What does it cost to ship a car?
Most people shipping a car are moving house at the same time, because a household with two cars can only drive one of them. Here is what the second one costs.
Shipping a sedan 1,400 miles on an open carrier costs $850–$1,225 and takes 3–6 days. That is $0.6–$0.88 per mile, and the per-mile rate falls as the distance rises.
How much does it cost to ship a car per mile?
Between $0.42 and $1.65 per mile depending on distance, and the rate drops the further the car goes.
This is the part almost every car-shipping page gets wrong. A 300-mile move is dominated by the time it takes a driver to collect and deliver, so the fixed cost lands on very few miles. On a 2,500-mile run that same pickup and delivery time is spread across eight times the distance. Quoting one flat per-mile number, which is what most calculators do, overprices short hauls and underprices long ones.
| Distance | Example | Sedan, open carrier | Per mile | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 miShort haul | Portland to Seattle | $300–$500 | $1–$1.65 | 1–3 days |
| 800 miRegional | Denver to Dallas | $575–$875 | $0.72–$1.1 | 2–4 days |
| 1,400 miLong haul | Seattle to Phoenix | $850–$1,225 | $0.6–$0.88 | 3–6 days |
| 2,200 miCross country | Seattle to Austin | $1,050–$1,575 | $0.48–$0.72 | 5–8 days |
| 2,800 miCoast to coast | Los Angeles to New York | $1,175–$1,725 | $0.42–$0.62 | 7–10 days |
Planning estimates built from published industry cost ranges, not from completed-shipment records.
How much more does an SUV or truck cost to ship?
A midsize SUV costs about 18% more than a sedan and a full-size pickup about 35% more, because a car hauler sells deck length rather than vehicle value.
| Vehicle | Examples | 1,400 miles, open |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan or compact | Civic, Camry, Model 3, Golf | $850–$1,225 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | RAV4, Highlander, Explorer | $1,000–$1,450 |
| Pickup or large SUV | F-150, Silverado, Suburban | $1,125–$1,675 |
| Oversized or lifted | Dually, lifted truck, Sprinter van | $1,350–$1,975 |
Planning estimates built from published industry cost ranges, not from completed-shipment records.
Is enclosed car transport worth it?
Enclosed costs about 45% more and is worth it only when a repaint would cost more than the premium.
Open carrier
The same trailer new cars reach dealerships on, and about 90% of vehicles ship this way. The car is exposed to weather and road debris for the trip, which for a daily driver is the same exposure it gets sitting on a driveway.
Enclosed carrier
Fewer cars per load and fewer trucks running, so it costs more and books further out. The right call for classics, exotics, show cars and anything with fresh paint. For an ordinary commuter car it is money spent on nothing.
Shipping a car on a route we price
These corridors have published moving costs too, so you can price the household move and the vehicle together.
What nobody tells you before pickup
Do I hand over the keys with a full tank?
No. Carriers ask for a quarter tank or less, because fuel is weight and weight is regulated.
A car hauler is weighed at the same scales as any other truck, and ten cars carrying full tanks is several hundred pounds the driver cannot legally spare. A quarter tank is enough to load, unload and reach a filling station.
Can I pack boxes in the car?
Up to about 100 pounds in the trunk is normally tolerated, and anything beyond that is not covered by the carrier insurance.
Household goods in a vehicle are outside the carrier's cargo authority, so items packed in the car are carried at your risk and can be refused at pickup. If the boxes matter, they belong on the moving truck where they are actually insured.
What is the difference between open and enclosed transport?
Open carriers move about 90% of vehicles and cost roughly a third less; enclosed protects from weather and road debris.
Open transport is the same trailer new cars are delivered to dealerships on, and it is the right choice for a daily driver. Enclosed is worth it when a repaint would cost more than the premium: classics, exotics, show cars and fresh paint.
Is my car insured while it is on the truck?
Yes, the carrier must hold cargo insurance, and you should read the certificate before pickup.
Ask for the certificate of insurance and check the cargo limit against the value of your vehicle, because a limit is per load rather than per car. Photograph the vehicle from every angle at pickup and match it against the Bill of Lading condition report at delivery. That report is what an insurance claim rests on.
Why did the price I was quoted online change?
Because most online car-shipping quotes come from brokers posting your job to a load board, not from the carrier who will actually move it.
A broker quote is an opening bid. If no driver accepts it the price rises until one does, which is why a quote can move after you have booked. Ask whether you are speaking to a carrier or a broker, and ask whether the price is what the driver has already agreed to.
Car shipping cost: common questions
How much does it cost to ship a car across the country?
Between $1,175 and $1,725 for a sedan on an open carrier, taking 7 to 10 days. A pickup or large SUV runs about 35% more because it takes more deck space.
Is it cheaper to ship a car or drive it?
Driving is usually cheaper in direct cost and rarely cheaper once time is counted. A 2,000-mile drive is roughly three days, two nights of hotels, fuel, meals and about 2,000 miles of depreciation and wear, which closes most of the gap against a shipping quote before anyone is paid for their time.
How far in advance should I book car shipping?
Two to three weeks for a standard route, and four or more between May and August. Booking earlier does not usually lower the price, but it widens the pool of drivers who can take the job, which is what stops a quote being revised upward later.
What is the difference between a car shipping broker and a carrier?
A carrier owns the truck. A broker posts your job to a load board and takes a cut when a driver accepts it. Most online car-shipping quotes are broker quotes, which is why a price can change after booking: if no driver takes the job at that number, the number goes up.
Does the car need to be empty?
Roughly 100 pounds in the trunk is normally tolerated and anything beyond that is not covered by the carrier insurance. Household goods sit outside a car carrier's cargo authority, so items packed in the vehicle travel at your risk and can be refused at pickup.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car?
January and February. The spread between the cheapest and most expensive month is about 21%, and it does not follow the household-moving curve: car shipping is driven by snowbird migration, so spring northbound and autumn southbound lanes tighten while midwinter is quiet in both directions.
Moving and shipping a car?
Tell us both on one form and the quote covers the household goods and the vehicle together.