Be prepared to wait a LONG time (depending on pickup/drop-off points). I was told up to 6 weeks for a WA/OR border to Phoenix trip. (Major point-to-point is quicker ex: LA-PHX, NY-FL, NY-CHI) Places that are at normal terminals and on major N/S or E/W interstates are quicker than going off the beaten path(I-80, I-40, I-5, I-55, etc). It took my TR 6 or 7 days (lucky break that a truck with 1 spot was coming) and cost ~$500. I think they ripped off part of the exhaust too, but it may have been hanging low anyway and wasn't that big a deal to me on a $1500 car.
Shop around. These guys need the business, and plenty will make wacky offers. The downside to the business is most "shippers" are actually brokers who just sell the loads to the truckers. I paid $300 to the broker and $200 to the trucker (or there about). As I sat in the office waiting to pay them, I heard more than a few upset customers calling to inquire. I still was satisfied though. I just couldn't recommend them because my standards are significantly lower than most peoples!
There seems to be a definite "over promise - under deliver" attitude, that turns into a "read the small print" attitude when you complain.
Oh yeah, plan a place for the semi to be able to unload without blocking traffic, and be available at WEIRD hours, because they want to drop and run. Sometimes (I hear) if it is inconvenient, they'll drop a bit off the price to get further down the road.
