Car Shipping Price Trends
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National price trend
Average price for a standard sedan on open transport.
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| Oct | $1,600 |
| Nov | $1,550 |
Key insights
- Lowest: November 2026 at $1,550.
- Highest: October 2026 at $1,600, 3% above the lowest month.
- Best time to ship: late winter, outside snowbird corridors.
- Current direction: easing (-3% vs. last month).
$1,550
Lowest monthly average
November 2026
$1,600
Highest monthly average
October 2026
$1,580
12-month average
Estimate
3%
Low-to-high swing
Difference across the year
Monthly price data
Average price and typical range for each of the last 12 months.
| Month | Average price | Typical range | vs. previous month |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | $1,600 | $850–$2,300 | — |
| November 2026 | $1,550 | $850–$2,300 | Down 3% vs. previous month |
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Frequently asked questions
Why do prices change throughout the year?
Summer brings family moves and college traffic, fall and spring bring snowbird traffic, and winter weather slows northern routes. More demand for the same trucks pushes prices up.
Do diesel prices affect car shipping rates?
Yes. Fuel is one of a carrier's largest costs, so sustained changes in diesel prices tend to show up in quotes within weeks.
When is the best time to ship a car?
In most years, January and February are the cheapest months outside snowbird corridors, and late spring and summer are the most expensive.
Best time to ship a carAre these real prices or estimates?
They're modeled from published industry studies and weekly diesel data, shown as a national average and typical range, and labeled with the date they describe. As Haulwide completes its own shipments, measured prices blend in and each figure's label updates. A price is confirmed only when a carrier accepts your specific shipment.
Market data methodology
More market data
- Car Shipping Market DataNational prices, trends and capacity at a glance.
- Car Shipping Price IndexThe national average price, tracked monthly.
- 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.
- Market Data MethodologySources, calculations and limitations.
Price tools
Turn market data into savings on your own shipment.
- Price calendarFind the cheapest pickup dates
- Cost calculatorEstimate any route
- Price alertsGet told when prices drop
- Nearby pickup savingsSave by meeting the truck
Using these numbers
- Treat averages as a starting point. Your route, vehicle and dates set the real price.
- A quote far below the average can mean a long wait for a truck.
- Check again a few weeks before pickup, when carriers plan their loads.
Use market data to ship smarter
Get an estimate for your route, vehicle and dates.