The Best & Worst Car Shipping Routes in the U.S.

Long distance auto transport is not easy or simple, but it is made more convenient by the quality of the U.S. highway system. You can get virtually anywhere in the country—even with a large transport carrier—thanks to the widespread connectivity provided by the numerous routes that crisscross the country. However, there are some routes that are more convenient when it comes to car shipping, and of course, some that are not. In this post, we’ll examine the best and worst of car shipping routes in the country.

The Best

Midwest to West Coast

One of the more common and easier routes to run in the auto transport industry is from the Midwest to the West Coast. It’s a relatively short and quick route compared to routes running eastward and doesn’t pose too many logistical challenges for transport drivers. That, of course, doesn’t mean it isn’t without some hurdles. Getting through the Rocky Mountains can be rough on heavy loads, as can long stretches of desert, but the route is run frequently enough that drivers are pretty well prepared for any challenges that may arise. There are also numerous routes that lead west, which is helpful should there be construction that prevents a driver from taking a preferred route.

Florida to New York

One of the most popular routes in the industry is between Florida and New York. Regardless of which way a car is being shipped, there are ample ways to get there and plenty of carriers that are very familiar with the various routes they can take. As you might expect, a lot of car shipping runs from New York down to Florida as retirees and snowbirds make the move and often need shipping in both directions. There are some aspects of routes in these areas that pose problems, such as delivery into New York City, or to coastal areas, but for the most part, it’s a trip that’s fairly easy to accommodate.

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The Worst

Routes Along the Coast

Any route that runs along the coast, east or west, is a real challenge for any transport truck since there are typically only a couple ways to get in and out—some have only one option. Another issue is that the streets in coastal cities tend to be smaller and have lots of curves, which makes it difficult to navigate for large transport carriers. These are areas in which many companies will require that you have the vehicle delivered to a transport terminal where you pick it up, rather than provide door-to-door service. It’s not that companies don’t want to provide door-to-door service, just that it’s simply not doable in many cases.

Coast-to-Coast Routes

You may be noticing a trend here when it comes to auto shipping that involves the coast—it’s not easy. Perhaps the most challenging route for drivers is delivery from one coast to another. It doesn’t really matter which direction the route goes, it’s a long, grueling drive for anyone, even in a car. There’s so much ground to cover and so many different types of terrain to traverse that it’s hard on any vehicle to make the trip, especially a large truck that’s loaded up with multiple cars. While there are plenty of different routes available with coast-to-coast shipping, it doesn’t mean that they’ll all be available. With any coast-to-coast delivery, the driver is bound to run into construction projects that may cause them to take a different route, adding more time and distance to an already long trip.