Car shipping service
Pros and Cons of Inoperable Car Shipping
The advantages and disadvantages of Inoperable Car Shipping, and how to decide whether it fits your vehicle and budget.
- 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
Advantages of inoperable car shipping
- Ships cars that can't be driven
- Pickup from auction, salvage and repair yards
- No need to tow the car yourself
- Available on open and enclosed trucks
- Often cheaper than hiring a long-distance tow
Disadvantages
- Typically $150–$300 more than a running car
- Fewer winch-equipped trucks, so pickup can take longer
- Cars that don't roll need a forklift at both ends
- Existing damage must be documented carefully
- Personal items and loose parts usually can't ship inside
Side-by-side comparison
Inoperable vs. Running Car Shipping
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 |
Which option is right for you?
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
Recommendations by vehicle
Non-running sedans
Inoperable shippingSUVs and crossovers
Inoperable shippingPickup trucks
Inoperable shippingClassic project cars
Inoperable shippingBarn finds and antique cars
Inoperable shippingElectric vehicles
Either optionModified cars
Either optionCars that run and drive
Running car shipping
Ready to ship your car with inoperable car shipping?
Enter your route to compare estimated prices, pickup dates and transport companies.