Why do short trips cost more per mile?

Every shipment has fixed costs: dispatch, loading, unloading and paperwork. On a short trip those costs are spread over fewer miles, so the per-mile rate is higher.

How do I use per-mile rates to check a quote?

Divide the quote by the approximate driving distance and compare it with the typical rate for that distance band. A result far below the range can mean a lowball quote that won't attract a carrier.

What's the per-mile rate for enclosed transport?

Enclosed transport usually runs 40% to 60% above the open rate for the same distance.

Is an estimate the same as a quote?

No. Estimates help you plan and compare. A quote is a company's offer for your specific shipment, and the price is only confirmed once a carrier accepts it.

Car Shipping Cost per Mile

Per-mile rates by distance, why shorter trips cost more per mile, and how to use them to sanity-check a quote.

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Car shipping cost per mile by distance

Estimates for a standard car. Open rates are the span across the published sources; enclosed rates apply their published premium to that span, so the top combines the highest open rate with the highest premium.

Car shipping cost per mile by distance (estimates)
Distance	Open, per mile	Enclosed, per mile	Typical open total
Under 500 miles	$0.80–$2.20 per mile	$1.04–$3.52 per mile	$280 – $770
500–999 miles	$0.73–$1.89 per mile	$0.95–$3.02 per mile	$550 – $1,420
1,000–1,499 miles	$0.70–$1.89 per mile	$0.91–$3.02 per mile	$875 – $2,365
1,500–1,999 miles	$0.40–$1.89 per mile	$0.52–$3.02 per mile	$700 – $3,310
2,000+ miles	$0.35–$1.89 per mile	$0.45–$3.02 per mile	$875 – $4,725

Where these figures come from

Published industry studies, not Haulwide shipments. Checked Sep 16, 2026.

SGT Auto Transport(opens in a new tab)
Published Sep 9, 2026. 30 months of the company's own shipping data (January 2024 to June 2026) across all 50 states and 1,581 state-to-state lanes, limited to completed single-vehicle open transport deliveries and mix-adjusted for distance.
Move.org(opens in a new tab)
Published Mar 4, 2026. Nearly 800 broker quotes analyzed, priced for a running 2025 Toyota Camry with a one-week lead time using October 2025 quotes.
Kelley Blue Book(opens in a new tab)
Published Jan 12, 2026. Quotes requested from eight transport companies for a 2025 Honda Accord on three routes from Orlando, on standard open carriers.
Direct Connect Auto Transport(opens in a new tab)
No publication date given. The company's own carrier data for an operable sedan on open transport; the page states no publication date.
RoadRunner Auto Transport(opens in a new tab)
Published Sep 1, 2026. The company's completed shipment history, which it describes as over 1 million vehicles delivered across 30+ years, updated September 2026. Its nationwide average is $1,215 at a median distance of 987 miles and a median $1.23 per mile.

The sources disagree, so figures are shown as the span across them rather than a single price. Pricing methodology

Why short trips cost more per mile

Under 500 miles$2.20
500–999 miles$1.89
1,000–1,499 miles$1.89
1,500–1,999 miles$1.89
2,000+ miles$1.89

Dispatch, loading, unloading and paperwork cost about the same on every trip. Spread over a short distance, they add a lot per mile; on a cross-country trip they barely register.

Use per-mile rates to check a quote

Find the approximate driving distance for your route.
Divide the quoted price by the miles.
Compare the result with the typical range for that distance.

Far below the range can mean a lowball quote that won't attract a carrier. Far above it is worth questioning.

Example quote: $1,150
Distance: 1,450 miles
Quote per mile: $0.79
Typical for 1,000–1,499 miles: $0.70–$1.89 per mile

Frequently asked questions

All FAQs

Why do short trips cost more per mile?
Every shipment has fixed costs: dispatch, loading, unloading and paperwork. On a short trip those costs are spread over fewer miles, so the per-mile rate is higher.
How do I use per-mile rates to check a quote?
Divide the quote by the approximate driving distance and compare it with the typical rate for that distance band. A result far below the range can mean a lowball quote that won't attract a carrier.

What's the per-mile rate for enclosed transport?
Enclosed transport usually runs 40% to 60% above the open rate for the same distance.
Open vs. enclosed cost
Is an estimate the same as a quote?
No. Estimates help you plan and compare. A quote is a company's offer for your specific shipment, and the price is only confirmed once a carrier accepts it.
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