Ship a Car from Minneapolis to Phoenix
Everything you need to know about auto transport from Minneapolis, MN to Phoenix, AZ — pricing, transit times, seasonal tips, and how to get the best deal.
Distance
1,689 mi
Transit Time
5–7 days
Open Transport
$1,210 – $1,890
Enclosed Transport
$1,810 – $2,830
Minneapolis to Phoenix Auto Transport Overview
Minneapolis to Phoenix is a classic snowbird corridor connecting the Upper Midwest with the Southwest desert. The route typically follows I-35 south to Kansas City, then I-35 to I-44 through Oklahoma, and I-40 west through Amarillo and Albuquerque to Flagstaff before dropping south on I-17 into Phoenix. Some carriers take the more direct but less traveled I-90/I-25 route through South Dakota and Wyoming. This lane sees strong seasonal demand patterns that make timing important for pricing.
Ranges shown are estimates from our published formula for a standard sedan in October, not quotes. Your price is set by the licensed auto transport company you choose and depends on your exact ZIPs, vehicle class, condition and pickup window. Get a free estimate for your specific vehicle and dates.
What Affects Pricing on This Route
This is one of the most seasonal routes in auto transport. October through December sees a massive southbound surge as Minnesota residents escape the harsh winter, pushing rates up 20-30%. The reverse trip (Phoenix to Minneapolis) peaks in March through May. Summer is quiet on this route and offers the best rates, as few people are shipping between these cities outside of snowbird season. Winter weather in Minnesota and the Great Plains can delay pickups by one to two days.
This route runs southbound. In our season table the lowest month is January ($1,050 – $1,430) and the highest is November ($1,210 – $1,890), a 25% swing on the same 1,689 mi. Flexible dates are the biggest lever you control.
How the October open-carrier estimate is built
- Distance
- 1,689 miroad miles (OpenStreetMap routing)
- Fixed charge
- $300Loading/unloading, dispatch and paperwork cost that does not scale with distance. Calibrated so a ~100-mile open sedan move lands near $400, consistent with published short-haul benchmarks (U.S. News, Forbes Advisor, ConsumerAffairs 2025-2026 car-shipping cost guides).
- Mileage cost
- $966Tiered marginal per-mile rates (see table)
- Diesel
- $6.20/gal (52-wk avg $4.73)EIA weekly U.S. diesel, week of 2026-10-05
- Fuel adjustment
- +6%0.206 fuel share × diesel change vs. 52-week average (ATRI 2026)
- Season
- October southbound: +15%Season × direction table
- Vehicle
- Sedan / coupe +0%Vehicle class table
- Transport
- Open carrier +0%Open vs. enclosed
- Pickup/delivery area
- Metro +0%Rural below 1,000 people/sq mi (2020 Census)
- Range
- $1,210 – $1,890 (mid-point ±22%, 1,689 mi)
| Vehicle class | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan / coupe | $1,210 – $1,890 | $1,810 – $2,830 |
| SUV / crossover | $1,350 – $2,120 | $2,030 – $3,170 |
| Pickup / large SUV | $1,510 – $2,360 | $2,270 – $3,540 |
| Van / minivan | $1,450 – $2,270 | $2,170 – $3,400 |
| Oversize / modified | $1,810 – $2,830 | $2,720 – $4,250 |
Formula v2026.09.2 · EIA U.S. diesel $6.20/gal, week of Oct 5, 2026, 52-week average $4.73 · October pricing · road miles from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM, © OpenStreetMap contributors).
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.
Minneapolis to Phoenix by month
| Month | Season | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -8% | $1,050 – $1,430 | $1,580 – $2,140 |
| February | typical demand | $1,140 – $1,550 | $1,720 – $2,320 |
| March | typical demand | $1,140 – $1,550 | $1,720 – $2,320 |
| April | -5% | $1,090 – $1,470 | $1,630 – $2,210 |
| May | -5% | $1,090 – $1,470 | $1,630 – $2,210 |
| June | +8% | $1,240 – $1,670 | $1,850 – $2,510 |
| July | +8% | $1,240 – $1,670 | $1,850 – $2,510 |
| August | +8% | $1,240 – $1,670 | $1,850 – $2,510 |
| September | typical demand | $1,140 – $1,550 | $1,720 – $2,320 |
| October (now) | +15% | $1,210 – $1,890 | $1,810 – $2,830 |
| November | +15% | $1,210 – $1,890 | $1,810 – $2,830 |
| December | -8% | $1,050 – $1,430 | $1,580 – $2,140 |
Formula v2026.09.2 · EIA U.S. diesel $6.20/gal, week of Oct 5, 2026, 52-week average $4.73 · October pricing · road miles from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM, © OpenStreetMap contributors).
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.
Open Transport
$1,210 – $1,890
The most popular and affordable option. Your vehicle rides on an open carrier alongside other vehicles. Ideal for standard cars, trucks, and SUVs.
Learn about open transport →Enclosed Transport
$1,810 – $2,830
Premium protection from weather, road debris, and other elements. Recommended for luxury, classic, exotic, or high-value vehicles.
Learn about enclosed transport →Tips for Shipping from Minneapolis to Phoenix
If you are shipping in the fall for snowbird season, book as early as September to get ahead of the rush. Minneapolis carriers prefer pickup locations with easy access to I-35 or I-94 — suburbs like Bloomington, Eagan, or Brooklyn Park work well. Remove any ice scrapers, snow chains, or heavy winter gear from the vehicle before shipping to reduce weight. For Phoenix delivery, confirm the exact location — the metro area stretches from Mesa to Surprise and carrier routes vary.
Before You Ship
- ✓Remove personal items from the vehicle (carriers are not liable for personal belongings)
- ✓Document your vehicle's condition with dated photos before pickup
- ✓Leave about a quarter tank of gas — enough for loading and unloading
- ✓Disable any toll transponders or aftermarket alarms
- ✓Make sure the vehicle starts, steers, and brakes (inoperable vehicles cost more)
Minneapolis to Phoenix Shipping FAQ
In October, our published formula estimates open transport from Minneapolis, MN to Phoenix, AZ at $1,210 – $1,890 for a standard sedan and enclosed transport at $1,810 – $2,830, over 1,689 mi of road. These are estimates, not quotes: the price is set by the licensed auto transport company you choose and depends on your exact ZIPs, vehicle class, condition and pickup window. Get your free estimate and compare offers for your specific vehicle.
Transit time from Minneapolis, MN to Phoenix, AZ is typically 5–7 days for the 1,689 mi route, allowing 350 to 500 miles a day plus a day at each end for pickup and delivery scheduling. This includes stops for fuel, rest, and other vehicle pickups and deliveries along the way. Weather, traffic, and seasonal demand can affect the exact timeline.
Open transport is the most popular choice for the Minneapolis to Phoenix route, estimated at $1,210 – $1,890 in October. It is suitable for most standard vehicles. Enclosed transport, estimated at $1,810 – $2,830, is recommended for luxury, classic, exotic, or high-value vehicles that need extra protection from weather and road debris over the 1,689 mi distance. Learn more about open transport and enclosed transport.
This is one of the most seasonal routes in auto transport. October through December sees a massive southbound surge as Minnesota residents escape the harsh winter, pushing rates up 20-30%. The reverse trip (Phoenix to Minneapolis) peaks in March through May. Summer is quiet on this route and offers the best rates, as few people are shipping between these cities outside of snowbird season. Winter weather in Minnesota and the Great Plains can delay pickups by one to two days.
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