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Car Shipping Done Your Way — Three Tiers, One Instant Price

Direct Express Auto Transport created the first nationwide vehicle shipping calculator and uniquely offers 3 pricing options.
Reliable Car Shipping Fast & Reputable

Car Shipping Done Your Way — Three Tiers, One Instant Price

Direct Express Auto Transport created the first nationwide vehicle shipping calculator and uniquely offers 3 pricing options.

★ 4.6/5 Google Reviews  |  BBB Accredited A+  |  FMCSA Licensed (MC #479342)  |  USDOT #1240502  |  No upfront payment required  |  20+ years shipping vehicles

BBB Accredited Business Car Shipping Services in California
Google Reviews for Car Shipping Services in California
Trust Pilot Reviews and Happy Car Shipping Customers in California

Why Direct Express Is the Smarter Way to Ship a Car

Two decades of logistics expertise, a vetted nationwide carrier network, and the pricing tools we built ourselves. Here is what makes shipping with us different.

Man in office calculating online car shipping quote

We Invented the Auto Transport Cost Calculator

We were the original architects of the instant car shipping cost calculator. Skip the sales calls and data-harvesting forms — get real-time market pricing in seconds, every time.

Three Pricing Tiers Almost Nobody Else Offers

Standard, Expedited and Rush put you in control of price versus speed — choose the rate that fits your budget and your deadline.

No Upfront Payment, Ever

Your card is never charged until a carrier is assigned to your vehicle. No deposit, no cancellation fee, no obligation.


Direct Express Customer Reviews


  • My Auto Transport Experience

    Nancy B.

    I am so pleased with my decision to use Direct Express Auto Transport! Ashley was a knowledgeable and confidence inspiring representative and my driver was on time and my car was in perfect shape!

  • Great Auto Transport Service To Texas

    Steve S.

    Talked to Jessica on Wednesday to have 65 El Camino shipped from Calif to Texas. Was picked up on Thursday the 16th and delivered on Monday the 20th. Beautiful truck and great driver. Sebastian was the driver’s name. Also it was awesome to see all the other great cars.

  • Enclosed Auto Transport

    Derek K.

    Fantastic experience all around, from the office people calling me back on a Sunday when a question popped up, to getting the car delivered very quickly, the whole process went perfectly. Will use them again for sure.

  • My Car Arrived Sooner Than Expected!

    Charlie R.

    Driver was very efficient and accommodating! Once he picked up the vehicle he stayed in contact with us all the way to delivery. Thank you very much for hauling this vehicle for us because we have no way of doing it ourselves.

  • Auto Transport From Florida

    Alicia L.

    My car was picked up on a Friday morning and arrived at my destination two days later. The driver made sure that I was on time delivering my car and he made sure my car was delivered to me in a timely manner also…

  • Auto Transport Service To Arizona

    Jeff B.

    Another excellent job by Direct Express Auto Transport! This is the 3rd time we’ve shipped with this Direct Express Auto Transport. They’re courteous, professional, and on time. I highly recommend this company and their services!

  • Car Transported California to Texas

    Bill A.

    I used the expedited shipping option and they told me it will be picked up within 3-4days. Luckily my car was picked up on the very first day. It was assigned to one of their transport companies and I received my car within 10days. They are very professional.


Depicting Direct Express Auto Transport three pricing tiers concept of walk - jog - run car shipping service

Flexible Auto Shipping Rates: You Choose the Priority

Every vehicle shipment is available at three service levels — Standard, Expedited and Rush. Choose the one that fits your timeline and budget. All three include full door-to-door service and carrier insurance.

Best Value
Standard
Best available rate. Your vehicle ships on the next carrier heading your way when there is less competition for truck space. Ideal when your schedule has a few extra days of flexibility.
MOST POPULAR
Faster Pickup
Expedited
Moves your vehicle close to the front of the dispatch queue. Faster pickup assignment because it beats baseline prices. Improved carrier availability when your timeline matters.
Maximum Priority
Rush
Maximum priority dispatch. Your shipment is assigned as quickly as possible for urgent relocations and time-sensitive vehicle moves.

Compare Your Tiered Quote


How Vehicle Transport Works: 4 Simple Steps

Direct Express Customer Service Staff Representative at her desk

We have spent 20 years refining a process you can complete in minutes. Want the full walkthrough? Read How Auto Transport Works.

1. Get Your Instant Quote

Enter your pickup, delivery and vehicle details into our cost calculator for transparent pricing in seconds — no personal info required.

2. Choose Your Tier

Pick Standard, Expedited or Rush depending on whether budget or speed matters most for your move.

