Ship Your Ford Explorer
Get your free estimate for door-to-door shipping of your Ford Explorer. Licensed auto transport companies compete with their best offers, and real people at American Auto Shipping answer your questions.
Shipping a Ford Explorer
What you need to know about transporting your Ford
The Ford Explorer was introduced to the North American market in 1990 as a replacement for the Ford Bronco II, and - unlike the Bronco II it replaced - brought the SUV to the attention of buyers around the the world, turning the SUV from a special-interest vehicle into an everyday driver, securing the SUV as a staple in the consumer-driven world of automobiles. The Explorer today comes in three different models: the Explorer, the XLT and the Limited. All three models are roughly the same size an
At American Auto Shipping, we have been helping people ship vehicles like the Ford Explorer since 1999. We have seen just about every make and model you can think of, and the Ford Explorer is no exception. Whether you are buying one from out of state, relocating across the country, or sending one to a family member, we put your shipment in front of vetted, licensed auto transport companies who know how to handle your vehicle with care, and they compete with their best offers.
Check out our vehicle shipping guides for more details on transporting specific vehicle types, or head straight to our shipping cost guide to understand what drives pricing.
Best Way to Ship a Ford Explorer
Our recommendation based on vehicle type, value, and industry experience
Open Auto Transport
For the Ford Explorer, open auto transport is the go-to choice. It is the most common, most available, and most affordable method of shipping a vehicle in the United States. Your Ford will ride on a standard open carrier alongside other vehicles — the same way dealerships move thousands of cars every single day. It is safe, it is efficient, and it gets the job done.
Want the full breakdown on transport types? Visit our FAQ page for answers to the most common questions about vehicle shipping.
Alternative: Enclosed Auto Transport
If your Ford Explorer has been modified, restored, or holds special value to you, enclosed transport is also an option. It costs more, but it provides full protection from the elements and road debris.
Ford Explorer Shipping Costs
What affects the price of shipping your vehicle
The cost to ship a Ford Explorer depends on a handful of real-world factors. There is no single flat rate — every shipment is different. Here is what moves the needle on pricing:
Distance
Longer routes cost more in total, but the per-mile rate drops on long shipments: our published formula charges less per mile past 500, 1,000 and 2,000 miles. The shipping cost estimator shows the range for your Explorer's route.
Transport Type
Open transport is the most affordable option for the Ford Explorer. If you want the added protection of enclosed, expect to pay 40% to 60% more.
Vehicle Size & Weight
The Ford Explorer takes up a specific amount of space on the carrier. Larger, heavier vehicles cost more to ship because they reduce the number of vehicles a carrier can haul in a single trip.
Season & Demand
Summer and the snowbird runs (south in October and November, north in April and May) are the busy periods. Shipping your Ford in December, January or September usually costs less.
Pickup & Delivery Location
Major metro areas have more carriers running routes, which keeps pricing competitive. A rural pickup or delivery adds about 10% in our published formula for your Explorer.
Condition
If your Ford Explorer is not running, you will need a carrier with a winch or special equipment to load it. Our published formula adds 20% for a non-running vehicle.
For a detailed look at what drives shipping costs, check out our complete guide to vehicle shipping costs.
How to Prepare Your Ford Explorer for Shipping
A few simple steps to make sure everything goes smoothly
Getting your Ford Explorer ready for transport is straightforward, but do not skip these steps. A little prep goes a long way toward making sure your vehicle arrives in the same condition it left.
- 1
Wash your vehicle
Give your Ford Explorer a good wash before pickup. This makes it easier to spot any existing damage during the pre-transport inspection. Document everything with photos — close-ups of any scratches, dents, or chips.
- 2
Remove personal belongings
Carriers are not licensed to transport household goods. Remove everything from the interior and trunk of your Explorer. Personal items are not covered by carrier insurance if something goes missing.
- 3
Check fluids and battery
Make sure your Ford Explorer starts and runs. The carrier needs to drive it on and off the trailer. Check that the battery is charged, tires are properly inflated, and there are no major fluid leaks.
- 4
Disable alarms and toll transponders
Turn off any aftermarket alarm systems. Remove or deactivate toll transponders like E-ZPass so you do not rack up charges while your Ford is on the carrier.
- 5
Keep fuel low
A quarter tank of gas is plenty. Extra fuel adds weight, which costs more to transport. The carrier only needs enough to load and unload your Explorer.
- 6
Note existing damage
Walk around your Ford Explorer with the driver during the pre-transport inspection. Both you and the driver should sign off on the condition report. This protects you if any damage occurs during transit.
Ford Explorer Shipping FAQs
The cost to ship a Ford Explorer depends first on distance, then on vehicle size, open or enclosed transport, the season and the pickup and delivery locations. The shipping cost estimator shows the current range for your route from our published formula, and the licensed companies that make offers set the final price.
Open auto transport is the best choice for most Ford Explorer owners. It is the most affordable and widely available method. Enclosed transport is available if your Explorer has been modified, restored, or holds special value.
Wash your Ford Explorer so existing damage is visible, remove all personal belongings, keep the fuel tank at about a quarter full, ensure the battery is charged and tires inflated, disable aftermarket alarms, and document any existing damage with photos before pickup.
Ship Other Vehicles
Popular Ford models and other vehicles shipped nationwide
Get a Quote to Ship Your Ford Explorer
A transparent estimate range from us, then competing offers from licensed auto transport companies
Ready to move your Ford Explorer? American Auto Shipping connects you with vetted carriers competing for your business. That means better prices, faster pickups, and the kind of service you actually want. No haggling, no runaround — just real quotes from real carriers.