Car Shipping Cost
How much does it cost to ship a car? Most moves run $500–$1,700 depending on distance, vehicle, and transport type. Get your exact price in 60 seconds — 55,697 vehicles shipped, rated 4.8/5.
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How much does it cost to ship a car?
A direct answer first, then the full breakdown by distance, vehicle, and route.
Most car shipments cost between $500 and $1,700 on open transport, with a national average around $1,150. Short regional moves under 500 miles run roughly $400–$700, while cross-country shipments over 2,000 miles run $1,000–$1,700 for a standard sedan. Your exact price is driven mostly by four things: distance, vehicle size, open vs. enclosed transport, and the time of year.
Those ranges cover the large majority of real shipments we run at Navi Auto Transport across all 50 states. The single biggest factor is distance — but not in a straight line. Car shipping is priced largely per mile, and that per-mile rate drops as the trip gets longer, because carriers spread their fixed costs (loading, fuel, driver hours) across more miles. A 2,000-mile move never costs four times a 500-mile move. Below, we break the price down the way it actually builds: by distance, by vehicle, by route, and by transport type — then you can pull your exact number from the instant calculator.
Car shipping cost by distance
Open transport, standard sedan. Note how the per-mile rate falls as the trip gets longer.
| Distance | Est. Cost (sedan, open) | Per Mile | Example Lane |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 500 mi | $400–$700 | $0.85–$1.15 | Regional / in-state |
| 500–1,000 mi | $550–$850 | $0.65–$0.90 | FL → IN, NY → GA |
| 1,000–1,500 mi | $700–$1,050 | $0.55–$0.75 | FL → NY, TX → MN |
| 1,500–2,000 mi | $850–$1,300 | $0.45–$0.65 | NY → TX, FL → CO |
| 2,000–2,800 mi (cross-country) | $1,000–$1,700 | $0.40–$0.60 | NY → CA, IL → CA |
Want the number for your exact pickup and delivery ZIPs? Use the instant calculator →
Car shipping cost by vehicle type
Cross-country reference (open transport). For shorter regional moves, expect 40–60% less. Enclosed adds 40–70%.
| Vehicle Type | Est. Cost (cross-country, open) | vs. Sedan | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan / Coupe | $1,000–$1,400 | — | Baseline |
| SUV / Crossover | $1,150–$1,550 | +$150 | Height & weight add cost |
| Pickup Truck | $1,200–$1,650 | +$200–$250 | Lifted/oversize adds more |
| Minivan / Full-size Van | $1,250–$1,700 | +$250 | Oversize may add cost |
| Luxury / Exotic | $1,800–$2,800 | Enclosed rec. | Enclosed transport advised |
7 factors that change car shipping cost
From the dispatch desk — what actually moves a quote up or down on a real lane.
1Distance & the per-mile curve
The biggest factor — but per-mile rate falls with distance. Short hauls carry a higher per-mile rate because the carrier still has to dispatch, load, and detour for a single short trip. Long hauls spread those fixed costs out, so cross-country lanes land near $0.40–$0.60/mile.
2Open vs. enclosed
Open transport is the standard and the cheapest — it's how ~95% of cars move. Enclosed runs 40–70% more because the trailer holds fewer cars and fully shields the vehicle. Worth it for luxury, exotic, classic, or low-clearance cars.
3Vehicle size, weight & condition
Bigger and heavier means fewer cars fit on the trailer, so SUVs and trucks add $150–$250 over a sedan. A non-running vehicle needs a winch-equipped carrier and runs $150–$350 more. Lifts, oversized tires, and roof racks can add cost too.
4Season & timing
Demand is not flat across the year. Late spring through summer (college and family moves) pushes many lanes up 15–25%. Snowbird routes into the Sun Belt spike in fall and winter. Fall is generally the best value on most lanes.
5Route density (popular vs. remote)
Busy lanes between major metros have lots of carriers competing, which keeps prices down. Rural pickups or deliveries off the main interstates cost more because a truck has to detour off its route to reach you.
6How flexible your dates are
The single easiest way to save. Flexible pickup and delivery windows let a carrier slot your car into a route they're already running. Tight or guaranteed dates require dedicated dispatch and cost more. Booking 2–3 weeks ahead helps too.
7Door-to-door vs. terminal
Most shipments go door-to-door, which is the most convenient option. Terminal-to-terminal can shave cost on some lanes but adds drop-off/pickup logistics on your end — and terminals aren't available everywhere.
Car shipping cost on popular routes
Standard sedan, open transport. Tap a lane for full pricing, transit time, and city pairs.
| Route | Distance | Est. Cost | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida → Indiana | ~1,050 mi | $650–$950 | 4–6 days |
| Florida → New York | ~1,150 mi | $700–$1,000 | 4–6 days |
| Maryland → Florida | ~1,050 mi | $650–$950 | 4–6 days |
| Illinois → California | ~2,050 mi | $1,000–$1,500 | 7–10 days |
| New York → California | ~2,800 mi | $1,150–$1,700 | 7–10 days |
| California → New York | ~2,800 mi | $1,150–$1,650 | 7–10 days |
Shipping a different lane? Get your exact route price →
4 ways to lower your car shipping cost
Practical levers that actually move the price — without choosing a carrier that won't show up.
Stay flexible on dates
Give a pickup window instead of a fixed day. Carriers fit flexible loads into existing routes at a lower rate.
Choose open transport
Unless you're moving a luxury or classic car, open transport is safe, standard, and 40–70% cheaper than enclosed.
Book in the off-season
Ship in fall or winter on most lanes (outside snowbird routes) to avoid the summer demand premium.
Book 2–3 weeks ahead
Lead time gives carriers room to schedule efficiently. Last-minute and guaranteed dates cost the most.
Know your exact price before you book
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Car shipping cost — common questions
Straight answers to what customers ask before they book.