Car shipping from New York City, NY to Austin, TX

Our team has been in the car shipping industry for a long time. We worked for some of the largest brokers and knew there was a better way to do things.

So we set out to create a company that would be different. We want to walk you through how the process works and we guarantee to match any price you hear from a competitor.

We're a scrappy team that looks forward to earning your business.

Preparing your vehicle for the 1,700+ mile journey from New York City to Austin is straightforward but important. Here's what you need to do:

Clean and inspect your vehicle: Wash the exterior and interior so you can document its current condition with photos. This creates a clear record before transport begins.

Remove personal items: Carriers aren't insured for personal belongings, so take out any valuables, electronics, toll passes (like E-ZPass), and loose items that could shift during transit. You can leave up to 100 pounds in the trunk if needed.

Check fluids and tire pressure: Ensure your car is in good running condition with proper fluid levels and inflated tires. Your battery should be charged and the gas tank about a quarter full.

Disable alarms: Turn off any car alarms to prevent them from going off during the multi-day trip to Texas.

Secure or remove accessories: Retract antennas, fold in mirrors if possible, and remove or secure any custom spoilers, bike racks, or roof cargo boxes that could be damaged, especially with open transport.

Prepare documentation: Have a set of keys ready for the driver and ensure you have the necessary car shipping documents and valid insurance on file.

Taking these simple steps ensures a smooth pickup in NYC and safe delivery to Austin.

Yes, your vehicle is insured during transport from New York City to Austin. At Sakaem Logistics, we require all carriers in our network to maintain a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance. Before your shipment begins, we verify that the carrier's insurance policy is current and in good standing.

This coverage protects your vehicle against damage that may occur during loading, transport, and unloading. However, it's important to note that carrier insurance typically covers only damage caused by carrier negligence—not pre-existing damage or issues related to mechanical failure. We recommend reviewing our guide on valid insurance to understand what's covered and what's not.

Before your vehicle is picked up in New York City, you'll receive a copy of the carrier's insurance certificate. Make sure to inspect your vehicle carefully with the driver and document its condition on the Bill of Lading. Take photos of all sides of your car as additional protection. When your vehicle arrives in Austin, inspect it again before signing off on delivery.

If you have questions about insurance coverage or need additional protection for a high-value vehicle, our team is happy to discuss your options and ensure you have peace of mind throughout your cross-country shipment.

We recommend scheduling your pickup at least 1-2 weeks in advance for the New York City to Austin route. However, booking earlier—ideally 3-4 weeks out—gives you the best chance of securing competitive rates and flexible pickup windows.

Here's why advance booking matters: carriers traveling this popular 1,700+ mile route often consolidate multiple vehicles on the same truck to maximize efficiency. When you list your shipment early, drivers have more time to plan their routes and include your car alongside others heading in the same direction. This bundling approach is exactly how we help customers get better value—it's more cost-effective for everyone involved.

If you're moving during peak season (summer months and end-of-month periods), consider booking even earlier. For urgent situations, we do offer expedited shipping services, though these typically come at a premium.

The bottom line: the more flexible you can be with your timeline, the better your options and pricing will be. Book as soon as you know your moving dates to give yourself—and our carrier network—the best opportunity to find the perfect match for your shipment.

We accept all forms of payment. We can arrange credit cards or arrange for you to pay the carrier directly through cash/certified check. We even accept payment via Cash/Zelle/Venmo.

Your shipment with SAKAEM includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or secured below the window line. If your shipment includes ocean transit (Hawaii shipments), your vehicle must be emptied of all items. SAKAEM and your assigned carrier are not responsible for personal items left inside your vehicle. See our car shipping guide for more details.

A designated (adult) must be present at pickup and delivery. This designated person plays an important role in the shipping process including documenting the state of the vehicle and signing the Bill of Lading, which acts as a receipt of the vehicle's condition.

When shipping your vehicle from New York City to Austin, you'll choose between two main transport methods: open and enclosed carriers.

Open Transport is the most common and economical option. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air trailer (the same type you see hauling cars on highways). While your car is exposed to weather and road conditions during the 1,700+ mile journey, this method is safe, reliable, and used for about 90% of all vehicle shipments. Open transport typically costs significantly less—often 40-60% cheaper than enclosed options.

Enclosed Transport provides maximum protection by shipping your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer. This shields your car from weather, road debris, and dust throughout the trip. Enclosed shipping is ideal for luxury vehicles, classic cars, exotic sports cars, or any vehicle with custom paint, modifications, or high value. The trade-off is higher cost and sometimes longer wait times, as fewer enclosed carriers operate this route.

For most standard vehicles making the NYC to Austin move, open transport offers excellent value and protection. However, if you're shipping a high-value or collectible vehicle, the extra investment in enclosed trailer shipping provides peace of mind worth the premium price.

Yes! We offer Door To Door Car Shipping from New York City, NY to Austin, TX. This is our most popular service because it maximizes convenience for our customers.

Here's how it works: when you book your shipment, we'll ask for your preferred pickup address in New York City and your delivery address in Austin. Our assigned carrier will pick up your vehicle directly from your location—whether that's your home, office, or apartment—and deliver it right to your door in Austin.

In most cases, door-to-door service works seamlessly. However, if your street has restrictions like low-hanging trees, narrow roads, or weight limits that prevent large car carriers from accessing your address safely, the driver will contact you to arrange a convenient nearby meeting spot. This might be a shopping center parking lot, gas station, or other accessible location within a few blocks of your address.

The bottom line: we make every effort to get as close to your exact addresses as possible, saving you the hassle of driving to a terminal or depot. It's all part of our commitment to delivering real value and ending the days when big brokers made shipping your car more complicated than it needed to be.

We transport sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, electric vehicles, vans and motorcycles across all 48 continental states + Hawaii. Our services even provide shipment for golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. We can ship vehicles that don't run so long as the vehicle can roll, brake, and steer, and that you can provide the carrier with a key to the vehicle. The only exception is boats, which we do not transport.

See our car shipping guide to learn more about car shipping!