How much does it cost to ship a car?
The cost to ship a car across the country depends mainly on distance, vehicle size, and open or enclosed transport. The cheapest way to ship a car is usually open transport.
Every auto transport quote is based on a set of variables. The biggest is distance, but several other factors move the price up or down. Here's what drives the total:
- Distance: longer routes cost more in total, but less per mile
- Vehicle size and weight: bigger vehicles take more trailer space
- Running condition: inoperable vehicles need extra loading equipment
- Transport type: enclosed costs 30-50% more than open
- Pickup & delivery type: door-to-door costs slightly more than terminal-to-terminal
- Season and demand: summer and holiday months are busier
- Fuel prices: carriers pass through fuel cost changes
Real rate examples
The numbers below are real-world estimates for a standard sedan on open transport. Your exact quote may vary slightly based on market conditions at the time of booking.