Car Shipping Cost Made Simple & Transparent.

Real rates, honest quotes, and no hidden fees. See exactly what shipping your car should cost — and why.

Request a Quote

Call Us Now +1 (888) 361‑5514

FROM
TO
VEHICLE CONDITION
TRANSPORT TYPE

CONTACT DETAILS

Where should we send your quote?

FROM
TO
FULL NAME
EMAIL ADDRESS
PHONE NUMBER

Quote Request Submitted!

Our team will contact you within 24 hours with your free quote.

How much does it cost to ship a car?

The average cost to ship a car in the U.S. ranges from $550 to $2,000, depending on distance, vehicle size, transport type, and season. Most standard sedans on open transport fall in the $0.45 to $1.10 per mile range — shorter trips cost more per mile, longer routes cost less.

A 300-mile move might run $650, while a 2,500-mile cross-country haul often lands around $1,300 for open transport. Enclosed transport — the standard for luxury, exotic, and classic vehicles — typically adds 40–60% to the base rate.

The numbers below are real-world rate ranges we see every week. Your exact quote will depend on your route and the current market — get an instant quote to see today’s number.
Short haul minimum
$ 0 +
Avg per-mile rate
$ 0
Days coast-to-coast
0 - 10

Average car shipping cost by distance.

Typical ranges for standard sedans and midsize SUVs on popular lanes.

Distance

Open Transport

Enclosed Transport

Per-Mile Avg

0 – 500 miles (Short haul)

$550 – $850

$900 – $1,400

~$1.10 / mi

500 – 1,000 miles (Regional)

$700 – $1,100

$1,200 – $1,800

~$0.90 / mi

1,000 – 2,000 miles (Long haul)

$900 – $1,400

$1,500 – $2,300

~$0.75 / mi

2,000 – 3,000 miles (Cross-country)

$1,100 – $1,700

$1,800 – $2,800

~$0.55 / mi

3,000+ miles (Coast-to-coast+)

$1,400 – $2,000

$2,200 – $3,200

~$0.45 / mi

0 – 500 miles (Short haul)

Open

$550 – $850

Enclosed

$900 – $1,400

Per mile

~$1.10 / mi

500 – 1,000 miles (Regional)

Open

$700 – $1,100

Enclosed

$1,200 – $1,800

Per mile

~$0.90 / mi

1,000 – 2,000 miles (Long haul)

Open

$900 – $1,400

Enclosed

$1,500 – $2,300

Per mile

~$0.75 / mi

2,000 – 3,000 miles (Cross-country)

Open

$1,100 – $1,700

Enclosed

$1,800 – $2,800

Per mile

~$0.55 / mi

3,000+ miles (Coast-to-coast+)

Open

$1,400 – $2,000

Enclosed

$2,200 – $3,200

Per mile

~$0.45 / mi

Factors that affect car shipping costs.

Six variables move every quote up or down. Here’s what they do.

Distance & Route

Longer trips cost more overall but less per mile. Popular lanes (LA→NY) are cheaper than remote pickups off the interstate.

Transport Type

Open carriers are the affordable standard. Enclosed adds 40–60% for weather and road-debris protection.

Vehicle Size & Weight

Sedans cost less than SUVs, trucks, and lifted vehicles that take up more deck space and weight capacity.

Season & Timing

Winter snowbird season (Jan–Mar) and summer moving peaks push rates up. Off-season and flexible dates save money.

Fuel Prices

Diesel is a big driver of carrier costs. Rate quotes reflect the current national fuel index.

Vehicle Condition

Non-running or inoperable vehicles need a winch or forklift-equipped carrier, adding $100–$200.

Ready to see your exact rate?

Get a real, locked-in quote in under 2 minutes — no obligation, no spam calls.

Open vs enclosed car shipping cost.

Two proven ways to move a car — one costs a lot more for a reason.

Open Transport

$550 – $1,700

Typical range · ~$0.45–$1.10/mi

Enclosed Transport

$900 – $3,200

Typical range · +40–60% over open

How vehicle size and weight affect car transport cost.

Carriers charge by deck space and weight capacity a heavier or taller vehicle takes more of both.

