How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Car?
There are a lot of factors that will impact your overall shipping prices and services. Read on, learn about how much it costs to ship a car, and get a free quote.
Are you trying to figure out how much it costs to ship a car? If so, you've come to the right place!
There are a lot of factors that will impact your overall shipping prices and services, and we have a handy breakdown of all the things that will affect your auto shipping rates. So read on, learn about how much it costs to ship a car, and request your free estimate online or by calling us toll-free any time. The ranges below come from a formula we publish in full on our How We Estimate page.
How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Car?
What it costs to ship a car depends first on road distance, then on vehicle size, transport type, the month and the price of diesel. In November, our published formula puts a standard sedan on an open carrier at $380 – $590 for a 150 mi regional move and $1,440 – $1,950 for a 2,500 mi coast-to-coast trip, with enclosed transport +50% on top. Every figure on this page is an estimate from that formula, not a quote; the licensed auto transport company you choose sets the price.
However, the total cost to ship a vehicle is affected by factors such as the selected transportation method, the time of the year, the distance that has to be covered, and the vehicle size, among others. That being said, you may find companies that charge a flat fee for car shipping. In this case, though, look at the fine print as there are usually extra charges that add to the shipping cost quickly.
The Six Things That Set the Price
- Distance. The biggest factor. Longer trips cost more in total but less per mile.
- Vehicle size. A pickup or large SUV takes more trailer space and weight than a compact sedan, so it costs more.
- Open or enclosed. Enclosed trailers cost more because they carry fewer cars and shield them from weather and road debris.
- Season and direction. Summer and snowbird travel raise prices, and a route against the main flow of traffic can cost less than one with it.
- Whether the car runs. A car that cannot drive onto the trailer needs a winch or forklift, which adds to the cost.
- Fuel. Diesel is a major running cost for a carrier, so the weekly diesel price moves rates up or down.
Want numbers for your own route? Use the auto shipping cost estimator, see how each figure is built on How We Estimate, or request a free estimate and compare offers from licensed auto transport companies.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Shipping a Car
The total cost you pay to ship your vehicle will vary based on a number of different factors. Where are you shipping from or to? What kind of vehicle are you shipping? What condition is it in? All of that and more will determine your specific car transport price. Luckily, with American Auto Shipping, we put your shipment in front of vetted, licensed auto transport companies and they compete with their best offers, completely free of charge to you.
Distance: Where are you shipping from and to?
The distance between your pickup and delivery locations tends to be the #1 most important factor in your auto transport price. The further you ship, the more expensive it is. Most car shipping companies will price shipments on a per-mile basis, and the price per mile tends to go down for longer distances. Short distances are cheaper, but cost more per mile, while longer shipments are more expensive, but cost less per mile.
Vehicle Type: What are you shipping?
What you're shipping is almost as important as where you're shipping from and to. Shippers need exact information regarding your vehicle so they know how much space to allocate for it. Larger vehicles cost more to ship for this reason. For most vehicles, dimensions are already known. However, if your vehicle is a van or a pickup truck, carriers may need the dimensions of it. This is true for any larger-than-average vehicle, really.
Maneuverability: Does your vehicle run?
The condition of your vehicle will also play an important role in how much it costs to ship your car. If your car doesn't start, but it can still roll, brake, and steer, a winch can be used to load and unload it. While vehicles are usually loaded via driving them onto the truck, that can't happen if they aren't running. Winches are not used by all carriers, and those that do have one tend to charge a bit more for the hassle of using it.
If you don't tell your agent that your vehicle is not running, they may dispatch a truck that cannot load your vehicle, which can result in dry run fees that you'd have to cover. Misrepresentation of a vehicle can cause serious problems, so be upfront with the condition of your vehicle when booking your shipment.
Transport Type: How do you want your vehicle shipped?
Open transportation is the cheapest method of shipping a vehicle. If you opt for enclosed transportation, it will add to the cost of your shipment significantly. If you're shipping a large pickup truck, or a vehicle that has been modified and now has different dimensions than a stock counterpart, it can also increase the price.
