Pricing guide
How much does it cost to ship a car?
Most vehicles move for $600 to $1,800. The number depends on distance, vehicle size, trailer type and how flexible your dates are. Price your exact route below — we show what the carrier is paid, not just a lead-capture teaser.
Los Angeles, CA → New York, NY · 2,886 miles · $1 per mile
Economy
$1,500
8–11 days in transit
Carrier is paid $1,280
Recommended
$1,705
6–9 days in transit
Carrier is paid $1,460
Priority
$2,085
5–7 days in transit
Carrier is paid $1,790
Enclosed
$2,765
6–9 days in transit
Carrier is paid $2,380
Capacity on this lane is healthy — pricing is at or below the 90-day average.
Lock this price with a carrierAverage car shipping cost by distance
Sedan on an open carrier, standard pickup window. Enclosed pricing shown for comparison.
| Route | Miles | Open | Enclosed | Per mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA → Phoenix, AZ | 421 | $645 | $1,045 | $1.53 |
| Chicago, IL → Atlanta, GA | 695 | $730 | $1,185 | $1.05 |
| Dallas, TX → Chicago, IL | 949 | $955 | $1,545 | $1.01 |
| New York, NY → Miami, FL | 1,289 | $1,050 | $1,700 | $0.81 |
| Los Angeles, CA → Chicago, IL | 2,056 | $1,250 | $2,025 | $0.61 |
| Los Angeles, CA → New York, NY | 2,886 | $1,705 | $2,765 | $0.59 |
Example: Los Angeles to New York, open carrier.
- Sedan / coupe$1,705
- SUV / minivan$1,945
- Pickup / large SUV$2,150
- Oversized / modified$2,475
- Trailer type. Enclosed runs 40–60% above open transport. See the real gap.
- Date flexibility. A guaranteed pickup date costs about 22% more than a flexible window.
- Condition. Non-running vehicles add roughly $175 for winch or forklift loading.
- Location density. Rural pickups add deadhead miles; metro-to-metro lanes are always cheapest.
- Season. Snowbird lanes add ~9% during peak months. Check the rate index.
Car shipping cost FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car?
Most vehicles ship for $600 to $1,800. Short moves under 500 miles usually land between $400 and $750, while coast-to-coast runs are typically $1,200 to $1,800 on an open carrier. Price per mile drops sharply as distance grows.
What is the average cost per mile to ship a car?
Roughly $1.85 per mile under 200 miles, about $0.88 per mile between 500 and 1,000 miles, and near $0.55 per mile on trips over 2,000 miles. Long routes are cheaper per mile because the carrier moves one truckload across many paying vehicles.
What makes car shipping more expensive?
Enclosed trailers add 40 to 60 percent, oversized or lifted vehicles add up to 45 percent, non-running vehicles add about $175 for winch loading, rural pickup or delivery adds deadhead miles, and seasonal snowbird lanes add roughly 9 percent during peak months.
Is it cheaper to ship a car or drive it?
Past about 700 miles shipping usually wins once you count fuel, two to four days of hotels and meals, wear, tires and depreciation. Driving is normally cheaper only on short, single-day moves.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car?
Late winter (January to February) and mid-fall are the softest windows on most lanes. Snowbird lanes into Florida, Arizona and Texas spike from October to December, and northbound lanes spike from March to May.
Pricing shown is generated by the same engine that quotes real bookings, using live distance, size and seasonal inputs. Your final price is locked when a verified carrier accepts the load. Browse city pricing, popular routes or specialty services.