While the average cost of auto shipping comes in between $1,000 and $1,500, the truth is that your car shipping costs could vary significantly, making it important to utilize a car shipping calculator.
Factors like the distance of your shipment, the transport type you choose, and even your vehicle itself can all play a role in how much your shipment will cost. Because of this, your shipment could be less than $500 or more than $2,000.
Use our car shipping cost calculator below to receive instant car transport quotes from top car shippers.
By understanding the different factors that come into play when shipping a car, you can have a better understanding of what your costs will look like when you get auto transport quotes from the best car shipping companies.
Here’s what you should know about calculating car shipping costs.
Why You Can Trust FreightWaves
Our mission at FreightWaves is to provide readers with data-driven, unbiased car shipping information and company reviews.
Using our own unique rating system, we evaluated 2,400 car shipping companies nationwide based on key factors like pricing, services, availability, and customer satisfaction. We also dig deep into online consumer reviews to pinpoint what real people have to say about each company and identify recurring pain points and areas of praise.
Our in-house team of experts fully fact-checks all content to ensure our content is up-to-date, accurate, and relevant to what you want and need to know.
How Much Does Car Shipping Cost?
Calculating vehicle shipping is most dependent on three factors: whether you choose open or enclosed shipping, the distance of your shipment, and your vehicle size.
The biggest difference-maker is whether you use open vs. enclosed car shipping, since enclosed shipping can cost up to 50% more than using an open carrier for the exact same distance. This can add several hundred dollars to your shipment costs.
Unsurprisingly, transporting your vehicle longer distances and shipping a larger vehicle will also increase rates.
The following table shows sample rates based on these factors:
| Distance | Transport Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 500 miles | Open | $600–$700 |
| 500 miles | Enclosed | $850–$1,000 |
| 1,000 miles | Open | $650–$800 |
| 1,000 miles | Enclosed | $1,000–$1,200 |
| 2,000 miles | Open | $1,200–$1,400 |
| 2,000 miles | Enclosed | $1,700–$2,000 |
While these are the biggest factors in determining your total pricing, they aren’t the only factors that go into a car transport company’s calculations.
Read our comprehensive review on How Much It Costs to Ship a Car for more details.
Common Car Shipping Cost Factors
Car transport services will calculate the following factors to determine your shipping quote:
- The size of your vehicle: A vehicle that weighs more will increase the transport company’s fuel costs. Similarly, a larger vehicle could mean that fewer cars can fit on the trailer. This can increase your shipping costs. The type of vehicle you are shipping also matters, as high-end vehicles may require additional insurance coverage.
- The condition of your vehicle: While many carriers can ship inoperable vehicles, they will generally charge an additional fee, since those vehicles require extra handling and care during transportation.
- Distance: It will cost more to ship your vehicle long-distance; but not as much as you might expect. This is because the price per mile tends to be much lower for long-distance shipments, while it is higher for shorter shipments.
- Open vs. enclosed transport: The choice between an open or enclosed carrier will have the biggest impact on your quote. Enclosed trailers offer greater protection against harsh weather conditions, but the premium pricing means this option is usually reserved for luxury vehicles.
- Delivery location: You’ll usually pay less if you live close to a major metropolitan area because there are more trucks and routes available. Expect to pay more when shipping to a rural area that is farther from the main route. While most shippers offer door-to-door service (they pick up and drop off the vehicle at your home), you may be able to save with terminal-to-terminal shipping. With this option, you’ll have to drop off and pick up your car at the nearest carrier terminal.
- The cost of fuel: Fuel costs are also calculated into your shipping quote. As you’ve experienced yourself while driving, gas prices can go up or down almost daily. As fuel gets more expensive, your shipment costs will go up, but costs can go down when fuel gets cheaper.
- The time of year: During times of peak demand, car shipping rates tend to go up. Spring and fall see a high number of shipments as people move from their winter to summer homes. Summer can also see higher demand, since this is when most people move.
How to Calculate Car Shipping Costs
Vehicle transport services use all the factors mentioned above to calculate your car shipping costs. Because of this, when requesting a quote, it’s important to provide as much information as possible. By submitting all necessary details about your shipment, the auto shipping company can provide a more accurate quote.
Keep in mind, however, that many auto shipping companies do not provide binding estimates. This means that the final amount you owe when your vehicle is delivered could vary from what you were initially quoted if unforeseen issues arise. Reputable companies will either inform you of this upfront or will offer a binding quote as long as your vehicle matches your initial description.
Finally, remember that third-party car shipping calculators that you come across can only provide rough estimates. They can give you a general range of what you should expect your quotes to be, but you’ll have to get quotes from multiple carriers for a more accurate picture of cost.
