How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Car?
Car shipping costs range from 39 cents to $2.34 per mile and depend on your shipping distance, pickup and delivery locations, and type of transport.
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Key Points:
- On average, consumers pay between $1,000 and $2,000 for car shipping services using open auto transport trucks.
- Costs range from $1,500 to $2,500 for enclosed auto transport.
- Short-distance costs range from $450 to $750, and long-distance costs range from $1,500 to $2,300 or more.
Our team has spent hundreds of hours researching car shipping costs, and have reviewed 24 providers in the auto transport industry in order to bring you the most up-to-date information. In this article, we’ll explain what goes into car shipping costs as well as average prices, tips for finding the lowest rate, and recommendations for the best car shipping companies in the industry.
Average Cost To Ship A Car
In August 2023, our team surveyed 1,000 people who had shipped a car. We learned that 76 percent of respondents paid between $500 and $2,000 for their shipment. About 28 percent paid between $1,001 and $1,500, which was the most common price range of car shipping services in the survey. You can see the breakdown of the average cost to ship a car in our survey below.
- 6 percent paid less than $500
- 27 percent paid between $500 and $1,000
- 28 percent paid between $1,001 and $1,500
- 21 percent paid between $1,501 and $2,000
- 13 percent paid more than $2,000
- 5 percent said someone else paid
Car Shipping Cost
Considering these average figures, it’s important to note that the cost to ship a car is not a single fixed price. Costs are often determined through a bidding process and can change after the initial quote. You can find car shipping calculators on many provider websites that can help provide you an estimate.
The cost of car shipping depends on several factors, including the total distance you need to ship your vehicle, the type of carrier you choose (open or enclosed), and the company you decide to use. We will review each of these factors in the following sections.
Car Shipping Rates By Company
Keep in mind that your actual price will vary depending on the provider you choose as well as the shipping services you decide on. The table below shows the average car shipping costs we received from our top-rated providers, so you can see how they compare to the industry averages we mentioned above.
| Provider | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Montway Auto Transport | $1,199 |
| AmeriFreight | $1,207 |
| Easy Auto Ship | $1,227 |
| Mercury Auto Transport | $973 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | $1,219 |
*Prices are averaged based on prices our review team received to ship an operable 2019 Mazda CX-5 utilizing open and enclosed carriers.
Cost To Ship A Car By Distance
Short-distance shipments cost less than long-distance loads in total. However, on a per-mile basis, long-distance shipping costs significantly less than shorter distances. Below we will discuss the different prices to ship a vehicle 470 miles, 1,640 miles, and 2,985 miles.
Short-Distance Car Shipping Cost
Short-distance car shipping costs range from $0.95 per mile to $2.34 per mile. See below for the lowest, highest, and average cost to ship a vehicle 470 miles via open car transport through various car shipping companies.
| Short-Distance Car Shipping:
470 Miles | Cost per mile | Total cost |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest cost | $0.95 | $445 |
| Average cost | $1.63 | $664 |
| Highest cost | $2.34 | $1,099 |
*These quotes were gathered for an operable 2019 Mazda CX-5.
Long-Distance Car Shipping Cost
Consumers usually pay between $0.39 and $0.68 per mile for long-distance car shipping. The average price for cross-country shipping breaks down to $0.49 cents per mile or $1,476 total for open shipments of 2,985 miles or more. For reference, a vehicle shipment from Boston, Massechusets to Los Angeles, California is approximately this many miles. See below for the total costs to ship a vehicle cross-country via open car transport through more than a dozen different car shipping companies.
| Long-Distance Car Shipping:
2,985 miles | Cost per mile | Total cost |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest cost | $0.39 | $1,168 |
| Average cost | $0.49 | $1,476 |
| Highest cost | $0.68 | $2,021 |
*These quotes were gathered for an operable 2019 Mazda CX-5.
Car Shipping Prices By Carrier Type
When shipping your car, you’ll likely have the choice to ship your vehicle through open or enclosed auto transport.
Open vehicle transport is the most common transport service for car shipping and also has the lowest overall costs. This type of transport exposes your vehicle to the elements during shipping without an exterior covering. Open car shipping is far less expensive than enclosed car shipping, as more cars are able to be shipped on one carrier this way.
Enclosed carrier transport provides more protection for the vehicle being shipped, as it’s transported inside an enclosed trailer. Costs are much higher with enclosed shipping since the transport vehicle can’t fit as many cars at once as compared to open carrier transport. Luxury or classic cars and cars that need more protection are often shipped through this method.
Open Car Transport Cost
According to our research, an open transport shipment of 1,640 miles typically costs around $1,192. Depending on the company, you could pay anywhere from $949 to $1,838 for that distance, which is why it’s important to compare providers when you shop.
The table below contains the lowest, highest, and average cost consumers pay to ship a vehicle 1,640 miles using open-air transport trailers.
| Open Car Transport Cost | Cost per mile | Total cost |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest cost | $0.58 | $949 |
| Average cost | $0.73 | $1,192 |
| Highest cost | $1.12 | $1,838 |
*Costs are an aggregation of the total price we received from 14 car shipping companies to ship an operable 2019 Mazda CX-5.
Enclosed Car Shipping Cost
The greater peace of mind that enclosed shipping can offer might be worth the extra cost for some customers. Most consumers pay an average of $1.12 per mile for enclosed shipping. With prices ranging from $1,305 to $2,905, you can expect to pay somewhere around $1,839 for enclosed transport:
| Enclosed Car Transport Cost | Cost per mile | Total cost |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest cost | $0.80 | $1,305 |
| Average cost | $1.12 | $1,839 |
| Highest cost | $1.77 | $2,905 |
*The table above shows the total cost to ship an operable 2019 Mazda CX-5 1,640 miles via an enclosed carrier with various car shipping providers.
