Cross Country Enclosed Auto Transport, Coast to Coast
Your vehicle stays inside a fully enclosed trailer for the entire 2,500-plus-mile haul, because a coast-to-coast lane means days of weather, salt, gravel, and debris an open deck cannot keep off your paint. Transit runs 7-10 days.
- Zero weather and road exposure across 2,500-plus miles of highway
- $2M cargo insurance covers the vehicle for the whole haul
- Pickup typically happens within 1-3 days of booking in metro areas
Cross country enclosed auto transport keeps your vehicle inside a fully enclosed trailer for the entire 2,500-plus-mile haul, because a coast-to-coast lane means days of weather, salt, gravel, and debris an open deck cannot keep off your paint. Car Haul Direct arranges door-to-door enclosed transport across all 48 contiguous states, typically at 40 to 60 percent above the open rate for the same lane, with transit running 7-10 days.
Reviewed by Mike Fergusson, EVP Operations, Car Haul Direct
Why long-haul shippers trust CHD
The long lane is exactly where an open deck costs you paint.
FMCSA-Licensed Broker
CHD is a licensed auto transport broker, USDOT 4321158.
$2M Cargo Coverage
Every load moves under $2M in coverage.
48-State Coverage
Door-to-door enclosed service in all 48 contiguous states.
Fast Pickup Windows
Metro pickup typically runs within 1-3 days of booking.
Door-to-Door Only
Loads at your address and delivers to the destination; no terminals.
One Point of Contact
One broker contact from quote to delivery.
Covered for Every Mile
The figures that govern a CHD coast-to-coast enclosed haul.
40-60
Percent Enclosed Premium
The typical enclosed uplift over the open rate on the same lane.
$2M
Cargo Insurance Coverage
From pickup to delivery, with carrier insurance details before loading.
7-10
Days Coast to Coast
Typical transit over 2,500 miles; 8-11 days from Northern California.
1-3
Day Pickup Window
Typical metro pickup after booking; thinner enclosed capacity can stretch it.
Cross country enclosed transport: quick answers
Cost, whether enclosed is slower, and when the premium is worth it.
How much does cross country enclosed auto transport cost?
Cross country enclosed auto transport typically runs 40 to 60 percent above the open rate for the same lane. Apply that range to the open band published for your route rather than to a flat rule of thumb. Current open lane prices for California to New York and California to Florida appear on the CHD live route pages.
How long does enclosed transport take coast to coast?
Transit over 2,500 miles typically runs 7-10 days, or 8-11 days from Northern California. Enclosed is not slower on the road; the difference is capacity. Fewer enclosed rigs run some lanes, so the carrier assignment can stretch past the typical 1-3 day pickup window. Book 1-2 weeks ahead.
Is enclosed transport worth it for a cross country move?
For a high-value, classic, exotic, or freshly restored vehicle, yes; the long haul is where enclosed earns its premium. Over 2,500-plus miles and 7-10 days of transit, an open deck exposes the car to every weather system between the coasts. Enclosed removes all of it.
Who ships enclosed coast to coast?
Relocating Professionals
The luxury daily crosses the country enclosed while you fly to the new job.
Collectors Changing States
A classic or collector car moves to its new home without 2,500 miles of road wear.
Online Buyers
A high-value car bought sight unseen on the opposite coast arrives as the photos promised.
Snowbirds
The seasonal special car rides enclosed on both legs, south in fall, north in spring.
How CHD runs a coast-to-coast enclosed load
Six services that carry a car across the country without touching the weather.
Enclosed Transport
A fully enclosed trailer for the whole 2,500-plus-mile haul, door to door, typically 40 to 60 percent above the open rate.
Open Transport
The budget alternative on the same corridors, at the lower rate, with the exposure trade-off stated plainly.
Door-to-Door Service
Pickup at your home, office, or the seller address; delivery at the destination address.
Expedited Service
On a fixed arrival deadline, expedited pickup shortens the carrier assignment wait.
Cargo Insurance
Every load moves under $2M cargo coverage, with carrier insurance details before pickup.
Shipment Tracking
Status updates from dispatch through delivery across the 7-10 day transit.
How cross country enclosed transport works: 5 steps
Five steps across the widest lanes CHD runs.
1. Get Your Instant Quote
Enter your coast-to-coast lane and vehicle in the calculator; flexible pickup dates give the assignment room.
2. Book Ahead of the Move
Aim for 1-2 weeks out; enclosed capacity is thinner than open on some corridors, and early booking protects your window.
3. Enclosed Pickup at Your Door
Pickup typically runs within 1-3 days of booking in metro areas; you and the driver photograph the car and sign the Bill of Lading.
4. Coast-to-Coast Transit
The vehicle rides inside the trailer along I-10, I-40, I-80, or I-95 for the typical 7-10 day transit.
5. Delivery and Walk-Around
Inspect the vehicle against the pickup photos at the destination before signing, odometer unchanged.
Cross country enclosed transport FAQ
Speed, cost, driving instead, personal items, corridors, and lead time.
Not on the road. Transit bands are the same: 7-10 days over 2,500 miles, 8-11 days from Northern California. Scheduling, not speed, is the difference: fewer enclosed rigs run some lanes, so the carrier assignment can take longer than the typical 1-3 day metro window. Booking early mostly erases it.
The enclosed premium covered above applies here too: take the open band for your route and add the premium for the enclosed version. The instant quote calculator prices your actual lane and vehicle, which beats any rule of thumb. Vehicle size and season also move the number.
Driving means 40 or more hours behind the wheel, fuel, hotels, meals, and 2,500 miles of wear, plus the rock chips you were trying to avoid. Enclosed keeps the odometer unchanged and the car out of the elements, and the cost gap shrinks once hotels and fuel are counted.
Most carriers allow around 100 lbs of personal items in the trunk. Keep the cabin empty so inspection photos are clean, and know that personal items are not covered by cargo insurance. On a 7-10 day transit, pack nothing you will need quickly.
The major corridors, I-10, I-40, I-80, and I-95, carry the most enclosed capacity, including the busy California to Florida and California to New York lanes. Rural addresses off these corridors can stretch the pickup wait, so share your exact addresses when you book.
Aim for 1-2 weeks before your ideal pickup date. Enclosed trailers are fewer than open haulers on most lanes, so early booking gives the carrier assignment time to land inside your window. If dates are fixed by a closing or flight, say so at booking.
Yes. Every load moves under $2M cargo insurance from pickup to delivery, with the carrier insurance details provided before loading. The Bill of Lading documents condition at both ends, which protects you on the whole haul. Verify the paperwork before the driver leaves.
Latest Car Shipping Guides
Straight answers on cost, timing, and prep for every shipment.
How Long Does Car Shipping Take? Transit Times by Route
Transit runs 1 to 3 days under 500 miles and 7 to 10 days coast to coast.
The Car Shipping Scams Playbook: How to Spot Every Trick
Check the price, the payment terms, and the federal authority record before any money moves.
Why Car Shipping Quotes Change Before Pickup
A quote is an offer price to carriers, not a locked fare, so it can move.
Get Your Coast-to-Coast Enclosed Quote
Run your lane through the instant quote calculator for your current enclosed price on the route.