Car shipping service
Inoperable vs. Running Car Shipping
Compare Inoperable Car Shipping with the alternatives on price, protection, availability and the vehicles each option suits.
- Estimates clearly labeled
- Independent company rankings
- Free to compare
Inoperable Car Shipping at a glance
- Cost per mile
- $0.70–$1.89 per mile
- Typical total
- $1,025 – $2,665
- Transit time
- 3–5 days
- Best for
- Non-running vehicles
Free · No obligation · About a minute
Get a inoperable car shipping quote
Winch loading
Inoperable shipping
- Winch or forklift loading
- For cars that can't be driven
- Surcharge of about $150–$300
- Fewer trucks available
Standard
Running car shipping
$0.70–$1.89 per mile
- Driven onto the trailer
- Lower price
- Any open or enclosed truck
- Faster to schedule
Quick comparison
Feature | Inoperable shipping | Running car shipping |
|---|---|---|
| Price | About $150–$300 more | Standard price |
| Loading | Winch, forklift or dollies | Driven up the ramps |
| Truck availability | Winch-equipped trucks only | Almost any carrier |
| Pickup scheduling | Can take longer | Usually faster |
| Requirements | Rolls and steers, or forklift | Starts, drives and brakes |
| Best for | Project, salvage and damaged cars | Everyday running cars |
Choose inoperable shipping if:
- The car doesn't start or drive safely
- The brakes or steering are unreliable
- It's a salvage, auction or project car
Choose running car shipping if:
- The car starts, drives and brakes normally
- A cheap repair, like a new battery, would get it running
- You want the widest choice of trucks
Our recommendation
If a new battery or a jump start will get the car driving, fix it before pickup and save the surcharge. Otherwise, book inoperable shipping and describe the car's condition honestly.
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