There are 13 million trucks registered in the US so there’s always some carrier moving a truck from small pickups to large semis. If you’ve got a truck that needs to be hauled perhaps due to its inoperational condition or lack of time to drive, you might want to know how much it will cost to move a truck across the country. That’s exactly what we’ll tell you in this guide and a lot more.
How Much Does It Cost To Move A Truck Across The Country?
Short distances (around 1200 miles) would cost roughly $1 per mile while longer distances of 2500 miles would cost around $0.75 per mile. It’s a bargain, especially considering the care and professionalism we dedicate to every mile.
On the other hand, if you prefer to ship your truck in an enclosed carrier for added protection, the cost for short distances is approximately $2 per mile. For longer hauls of about 2,500 miles, the price drops to a dollar per mile. Distance plays the biggest role in the cost.
While these are rough estimates, they give you a pretty good idea of the shipping costs. The final cost, however, depends on the truck’s make, model, size and the market demand.
We keep things transparent because we don’t believe in surprises. Just reliable service you can count on and fair pricing you won’t get anywhere else.
Whether you’re relocating or buying out of state, we’ll make sure your truck’s journey is nothing short of safe. Let’s give you a clearer picture with some state-to-state transport cost examples.
| Route (Distance in Miles) | Distance (Miles) | Open Carrier Cost | Enclosed Carrier Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| California to Illinois | 2,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 |
| New York to Arizona | 2,450 | $1,837.50 | $2,450 |
| California to New York | 2,800 | $2,100 | $2,800 |
| Illinois to Washington | 2,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 |
| Nevada to Pennsylvania | 2,500 | $1,875 | $2,500 |
| Arizona to North Carolina | 2,100 | $1,575 | $2,100 |
| Colorado to Massachusetts | 2,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 |
| Texas to Washington | 2,100 | $1,575 | $2,100 |
| Florida to Illinois | 1,400 | $1,050 | $1,400 |
| California to Colorado | 1,200 | $1,200 | $2,400 |
| New York to Texas | 1,600 | $1,200 | $1,600 |
| Massachusetts to Arizona | 2,500 | $1,875 | $2,500 |
| Minnesota to Louisiana | 1,200 | $1,200 | $2,400 |
| Oregon to Ohio | 2,300 | $1,725 | $2,300 |
| Michigan to Georgia | 1,200 | $1,200 | $2,400 |
| Washington to Florida | 3,300 | $2,475 | $3,300 |
| Texas to California | 1,400 | $1,050 | $1,400 |
| Illinois to Texas | 1,100 | $825 | $2,200 |
| Georgia to California | 2,400 | $1,800 | $2,400 |
| Ohio to Florida | 1,100 | $825 | $2,200 |
| North Carolina to Arizona | 2,200 | $1,650 | $2,200 |
| New Jersey to Nevada | 2,800 | $2,100 | $2,800 |
| Pennsylvania to Washington | 2,700 | $2,025 | $2,700 |
| Massachusetts to Colorado | 2,300 | $1,725 | $2,300 |
| Arizona to New York | 2,600 | $1,950 | $2,600 |
| Tennessee to California | 2,200 | $1,650 | $2,200 |
| Kentucky to Florida | 900 | $900 | $1,800 |
| Utah to Illinois | 1,600 | $1,200 | $1,600 |
| New Mexico to Georgia | 1,900 | $1,425 | $1,900 |
| Oklahoma to Oregon | 2,300 | $1,725 | $2,300 |
Your truck is precious and we get that. The thought of shipping it across the country is probably nerve-wracking but that’s exactly why we’re here. At Easy Auto Ship, we make the process affordable, simple, and transparent. Whether you’re relocating, purchasing a truck from a distant state, or transporting your vehicle for an auction or an auto show, we’ll make the relocation stress-free.
5 Factors Impacting the Cost of Truck Shipping
The cost to ship a truck from one part of the US to another can greatly vary depending on the following 5 main factors:
Method of Transportation: Accounting for 25% of Cost
Your transportation method determines a significant chunk of your truck shipping cost. Easy Auto Ship provides various options to suit different needs and budgets. The Open Carrier method, typically the most cost-effective option, accounts for about 70% of all shipments. It typically costs $1 per mile for short distances and $0.75 for longer distances when moving a truck like the Ford F-150.
