Average Cost to Ship a Car — By Distance, Per Mile and Vehicle

Open transport, standard sedan or compact SUV. Short routes carry a higher per-mile rate because carriers cover fixed loading costs over fewer miles.

• Book 2–3 weeks ahead instead of the last minute
• Give a flexible pickup window of several days
• Ship in fall or late winter, outside peak summer and snowbird season
• Choose open transport for an everyday car
• Use terminal delivery if you live in a rural area
• Ship two or more cars together for a multi-car rate
• Ask about military, student and senior discounts — see cheap car shipping

A quote well under every other quote on the same route usually means the price will rise later or no carrier will accept the job. Watch out for large non-refundable deposits, no carrier information after booking and pressure to book immediately. A fair quote is all-inclusive, locked at booking and doesn't require full payment before a carrier is assigned.

For a standard sedan on an open carrier, ShipMyCar US pricing typically runs:

• Under 500 miles: $400–$750
• 500–1,000 miles: $700–$1,050
• 1,000–1,500 miles: $950–$1,300
• 1,500–2,000 miles: $1,100–$1,500
• Coast to coast: about $1,300–$1,800

Enclosed transport usually adds 30–40%. SUVs and pickups usually add $150–$300; heavy-duty trucks more. These typical auto shipping rates reflect current carrier pricing and include fuel and carrier insurance.

The car shipping cost per mile falls as distance grows. Short trips under 500 miles often cost well over $1 per mile because fixed costs — dispatch, loading, insurance, minimum driver pay — make up a big share of the price. Around 1,000 miles, the auto transport cost per mile is close to $1. Coast-to-coast trips often work out to roughly $0.50–$0.65 per mile.

So "a dollar a mile" is only a rough guide around 1,000 miles. Read cost to ship a car by distance for the full curve.

• Atlanta to Charlotte: short regional run
• Chicago to Dallas: mid-range lane
• Texas to California: long-haul Sun Belt corridor
• New York to Florida: top snowbird route
• California to New York: coast to coast

Each route page shows city pairs, open and enclosed pricing and transit times.

• Exact addresses: Rural pickups and deliveries cost more than big-city addresses near interstates.
• Direction: Lanes where trucks would return empty cost more.
• Season: Summer and snowbird months raise prices on busy lanes.
• Vehicle: Size, weight, modifications and running condition.
• Transport type: Open vs. enclosed, door-to-door vs. terminal.
• Timing: Last-minute pickups cost more; flexible windows cost less.

See car shipping rates by state and when to book car shipping.

For short moves, driving is usually cheaper. For long moves, add up fuel, hotels, meals, tolls, wear on the car, a flight back and days off work — shipping is often close in price and far less tiring. Read is it cheaper to fly or drive.

Averages are a starting point. Your exact price depends on your route, dates and vehicle. Use the car shipping calculator for an instant all-inclusive estimate, or call 1-888-706-8784.

Compared with a standard sedan on the same route:

• Compact cars: About the same, sometimes slightly less.
• Small SUVs and crossovers: Roughly $50–$100 more.
• Mid-size SUVs: Roughly $75–$150 more.
• Full-size SUVs and half-ton pickups: Roughly $150–$300 more.
• Heavy-duty and dually pickups: Roughly $300–$600 more.
• Motorcycles: Often $300–$800 total for domestic moves.
• Classic and exotic cars: Usually shipped enclosed, adding 30–40%.

Read why SUVs and trucks cost more to ship.

Some quotes leave out costs that appear later: fuel surcharges, card fees, storage, rural delivery fees, or a price increase at pickup. A reliable quote includes fuel, tolls and carrier insurance, and discloses any charge for non-running or modified vehicles before you book. See hidden fees in car shipping.

• Open transport: The baseline — most affordable for everyday vehicles.
• Enclosed transport: Usually 30–40% more for full protection.
• Expedited shipping: A premium for priority dispatch, depending on route and season.
• Inoperable vehicles: An added charge for winch loading.
• Terminal-to-terminal: Sometimes cheaper in remote areas, but storage fees can apply.
• Multi-vehicle: The per-car price usually drops when shipping two or more vehicles together.

• Summer (May–August): The busiest moving season; prices are highest on popular lanes.
• Fall: Usually good value, except on snowbird lanes into Florida, Arizona and Texas from October through January.
• Winter: Can be affordable, but northern routes may see weather delays.
• Spring: Northbound snowbird lanes get busy from March through May.

Read the best time of year to ship a car for a month-by-month view.