How much does it cost to ship a car?
How much does it cost to ship a car?
$900 – $1,800 average total cost (1,500 – 2,000 miles)
$0.60 – $1.90 average cost per mile
Average cost to ship a car
The average cost to ship a car is $900 to $1,800 total or $0.60 to $1.90 per mile, depending on the distance, vehicle type, and transport method. The cost to ship a car cross-country ranges from $1,200 to $2,400, while the cost to ship a car overseas can reach $5,000+.
| Vehicle size & type | Cost to ship less than 500 miles | Cost to ship 500 to 2,000 miles | Cost to ship more than 2,000 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | $600 – $700 | $700 – $1,500 | $1,200 – $1,700 |
| Compact SUV | $700 – $800 | $900 – $1,600 | $1,300 – $2,000 |
| SUV | $800 – $900 | $1,000 – $1,700 | $1,400 – $2,200 |
| Truck | $900 – $1,000 | $1,100 – $1,800 | $1,500 – $2,400 |
Car shipping rates per mile
Distance is the biggest cost factor when shipping your car. The farther you ship a vehicle, the higher the total cost due to the added fuel usage and driving time. However, the rates per mile are lower for longer distances.
| Distance (miles) | Average cost per mile |
|---|---|
| 500 | $1.10 – $1.90 |
| 1,000 | $1.00 – $1.75 |
| 1,500 | $0.80 – $1.40 |
| 2,000+ | $0.60 – $1.30 |
Cost to ship a car by transport type
The transport method also impacts the cost of shipping your car. Open carrier transport is the cheapest and most popular option. Enclosed transport costs 40% to 50% more than open carrier transport but offers more protection from the weather and theft.
| Distance (miles) | Average open carrier transport cost | Average enclosed transport cost |
|---|---|---|
| 500 – 1,000 | $600 – $1,000 | $900 – $1,400 |
| 1,000 – 1,500 | $700 – $1,200 | $1,000 – $1,600 |
| 1,500 – 2,000 | $900 – $1,300 | $1,200 – $1,800 |
| > 2,000 | $1,200 – $1,700+ | $1,500 – $2,400 |
Open carrier transport
Shipping a car via open carrier transport costs $0.60 to $1.10 per mile, depending on the distance. An open carrier is a long trailer designed to carry vehicles on multiple levels. This method is the cheapest way to ship your car, but your vehicle is left exposed to the elements while in transit.
Enclosed car transport
Enclosed transport costs $0.90 to $1.90 per mile, depending on the distance and vehicle type. With enclosed auto transport, your vehicle is shipped on an enclosed trailer or in a container where it is more secure and protected from the elements.
Consider shipping via enclosed transport if your vehicle is an antique, classic, or luxury car.
Auto train transport
Amtrak offers vehicle transport by train on a single route running from Sanford, Florida to the Washington, DC area. You can only ship your car if you book a passenger ticket on the same train. Transport costs $155 to $325, depending on the vehicle size, with Priority Vehicle Offloading available for $95 extra.
Car shipping cost factors
The following factors impact the cost to ship a car:
Distance – Distance has the biggest impact on car shipping rates. Total costs are higher for longer distances.
Location – Car transport prices are typically lower in urban and metropolitan areas with more drivers and transport trucks available. For rural residents, consider arranging for pick-up and delivery at a transportation terminal in a nearby city to save money.
Vehicle make & model – The larger the vehicle, the more space it takes up on the transport trailer and the higher the shipping cost.
Vehicle accessories – Bike racks, luggage carriers, and other accessories mounted on your vehicle can increase the shipping cost because they increase the vehicle's dimensions.
Vehicle condition – Transportation costs are higher for non-running vehicles that require a forklift or winch to move them on or off the trailer.
Transportation type – Open carrier transport costs 50% to 60% less than enclosed transport.
Pick-up / delivery location – Many companies offer lower rates for pick-up and delivery at a transportation terminal compared to door-to-door transport.
Time of year – Summer is the peak season for car shipping, with the highest demand and highest rates. Prices also increase in December when many drivers take time off for the holidays. Schedule your vehicle transport for February or early March for the lowest rates.
Expedited shipping – You'll save money by booking your vehicle transport in advance, as last-minute scheduling and expedited transport can increase costs by up to 40%.