However, if your truck is a bit of a diva, demanding enhanced protection, you might lean towards the Enclosed Carrier method. Sure, it’s pricier ($2/mile for short and $1/mile for long distances), but the added security is worth every penny.
Now, let’s talk about pickup and delivery preferences. Door-to-door services offer unparalleled convenience but have a higher price tag than Terminal-to-Terminal services. It’s a classic case of convenience versus cost.
To illustrate, shipping a standard Ford F-150 truck from New York to California might cost around $2,200 with Open Carrier and Door-to-Door service. At the same time, the Enclosed Carrier and Terminal-to-Terminal could push the cost to $ 2,800 or more.
Distance: Influencing 35% of Cost
There’s a simple rule in truck shipping, and that’s the longer the hauling distance, the higher the cost you pay. In fact, according to recent research, distance is the major driving cost behind operating freight truck vehicles. For example, while a trip to Florida from Texas would cost you around $1300, going to Alaska would be nearly one and ¾ more, nearing $2250. The price difference is because of the fuel consumption, for longer distance, longer driving hours and overnight stays for the driver.
There’s no denying that seasonal changes play a part in the final price you pay as well. During peak seasons, such as the summer time or the holidays, prices may go up by 20%.
Vehicle Specifications: Making Up 15% of Cost
It’s important to note here that not all trucks will cost the same to transport. The vehicle’s make, model, size and weight all play an important role. This is because the heavier the truck, the more resources it takes to ship. To put things into perspective, it’ll be cheaper to ship a Chevy Colorado as compared to a 2025 Ford F150.
As you can see, the Ford F-150 XL 2025 has more curb weight, more length, height, and width than Chevrolet Colorado 2022, meaning it will take more space on the carrier and put more load on the hauler’s engine. This will cause the carrier to burn more fuel, resulting in extra shipping costs.
Pickup and Drop-off Locations: Contributing 15% of Cost
Your drop-off and pickup locations affect the price in a similar manner. Most people find that shipping to urban areas is cheaper than to rural areas due to the better infrastructure and consequently easier access. In fact, the study by Federal Highway Authority found that nearly 65% of truck traffic passed through urban highways in 2020 compared to 25% going through rural regions.
Moreover, if you’re transporting your truck across the border, customs duties and import tax also apply. BTS has reported that transborder freight between the United States and North America totaled a whopping $134.4 billion in January 2025 alone with truck based logistics making a whopping $87.6 billion volume alone.
Time Factors: Affecting 10% of Cost
If you need to move your truck faster than the standard pickup and delivery window you’re offered, expedited shipping might help. Expedited pickups and deliveries are typically considered as premium addons, which can increase operational costs. If, however, time is on your side, you can opt for standard shipping instead and save some money.
The best way to strike the perfect deal? Sync your time, budget and transport needs! At Easy Auto Ship, we can help you find the perfect balance of cost to value. Call (888) 687-3243 right now to get your free, no-obligation truck shipping quote in minutes.
7 Cost-Saving Strategies When Moving Trucks Across Country
Booking Timing Advantage: Cost Savings with Flexibility in Shipping Timing
One critical cost-saving strategy when moving a truck across the country involves flexibility with your timing of the week to book the transport. It can significantly impact the pricing of the shipping cost.
Weekends are typically the busiest due to more people getting shipping. This surge in demand might increase the costs. So, being flexible with your booking timing such as choosing weekdays may save you some dollars.
If you plan your truck shipping process during off-peak times, you can get a much more affordable rate.
Off-Peak Advantages: Benefits of Off-Peak Season Shipping
Shipping your truck across the country during the right season can cut costs significantly. Off-peak seasons in the auto transport industry such as late winter and fall offer the best savings when fewer people are moving or shipping their vehicles. This is the time when companies book at 5-20% lower prices to ensure positive cashflow. The truck to load ratio is lowest in these seasons meaning more trucks are available but load to carry is lower so costs decrease.
Shared Transport: Cost Savings via Group Shipping
Another strategy to reduce truck shipping costs is consolidation or group shipping. This involves combining your truck transport with other vehicles heading in the same direction.
Group shipping takes advantage of the space in the carrier, making it a cost-effective option for those looking to move a truck across the country.
