Shipping a car in the US costs $400–$2,500 in 2026, with most moves averaging $1,100–$1,300. Price depends on five factors: distance, transport type (open vs. enclosed), vehicle size, route demand, and season. Open transport is cheapest; enclosed adds 35–60%. Shipping in January–February saves 15–20% versus peak summer. Coast-to-coast (2,000+ miles) runs $1,100–$2,500 and takes 7–10 days.
Quick Answer: Average Car Shipping Costs in 2026
Shipping a car in 2026 costs between $400 and $2,500 for most domestic routes, with the average falling around $1,100–$1,300 for a mid-range move. That wide range isn't vague, it's accurate, because five variables move the price significantly: distance, transport type, vehicle size, route demand, and timing.
Here's a quick orientation before we go deeper:
| Move Type | Distance | Transit Time | Open Carrier | Enclosed Carrier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional Same-region move | Under 500 mi | 1–3 days | $400–$750 | $650–$1,200 |
| Mid-Distance Adjacent regions | 500–1,000 mi | 2–5 days | $650–$1,100 | $1,000–$1,700 |
| Long Haul Most common | 1,000–1,500 mi | 3–7 days | $850–$1,400 | $1,300–$2,100 |
| Cross-Country Popular corridor | 1,500–2,000 mi | 5–8 days | $1,000–$1,700 | $1,600–$2,600 |
| Coast-to-Coast Full US width | 2,000+ mi | 7–10 days | $1,100–$2,500 | $1,700–$3,500+ |
Auto transport uses a live carrier marketplace called Central Dispatch. Brokers post your shipment and carriers bid on it. Your quote is an estimate of what a carrier will accept, not a fixed price. This is why quotes from different brokers for the same route can vary by $200–$400, and why prices change between when you request a quote and when you actually book.
Cost by Distance, The Definitive Breakdown
Distance is the biggest single factor in car shipping cost, but the relationship isn't linear. Cost per mile drops as distance increases because carriers can justify the trip over more miles. A 300-mile move is actually the most expensive per mile because the driver earns less per hour of travel time.
| Distance | Cost Per Mile | Total Cost (Open) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–300 miles | $1.60–$2.60/mi | $400–$700 | Highest per-mile rate; short hauls are inefficient for carriers |
| 300–500 miles | $1.20–$1.80/mi | $500–$800 | Improving efficiency; more carrier options |
| 500–1,000 miles | $0.90–$1.40/mi | $650–$1,100 | Value zone, good carrier availability |
| 1,000–1,500 miles | $0.75–$1.10/mi | $850–$1,400 | Most common long-haul range; competitive pricing |
| 1,500–2,500 miles | $0.60–$0.90/mi | $1,000–$2,000 | Coast-to-coast; best per-mile value |
Open vs. Enclosed Transport: What's the Difference?
This is the single decision that most affects your price. Open transport is the default, the same method used to deliver new cars from factories to dealerships. Enclosed transport ships your car in a covered trailer, protected from weather and road debris.
Open Transport
- Exposed to weather and road grime
- Carries 7–10 vehicles simultaneously
- Fastest pickup times, more carriers available
- Right for: sedans, SUVs, trucks, daily drivers
- Insurance covers damage during transport
Enclosed Transport
- Full protection from elements and debris
- Carries only 2–6 vehicles per truck
- Longer pickup windows; fewer carriers available
- Right for: classics, exotics, luxury, $50k+ vehicles
- Higher-grade insurance typically included
New cars are delivered to dealerships on open carriers. If it's good enough for a factory-fresh BMW, it's good enough for your used Honda. Choose enclosed if your vehicle has significant collector or monetary value, is a show car, or has cosmetic details you can't afford to lose. For everything else, open transport is the right call.
