Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from Arlington, Texas to San Francisco, California

It's usually cheaper to drive for shorter distances, but for long cross-country moves, shipping can become competitive or even cheaper when you factor in the "hidden" costs of driving (gas, hotels, food, wear-and-tear) versus the upfront shipping fee, especially if you're moving with others or have an unreliable car.

Shipping a car by train is generally cheaper, especially for long distances (500+ miles), due to higher capacity and lower cost-per-mile, but trucks offer door-to-door convenience, while trains require drop-off/pickup at terminals, adding costs and time, making trucks better for flexibility and short hauls, and trains better for budget and long cross-country trips.

Shipping a car 3000 miles typically costs $1,200 to over $2,000, with open transport being cheaper ($0.33-$0.60/mile) and enclosed transport costing more (around $0.75-$1.00+/mile), with prices varying by season, demand, vehicle type, and transport availability. Expect lower per-mile rates for longer distances, but higher overall prices.