Distance and Route
NYC to LA is approximately 2,800 miles. NYC to San Francisco is roughly 2,900 miles. Carriers typically take the I-80 northern route through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Nebraska, and Nevada, or the I-40 central route through Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Arizona. The specific route is determined by the carrier based on their other pickup and delivery obligations — you generally don't choose.
Pricing
Open transport for a standard sedan or SUV runs $1,200–$1,700. Enclosed transport ranges from $2,000–$2,800. These ranges are for running vehicles with standard clearance. The per-mile rate on this route is among the lowest in the industry because carrier volume is high and the route is well-established. Competition among carriers keeps pricing sharp.
Transit Time
Open transport coast to coast takes 8–14 days. Enclosed takes 10–14 days. The wide range reflects the reality that your vehicle shares the trailer with 7–10 others, and the carrier makes stops along the way. If you need faster service, expedited guarantees carrier assignment within 24–48 hours but doesn't significantly reduce actual transit time — it compresses the pickup window.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest mistake on cross-country shipments is expecting a specific delivery date. The carrier is running a 2,800-mile route with multiple stops. Weather in the Rockies, traffic through Chicago, and other deliveries along the way all affect timing. Plan for a delivery window, not a delivery date. Have a backup plan for the first 2–3 days at your destination if the vehicle arrives later than the estimated window.
NYC Pickup Logistics
Manhattan pickup is possible but difficult. Carriers need space to load — a fire hydrant zone, a parking lot, or a wide street. Most NYC shipments are better served by a pickup in New Jersey, Long Island, or a Bronx/Queens staging area. If you're in Manhattan, ask your broker about the nearest accessible pickup point rather than insisting on a doorstep pickup that may not be physically possible.