Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from Los Angeles, California to Washington State

It's usually cheaper to drive your car than to ship it, especially for shorter distances, as driving costs primarily involve fuel, while shipping adds significant professional fees and potentially higher insurance for the carrier. However, driving incurs hidden costs like wear-and-tear, depreciation, tolls, and your time, so for very long distances or if your car is unreliable, shipping might be worth the extra expense for convenience and safety, with costs varying greatly by distance, carrier, and vehicle type.

The cheapest way to ship a car to another state is using an open transport carrier, which hauls multiple vehicles on a standard trailer, significantly cutting costs compared to enclosed shipping. To save even more, choose terminal-to-terminal service (dropping off/picking up at carrier hubs), be flexible with dates to avoid peak seasons, book in advance, and get quotes from multiple companies like Montway Auto Transport, uShip, and AmeriFreight.

For long distances (500+ miles), shipping a car by train is generally cheaper and more eco-friendly, offering significant cost savings over trucks, though it's less flexible with fixed routes and station drop-offs. Truck transport provides more convenience and speed, with door-to-door service, but usually at a higher price, especially for longer hauls where rail's cost advantage widens.