Insurance – Auto transport companies are legally required to provide basic liability coverage as part of the shipping fee. Some companies also include coverage for damage to your vehicle, while others charge extra.
Cost to ship a car to another country
Shipping a car to another country costs $1,000 to $5,000+, depending on the distance, vehicle type, time of year, and whether you book an individual shipping container or your car shares container space with other vehicles. In addition to transportation costs, make sure to budget for these extra expenses:
Customs duty fees – Most countries charge Customs fees and taxes to receive items shipped internationally. Check with the destination port to determine the fees for your vehicle as these taxes vary significantly by country.
Destination agent fees – Most car shipping companies hire an agent at the port to handle the logistics involved in getting your vehicle off the freight carrier and moving it to a pick-up location. This service costs $500 to $800, depending on the location.
Marine insurance – Consider purchasing a supplemental insurance policy to protect your car while it's transported over open water. Some shipping companies offer this insurance as an add-on option.
Shipping a car overseas takes 3 to 12 weeks on average, depending on the destination.
Cost to ship a motorcycle
Motorcycle shipping costs $300 to $800 on average for under 1,000 miles or $650 to $1,200+ for distances of 1,000+ miles. The total shipping rate also depends on the bike size and weight, pick-up and drop-off locations, and whether you select open or enclosed transport.
Car shipping FAQs
How long does it take to ship a car?
Shipping a car takes 2 to 9 days on average, depending on the pick-up and delivery locations, distance, weather, road conditions, and traffic.
| Distance (miles) | Days |
|---|---|
| < 500 | 2 – 4 |
| 500 – 1,000 | 3 – 5 |
| 1,000 – 1,500 | 4 – 6 |
| 1,500 – 2,000 | 5 – 7 |
| 2,000 – 2,500 | 6 – 8 |
| 2,500+ | 7 – 9 |
What is the cheapest way to ship a car?
Shipping a car via open transport is the cheapest option. Enclosed transport and train transport are both 30% to 50% more expensive. Schedule your vehicle transport as far in advance as possible and select terminal-to-terminal delivery for the lowest rates.
Can I ship my car to another state or country?
Yes, you can ship your car to another state or another country by using a vehicle transport service.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship a car across the country?
Driving your car across the country is typically cheaper than shipping it. However, when comparing shipping rates versus the cost of driving your car across the country yourself, be sure to factor in the extra expenses for fuel, food, and hotel lodging during your trip.
If you're moving your entire household, the average cost to move across the country is $3,000 to $9,500 for a 2- to 3-bedroom house. Many moving truck rental companies and long-distance moving companies offer car towing options.
Can you ship a car with stuff in it?
Many vehicle transport companies allow you to ship your car with belongings in it. However, there are important caveats:
Items inside the car add more weight to your vehicle, increasing the shipping cost.
Companies typically limit the total weight of the extra items to 100 lbs. or less.
The transport company's insurance will not cover your extra belongings for damage or theft, and it will not cover damage caused to your vehicle's interior if your items bounce around inside while in transit.
Shipping your belongings inside your vehicle increases the risk of burglary. Most companies require you to keep all personal items either locked in the trunk or positioned below the windows so they are out of view from outside the car.
Don't ship valuable, fragile, or sentimental items in your car as the risk of theft or damage is high.
Getting quotes from car shipping companies
Follow these tips when getting quotes from auto transport companies:
Determine whether you want open carrier transport or enclosed transport, as some companies only offer open transport services.
Compare quotes from at least 3 car shipping companies.
Read transport company reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Choose a company that includes insurance coverage for vehicle damage in their shipping quote.
Ask about discounts or lower rates for booking early or during slow times of the year.
Get a detailed contract in writing, and confirm it includes information about insurance coverage and timelines.
Questions to ask vehicle transport companies
Ask these important questions before selecting a company to ship your car:
How long have you been in business?
Does your shipping quote include insurance coverage for damage or theft? What is the deductible?
Which transport methods do you offer?
How do you protect vehicles from theft, burglary, or damage while in transit?
Do you offer discounts for booking early?
Will you pick up and drop off my car at my chosen location, or will I need to drop it off and pick it up from a terminal?
How long will it take to ship my car?
What is your cancellation policy?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.