As of Q2 2026, the average cost to ship a car across the 15 major US routes tracked by the Auto Transport Insider Price Index is $1,214, at an average of $0.78 per mile with a 6.4-day average transit time. Rates are up roughly 8% from Q1 2026, driven by the start of peak summer moving season. Short routes under 500 miles carry the highest per-mile cost ($1.40–$2.10); coast-to-coast routes are cheapest per mile ($0.55–$0.70).
Q2 2026 Rates by Route
The table below shows current open-carrier pricing for a standard sedan on each route. Enclosed transport runs 35–60% higher. Larger vehicles (SUVs, trucks) add 20–40%.
| Route | Distance | Price Range | Avg. Price | Per Mile | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles → MiamiCalifornia to Florida | 2,730 mi | $1,150–$1,750 | $1,450 | $0.53 | 7–9 d |
| New York → Los AngelesNew York to California | 2,790 mi | $1,200–$1,800 | $1,500 | $0.54 | 7–10 d |
| Miami → New YorkFlorida to New York | 1,280 mi | $850–$1,300 | $1,075 | $0.84 | 3–5 d |
| Houston → Los AngelesTexas to California | 1,550 mi | $900–$1,400 | $1,150 | $0.74 | 4–6 d |
| Chicago → PhoenixIllinois to Arizona | 1,750 mi | $950–$1,500 | $1,225 | $0.70 | 4–7 d |
| New York → MiamiNew York to Florida | 1,280 mi | $750–$1,200 | $975 | $0.76 | 3–5 d |
| Atlanta → ColumbusGeorgia to Ohio | 640 mi | $699–$1,050 | $875 | $1.37 | 2–4 d |
| Seattle → DenverWashington to Colorado | 1,320 mi | $900–$1,350 | $1,125 | $0.85 | 3–5 d |
| Boston → TampaMassachusetts to Florida | 1,480 mi | $850–$1,300 | $1,075 | $0.73 | 4–6 d |
| Dallas → ChicagoTexas to Illinois | 925 mi | $750–$1,150 | $950 | $1.03 | 2–4 d |
| San Francisco → SeattleCalifornia to Washington | 810 mi | $700–$1,100 | $900 | $1.11 | 2–4 d |
| Denver → Los AngelesColorado to California | 1,015 mi | $800–$1,200 | $1,000 | $0.99 | 3–5 d |
| Phoenix → DallasArizona to Texas | 1,065 mi | $800–$1,250 | $1,025 | $0.96 | 3–5 d |
| Detroit → OrlandoMichigan to Florida | 1,140 mi | $800–$1,250 | $1,025 | $0.90 | 3–5 d |
| Portland → AustinOregon to Texas | 2,050 mi | $1,050–$1,600 | $1,325 | $0.65 | 5–8 d |
| 15-Route Index Average | 1,455 mi | n/a | $1,214 | $0.78 | 6.4 d |
Source: Auto Transport Insider Price Index, Q2 2026. Based on open-carrier rates for a standard sedan across 15 major US routes, compiled from live carrier marketplace pricing.
Key Findings, Q2 2026
Per-mile cost drops sharply with distance. Short routes under 700 miles average $1.37 per mile, while coast-to-coast routes over 2,500 miles average just $0.54 per mile. This is because carriers spread fixed costs, loading time, deadhead miles, driver hours, across more miles on longer trips.
Summer premium has arrived. Q2 rates are up approximately 8% versus Q1 2026 as peak moving season (May–August) begins. This aligns with the seasonal pattern where demand from summer relocations and college moves tightens carrier availability.
Florida northbound routes are softening. Routes out of Florida heading north (Miami → New York at $1,075) are pricing lower than the reverse direction as snowbird season ends and directional demand shifts. This is the clearest example of how route direction, not just distance, drives price.
The cheapest per-mile value remains coast-to-coast. Counterintuitively, the longest routes offer the best value per mile. Los Angeles → Miami at $0.53 per mile is the most efficient route in the index despite being the second-longest.
Methodology
The Auto Transport Insider Price Index tracks open-carrier transport pricing for a standard operable sedan (e.g. Toyota Camry, Honda Accord) across 15 high-volume US routes. Figures are compiled from live carrier marketplace rates observed during the quarter and reflect door-to-door service with a standard (non-expedited) pickup window.
Prices represent typical market ranges, not guaranteed quotes. Actual pricing varies with specific pickup and delivery locations, exact dates, vehicle condition, and real-time carrier availability. Enclosed transport, oversized vehicles, and expedited service carry premiums noted throughout our guides.
The index is updated quarterly. This edition covers Q2 2026 (April–June). Previous and future editions allow quarter-over-quarter trend tracking.
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If a broker quotes you significantly above the index average for your route, ask why, it may reflect a rural location, expedited service, or a larger vehicle, or it may be room to negotiate. If a quote is far below the index range, treat it with caution; quotes well under market rate are frequently bait-and-switch offers that rise before pickup. The index gives you a defensible reference point for both.
For a full explanation of what drives these numbers, see our complete cost guide. For route-specific detail, see our individual route pricing pages.