Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from St. Louis, Missouri to Fresno, California

Driving is usually cheaper for shorter distances, but for long cross-country moves, the cost difference shrinks, and shipping often becomes more cost-effective when factoring in gas, food, lodging, wear-and-tear, and time, making it worth paying a carrier to avoid the hassle and expense of a long solo trip, though driving saves on carrier fees but adds travel time and costs.

It's often cheaper to ship a car by train, especially for long distances on specific routes like Amtrak's Auto Train (DC to Florida), offering enclosed protection for potentially less than an open truck carrier; however, for general cross-country moves not on Amtrak routes, truck (open carrier) is usually the most economical, though trains offer better protection and environmental benefits if available.

The cheapest way to ship a car to another state is usually open transport on a multi-car carrier, combined with terminal-to-terminal service, booking during off-peak seasons, and comparing quotes from multiple companies like Montway or uShip to get the best rate. Driving it yourself is cheapest if feasible, but open transport is the most affordable external service.