Car Shipping Cost Calculator
Get instant auto transport cost estimates. Compare open vs. enclosed carrier rates by vehicle type and distance — backed by real broker and carrier data across all 50 states.
Car Shipping Cost by Transport Type (2025)
| Vehicle / Transport Type | Short (<500 mi) | Medium (500–1,500 mi) | Long (1,500+ mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Carrier (sedan) | $350–$700 | $600–$1,100 | $900–$1,600 |
| Open Carrier (SUV/truck) | $400–$800 | $700–$1,250 | $1,000–$1,800 |
| Enclosed Carrier (sedan) | $650–$1,100 | $1,000–$1,700 | $1,400–$2,400 |
| Enclosed Carrier (SUV) | $750–$1,200 | $1,100–$1,900 | $1,600–$2,800 |
| Motorcycle | $250–$500 | $400–$750 | $650–$1,200 |
Car Shipping Cost by State (2025)
Average cost to ship a standard sedan on open carrier from each state to a national average destination.
| State | Low Estimate | Average Cost | High Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $550 | $900 | $1,600 |
| Alaska | $1,400 | $2,400 | $4,200 |
| Arizona | $600 | $1,000 | $1,800 |
| Arkansas | $500 | $850 | $1,500 |
| California | $800 | $1,350 | $2,400 |
| Colorado | $650 | $1,050 | $1,900 |
| Connecticut | $700 | $1,150 | $2,000 |
| Delaware | $650 | $1,050 | $1,900 |
| Florida | $650 | $1,050 | $1,850 |
| Georgia | $600 | $950 | $1,700 |
| Hawaii | $1,100 | $1,900 | $3,400 |
| Idaho | $700 | $1,100 | $2,000 |
| Illinois | $600 | $1,000 | $1,800 |
| Indiana | $550 | $900 | $1,600 |
| Iowa | $550 | $900 | $1,600 |
| Kansas | $550 | $900 | $1,600 |
| Kentucky | $550 | $900 | $1,600 |
| Louisiana | $600 | $950 | $1,700 |
| Maine | $750 | $1,200 | $2,150 |
| Maryland | $650 | $1,050 | $1,900 |
| Massachusetts | $750 | $1,200 | $2,150 |
| Michigan | $600 | $950 | $1,700 |
| Minnesota | $600 | $1,000 | $1,800 |
| Mississippi | $500 | $850 | $1,500 |
| Missouri | $550 | $900 | $1,600 |
| Montana | $800 | $1,300 | $2,300 |
| Nebraska | $550 | $900 | $1,600 |
| Nevada | $650 | $1,050 | $1,900 |
| New Hampshire | $700 | $1,150 | $2,050 |
| New Jersey | $700 | $1,150 | $2,050 |
| New Mexico | $600 | $1,000 | $1,800 |
| New York | $750 | $1,200 | $2,150 |
| North Carolina | $600 | $950 | $1,700 |
| North Dakota | $700 | $1,100 | $2,000 |
| Ohio | $580 | $950 | $1,700 |
| Oklahoma | $550 | $900 | $1,600 |
| Oregon | $750 | $1,200 | $2,150 |
| Pennsylvania | $620 | $1,000 | $1,800 |
| Rhode Island | $700 | $1,150 | $2,050 |
| South Carolina | $580 | $950 | $1,700 |
| South Dakota | $650 | $1,050 | $1,900 |
| Tennessee | $550 | $900 | $1,600 |
| Texas | $600 | $1,000 | $1,800 |
| Utah | $700 | $1,100 | $2,000 |
| Vermont | $750 | $1,200 | $2,150 |
| Virginia | $650 | $1,050 | $1,850 |
| Washington | $800 | $1,300 | $2,300 |
| West Virginia | $600 | $950 | $1,700 |
| Wisconsin | $600 | $950 | $1,700 |
| Wyoming | $750 | $1,200 | $2,150 |
How Much Does Car Shipping Cost in 2025?
Auto transport costs range from $350 for a short-distance motorcycle shipment to $3,000+ for enclosed luxury vehicle transport cross-country. The national average for shipping a standard sedan on an open carrier is approximately $1,100. Prices vary significantly based on distance, vehicle type, carrier type (open vs. enclosed), and current fuel costs.