Origination: Are you shipping from a major city?
Major cities and their metro areas are more popular than rural locations for several reasons. For starters, there are naturally more carriers in larger cities. Also, there are more potential customers. This makes things cheaper since carriers don't have to go too far out of their way to pickup or deliver a vehicle. For rural shipments, if you're close to a highway, that will help your price. If you're in the middle of nowhere, however, prices tend to be at their highest.
Seasonality: What season is it?
You'd be surprised, but the seasons can and will affect auto transport services and how much it will take to ship your car. Fall and spring are considered the "stable" seasons, while summer and winter tend to be more volatile in terms of the cost to ship a car. Summer shipping sees a huge spike in demand for shipping services, which will increase prices along major routes. During the winter months, demand goes down, which tends to result in lower prices for transporting a vehicle.
Other factors that affect automobile shipping costs
- The condition of the vehicle – If the car is not in working condition, you will be called to pay more to ship it.
- Extra services – If you require expedited auto shipping or additional insurance, our formula adds +20% for expedited pickup; extra insurance is priced by the carrier.
- Route – Direct routes, traffic jams, and road closures influence the price.
- Number of vehicles and discounts – Shipping two or more cars costs more in total, but many companies take something off each car when they load together. Some also offer student, military or senior discounts, or a lower price for a particular payment method. Discounts vary by company, so ask the one whose offer you are considering what it offers and what proof it needs, such as a student ID or military orders.
- Seasonality – During peak car shipping season, prices heat up. This is usually done in the summertime because trucks book up fast, which means that the competition on finding available trucks to load and ship the cars is high. In our season table, June through August carry a +8% multiplier and December–January -8%, so the same trip runs roughly 17% more in summer than in midwinter. As for the winter season, it is cheaper to ship a car, but also much slower, due to the weather conditions that may come into play.
- Failed delivery – If no one is there to receive the car during the delivery window, the driver may have to move on, and the company can charge for redelivery or storage. Ask about those fees before you book, and name a backup person who can sign for the car.
Average Car Shipping Costs Per Transport Type
In the car shipping industry, there are three main types of transport trucks: open, enclosed, and flatbed.
The most cost-effective way to transport a car is by an open transport truck. Enclosed transport is +50% over open transport for the same car on the same route in our formula.
Having said that, the overwhelming majority of car owners prefer open transport carriers anyway. This leaves the "premium" shipping option for individuals with exotic cars, classic cars, luxury cars, and other custom vehicles.
Open transportation is best for people who are shipping a vehicle they drive every day. Enclosed transportation is best for vehicles that are not driven daily due to their high value. While open transport truck drivers load and unload vehicles by driving them on and off the truck, many enclosed trailers have liftgate elevators for loading and unloading. This means the vehicle doesn't have to be driven on and off the truck, which helps mitigate potential damage.
Flatbed transportation is an on-demand service that is designed for vehicles too heavy or large to fit on a standard open or enclosed trailer. This is best for heavy equipment or vehicles that have been modified well beyond their stock dimensions.
Estimated Car Shipping Costs by Distance
Bear in mind that the longer the trip, the more gas the truck driver will need. This automatically means more expensive car shipping services. The table below is produced by our published formula for a standard sedan at six road distances, using this week's EIA diesel price and the current month.
These are estimates, not quotes. The method, every parameter and its source are on our How We Estimate page; to see real offers, get your free estimate and compare offers.
| Road distance | Open carrier (sedan) | Enclosed carrier (sedan) | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 mi | $380 – $590 | $560 – $880 | 2–3 days |
| 500 mi | $710 – $960 | $1,060 – $1,440 | 2–4 days |
| 1,000 mi | $970 – $1,310 | $1,450 – $1,960 | 3–5 days |
| 1,500 mi | $1,130 – $1,530 | $1,700 – $2,300 | 4–7 days |
| 2,000 mi | $1,300 – $1,750 | $1,950 – $2,630 | 5–8 days |
| 2,500 mi | $1,440 – $1,950 | $2,160 – $2,920 | 6–10 days |
Formula v2026.09.2 · EIA U.S. diesel $6.29/gal, week of Nov 2, 2026, 52-week average $4.93 · November pricing · road distance as stated.
