150-$300 cheaper

Faster loading

Cons:

Less convenient

Limited terminal locations

4. Compare Multiple Carriers (Save $200-$600)

**FreightFloo's reverse auction model** lets carriers compete for your shipment.

How it works:

1. Post your shipment

2. Carriers bid competitively

3. You accept the lowest price

**Result:** Prices drop **20-40%** vs traditional brokers.

5. Ship Multiple Vehicles (Save 15-25% per vehicle)

Carriers offer discounts for multiple vehicles.

Example:

1 car: $1,500

2 cars: $2,700 ($1,350 each = 10% off)

3+ cars: $1,200 each (20% off)

Cost Comparison: Cheapest vs Most Expensive

| Method | Cross-Country Cost | Savings |

|--------|-------------------|---------|

| **Open, Off-peak, Terminal-to-terminal** | **$900-$1,200** | **$800-$1,300** |

| Open, Peak, Door-to-door | $1,400-$1,800 | $400-$700 |

| Enclosed, Peak, Door-to-door | $2,200-$2,800 | $0 (most expensive) |

Hidden Costs to Avoid

1. Low-Ball Quotes ($500+ surprise fees)

**Red flag:** Quote is 30%+ below average

**Reality:** They add fees later (fuel surcharge, residential fee, etc.)

**Solution:** Use transparent platforms like FreightFloo

2. Broker Fees ($150-$300)

Traditional brokers charge 15-25% commission.

**FreightFloo:** Only 10% platform fee (50% cheaper)

3. Expedited Shipping ($200-$500 extra)

Unless urgent, avoid rush shipping.

4. Insurance Add-ons ($100-$300)

Most carriers include $100k insurance. Extra coverage rarely needed for standard cars.

Real Example: California to New York

Traditional Broker:

Base quote: $1,600

Broker fee: $320 (20%)

Fuel surcharge: $80

**Total: $2,000**

FreightFloo:

Winning bid: $1,300

Platform fee: $130 (10%)

**Total: $1,430**

**Savings: $570 (29%)**

7 Money-Saving Tips

1. **Be flexible on dates** (+20% savings)

2. **Remove personal items** (avoid weight fees)

3. **Choose popular routes** (more competition = lower prices)

4. **Book in advance** (last-minute costs 30% more)

5. **Avoid residential pickup fees** (meet at gas station nearby)

6. **Ship inoperable cars wisely** (mention upfront to avoid surprise fees)

7. **Compare 5+ quotes** (prices vary $300-$800)

When NOT to Choose the Cheapest Option

Skip ultra-cheap shipping if you have:

**Luxury/Classic cars:** Use enclosed transport (worth the extra $600-$800)

**Urgent deadlines:** Cheap = slower (10-14 days vs 7-10 days)

**High-value vehicles:** Don't risk $50k car to save $300

FreightFloo's Cheapest Shipping Guarantee

How we keep prices low:

Carriers compete (reverse auction)

No hidden broker fees

Direct carrier connections

10% platform fee (vs 20-25% brokers)

Get your cheapest quote in 2 minutes:

1. Post your shipment details

2. Receive competing bids

3. Accept the lowest price

4. Ship with confidence

Average savings: $400-$800 vs traditional brokers

[Get Free Quote →](/signup?type=shipper)