Moving Out of State? How to Ship Your Car (and When to Book It)

A long-distance move already has enough moving parts: movers, leases, utilities, school records, the new job's start date. Driving your car across several states on top of all that adds two or three days, a few hotel nights, and a lot of miles.

Shipping the car lets you fly, start the new job rested, and have your car show up at your new address. Here's how to decide and how to time it.

#Ship it or drive it?

Driving looks cheaper until you add it up. For a 1,000-mile move, count fuel, one or two hotel nights, meals on the road, and the days off work. Then add the wear and roughly 1,000 extra miles on your car.

As a rule of thumb:

• Under about 300 miles: driving usually wins.
• About 500 to 1,500 miles: it's close, and shipping often wins once you count your time.
• Cross-country: shipping usually wins, especially if you have two cars or kids along.

Our 2026 car shipping cost guide has typical prices by distance so you can run your own numbers.

#Two cars, one driver? Ship at least one

Many families have two cars and one person willing to drive. Shipping one car while you drive the other (or shipping both while you fly) is one of the most common relocation setups. A car carrier hauls several vehicles at once, so two cars on the same route can often be scheduled on the same truck.

#A simple four-week timeline

1. Four weeks out: get quotes. You need the pickup address, delivery address, vehicle year, make, and model, and whether it runs. Ask for an all-in price.
2. Two to three weeks out: book. Pick a pickup window that falls in your last few days at the old place.
3. The week before: prep the car. Wash it, photograph every panel, leave about a quarter tank, and remove personal items and toll tags. Our pre-shipment checklist has the full list.
4. Pickup day: inspect and sign. The driver photographs the car on a digital bill of lading. Keep your copy.
5. Delivery: inspect again. Check the car against the pickup photos before you sign.

#Timing pickup around your move

The most common relocation mistake is shipping the car too early and being stuck without one for your final week. The second is booking too late and finding no trucks on your dates.

• Schedule pickup for your last two or three days in the old home. Use a rideshare or a friend for the airport.
• Expect the car to arrive after you do. Long routes can take several days of road time, so plan a rental or a ride for your first couple of days.
• Can't be there for pickup or delivery? Name a friend, neighbor, or coworker to release or receive the car and sign for it.
• Moving into an apartment complex or a tight neighborhood? Tell us. The driver may meet you at a nearby wide street or lot.

#Why you can't pack the car with boxes

It's tempting to fill the trunk with things the movers didn't take. Don't. Extra weight affects how a carrier loads its trailer, cargo insurance on a car shipment covers the vehicle rather than household goods inside it, and loose items can shift and cause damage. Send belongings with your movers and ship the car empty, apart from standard equipment like the spare tire and jack.

#If your employer is paying

Many relocation packages cover vehicle shipping or reimburse it. Before you book, ask HR or your relocation company:

• Is shipping a vehicle covered, and how many vehicles?
• Do they need the quote in writing before you book?
• What do they need for reimbursement (an invoice, a paid receipt, the bill of lading)?

We can send a written quote and a paid invoice in whatever format your employer needs.

#After the car arrives

Your new state will expect you to register the car and update your insurance within a set time after you become a resident. Deadlines vary by state, so check your new state's motor vehicle agency soon after you arrive.

#Moving to or from Indianapolis?

We run regular lanes from Indianapolis to Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Charlotte, Chicago, and New York, in both directions. If your move is on one of them, we can usually give a firm pickup window when we quote.

#The bottom line

For most long-distance moves, shipping your car saves days of driving and puts fewer miles on it. Get quotes four weeks out, book two to three weeks out, schedule pickup for your last days in the old home, and ship the car empty. Read more about moving and relocation car shipping, or request a quote and we'll plan it around your moving date.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I book car shipping for a move?

Two to four weeks before your ideal pickup date. In busy seasons, such as summer and the fall and spring snowbird rushes, aim for the earlier end.

Can I put boxes or belongings in my car when I ship it?

No. Ship the car empty apart from standard equipment. Extra weight affects loading, belongings inside generally aren't covered by the shipment's cargo insurance, and loose items can cause damage.

Can I ship two cars at the same time?

Often, yes. Carriers haul several vehicles at once, so two cars on the same route can frequently ride on the same truck. Include both vehicles when you request a quote.

Do I have to be there at pickup and delivery?

Someone does, but it doesn't have to be you. Name a trusted person to release the car at pickup or receive it at delivery and sign the bill of lading.