Factors That Affect Car Shipping Cost
1. Distance
Distance is the largest cost factor. Auto transport companies price per mile, but the per-mile rate decreases as distance increases. Short routes (under 500 miles) often cost $1.00–$1.50/mile. Long-distance routes (over 1,500 miles) typically run $0.50–$0.75/mile due to better carrier efficiency on longer routes.
2. Open vs. Enclosed Transport
Open carriers carry 8–10 vehicles at once on an exposed multi-level trailer. This is the most common and affordable method, perfectly safe for standard vehicles. Enclosed carriers carry 2–6 vehicles in a covered trailer, protecting from weather, road debris, and prying eyes. Choose enclosed for vehicles worth over $50,000, classic cars, or exotic vehicles.
3. Vehicle Type and Size
Larger vehicles take up more space on a carrier and weigh more, increasing cost. A full-size pickup truck or large SUV costs 10–20% more to ship than a compact sedan. Non-running vehicles require special equipment (winch or forklift) for loading and add $100–$250 to the quote.
4. Pickup/Delivery Flexibility
Terminal-to-terminal shipping (you deliver and pick up from carrier depots) is cheaper than door-to-door by $50–$200. Flexible pickup and delivery windows of 2–5 days help carriers optimize routes and reduce your cost by 10–15%. Requiring guaranteed specific dates adds a premium of 20–40%.
5. Current Fuel Prices and Seasonality
Auto transport rates fluctuate with diesel fuel prices and seasonal demand. Winter in northern states and summer everywhere can create supply/demand imbalances that push prices up. Florida and Arizona see seasonal spikes as snowbirds transport vehicles south in fall and back north in spring. Booking outside peak periods saves 10–25%.
How to Get the Best Car Shipping Rate
Get quotes from at least 3–5 auto transport brokers or carriers directly. Use reputable quote aggregator sites to quickly compare multiple carriers. Book 2–4 weeks in advance for best pricing. Be flexible with your pickup and delivery dates — carriers fill routes and may offer better rates for flexible schedules. Verify the carrier's FMCSA license and insurance before booking. Check the BBB and reviews on Transport Reviews before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Car shipping costs $500–$1,600 for short distances (under 500 miles), $700–$1,800 for medium distances (500–1,500 miles), and $900–$2,400+ for long-distance or cross-country transport. The national average is around $1,100 for open carrier transport. Enclosed transport for luxury or classic vehicles runs 30–50% more.
Open carrier transport (85% of all shipments) carries your car on a multi-vehicle carrier trailer — the same method dealers use to receive new cars. It's affordable and safe for most vehicles. Enclosed transport uses a covered, protected trailer that shields your vehicle from weather and road debris. It costs 30–50% more and is recommended for luxury, classic, exotic, or high-value vehicles.
Car shipping typically takes 1–2 weeks from booking to delivery. Transport itself takes 1–7 days depending on distance. Cross-country transport (coast to coast) usually takes 7–10 days in transit. Expedited shipping is available for 30–50% more and can cut transit time significantly. Rural or off-route pickups may add 1–3 days.
Book 2–4 weeks in advance for best rates and carrier availability. Booking with less than 1 week's notice often requires paying a significant premium or using expedited services. During peak seasons (summer, end of month, major holidays), lead times extend to 3–6 weeks. Flexible pickup and delivery windows of 2–5 days typically reduce costs 10–20%.
All licensed auto transport carriers are required by the FMCSA to carry cargo insurance. Most cover $100,000–$1,000,000 per load. However, carriers often have high deductibles ($500–$1,500) and may dispute damage claims. Before shipping, photograph your car thoroughly from all angles and document any existing damage in writing on the Bill of Lading. Consider supplemental coverage for high-value vehicles.
Most carriers allow 100–150 lbs of personal items in your trunk with the back seats folded down. Items must not be visible through windows and shouldn't be fragile or valuable. Keep in mind that personal items are NOT covered by the carrier's cargo insurance — only the vehicle itself is covered. Loose items can shift and damage your car's interior, so secure them properly.