Estimate, not a quote. Produced automatically by our published formula from public data; your price comes from the licensed auto transport partner you choose. How we estimate · Get your free estimate
Fuel: U.S. Energy Information Administration. Routing: © OpenStreetMap contributors (OSRM). ZIP locations: U.S. Census Bureau.
Questions about this estimate? Call (800) 930-7417
The bigger the car, the more it will cost to ship. Our formula applies +12% for an SUV or crossover, +25% for a pickup or large SUV, +20% for a van and +50% for an oversize or modified vehicle, and +50% for an enclosed carrier.
It should also be noted that the car shipping cost is also affected by whether the transport distance involves in-state or cross country trips. Surcharges, such as charges for overnight trips, charges for leaving the state, toll roads, and gas play a role in the final quote you will receive.
Also, if a shipment is to or from a location that is difficult to reach (i.e., a place remote from an interstate), this automatically makes the shipment more expensive than shipments to major cities with easy access. A rural pickup or delivery ZIP adds +10% in our formula. Compare the cross-country row above with the 150 mi row to see how much distance alone moves the range.
Estimated Car Shipping Cost by Vehicle Class
| Vehicle class | Multiplier | Open carrier, 1,000 mi | Per mile (mid-point) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan / coupe | +0% | $970 – $1,310 | $1.14 |
| SUV / crossover | +12% | $1,080 – $1,470 | $1.27 |
| Pickup / large SUV | +25% | $1,210 – $1,640 | $1.42 |
| Van / minivan | +20% | $1,160 – $1,570 | $1.37 |
| Oversize / modified | +50% | $1,450 – $1,960 | $1.71 |
Formula v2026.09.2 · EIA U.S. diesel $6.29/gal, week of Nov 2, 2026, 52-week average $4.93 · November pricing · road distance as stated.
Estimate, not a quote. Produced automatically by our published formula from public data; your price comes from the licensed auto transport partner you choose. How we estimate · Get your free estimate
Fuel: U.S. Energy Information Administration. Routing: © OpenStreetMap contributors (OSRM). ZIP locations: U.S. Census Bureau.
Questions about this estimate? Call (800) 930-7417
The reason why bigger cars are costlier to transport is that they take up more space on the transport truck. Also, a heavier vehicle is not as easy on the carrier's gas mileage as a lighter one. Consequently, it will cost you less to ship smaller cars like a Ford Escape or a Kia Sportage than a Ford F-150 or a Chevrolet Silverado.
Estimated Cost by Distance and Vehicle Class — Open Carrier
| Road distance | Sedan / coupe | SUV / crossover | Pickup / large SUV | Van / minivan | Oversize / modified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150 mi | $380 – $590 | $420 – $660 | $470 – $740 | $450 – $710 | $560 – $880 |
| 500 mi | $710 – $960 | $790 – $1,070 | $880 – $1,200 | $850 – $1,150 | $1,060 – $1,440 |
| 1,000 mi | $970 – $1,310 | $1,080 – $1,470 | $1,210 – $1,640 | $1,160 – $1,570 | $1,450 – $1,960 |
| 1,500 mi | $1,130 – $1,530 | $1,270 – $1,720 | $1,420 – $1,910 | $1,360 – $1,840 | $1,700 – $2,300 |
| 2,000 mi | $1,300 – $1,750 | $1,450 – $1,970 | $1,620 – $2,190 | $1,560 – $2,110 | $1,950 – $2,630 |
| 2,500 mi | $1,440 – $1,950 | $1,610 – $2,180 | $1,800 – $2,430 | $1,730 – $2,340 | $2,160 – $2,920 |
Formula v2026.09.2 · EIA U.S. diesel $6.29/gal, week of Nov 2, 2026, 52-week average $4.93 · November pricing · road distance as stated.
