Pricing guide
How Much Does It Cost
to Ship a Car?
Most shipments run $600 to $1,600 depending on distance, vehicle, and season. Get your number instantly below — then see exactly what drives the price.
Instant estimate
Car shipping cost calculator
The same pricing engine our dispatchers use — pulled straight onto the page. Pick your route and vehicle to see a real number, no contact info required.
Choose a pickup and delivery state to see your estimated cost instantly — no email or phone number required.
What affects your price
Six factors that determine
your shipping cost.
Distance
The single largest factor. Longer routes cost more in total but less per mile. A 300-mile move may run $2-3 per mile, while a 2,000-mile move often drops below $1 per mile.
Vehicle type and size
Larger, heavier, or taller vehicles take up more space on a carrier and cost more to ship. A compact sedan costs less than a full-size SUV or lifted truck.
Transport method
Open transport is the standard and most affordable option. Enclosed transport provides full protection and typically costs 30-50% more due to smaller carrier capacity.
Time of year
Demand peaks in summer and during the January snowbird season. Shipping in spring or fall often means lower prices and faster pickup times.
Pickup and delivery location
Major metro areas and routes along interstates are more affordable. Rural or remote locations may require additional fees due to limited carrier access.
Vehicle condition
Non-running or inoperable vehicles require a winch or special equipment for loading and unloading, which adds to the total cost.
Price estimates
Approximate cost ranges
by distance.
Based on a standard sedan. Larger vehicles, inoperable vehicles, and expedited timelines may fall outside these ranges.
| DISTANCE | COST PER MILE | OPEN TRANSPORT | ENCLOSED TRANSPORT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $1.50 - $2.00/mi | $400 - $700 | $600 - $1,100 |
| 500 - 1,000 miles | $0.90 - $1.30/mi | $600 - $1,000 | $900 - $1,500 |
| 1,000 - 1,500 miles | $0.70 - $1.00/mi | $800 - $1,200 | $1,200 - $1,900 |
| 1,500 - 2,000 miles | $0.55 - $0.75/mi | $900 - $1,400 | $1,400 - $2,200 |
| 2,000+ miles | $0.45 - $0.65/mi | $1,000 - $1,600 | $1,600 - $2,600 |
Notice the pattern: the cost to ship a car across the country is the best value per mile. A 2,500-mile coast-to-coast move often costs only 50 to 60 cents per mile, while a short 200-mile hop can run ten times that rate — carriers price by how efficiently a shipment fills their route, not just by distance.
Popular routes
Current prices on
high-volume lanes.
Open transport, standard sedan. Each route page has full details on transit times, seasonal pricing, and pickup logistics for that lane.
| ROUTE | DISTANCE | OPEN TRANSPORT | TRANSIT |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York to Florida | ~1,362 mi | $1,315 - $1,545 | 4 – 6 days |
| California to New York | ~2,836 mi | $1,305 - $1,530 | 7 – 10 days |
| California to Texas | ~1,368 mi | $1,320 - $1,550 | 4 – 6 days |
| Illinois to Florida | ~1,182 mi | $1,140 - $1,340 | 4 – 6 days |
| Pennsylvania to Florida | ~1,141 mi | $1,100 - $1,295 | 4 – 6 days |
| Miami to New York | ~1,289 mi | $1,245 - $1,460 | 4 – 6 days |
| New York to Atlanta | ~1,012 mi | $980 - $1,150 | 4 – 6 days |
| California to Pennsylvania | ~2,673 mi | $1,230 - $1,445 | 7 – 10 days |
Browse all lanes on the routes page, or see city-by-city coverage.
Seasonal pricing
When you ship matters
as much as where.
Carrier supply and demand shift throughout the year. Understanding these patterns can help you time your shipment for the best possible rate.
Snowbird season drives demand on north-to-south routes.
Balanced demand. Often the best window for competitive pricing.
Peak moving season. Book early to secure favorable rates.
Lowest overall demand. Best prices and fastest pickups.
Save on shipping
How to get
the best rate.