Vehicle Type

Examples

Price Impact

Why

Compact / Sedan

Civic, Corolla, Accord

Baseline pricing

Midsize SUV

RAV4, CR-V, Rogue

+ $50 – $100

Larger footprint

Full-size SUV / Pickup

Tahoe, F-150, Silverado

+ $150 – $250

Weight + deck space

Lifted / Oversize Truck

Raptor, lifted Jeep

+ $200 – $400

Height clearance

Heavy-duty / Dually

F-250/350, Sierra 3500

+ $250 – $500

GVWR + wheelbase

Compact / Sedan

Civic, Corolla, Accord

Impact

Baseline pricing

Why

Midsize SUV

RAV4, CR-V, Rogue

Impact

+ $50 – $100

Why

Larger footprint

Full-size SUV / Pickup

Tahoe, F-150, Silverado

Impact

+ $150 – $250

Why

Weight + deck space

Lifted / Oversize Truck

Raptor, lifted Jeep

Impact

+ $200 – $400

Why

Height clearance

Height clearance

F-250/350, Sierra 3500

Impact

+ $250 – $500

Why

GVWR + wheelbase

Seasonal changes in car shipping prices.

The auto transport market swings by season. Knowing the pattern helps you time your move for the best rate.

Winter (Dec – Feb)

Snowbird migration to Florida, Arizona, and Texas spikes demand on southbound lanes. Weather delays also tighten carrier availability.

Spring (Mar – May)

Rates ease as snowbird traffic reverses. Great window for flexible shipments — carriers are running north with open slots.

Summer (Jun – Aug)

Moving season, PCS orders, college relocations, and dealer restocking peak all at once. Book 2–3 weeks ahead.

Fall (Sep – Nov)

The best value window of the year. Demand cools before winter kicks in and rates drop across most national lanes.

Ready to see your exact rate?

Get a real, locked-in quote in under 2 minutes — no obligation, no spam calls.

Why choose Car Express Transport for affordable car shipping?

Fair rates, real people, and a network built to keep costs down without cutting corners.

Transparent Pricing

The number we quote is the number you pay. No fuel surcharges tacked on later, no bait-and-switch calls.

Locked-In Rates

Once your rate is confirmed, it holds — even if diesel or demand shifts before pickup.

Fully Insured Carriers

Every dispatched carrier carries active cargo insurance. Coverage is verified before your car goes on the truck.

Nationwide Network

Thousands of vetted carriers means we find the right truck for your route without paying premium spot rates.

Fast, Honest Quotes

Real quotes in minutes — based on live carrier rates, not a lowball number to get you on the phone.

5-Star Customer Support

A real dispatcher answers when you call. From quote to delivery, you talk to the same team.

What customers say about our pricing.

Car shipping cost — FAQs.

Straight answers to the most common pricing questions we hear every day. Still unsure? Our team is one call away.

Avg. rate

$0.75/mi

How much does it cost to ship a car per mile?
Most standard sedan shipments fall between $0.45 and $1.10 per mile. Shorter routes cost more per mile because carriers still have to cover pickup, fuel, and overhead. Longer cross-country moves spread those costs across more miles, bringing the per-mile rate down.
Your route, vehicle size, transport type, and season all move the needle. Remote pickups, enclosed transport, oversize vehicles, and peak-season dates can push a quote above the baseline average. We break every factor down so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
Yes. Winter snowbird season (Jan–Mar) and summer moving peaks (Jun–Aug) drive rates up because carrier demand spikes. Fall (Sep–Nov) is typically the cheapest window. Booking 2–3 weeks ahead during peak seasons helps lock in better rates.
You can check any car shipping company online with FMCSA with MC or Dot number to verify if the company is insured and licensed with good standing.
No. The quote we provide is all-in and locked-in once confirmed. We do not add fuel surcharges, reweigh fees, or unexpected accessorial charges later. What you see is what you pay.
Absolutely. Carriers are limited by total GVWR and deck space. A heavy-duty truck or lifted SUV takes up more capacity than a compact sedan, so carriers charge a premium for the extra weight and space. Expect $100–$500+ depending on how far above baseline your vehicle is.
Yes. Flexible pickup windows let us match your vehicle with a carrier already running your route, reducing deadhead and spot-market premiums. If you can give us a 3–5 day window instead of a single date, we can often find a better rate.
A small deposit holds your spot when you book. The remaining balance is paid to the driver on delivery. Most drivers accept cash or certified funds; card-on-delivery can be arranged in advance if needed.