Estimate, not a quote. Produced automatically by our published formula from public data; your price comes from the licensed auto transport partner you choose. How we estimate · Get your free estimate
Fuel: U.S. Energy Information Administration. Routing: © OpenStreetMap contributors (OSRM). ZIP locations: U.S. Census Bureau.
Questions about this estimate? Call (800) 930-7417
Estimated Cost by Distance and Vehicle Class — Enclosed Carrier
| Road distance | Sedan / coupe | SUV / crossover | Pickup / large SUV | Van / minivan | Oversize / modified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150 mi | $560 – $880 | $630 – $990 | $710 – $1,100 | $680 – $1,060 | $850 – $1,330 |
| 500 mi | $1,060 – $1,440 | $1,190 – $1,610 | $1,330 – $1,790 | $1,270 – $1,720 | $1,590 – $2,150 |
| 1,000 mi | $1,450 – $1,960 | $1,620 – $2,200 | $1,810 – $2,450 | $1,740 – $2,350 | $2,180 – $2,940 |
| 1,500 mi | $1,700 – $2,300 | $1,900 – $2,570 | $2,120 – $2,870 | $2,040 – $2,760 | $2,550 – $3,450 |
| 2,000 mi | $1,950 – $2,630 | $2,180 – $2,950 | $2,430 – $3,290 | $2,330 – $3,160 | $2,920 – $3,950 |
| 2,500 mi | $2,160 – $2,920 | $2,420 – $3,270 | $2,700 – $3,650 | $2,590 – $3,500 | $3,240 – $4,380 |
Formula v2026.09.2 · EIA U.S. diesel $6.29/gal, week of Nov 2, 2026, 52-week average $4.93 · November pricing · road distance as stated.
Estimate, not a quote. Produced automatically by our published formula from public data; your price comes from the licensed auto transport partner you choose. How we estimate · Get your free estimate
Fuel: U.S. Energy Information Administration. Routing: © OpenStreetMap contributors (OSRM). ZIP locations: U.S. Census Bureau.
Questions about this estimate? Call (800) 930-7417
Other Ways Cars Are Shipped
Most cars move by truck, but there are other methods. Air freight is the most expensive way to move a car by far, and it is mostly used for high-value cars on tight international schedules.
Rail mostly moves new cars from factories and ports to dealers; for a private owner moving one car, a truck is almost always the practical choice.
Ocean shipping is the standard way to move a car overseas or between the mainland and destinations like Hawaii or Alaska.
Disclaimer: The price ranges you see in these tables are subject to change. This means that they are just indicators of the costs related to automobile shipping. Things like gas price fluctuations and other factors may have already changed the prices when you view this page. For current ranges, use our shipping cost estimator.
Car Shipping Cost FAQ
It depends mostly on road distance, then on vehicle class, open or enclosed carrier, the month and diesel prices. The tables on this page show the current estimate ranges from our published formula for each of those; they are estimates, not quotes.
Distance sets the base, then vehicle size, open or enclosed transport, the season and direction of travel, whether the car runs, and the weekly diesel price each move the number. Two similar-looking shipments can land hundreds of dollars apart because one of those differs.
Per-mile cost falls as distance grows. Short regional hauls cost the most per mile because loading, unloading and the fixed part of the cost are spread over fewer miles, while long hauls cost less per mile. The distance table on this page shows the effect row by row.
Open transport, a flexible pickup window, and a lower-demand month. Booking two to three weeks ahead and shipping between major cities rather than to a remote address also keeps the range down. Compare more than one offer before you book.
No. The figures on this page are estimates from a published formula, not quotes. The price comes from the licensed auto transport company you choose, so get it in writing from that company before you book, because some non-binding estimates increase later.
Ship a Car Today With American Auto Shipping!
If you're interested in shipping a vehicle at a great rate with a great company, you've come to the right place. Here at American Auto Shipping, we understand the factors that go into your auto transport prices. We show you a free estimate from our published formula, then put your shipment in front of vetted, licensed auto transport companies that compete with their best offers, no matter what you're shipping. So get your free estimate online or give us a call at (800) 930-7417 to speak to a representative and see what American Auto Shipping can do for you.