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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.
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Open transport, standard car
$875 – $2,365
Enclosed transport
$1,140 – $3,780

Free · No obligation · About a minute

Get exact quotes for your car

Where is your car going?

Transport type

Most affordable · Best for everyday cars, SUVs and pickups

Free to use, no obligation to book. Prices are estimates until a carrier confirms. How we make money

Free car shipping price tools

Estimate, time and track the price of your shipment.

Estimate your cost in seconds

Choose your states, vehicle and timing.

Estimate your shipping cost

1. Your route
2. Vehicle
3. Transport type
4. When do you need pickup?

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 prices

Car shipping cost by distance

Typical prices for a standard car.

Estimated car shipping cost by distance
DistanceOpen transportEnclosed transportOpen cost per mileTransit time
Under 500 miles$280 – $770$340 – $1,230$0.80–$2.20 per mile1–2 days
500–999 miles$550 – $1,420$700 – $2,270$0.73–$1.89 per mile2–3 days
1,000–1,499 miles$875 – $2,365$1,140 – $3,780$0.70–$1.89 per mile3–5 days
1,500–1,999 miles$700 – $3,310$910 – $5,290$0.40–$1.89 per mile4–7 days
2,000+ miles$875 – $4,725$1,140 – $7,560$0.35–$1.89 per mile5–10 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.

Standard carUsually open transport
Baseline
Pickup truckUsually open transport
+38–38%
SUVUsually open transport
+6.8–6.8%
Non-running vehicleUsually open transport
+$150–$300

Extra charges to ask about

Get the total price in writing so none of these surprise you.

  • 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?
Full cost factors guide

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

Frequently asked questions

All FAQs
  • 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 40% to 60% more.

    Average car shipping cost
  • What 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 mile
  • What'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 car
  • Are 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 insurance
  • 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.

    How Haulwide works

More price tools

Market data

The numbers behind the estimates.

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