Car Shipping Rates: What To Know
Many factors can affect the cost of shipping a car. In addition to the size of your car and shipping distance, market factors can impact car shipping rates. Because shippers bid on your contract, carrier competition can also play a role in the price you pay. Below, we outline and explain many common factors that affect car shipping prices.
While you can receive an auto shipping quote directly from a broker, this won’t always be the final price you pay. Once you’ve decided to ship your vehicle, you’ll need to navigate through the many providers at your disposal, which can feel like a hassle.
Calculate Car Shipping Costs
In order for you to calculate the cost of shipping a car, there are several important factors to take into consideration. See the chart below for more information:
| Car Shipping Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Vehicle size | Both the size and type of the vehicle can factor into your shipping costs. Ground clearance can also affect costs, with cars lower to the ground being more expensive to ship. |
| Vehicle condition | If your vehicle can brake, steer, and roll on its own, it will cost less to ship. Vehicles that are inoperable and must be forklifted or winched onto the truck cost more to ship. |
| Shipping distance | You’ll get a better rate per mile the farther you ship your car, but the overall cost will be higher. |
| Pickup location and delivery location | Shipping to and from urban areas is cheaper than shipping to rural areas. You can also save money by shipping to a terminal instead of opting for door-to-door service. |
| Extra features | Extra features like added insurance coverage, expedited shipping, home delivery, and single-car shipping (where your vehicle ships in its own car carrier with no other vehicles) will cost more. |
| Type of transport | You can typically choose between open and enclosed transport. Open transport is cheaper if you’re looking for a budget-friendly shipping option. |
| Time of year | Auto shipping is more expensive during certain months due to higher demand. You’ll find the highest rates are generally in January and during the summer months. |
| Price of fuel | High fuel prices increase the operating costs for car shippers, which may be passed on to the consumer. |
Auto Shipping Costs: Conclusion
Car transport companies often offer cost per mile prices for car shipping services. You’ll typically find that the shorter the shipping distance, the more it will cost you per mile. If you’re shipping your vehicle long-distance, you’ll pay less per mile but more overall.
While your car shipping costs will likely change due to various factors, it’s easy to obtain instant quotes from auto shippers. We suggest requesting car shipping quotes from various reputable car shipping providers to get the best price for your needs. Montway Auto Transport and uShip are two great providers to start your search with.
Recommended Car Shipping Companies And Prices
For low-cost auto shipping options, you could post your shipping request and get free quotes from Montway Auto Transport or AmeriFreight. See below for more information on each provider.
Montway Auto Transport Cost
Based on our cost research, Montway Auto Transport prices are competitive within the car shipping industry. You may even be able to find the lowest rates through the company, depending on your shipping needs. You can request open auto transport or enclosed shipping. There are also options for door-to-door delivery and expedited shipping.
The table below shows the cost to ship a vehicle with open transport using Montway Auto Transport.
| Shipping Distance | Total Cost | Cost per mile |
|---|---|---|
| 470 miles (open) | $649 | $1.38 |
| 1,640 miles (open) | $1,129 | $0.69 |
| 1,640 miles (enclosed) | $1,549 | $0.95 |
| 2,985 miles (open) | $1,469 | $0.49 |
AmeriFreight Auto Shipping Cost
AmeriFreight is another of our top picks for auto shipping. The company ships to all 50 states and holds an A+ rating from the BBB. Its wide range of shipping services also helps AmeriFreight take a high spot in our rankings. The company offers terminal-to-terminal and door-to-door car transport, which means you can find the balance between value and convenience that works best for you.
The table below shows the quotes we received from AmeriFreight in early 2024.
| Shipping Distance | Total Cost | Cost Per Mile |
|---|---|---|
| 470 miles (open) | $764 | $1.63 |
| 1,640 miles (open) | $1,073 | $0.65 |
| 1,640 miles (enclosed) | $1,824 | $1.11 |
| 2,985 miles (open) | $1,168 | $0.39 |
Vehicle Transport Cost: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions on car shipping costs:
What is the most cost effective way to ship a car?
The cheapest way to ship a car is by train. However, shipping by train does not offer the flexibility in shipping dates and shipping locations that shipping by truck does. Furthermore, a car shipment by train is much less secure than shipping by truck. Your vehicle may be more prone to vandalism on a train.
What is the best company to ship a car across the U.S.?
After performing an in-depth industry review, our research team named Montway Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, and Easy Auto Ship the best companies for car shipping. The provider that is right for you will depend on your auto shipping needs, so we recommend that you request auto transport quotes from multiple providers.
Is it cheaper to ship a car by train or truck?
It is typically more cost-effective to ship a car by train than by truck. However, when your car is shipped by train it can be more prone to vandalism, and you will have much less flexibility when it comes to drop-off and pickup dates, and shipping locations.
How We Rate Auto Shipping Companies
Our review team extensively researches car shipping providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:
- Reliability: Providers that earn strong ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and have a long history in the auto transport industry score well in this category.
- Services: We take a look at what types of transport services are available through each company, including open and enclosed transport, door-to-door shipping, and more. Those with wider service selections are more likely to meet consumers’ needs.
- Pricing: Our team performs a secret shopper analysis to get quotes for a variety of shipping routes and services. We compare each company’s costs to industry average prices to see how it stands up to the competition.
- Customer Experience: We consider customer reviews on sites like the BBB and Trustpilot to better understand the consumer experience. Car shipping companies with convenient quote processes also perform well in this category.
