- Open transport (est.)
- $1,035 – $2,795
- Enclosed transport (est.)
- $1,345 – $4,475
3–6 days in transit
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car?
Typical prices by distance, vehicle and transport type, what drives the cost up or down, and free tools to estimate your own shipment.
- Estimates clearly labeled
- Independent company rankings
- Free to compare
- Open transport, standard car
- $875 – $2,365
- Enclosed transport
- $1,140 – $3,780
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Get exact quotes for your car
How much does it cost to ship a car?
Shipping a standard car on an open carrier typically costs $875 – $2,365, according to published industry studies. A short move of under 500 miles runs $280 – $770 and a cross-country one of 2,000+ miles runs $875 – $4,725. An enclosed trailer adds about 30–60%. These are ranges, not quotes: a carrier sets your price when it accepts the load.
What decides the price
Five things decide a car shipping price: distance, the vehicle's size and weight, whether it runs, open or enclosed transport, and how flexible your dates are. Route matters as much as mileage — a busy corridor between large cities is cheaper per mile than a rural one, because the driver can fill the rest of the trailer on the same run.
Free car shipping price tools
Estimate, time and track the price of your shipment.
- Car Shipping Cost Calculator
Instant price range for your route.
- Car Shipping Price Calendar
Estimated prices for every day.
- Car Shipping Price Forecast
12-month price outlook.
- Car Shipping Price Alerts
Get told when prices drop.
- Car Shipping Price Lock
Hold a quoted price, with conditions.
- Nearby Pickup Savings
Save by meeting the truck nearby.
- Car Shipping Rates by State
Average costs to and from every state.
- Car Shipping Rates by Route
Prices and transit times on popular routes.
Estimate your cost in seconds
Choose your states, vehicle and timing.
Estimated cost range
$1,980 – $2,520
- Approx. distance
- 1,460 miles
- Transit time
- 3–5 days
- Price per mile
- $1.36–$1.73 per mile
This is an estimate for planning. Your price is set when a carrier accepts your shipment.
Get Exact QuotesSee California to Texas pricesCar shipping cost by distance
Typical prices for a standard car.
Shipping a standard car 2,000+ miles on an open carrier costs $875 – $4,725, against $280 – $770 for under 500 miles. Per mile the order reverses: short moves run $0.80–$2.20 and long ones fall to $0.35–$1.89, because loading, paperwork and the driver's time cost much the same whatever the distance.
| Distance | Open transport | Enclosed transport | Open cost per mile | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $280 – $770 | $340 – $1,230 | $0.80–$2.20 per mile | 1–2 days |
| 500–999 miles | $550 – $1,420 | $700 – $2,270 | $0.73–$1.89 per mile | 2–3 days |
| 1,000–1,499 miles | $875 – $2,365 | $1,140 – $3,780 | $0.70–$1.89 per mile | 3–5 days |
| 1,500–1,999 miles | $700 – $3,310 | $910 – $5,290 | $0.40–$1.89 per mile | 4–7 days |
| 2,000+ miles | $875 – $4,725 | $1,140 – $7,560 | $0.35–$1.89 per mile | 5–10 days |
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
Cost by vehicle
Compared with a standard sedan.
A standard car is the baseline price, and 4 other vehicle types cost more than it. A non-running vehicle is the dearest at $150–$300 more. Size and weight are why: a carrier sells space on a trailer, so a vehicle that takes up two slots or pushes the load near its weight limit displaces a car the driver could otherwise have been paid for.
- Sedan or small carUsually open transport
- Baseline
- SUV or crossoverUsually open transport
- +6.8%
- Pickup truckUsually open transport
- +38%
- Luxury, classic or exotic carUsually enclosed transport
- +30–60%
- Non-running vehicleUsually open transport
- +$150–$300
Extra charges to ask about
Get the total price in writing so none of these surprise you.
A car shipping quote is usually all-in, but the price can move for a pickup or delivery a truck cannot reach, a vehicle that turns out not to run, extra belongings in the car, or a date that has to be guaranteed. None of these should appear after booking if you ask about them first: get the total, in writing, before you pay a deposit.
- Non-running vehicleWinch loading usually adds a surcharge.
- Oversized or modifiedLifted trucks, roof racks and large vans take extra space.
- Expedited pickupGuaranteed or priority dates cost more.
- StorageCharged if nobody can receive the car on delivery day.
- Failed pickupSome companies charge if the car isn't ready when the truck arrives.
- CancellationDeposits may be non-refundable after a carrier is assigned.
What a fair quote includes
- Transport from pickup to delivery
- Fuel and tolls
- The carrier's cargo insurance
- Door-to-door service where a truck can safely reach
Questions to ask before you book
- Is this an estimate or a confirmed price?
- How much is the deposit, and when is it charged?
- How is the driver paid at delivery?
- What does it cost to cancel or reschedule?
What affects the cost to ship a car?
Distance and route
Longer trips cost more in total but less per mile. Busy interstate corridors are usually cheaper than remote or rural routes.
Vehicle size and weight
SUVs, pickups and vans take up more space and weight on a carrier than a sedan, so they cost more to ship.
Open or enclosed transport
Enclosed trailers carry fewer cars and protect them from weather and road debris, so they cost more than open carriers.
Season and demand
Prices rise when demand outpaces truck space, such as summer moving season and snowbird routes in late fall and spring.
Vehicle condition
A car that doesn't run needs a winch or special equipment to load, which adds to the price.
