I only had to go a short distance in this case. I suppose buying out of state would be doable too.
No, it wouldn’t be doable. It would be foolish and dangerous.
When towing a car flat, all 4 wheels on the ground, you can pull it forward, but you cannot back up, or the front wheels will go full lock one direction or the other, that’s because the rake/trail in the front suspension keeps it stable when moving forward, but when moving in the opposite direction, i.e. backwards, the front wheels are inherently unstable. I’ve towed cars with all four wheels on the ground. I’ve seen this.
So, a car towed in reverse with the front wheels on the ground is inherently unstable.
Tying down the steering wheel might keep them from going full lock one direction or the other, but you’re fighting against the geometry of the front suspension. If your restraining method loosens, moves a bit, even, then you’re dragging the car with the front wheels partially deflected, and even more strain on your tie-down, not to mention a car that is swung out to the left or right of the two vehicle.
This is a recipe for disaster. Don’t set something up to be towed a long way, at high speed, when it is inherently unstable.