- Book 2-4 weeks in advance when possible to secure better carrier availability and pricing
- Be flexible with your pickup window by a few days to allow more carrier options
- Ship during off-peak months like September through November for the best rates
- Choose terminal-to-terminal if available in your area to reduce cost versus door-to-door
- Avoid expedited shipping unless truly necessary, as standard timelines are usually sufficient
- Get multiple quotes, but be cautious of prices that seem too low to be realistic
The honest part
Why no honest quote is
"guaranteed" until a carrier accepts.
A quote is a real market estimate, not a locked contract — from any company. Here is exactly why, and why that honesty protects you from the industry's oldest trick.
Supply and demand set the real price
Your car moves when a carrier with an open slot chooses your load off the national board. When trucks are plentiful on your lane, prices soften; when they're scarce, the market rate rises. No broker controls that — we price to what carriers are actually accepting so your load gets taken.
Weather and season move rates weekly
A storm system, the winter snowbird surge to Florida, or peak summer moving season can shift carrier rates on a route within days. A quote is an honest snapshot of today's market, not a promise about next week's.
The market fluctuates — constantly
Fuel costs and carrier availability change all the time. That's why a responsible quote is a strong estimate, and why we'd rather have an honest conversation than pretend a number is frozen when the market isn't.
A 'locked guarantee' is usually a trap
Any company promising a locked, guaranteed price below the market is doing one of two things: leaving your car stranded because no carrier will take an underpriced load, or calling back days later to ask for more money. A too-good guarantee is the classic setup for exactly that.
Our number is the national market average
We quote the all-inclusive national average for your route and vehicle — the price that actually books a carrier. If the market shifts before dispatch, we come back to you for approval and you can accept or cancel at no charge. We're negotiating with carriers on your behalf, not against you.
Pricing questions
Cost FAQ
Most car shipments in the US cost between $600 and $1,600 with open transport. Short moves under 500 miles typically run $400 to $700, while coast-to-coast shipments run $1,000 to $1,600. Price is driven mainly by distance, vehicle size, transport type, and season — use the calculator above for a live estimate on your exact route.
A coast-to-coast open transport shipment typically costs between $1,000 and $1,600 for a standard sedan. Enclosed transport runs $1,600 to $2,600. The exact price depends on vehicle size, route, and time of year.
Shipping a standard sedan 1,000 miles typically costs $700 to $1,000 with open transport, or roughly $0.70 to $1.00 per mile. A 1,000-mile shipment usually takes 3 to 5 days from pickup to delivery.
Open transport on a flexible schedule is the cheapest way to ship a car. Open carriers move 7 to 10 vehicles at once, which spreads the cost, and giving carriers a few days of pickup flexibility lets your broker place the vehicle on a truck already running your route. Shipping in fall (September through November) adds further savings.
For moves over roughly 500 miles, shipping is usually comparable to or cheaper than driving once you count fuel, lodging, meals, wear and tear, and the days of your time. A 2,000-mile drive costs roughly $500 to $800 out of pocket plus three to four days — open transport on the same route runs $1,000 to $1,600 and costs you none of your time.
Treat any quote as a strong market estimate, not a locked guarantee — from any company. Auto transport pricing moves with supply and demand, weather, season, and fuel, and the price only becomes final when a specific carrier accepts your load. We quote the national market average for your route so it actually books; if the market shifts before dispatch, we tell you and you can accept the change or cancel at no charge. A company promising a locked guarantee below market usually either can't find a carrier or comes back later asking for more money.
Unrealistically low quotes are a common industry tactic. The broker collects your deposit, then cannot find a carrier willing to move your vehicle at that price. You end up paying more or waiting indefinitely. We quote what carriers will actually accept.
Yes, a small deposit is collected at booking to reserve your carrier slot. The remaining balance is paid directly to the driver at delivery. We never charge the full amount upfront.
No. The price we quote includes carrier transport, insurance, fuel surcharges, and standard door-to-door service. The only additions would be if you request changes after booking, such as switching to enclosed transport.
Yes. Non-running or inoperable vehicles require special equipment for loading and typically add $100 to $300 to the total cost. Let us know the vehicle's condition when requesting a quote so we can price accurately.
Get your exact price
An honest price, not a fake guarantee.
Your quote is an all-inclusive estimate built on the national market average for your route — the price carriers are actually accepting. It is not a bait-and-switch lowball, and it is not a "locked guarantee" we can't keep. If the market moves before a carrier is assigned, we tell you and you decide. No deposit until a driver is booked.