Cost by Vehicle Type
Carriers price by the amount of trailer space and weight a vehicle takes up. An SUV or full-size truck occupies more space than a sedan, that translates directly to cost.
| Vehicle Type | Premium Over Sedan | Example Cost (1,000 mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle Requires specialized mount | –10% to –20% | $650–$900 |
| Sedan / Coupe Baseline vehicle | Baseline | $850–$1,200 |
| Compact SUV / Crossover | +5% to +15% | $900–$1,300 |
| Full-Size SUV / Minivan | +15% to +30% | $1,000–$1,500 |
| Full-Size Pickup Truck | +20% to +35% | $1,050–$1,600 |
| Non-Running Vehicle Requires winch loading | +$150–$300 flat | $1,000–$1,500 |
| Oversized / Modified Lifted trucks, wide builds | +30% to +60% | $1,200–$2,000 |
What Else Affects Your Car Shipping Price
Route popularity
High-traffic corridors, Florida to the Northeast, California to Texas, the I-95 and I-10 corridors, have more carriers running them, which creates competition and keeps prices lower. Moving to or from a rural area, a small city, or an off-highway destination adds cost because fewer carriers are willing to bid. If you can drop your car at a terminal near a major highway, you'll often pay less.
Pickup window flexibility
Giving carriers a 3–5 day pickup window (rather than demanding a specific date) typically saves $75–$200. Carriers plan multi-stop routes, flexibility lets them fit your vehicle into an existing trip rather than making a dedicated run.
Lead time
Booking 2–3 weeks ahead of your pickup date gives brokers time to find a carrier at a reasonable rate. Last-minute bookings (under a week) require paying a premium to attract available carriers quickly. During peak season, book 3–4 weeks ahead.
Rush or expedited service
Most brokers offer standard, expedited, and rush tiers. Standard means your vehicle ships when a carrier accepts the normal rate. Rush means the broker immediately raises the offered rate to attract a driver, this typically adds $200–$500 to your quote.
Seasonal Pricing: When to Ship (and When to Avoid)
| Period | Demand Level | Price Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January–February | Low | –10% to –20% | Cheapest months to ship; fewer moves happening |
| March–April | Rising | Baseline | Snowbird return season on FL→North routes |
| May–August | Peak | +15% to +30% | Summer moving season; highest demand, book early |
| September–October | Moderate | Baseline +5% | Snowbird season begins (North→FL routes spike) |
| November–December | Declining | –5% to –10% | Holiday lull; good pricing but watch weather delays |
Northbound routes out of Florida (FL→NY, FL→NJ, FL→MA) price differently than southbound. In winter, everyone's heading to Florida, southbound is crowded, northbound is cheap. In spring, it reverses. If you're flexible on direction timing, there's real money to save on this corridor.
How to Get the Lowest Price Without Getting Burned
- Get at least 3 quotes. Broker pricing varies significantly for the same route. Spend 15 minutes getting 3 quotes and you'll almost certainly find a $100–$300 spread.
- Ask specifically about price-lock guarantees. Some brokers (Sherpa, notably) offer guaranteed pricing. Others quote low and raise the rate when no carrier bites at that price. Ask before you book.
- Give a wide pickup window. A 3–5 day window instead of a specific date saves money and doesn't usually affect your actual pickup day much.
- Book 2–3 weeks out. Last-minute bookings pay a premium. If you can plan ahead, do.
- Avoid the cheapest quote. If a quote is $200+ below every other company for the same route, it's almost certainly a bait-and-switch. The rate will rise once they have your deposit or once no carrier accepts the posted rate.
- Don't pay a large deposit upfront. Reputable brokers collect payment at or after pickup, not days before. A large upfront deposit is a red flag.
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Here are real pricing ranges for the most common US shipping routes, based on current broker data:
| Route | Distance | Open Carrier | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|---|
| California → Florida | ~2,700 mi | $1,100–$1,900 | $1,700–$3,000 |
| Florida → New York | ~1,280 mi | $850–$1,300 | $1,300–$2,000 |
| Texas → California | ~1,550 mi | $900–$1,400 | $1,400–$2,200 |
| New York → Florida | ~1,280 mi | $750–$1,200 | $1,200–$1,900 |
| Georgia → Ohio | ~640 mi | $699–$1,050 | $1,050–$1,600 |
| Illinois → Arizona | ~1,750 mi | $950–$1,500 | $1,500–$2,400 |