Van and Minivan Shipping
Minivans, standard-roof and high-roof vans: what fits on a car carrier, what it costs, and notes on each model.
Minivans and standard-roof vans ship on ordinary open car carriers. A minivan is priced close to a large SUV, and a full-size cargo or passenger van takes more deck length and weight. The one that changes the plan is a high-roof van (a Sprinter, a high-roof Transit, a ProMaster or a high-roof NV): it is often too tall for a standard two-level carrier, so it needs a lower deck spot or a different trailer. Roof height, length and any shelving or conversion are what to give when you ask for an estimate.
Jump to: cost table · models by brand · questions
What makes a van different to ship
Roof height. A standard-roof full-size van (Chevrolet Express, older Ford E-Series, standard-roof NV) usually fits an open carrier. Medium- and high-roof vans add a foot or more and can rule out the upper deck. High-roof vans are often moved on a step-deck, a flatbed or a lower deck position, which narrows the companies that can take them.
Length and weight. Extended-length and 15-passenger vans are long, and a work van with steel shelving, a ladder rack and a bin system can weigh much more than an empty one. In our published formula a van or minivan is priced about 20% above a sedan; a high-roof or heavily upfitted van is usually priced as oversize (about 50% above a sedan).
Cargo area. Bolted shelving and racks can stay. Loose tools, inventory and boxes should come out: they add weight, can shift, and are not covered by the carrier's cargo insurance.
Wheelchair-accessible conversions. A lowered-floor minivan sits closer to the ground than a stock one, which matters on loading ramps. Say it is a conversion, and whether it is side- or rear-entry, so the company brings ramps or a liftgate that suit it.
Getting a van ready
The usual preparation steps apply, plus these.
- Measure the roof height with racks, ladders and roof boxes on, or remove them.
- Empty the cargo area and passenger seats of loose items; leave bolted shelving in place and tell the company it is there.
- Lock the sliding doors and fold the mirrors.
- For a conversion van or mobility van, note the lowered floor, ramp or lift, and anything the driver needs to know to operate the doors.
What it costs to ship vans and minivans
Ranges from our published estimate formula for this vehicle class, using this week's diesel price and this month's season. Distance moves the price far more than the model does.
| Distance | Vans and minivans, open | Vans and minivans, enclosed | High-roof or heavily upfitted van (oversize), open |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 mi | $850 – $1,150 | $1,280 – $1,730 | $1,070 – $1,440 |
| 1,000 mi | $1,170 – $1,580 | $1,750 – $2,370 | $1,460 – $1,970 |
| 1,500 mi | $1,370 – $1,850 | $2,050 – $2,770 | $1,710 – $2,310 |
| 2,500 mi | $1,730 – $2,350 | $2,600 – $3,520 | $2,170 – $2,930 |
Minivans and standard-roof vans use the van class; high-roof and heavily upfitted vans are usually priced as oversize. Metro pickup and delivery, a running vehicle, no strong north-south direction. For your own route, see the shipping cost estimator.
Formula v2026.09.2 · EIA U.S. diesel $6.35/gal, week of Oct 26, 2026, 52-week average $4.88 · October 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.
Vans and minivans by brand
Every van and minivan we cover. Discontinued models are listed with their years because they are still shipped every week after used sales. Each model opens to show its notes.
Models people request quotes for most
The vans and minivans people asked us for estimates on most often in the last two years, from our own estimate requests. It shows what people asked about, not what was shipped.
Chrysler
Chrysler Pacifica
2017–present
Chrysler's minivan, also sold as a plug-in hybrid; leave a plug-in with some charge so it can be driven on and off the trailer. Many are converted for wheelchair access: if yours has a lowered floor, say so.
Dodge
Dodge Grand Caravan
1984–2020
U.S. production ended in 2020, and it is one of the most common minivans on the used market. Many were converted for wheelchair access; a lowered floor sits close to the ramps, so mention it.
Ford
Ford Transit
2015–present (U.S.)
Comes with low, medium and high roofs and several lengths. A low-roof Transit fits most open carriers; medium and high roofs often need a lower deck spot or a different trailer, so give the roof height and length.
Honda
Honda Odyssey
Current
A long-running minivan. It ships like any minivan; empty the cargo well behind the third row.
Kia
Kia Carnival (and Sedona)
Carnival 2022–present; Sedona before it
Kia's minivan, sold as the Sedona until the Carnival replaced it. Priced in the van class.
Toyota
Toyota Sienna
Current
Toyota's minivan, hybrid-only since the 2021 redesign. It ships like any minivan; all-wheel-drive versions sit slightly higher.
No models in this list match.
More vans and minivans by brand
Chevrolet
Chevrolet Express 1500 (cargo and passenger)
1996–2014
The half-ton Express was dropped after the 2014 model year. A standard-roof van that fits an open carrier and is lighter than the 2500 and 3500; remove anything loose from the seats and cargo area.
Chevrolet Express 2500 (cargo and passenger)
Current
Still built in cargo and passenger form, in regular and extended lengths. The standard roof fits a normal open carrier; an extended van is long, so give the wheelbase.
Chevrolet Express 3500 Cargo Van
Current
The one-ton Express, often fitted with shelving or a service upfit. Weight is what changes with this one, so describe the upfit.
Chevrolet Express 3500 diesel (cargo and passenger)
Diesel offered in several years
Diesel Express vans are heavier over the front axle than gas ones. The extended 3500 passenger van is the 15-passenger Express, one of the longest vans that rides on a car carrier.
Chrysler
Chrysler Town & Country
1990–2016
Replaced by the Pacifica for 2017. A common base for mobility conversions; mention a lowered floor or ramp.
Ford
Ford Transit Connect
2010–2023 (U.S.)
A small van sold in cargo and passenger (Wagon) form. About the size of a compact SUV and ships like one.
Mazda
Mazda5
2006–2015 (U.S.)
A small six-seat van with sliding rear doors, much closer to a compact car in size than to a full minivan, so give the exact model.
Nissan
Nissan NV (NV1500, NV2500, NV3500) and NV200
NV 2012–2021, NV200 2013–2021
The full-size NV came with a standard or a high roof; the high-roof NV is too tall for many standard carriers. The small NV200 (also used as a New York City taxi) ships like a compact SUV.
Nissan Quest
1993–2017 (U.S.)
Nissan's minivan, last sold in the U.S. in 2017. Ships like any minivan.
No models in this list match.
Vans and minivans: common questions
Distance sets most of the price. Our published formula prices a van or minivan about 20% above a sedan on the same route, and a high-roof or heavily upfitted van about about 50% above. The table on this page shows current estimate ranges; the licensed companies that make offers set the actual price.
Sometimes on a lower deck spot, often not. A high-roof van is usually too tall for the upper deck of a standard two-level carrier, so many are moved on a step-deck or flatbed. Give the exact model and roof height when you request your estimate so the offers come from companies with a trailer that fits.
Shelving and racks that are bolted in can stay; tell the company, because they add weight. Take out loose tools, stock and equipment. They can shift, they add weight, and the carrier's cargo insurance covers the van, not what is inside it.
Yes. Lowered-floor conversions ship regularly, but they sit lower than a stock minivan, so ramp angle matters. Mention the conversion and its entry type when you ask for an estimate; some owners choose a trailer with a hydraulic liftgate.
Sources
- American Auto Shipping estimate requests, last 24 months (which models people ask about most; counts are not published)
- American Auto Shipping: How we estimate (van, oversize and enclosed factors)
- Manufacturer model histories for the production years listed (Chevrolet, Ford, Nissan, Chrysler, Dodge, Toyota, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Ram)