3. We Assign a Vetted Carrier

We match your vehicle with an insured, top-rated hauler already running your route. No payment is due until this point.

4. Door-to-Door Delivery

Your carrier coordinates pickup and delivery as close to your doors as a transporter can safely reach.


Car Transporter with a full load rolling down the highway at close to sunset

Nationwide Auto Transport Services for Every Vehicle

Door-to-door vehicle shipping for individuals, dealers and businesses — whatever you drive, however far it needs to go.

Open Car Transport

The most popular, cost-effective option — the same trailers that deliver new cars to dealerships.

View open transport

Enclosed Auto Transport

White-glove protection for luxury, exotic and classic cars from road debris and weather.

Protect your vehicle

Door-to-Door Shipping

Skip terminals — we pick up and deliver as close to your address as safely possible.

Learn more

Snowbird & Seasonal

Reliable seasonal transport for those heading south for the winter and back in spring.

Snowbird shipping

Military PCS Moves

Dedicated support for active-duty personnel and permanent change of station orders.

Military transport

Classic & Collector Cars

Expert handling for show cars, auctions and irreplaceable automotive investments.

Classic car shipping

College Student Transport

Get a student’s car to campus on time at the start and end of every semester.

Student shipping

Dealership & Auction

Fast transport from Copart, Manheim, eBay Motors and every major auction hub.

Auction shipping

Non-Running Vehicles

Professional winch service for vehicles that roll, brake and steer but won’t start.

Non-running transport

Vehicle Shipping To & From America’s Largest Cities

Our carrier network runs daily through the country’s busiest metros. Get door-to-door service to and from every major city — here are the twelve most in-demand.

Auto Transporter delivering vehicle to young couple in the city

car-transport-driver-strapping-down-a-blue-car-on-th-trailer

Auto Transport in All 50 States

We ship vehicles to and from every state in the nation. Find your state below to see local routes, pricing and logistics.


Popular Car Shipping Routes & Costs

Estimated door-to-door pricing on our busiest cross-country lanes, by service tier. See the full breakdown on our Popular Car Shipping Routes page, or run the instant calculator for your exact rate.

Route 66 car transport driver waving to a mom and son along the road
Route Distance Standard Expedited Rush Transit
California to New York ~2,790 mi $2,075 $2,540 $2,780 6–7 days
California to Florida ~2,500 mi $1,880 $2,285 $2,520 5–6 days
California to Texas ~1,440 mi $1,170 $1,380 $1,570 3–4 days
Florida to Texas ~1,100 mi $940 $1,105 $1,260 3–4 days
Florida to New York ~1,075 mi $925 $1,085 $1,240 3–4 days
Texas to California ~1,440 mi $1,170 $1,380 $1,570 3–4 days
Texas to Illinois ~925 mi $830 $965 $1,110 2–3 days
California to Arizona ~370 mi $485 $565 $650 1–2 days

Estimates are based on open transport for a standard operable sedan; enclosed runs roughly 50% more. Your exact rate depends on vehicle size, transport type and timing.


Auto Dealership receiving vehicle shipment in the lot

What Affects Your Car Transport Cost

Carriers move multiple vehicles at once, so your price reflects how your car fits a driver’s route — not mileage alone.

Distance & Route

Long hauls cost less per mile; carriers favor major corridors like I-10, I-80 and I-95.

Vehicle Size & Weight

Trucks, SUVs and vans take more space and fuel than sedans.

Open vs. Enclosed

Open transport is the standard; enclosed runs about 50% more for high-value cars.

Season & Timing

Demand spikes during snowbird and summer moving season, raising rates on affected lanes.

Vehicle Condition

Running vehicles load easily; non-running units need a winch and cost more.

Service Tier

Standard, Expedited or Rush — you choose how quickly a carrier is assigned.

Calculate My Car Shipping Cost


Best Time to Ship a Car: Seasonal Timing Guide

Auto transport pricing moves with the season. Knowing when demand peaks — and when it cools — helps you time your shipment for the best combination of price and pickup speed.

car transport truck with a full load depicted in a montage in all four seasons
Season Demand & Rates What’s Driving It Our Recommendation
Winter
Dec–Feb
HIGH on southbound lanes Peak snowbird migration into Florida, Arizona and Texas. Northbound and cross-country lanes are quieter and more competitively priced. Book Expedited 2–3 weeks out for southbound moves. Standard works well on most other routes.
Spring
Mar–May
MODERATE, rising Snowbirds return north, lifting northbound demand. Overall a shoulder season with good carrier supply on most corridors. One of the best-value windows. Standard tier is viable for flexible shippers; book Expedited for northbound lanes.
Summer
Jun–Aug
HIGHEST nationwide Peak moving season — family relocations, military PCS orders and college moves push demand up in every direction at once. Book as early as possible and choose Expedited or Rush for firm dates. Standard windows run longer.
Fall
Sep–Nov
MODERATE, then climbing Demand cools after summer, then southbound snowbird traffic begins building again in late October and November. Early fall is a value sweet spot. Lock in southbound moves before the late-season snowbird surge.

