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Car shipping costs range from $600 to over $2,500 depending on a variety of factors including shipping length, season, and auto transport type.
Key Takeaways
- Shipping a car 500 miles will cost about $1.20 to $1.45 per mile while shipping a car almost 3,000 miles will cost $0.52 to $0.64 per mile.
- Sherpa Auto Transport has the lowest enclosed car transport cost at $0.72/mile and SGT Auto Transport has the lowest open car transport cost at $0.64/mile
- Shipping distance, transport type, gas prices, and time of year will change your car shipping costs
Featured Car Shipping Companies
We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:
The average car shipping cost depends on a wide variety of factors. If you know what elements determine the price of a vehicle shipment, you’ll have a better shot at locking in a good rate for your auto transport job.
In this article, we’ll look at the average cost of car transport services and explain the auto shipping process. We’ll also share a few money-saving tips for your vehicle shipment and highlight some car shipping companies that provide hassle-free service and peace of mind.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship a Car?
Car shipping costs range from $600 to around $2,500, sometimes even more. But these rates are always tailored to individuals and highly variable, depending on your vehicle transport needs.
Source: Nexus Auto Transport
Average Cost To Ship a Car
In October 2021, our team surveyed 1,000 car shipping customers. 16% of people paid under $500 for car shipping. The chart below shows the breakdown of people’s prices for their services.
Source: 2021 Automoblog Car Shipping Survey
Car Shipping Costs by Distance
Vehicle transport distance is one of the most important factors in determining auto transport costs. As the table below illustrates, while the average cost per mile to ship a vehicle is notably lower for longer distances, estimates are higher overall for long-distance shipping quotes:
| Shipping Distance | Quote Range (Total) | Quote Range (Per-Mile) |
|---|---|---|
| 500 miles | $599 to $723 | $1.20 to $1.45 |
| 1,500 miles | $1,054 to $1,596 | $0.94 to $1.51 |
| 2,700 miles | $1,386 to $1,725 | $0.52 to $0.64 |
Car Shipping Costs by Company
Here are three cost estimates from some providers that you should trust to ship your car:
| Company | Approximate Mileage | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Montway Auto Transport | 550 miles | $649 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | 1,500 miles | $1,150 |
| Easy Auto Ship | 2,800 miles | $1,903 |
*Ratings are determined by our editorial review team. Learn more about our scoring methodology below.
Open Car Shipping Cost
Open car transport costs range from $0.64/mile to $1.62/mile. Below is a table detailing the costs per mile of different car shipping companies for open car transport:
| Company | Distance | Cost per Mile |
|---|---|---|
| Montway Auto Transport | 535 miles | $1.33 |
| Montway Auto Transport | 2,445 miles | $0.69 |
| American Auto Shipping | 535 miles | $1.36 |
| American Auto Shipping | 2,445 miles | $0.73 |
| AmeriFreight | 535 miles | $1.62 |
| AmeriFreight | 2,445 miles | $0.65 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | 535 miles | $1.40 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | 2,445 miles | $0.67 |
| SGT Auto Transport | 535 miles | $1.14 |
| SGT Auto Transport | 2,445 miles | $0.64 |
| uShip | 535 miles | $1.21 |
| uShip | 2,445 miles | $0.94 |
Enclosed Car Transport Cost
You can get enclosed car transport for as low as $0.72/mile through Sherpa Auto Transport. Below is a table going over some per-mile costs of enclosed car transport:
Enclosed Car Transport Cost per Mile
| Company | Distance | Cost per Mile |
|---|---|---|
| Montway Auto Transport | 1,500 miles | $0.97 |
| American Auto Shipping | 1,500 miles | $1.39 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | 1,500 miles | $0.72 |
| AmeriFreight | 1,500 miles | $0.80 |
| SGT Auto Transport | 1,500 miles | $1.39 |
| uShip | 1,500 miles | $1.33 |
How To Lower Car Shipping Costs
You can use a few simple strategies to get the best possible deal on your auto shipment. Here are our best tips for locking in low car shipping costs:
- Book in advance: You’ll want to give auto transport carriers plenty of time to bid on your specific job. Booking well in advance gives you the best shot at a low rate.
- Use open transport: Open vehicle transport is the default shipping option for most customers. Unless you’re moving a high-value vehicle and need the extra protection that comes with enclosed auto transport, an open carrier will typically lead to lower car shipping prices.
- Ship to and from a terminal: Door-to-door service is more expensive than shipping to and from a central location. Having your car picked up from and delivered to a shipping terminal is the easiest way to get reduced car shipping costs.