The Cheapest Way to Ship Your Car
If you’re shipping a car on a budget, your top priority will be finding the best price for your shipment. While car shipping rates will usually vary between companies, the most cost-effective car shipping option will almost always be to use open car transport and terminal-to-terminal shipping.
Open transport is hundreds of dollars cheaper than using an enclosed carrier, and most vehicles are perfectly safe being transported in this manner. However, enclosed transport is usually recommended for sports cars, antique cars, or luxury vehicles, as this offers greater protection against theft, vandalism, weather damage, and other hazards.
Terminal-to-terminal shipping is cheaper than door-to-door service because you drop off and pick up your vehicle at the carrier’s terminal. The carrier doesn’t have to do the extra driving to get to your house, so they pass the savings on to you. Of course, this method can be inconvenient if you don’t live close to a terminal. In that case, you’ll need to arrange transportation from the drop-off terminal.
Many car shippers offer discounts to military service members, seniors, students, and others. You may also be able to get seasonal discounts or discounts for shipping multiple vehicles. You can also enjoy lower costs if you are more flexible with your pickup and delivery dates.
Our Take
While getting an affordable car transport quote is certainly helpful, you should always make sure that you are working with a reliable and trustworthy auto transport company.
The following companies from our list of best car shippers all have good reputations in the auto transport industry and offer transparent pricing so you can schedule your car shipment with confidence.
Montway Auto Transport
Montway Auto Transport is a highly regarded auto transport company that services all 50 states and even helps with international shipments. To date, they have shipped more than one million vehicles, including cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles. With approximately 15,000 carefully vetted partners, Montway is able to provide competitive pricing for its car shipping services.
With an A+ Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating and overwhelmingly positive reviews, you can have confidence that Montway and its partners will provide reliable service from start to finish. You can also obtain an instant online quote, allowing you to quickly see your available pricing options.
While Montway doesn’t require a payment to book, they do charge a $249 cancellation fee if you cancel after a carrier has been assigned to your shipment.
uShip
uShip isn’t a car carrier, but it can be a valuable resource when trying to schedule a car shipment. uShip is an online marketplace where you can get quotes from movers and car carriers in your area based on your moving needs and local availability.
This platform allows you to quickly gather multiple bids and compare costs and shipping details. It also makes it easier to coordinate vehicle shipping with other moving services. However, availability can vary based on your location, and you might not be able to find competitive quotes for your shipment.
You’ll also need to verify the quality of the car shippers yourself. uShip doesn’t vet its providers, so you should check customer reviews before agreeing to a car shipping quote.
SGT Auto Transport
For transparent pricing and no hidden fees, SGT Auto Transport is an excellent choice. Your full vehicle shipping cost is included in your quote, which is valid for seven days. SGT price matches its bookings, so if you get a lower price from a competitor, they’ll honor it. They also offer discounts of up to 10% off for military, students, seniors, and Sunday bookings.
SGT provides both open and enclosed shipping, as well as the option to book an exact pickup date and express shipping. Each door-to-door shipment is also fully insured, giving you peace of mind during the transportation process.
SGT does not have any kind of digital tracking on car shipments. Instead, your driver will contact you a few hours before pickup and delivery. The company serves the contiguous United States and Hawaii but not Alaska.
FAQ
How do you get car shipping quotes?
The best car shipping companies make it easy to get a quote when you provide information about your vehicle, the type of transport you need, and your pickup and delivery locations. You can request a quote over the phone, but many also offer online quotes.
How is my car transport cost calculated?
Car transport companies use their own internal car shipping cost calculators to determine your shipment rate based on factors like your vehicle size, your location, and your preferred transport option. Using this information, rates are then usually calculated on a per-mile basis, with lower per-mile rates for longer shipments.
Can I get an instant quote for shipping my car online?
Yes, you can get an instant quote for shipping your car online. Many auto transport companies offer free quotes on their websites using their own internal cost estimators.
Keep in mind, however, that these quotes aren’t always binding. They may be subject to change upon delivery, although reputable companies will inform you of this upfront.
What factors influence the cost of shipping a car across the country?
Car shipping prices are primarily based on the size of vehicle you need to ship, the distance of your shipment, and whether you use open or enclosed transport.
Other factors that can also influence your total cost include:
- The condition of your vehicle
- Your location
- The cost of fuel
- The time of year
Is it cheaper to ship a car or to drive?
Driving can be cheaper than auto transport services for relatively short moves. However, as the distance increases, shipping usually becomes more cost-effective.
For example, relocating from Los Angeles to New York or Florida can be quite expensive if you drive due to the cost of food, fuel, and lodging. The shipping process also eliminates the hassle and stress of driving yourself.