Two Timing Rules That Save You Money

Book within about two weeks of your ship date

Pricing tracks the live market, so a quote pulled close to your pickup date is the most accurate. Run the cost calculator when you’re ready to schedule.

Aim for the shoulder seasons when you can

Late spring and early fall usually offer the best balance of carrier supply and price. If your timeline is flexible, that’s when to ship.


Car Shipping Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to ship a car?

Most moves run $500–$1,500 depending on distance, vehicle size and transport type. Run our instant calculator for an exact price in seconds.

How does your three-tier pricing work?

You choose price versus speed: Standard is the most economical, Expedited (our most popular) gets faster carrier assignment, and Rush puts you at the top of the dispatch board.

Do I have to pay anything upfront?

No. Your card is never charged until a carrier is assigned to your vehicle — no deposit and no obligation to book.

What information do I need to get a quote?

Just your pickup and delivery locations, vehicle details, and your first name, email and phone number so we can send your quote and confirm the details.

How long does auto transport take?

Plan on about one day of transit per 500 miles once loaded — roughly 1–3 days regional and 5–7 days cross-country.

Is my vehicle insured during shipping?

Yes. Every carrier in our network carries valid cargo insurance covering your vehicle from pickup to delivery.

Open or enclosed — which should I choose?

Open transport suits most vehicles and is the most affordable. Enclosed (about 50% more) is best for luxury, exotic and classic cars.

Can you ship a non-running vehicle?

Yes, as long as it rolls, brakes and steers. A winch-equipped carrier is required, which adds roughly $150–$200.

How do I prepare my car for transport?

Wash it, remove personal items and toll tags, leave about a quarter tank of gas, disable the alarm, and photograph any existing damage.

Can I leave belongings in the car?

Up to about 100 lbs in the trunk is usually allowed but isn't insured — keep it light to avoid issues at weigh stations.

What is door-to-door shipping?

We pick up and deliver as close to your address as a transporter can safely reach, so you skip the terminal.

How far in advance should I book?

One to two weeks is ideal. Allow more lead time during peak summer and snowbird seasons.

When is the cheapest time to ship a car?

Shoulder seasons — late spring and early fall — usually offer the best rates. Summer and snowbird peaks cost more.

Do you ship nationwide?

Yes, to and from all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.

Do I need to be present for pickup and delivery?

You or an adult you designate must be there to sign the Bill of Lading at both ends.

How and when do I pay?

No payment is due until a carrier is assigned. Many customers pay a partial amount by card then the balance to the driver on delivery by cash or certified funds.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. Since nothing is charged until a carrier is assigned, you can cancel before that point at no cost.

Is Direct Express Auto Transport legitimate?

Yes — licensed, bonded and insured, USDOT #1240502, MC #479342, with an A+ BBB rating and family ownership since 2004.

Are you a broker or a carrier?

We're a broker: we match your vehicle with a vetted carrier from our nationwide network of insured haulers.

How do you vet your carriers?

We review licensing, insurance, safety records and customer feedback before any carrier is assigned to your shipment.

Can I track my shipment?

Your assigned carrier coordinates directly with you, and the driver calls ahead with an estimated arrival time.

What types of vehicles can you ship?

Sedans, SUVs, trucks, vans, motorcycles, classic and collector cars, and non-running vehicles.

Do you ship motorcycles?

Yes, on either open or enclosed transport depending on the level of protection you want.

Do you handle dealership and auction transport?

Yes — fast transport from Copart, Manheim, eBay Motors and every major auction hub.

Do you offer military PCS shipping?

Yes. We support active-duty service members with scheduling built around PCS orders.

Can you ship a student's car to college?

Yes, timed around semester start and end dates to get the vehicle there on schedule.

What is snowbird car shipping?

Seasonal door-to-door transport south for the winter and back north in spring — book early for the best rates.

Why did my quote change from last week?

Pricing tracks the live market and moves with demand, so book within about two weeks of your ship date for the most accurate rate.

What if weather delays my delivery?

Weather and road conditions can shift timelines. Your carrier keeps you updated and adjusts the ETA as needed.

How do I get started?

Run the instant calculator for your price, choose Standard, Expedited or Rush, and book — with no payment until a carrier is assigned.