Pickup timing
Flexible pickup dates give carriers more ways to fit your car on a truck. Expedited pickup costs more.
Six ways to pay less
- Choose open transportIt's the cheapest option and safe for everyday cars.
- Be flexible on datesA three-to-five-day window gets better prices.
- Avoid peak seasonSummer and snowbird months cost more.
- Meet the truck nearbySee nearby pickup savings
Popular routes and prices
- Open transport (est.)
- $915 – $2,475
- Enclosed transport (est.)
- $1,190 – $3,960
3–6 days in transit
- Open transport (est.)
- $695 – $3,290
- Enclosed transport (est.)
- $905 – $5,260
4–7 days in transit
- Open transport (est.)
- $805 – $2,175
- Enclosed transport (est.)
- $1,045 – $3,480
3–5 days in transit
- Open transport (est.)
- $630 – $1,625
- Enclosed transport (est.)
- $805 – $2,600
2–4 days in transit
- Open transport (est.)
- $655 – $3,100
- Enclosed transport (est.)
- $855 – $4,960
4–7 days in transit
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a car?
Most standard sedans cost several hundred dollars for short regional trips and roughly $1,000 to $1,700 for cross-country open transport. Enclosed transport usually costs about 30% to 60% more.
Average car shipping costWhat is the cost per mile to ship a car?
Long trips often work out to well under $1 per mile, while short trips can cost $1.50 or more per mile because loading and dispatch costs are spread over fewer miles.
Cost per mileWhat's the cheapest way to ship a car?
Choose open transport, keep your pickup window flexible, avoid peak summer weeks and compare several quotes for the same dates.
Cheapest way to ship a carAre there hidden fees?
A clear quote includes transport, carrier insurance and door-to-door service. Extra charges can apply for non-running vehicles, oversized or modified vehicles, expedited pickup and storage. Ask for the total price in writing.
Is insurance included in the price?
Licensed carriers must carry cargo insurance, and its cost is built into the price. Check the coverage limit and deductible before pickup.
Car shipping insuranceHow much does it cost to ship a car across the country?
Coast-to-coast moves fall in the 2,000+ mile band in the table above, which is the cheapest per mile and the most expensive in total. Transit is usually a week or more, and the price moves with the season and how flexible your pickup window is.
Cross-country car shippingWhat are car shipping rates, and are they the same as a quote?
A rate is the going price for a kind of move — a distance band, a vehicle, open or enclosed. A quote is one company's offer for your shipment on your dates. Rates tell you whether a quote is reasonable; only the quote is a price you can book.
Why quotes differ
Does it cost more to ship a truck or an SUV?
Yes. Bigger vehicles take more room and weight on a trailer, so they carry a percentage uplift over a sedan — the Cost by vehicle table above shows the published figures. A lifted or modified truck can cost more again, because it may not fit a standard slot.
Pickup truck shippingWhen is car shipping cheapest?
Prices follow demand rather than the calendar alone. Summer and the snowbird seasons are the busiest and dearest; late autumn and midwinter outside the holidays are usually quieter. A flexible pickup window is worth more than any single date.
Best time to ship a carIs it cheaper to ship a car or drive it?
Driving looks cheaper until you add fuel, nights on the road, food, wear and the value of the days. Shipping usually wins on long moves and loses on short ones, and it is the only option if the car cannot be driven or you are moving two.
Cheaper to drive or ship?Is the price based on distance or weight?
Mostly distance, then the space and weight your vehicle takes on the trailer. That is why the per-mile price falls as the trip gets longer: loading, dispatch and paperwork cost the same whether the car goes 300 miles or 3,000.
Cost per mileIs enclosed transport worth the extra cost?
Enclosed costs roughly 30% to 60% more than open. It is worth it for a car whose repair or replacement would hurt — classics, exotics, low-clearance and freshly restored vehicles. For an everyday car, open transport is what almost everyone uses and what most carriers run.
Open vs. enclosed costHow can I get a lower price?
Ship open, give a pickup window of several days rather than a date, book one to two weeks ahead, meet the driver somewhere a full-size trailer can turn, and compare several quotes for the same dates. Avoid paying a large deposit before a carrier is assigned.
Cheapest way to ship a carIs 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.
How Haulwide works
Published figures checked How we check
More price tools
- Car Shipping Cost CalculatorInstant price range for your route.
- Is Your Car Shipping Quote Fair?Check a price you were quoted.
- Car Shipping Price CalendarEstimated prices for every day.
- Car Shipping Price Forecast12-month price outlook.
- Car Shipping Price AlertsGet told when prices drop.
- Car Shipping Price LockHold a quoted price, with conditions.
- Nearby Pickup SavingsSave by meeting the truck nearby.
- Average Car Shipping CostAverage prices by distance and vehicle.
- Car Shipping Cost per MilePer-mile rates by distance.
- Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping CostPrice difference and when to pay it.
Market data
The numbers behind the estimates.
- Car Shipping Market DataNational prices, trends and capacity at a glance.
- Car Shipping Price IndexThe national average price, tracked monthly.
- Car Shipping Price TrendsHow prices moved over the last 12 months.
- Car Shipping Rates by StateAverage costs to and from every state.
- Car Shipping Rates by RoutePrices and transit times on popular routes.
- Carrier AvailabilityTruck space and pickup times by region.
- Car Shipping SeasonalityCheapest and busiest months to ship.
Ready to ship your car?
Compare quotes from top-rated companies and book with confidence.