How much does it cost to ship a car?
Short answer: it depends on distance, the vehicle, the season, and whether you want an open or enclosed carrier. Below are live prices across five real distance bands — computed by the same rate engine we quote our own customers with, at current market levels.
| Distance band | Example route | Open carrier | Enclosed | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short haul (under 500 miles) | New York, NY to Pittsburgh, PA315 miles | $550 – $675 | $750 – $925 | ~3 days |
| Regional (500–900 miles) | Chicago, IL to Atlanta, GA589 miles | $775 – $975 | $1,050 – $1,300 | ~4 days |
| Long haul (900–1,500 miles) | New York, NY to Miami, FL1,094 miles | $1,075 – $1,350 | $1,475 – $1,825 | ~5 days |
| Cross-country (1,500–2,200 miles) | Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA1,746 miles | $1,650 – $2,050 | $2,225 – $2,775 | ~7 days |
| Coast to coast (2,200+ miles) | Los Angeles, CA to New York, NY2,448 miles | $2,100 – $2,600 | $2,825 – $3,525 | ~11 days |
Live estimates for a standard running sedan, updated continuously as market rates move. Larger vehicles, inoperable vehicles, and tight pickup windows price higher.
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From our real shipment historyWhat actually drives the price
- Distance — the biggest single factor, but not linear. Cost per mile drops as trips get longer.
- Vehicle size and weight — a carrier fits fewer trucks and SUVs than sedans, so bigger vehicles carry a higher share of the load.
- Season and direction — snowbird runs into Florida in fall and back north in spring tighten capacity, and summer is peak moving season nationwide.
- Open vs enclosed — enclosed runs about 35% more and is worth it for exotics, classics, and low-clearance cars.
- Flexibility — a wider pickup window gives us room to match you with a carrier already running the lane, which is the cheapest way to move a car.
- Condition — inoperable vehicles need a winch and cost more. Say so up front.
Common questions
- How much does it cost to ship a car?
- For most moves, expect roughly $0.90–$1.40 per mile on shorter runs and closer to $0.60–$0.95 per mile on cross-country trips — long hauls cost more in total but less per mile. A typical 1,000-mile move on an open carrier lands in the four-figure range; enclosed transport runs about 35% higher.
- Why do quotes from different companies vary so much?
- Most online quotes are guesses generated to win your phone number, then revised upward once a carrier has to be booked. A quote is only meaningful if it reflects what carriers are actually accepting on that lane right now. Ours are computed from completed shipments and current market rates, which is why we publish them openly.
- Does an inoperable vehicle cost more to ship?
- Yes. A vehicle that won't start, steer, or brake needs a winch and extra handling, which typically adds to the price. Tell us up front — a surprise non-runner at pickup is the most common cause of a rescheduled load.
- When is car shipping cheapest?
- Rates follow carrier capacity. Winter into early spring is generally softer outside the snowbird lanes, while summer moves and the seasonal Florida runs tighten capacity and push prices up. Flexibility on the pickup window is worth real money in any season.
- Do I pay before or after the vehicle ships?
- Talk to us about terms — for retail customers a deposit is typical with the balance due at delivery, and dealer accounts are invoiced. Call or text 302-584-6653 and we'll lay it out plainly.
Popular routes
New York, NY to Miami, FLMiami, FL to New York, NYLos Angeles, CA to New York, NYNew York, NY to Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL to Miami, FLMiami, FL to Chicago, ILLos Angeles, CA to Miami, FLMiami, FL to Los Angeles, CABoston, MA to Miami, FLMiami, FL to Boston, MADetroit, MI to Miami, FLMiami, FL to Detroit, MI