Car shipping cost calculator

Across the 335,037 real shipments in our pricing database, the average cost is $1,175 and the typical range is $925–$1,380 for a running car, SUV, or pickup on an open carrier. Your exact price depends mostly on distance, route popularity, vehicle size, and timing, so use the calculator above for your specific lane.

Carriers price by the load: how far they're driving, how much deck space and weight your vehicle takes, how easy your pickup and delivery points are to reach, and how many other vehicles they can fill the truck with on that lane. Brokers then add coordination and dispatch on top. Our estimates skip the theory entirely: we show you the actual distribution of what customers paid on your route.

Open transport on a popular corridor with flexible dates. Open carriers are roughly 35% cheaper than enclosed in our data, busy lanes price tighter than remote ones, and a wide pickup window lets us match you with a truck that's already heading your way instead of paying a premium for a specific day.

Generally mid-fall and mid-winter, outside of January's snowbird rush and the summer relocation peak. Direction matters too: lanes running against seasonal traffic (like Florida to the Northeast in January) can be genuine bargains because carriers need to fill trucks for the return trip.

Open trailers are the two-deck rigs you see delivering cars to dealerships, where your vehicle rides exposed to weather but fully secured and insured. Enclosed trailers are fully sealed, protect against weather and road debris, and carry fewer vehicles per load. In our data enclosed averages $1,813 versus $1,175 for open, about $638 more. For a daily driver, open is the standard choice; for exotics, classics, and collector cars, enclosed is worth it.

Figure roughly 1–3 days for routes under 500 miles, 2–4 days up to 1,000 miles, 3–6 days up to 2,000 miles, and 5–9 days coast-to-coast, plus a 1–3 day pickup window, since carriers consolidate vehicles along their route. The calculator above shows a transit estimate for your specific lane.

Looking at 76,543 real shipments on routes of roughly 1,000 miles (800–1,200 mi), the typical cost is $870 – $1,096, with a median around $972, or roughly $0.97 per mile.

Across 59,078 real shipments on routes of roughly 2,000 miles (1,800–2,200 mi), the typical cost is $1,109 – $1,379, with a median around $1,224, or about $0.61 per mile. Longer routes cost more in total but noticeably less per mile.

Open transport on a flexible schedule along a popular route. In our pricing data, the cheapest quarter of customers paid about $662 on 500-mile trips, $870 at 1,000 miles, and $1,174 coast-to-coast. Use the calculator above to see the real low end for your exact route, and see our cheapest-way guide for every money-saving lever.

For long distances, shipping usually wins once you count everything: fuel, hotels, meals, wear and depreciation (the IRS pegs driving costs at 70¢/mile, which is $1,400 of vehicle cost alone on a 2,000-mile trip), plus days of your time. For short hops under a few hundred miles, driving is typically cheaper. The break-even for most people lands somewhere around 500–800 miles.

Yes. Non-running vehicles average about $300 more in our data because the carrier needs a winch and extra loading time. The vehicle must still roll, brake, and steer; if it can't, tell us up front and we'll arrange a carrier with the right equipment.

Yes. Every carrier in our network must hold active FMCSA licensing and cargo insurance before we dispatch them, and coverage during transport is included in your price, not an add-on. You'll also document your vehicle's condition on the Bill of Lading at pickup and delivery, which is your protection if anything needs a claim.

Two to seven days ahead is the sweet spot for most routes: enough time to match you with the right carrier without paying a rush premium. Booking same-day is possible on busy lanes but limits your options. For tight timelines, remote locations, or enclosed transport, give us as much notice as you can.

You or someone you authorize (a family member, friend, or building manager) needs to be there to hand over the keys, walk the inspection, and sign the Bill of Lading at both ends. Many customers have a relative release the car at origin and meet it themselves at destination.

Light items in the trunk (under ~100 lbs) are generally tolerated, but carriers aren't licensed or insured to move household goods; anything in the cabin can add weight charges, isn't covered by cargo insurance, and can be an issue at weigh stations. Ship valuables separately.

Transparent, data-backed pricing: the numbers on this page come from a database of real shipments on real lanes, published for anyone to see. Add a network of 20,000 vetted carriers, 300,000+ vehicles shipped over 10+ years, and a dedicated coordinator on every shipment, and you get straight answers instead of a lowball quote that changes after you book.