Factors That Affect Car Shipping Costs
The best way to learn how much your vehicle shipment could cost is by comparing car shipping quotes online from multiple auto transport providers. Brokers generally take the following factors into account when calculating car shipping quotes:
- Shipping distance: You’ll likely pay a higher car shipping cost for cross-country transports such as from Los Angeles to New York. However, the price per mile will generally be lower for these long-distance routes.
- Transport type: Shipping your vehicle in an open car carrier is cheaper than using an enclosed trailer. Open auto transport is the more common method, but owners of luxury and classic cars often go with enclosed shipping due to extra protection against road hazards and bad weather. Know that enclosed carriers are much pricier most of the time.
- Time of year: The auto transport industry typically sees the most demand in January and throughout the summer months. The timing of your vehicle shipment plays a key role in determining overall car transport prices.
- Type of vehicle: SUVs and pickup trucks are more expensive to ship than sedans and other smaller cars. The size of the vehicle is significant to auto shippers in their calculation of rates for car shipping services.
- Vehicle condition: Inoperable vehicles come with higher car shipping costs because they’re more difficult for movers to load and unload.
- Pickup and drop-off locations: Terminal-to-terminal shipping involves having your car picked up and dropped off at centralized locations. This is one of the cheapest ways to ship a car compared to door-to-door service, where your vehicle moves between specific addresses.
- Gas prices: If prices are currently high at the pump, expect your car shipment to cost more as well.
Best Car Shipping Companies
We’ve ranked the market’s best and most affordable car shipping companies to help you make an informed decision. Below are some of our top choices in the auto transport industry:
How Does the Car Shipping Process Work?
Finding out your potential car shipping cost begins with getting a free quote online from an auto transport company. You’ll get an estimate once you share details about your vehicle, shipping route, preferred shipping method, pickup and delivery locations, and ideal time frame. From that point, you’ll need to choose a provider, contact the driver assigned to the job, and make final arrangements.
When you meet your transport driver, you’ll inspect your car for existing damages before signing a form to confirm the inspection. Most car shipping companies offer some type of tracking option to help you monitor your vehicle’s journey. Once the car arrives at its destination, you’ll perform another inspection with your driver, sign a bill of lading, and drive your car away.
Cost To Ship a Car: Conclusion
In this review, we went over everything there is to know about car shipping costs. If you want the lowest prices, we recommend checking out Montway Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, American Auto Shipping, AmeriFreight, or uShip. You can get your car shipped for as low as $600 using one of these providers.
Featured Car Shipping Companies
We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:
Auto Shipping Cost: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about the cost of shipping a car:
How much does shipping cost for a car?
Most people pay between $1,000 and $2,000 for standard car shipping costs. The exact price varies due to vehicle type and condition, shipping distance, time of year, and type of transport. Comparing instant quotes from multiple shippers and using a car shipping calculator are some of the easiest ways to determine car transport costs.
Is it worth it to ship a car?
Car owners looking to move their car across a single state like Texas or Florida might find that driving is cheaper, but they’ll put large amounts of wear and tear on their vehicles for longer journeys. It’s usually worth shipping a car if you’ve got a long-distance move ahead, such as from Seattle to Houston.
How much does it cost to ship a car across the U.S.?
According to our research, expect to pay between $1,500 and $2,200 when shipping a car across the country. To get cheap car transport prices, be sure to book early, choose open car transport, and go with terminal-to-terminal shipping if possible.
What is the average shipping cost for a car?
The average shipping cost for a car ranges from $1,000 to $2,000, although costs can vary well outside of that range. In addition to per-mile costs, the amount you pay for shipping depends on the options you choose, market factors, and more.
Our Shipping Review Standards
Our review team prides itself on sharing accurate and unbiased information with consumers. We have accumulated data from dozens of car shipping companies to formulate our rankings of the industry’s best providers. Auto transporters receive a score out of 5.0 overall, as well as a rating in each of the following categories:
- Price: Comparing providers can be difficult due to the many factors that influence cost. To determine this score, we employ a secret shopper analysis using different vehicles, distances, and routes.
- Services: A wide variety of services is essential to support the differing needs of customers. We take into account the types of services available, insurance coverage, and the ability to guarantee pickup and drop-off dates. We also consider whether a car transport company is a broker or a provider.
- Customer Service: The level of customer service and care provided by a shipping company is an important consideration. Our review team sifts through customer reviews and complaints from reputable sources such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. We also consider the responsiveness of each company’s customer service team based on our secret shopper analysis.
- Reputation: Good auto shipping providers consistently provide quality experiences. Our team takes into account BBB ratings and the company’s history of reliable service when giving this score.