Fleet Advantage: Savings for Transporting Multiple Vehicles
You’re in luck if you have more than one vehicle to ship. Most auto shipping companies offer discounts for shipping multiple vehicles at once.
If you’re moving a small fleet of trucks, you can save significantly by shipping them together.
Thorough Cleaning: Importance for Inspection and Damage Reporting
Before you hand over your truck for shipping, ensure its thoroughly cleaned because that way, you can better inspect it before pickup, take photographs to ensure any future disputes can be avoided.
Documenting the condition of your truck before shipping is also crucial. Take clear photographs of your truck from all angles. This step will serve as a valuable reference in case of any disputes about damage during transit.
Safety and Liability: Reasons for Emptying the Truck
An easy way to bring down high shipping prices is by removing your personal belongings from the vehicle before it’s ready to be shipped. While it may seem like a handy solution, the FMCSA has strict guidelines regarding securing cargo before transit. Most insurance companies won’t even cover personal belongings, so it’s helpful to steer clear of any unnecessary risk beforehand.
Avoiding Damage: Ensuring Parts Remain Intact During Transport
Our last tip to save shipping costs is removing or securing loose parts. This includes mirrors, antennas or other modifications that aren’t well-fastened and can cause damage to your vehicle and those around it. Take out some free time when readying your truck to ensure everything’s safely secured goes a long way.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much does it cost to ship a Ford F150?
Most truck owners pay $1000 to $1200 for a standard 1000 mile distance shipment. Final cost depends on factors such as:
- The distance covered
- The carrier type
- The market rates
- The pickup and delivery locations
How do you ship a pickup truck?
You might get overwhelmed when shipping a pickup truck because depending on the type of auto transport company you’re dealing with, you may have to do a lot of things on your own. Easy Auto Ship on the other hand makes things simpler for you. Here’s how you ship a pickup truck in just 4 steps:
- You request a quote and book your preferred service
- You prepare your truck by removing personal belongings and making sure there aren’t any loose parts
- Your truck is picked up by the carrier at a time and place of your liking
- Your truck is delivered to your drop-off location safely
How long does it take for a custom F-150 to ship?
Shipping your truck coast to coast can take around 7 to 10 days due to longer distance and traffic varying traffic conditions across different interstates. Weather extremes can also impact the delivery dates so make sure to check the weather forecast for your destination region and the areas between to get an idea of whether it’ll be a smooth delivery or a delayed one. Make sure to add a 2 to 3 days of buffer into your plans in case there are potential delays in delivery.
How do you transport a big truck?
Flatbed or lowboy trailers are usually the perfect solution for large trucks. This is especially great if your truck exceeds size limits. Most companies use hydraulic lifts or winches to securely load your truck and transport it safely across any distance.
How much does it cost to ship a truck to the USA?
You can expect to pay:
- $1000 to $1200 for short hauls
- $1500 to $2200 for long hauls
Even when you’re shipping within the States, the same factors apply:
- Distance covered
- The size and weight of your truck
- Whether you’ve chosen an open or enclosed carrier type
- The market conditions
The global freight trucking market is expected to reach $3.4 trillion by 2030, which shows how flooded the industry is with all kinds and sizes of transporters. Make sure to get multiple quotes for the best price to value assessment.
What is the freight rate for semi-trucks?
The average rate per mile for hauling a semi-truck can range from $1.00 to $2.00. For a precise freight rate contact your shipping company directly. However, the average freight rate generally fluctuates based on:
- Fuel prices
- Market demand and conditions
- The shipment size
- The route
How Much Does A Moving Truck Cost Across The Country?
Shipping a truck across the country is cheap, contrary to popular belief. On average, it can cost anywhere between $1000 and $2000. This of course depends on the method of transport you choose, the market demand and the size of your truck.
Parting Words:
When you’re shipping across the country, you’re looking at a price point that ranges between $1000 and $2500. Bigger trucks can bump that range up to $2000 and $3000 and peak season might cost you $4000.
Remember, these are estimates to give you a rough idea. The actual cost depends on several factors discussed above. With the right shipping partner and a little smart planning beforehand you can keep the price you pay in check while still getting amazing service.
If you’re looking to get dependable service, fair pricing and a move that’s simple, contact Easy Auto Ship today for a free, no-obligation truck moving quote!
