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How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car? — Estimated Prices

The honest answer: an estimated $600–$1,500 in the continental U.S., depending on distance, vehicle, transport type, and season. Here is exactly how the price is built — and how to pay less.

  • Estimates by distance, route & vehicle below
  • One flat rate · insurance included · no hidden fees
  • Zero upfront cost on mainland shipments
  • Quote look high? Book anyway — we work to beat it
Quick answer: Shipping a car is estimated at $600–$1,500 in the continental U.S. Short trips run about $1.50–$2.00 per mile; coast-to-coast drops to roughly $0.45–$0.60 per mile. Puerto Rico is estimated at $845–$1,795 with ocean freight included, Hawaii from ~$1,500, Alaska $1,500–$4,000. All estimates — your exact flat rate takes two minutes by phone, text, or the form.

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Book online 24/7: fill out the free quote form and you'll have the option to book your order online at the end of the quote. As soon as your order comes in, our dispatcher starts working on the next available spot for your car.
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By Distance

Estimated Car Shipping Cost by Distance

The counterintuitive rule of auto transport: the longer the trip, the less you pay per mile.

DistanceEstimated Cost*Est. Per MileExample Route
Under 500 miles$600–$900$1.50–$2.00/miAtlanta → Miami
500–1,000 miles$700–$1,000$0.90–$1.20/miNew York → Florida
1,000–1,500 miles$800–$1,100$0.70–$0.90/miChicago → Miami
1,500–2,500 miles$900–$1,300$0.55–$0.70/miTexas → California
Coast to coast (2,500+)$1,100–$1,500$0.45–$0.60/miLos Angeles → New York
Puerto Rico (ocean)$845–$1,795Any state → San Juan
Hawaii (ocean)from ~$1,500California → Honolulu
Alaska$1,500–$4,000Seattle → Anchorage

*Estimated rates — not guaranteed. Estimated for a standard running sedan on open transport. Rates fluctuate with the season, fuel prices, route demand, and your vehicle's specifics. For your exact rate, call or text (800) 320-1050 or fill out the free quote form.

What Moves the Price

The 6 Factors That Set Your Rate

📏

Distance & Route

Total miles set the base. Busy corridors (I-95, I-10, coast-to-coast) have more trucks competing, so they cost less per mile than rural routes.

🚙

Vehicle Size & Weight

SUVs, pickups, and vans take more deck space and fuel — estimate $100–$300 above sedan rates. Inoperable vehicles add a winch fee.

🔒

Open vs Enclosed

Open transport is the baseline. Enclosed adds an estimated 40–60% — worth it for classics, luxury, and exotics.

📅

Season

Snowbird season (Oct–Jan southbound, Apr–Jun northbound) and summer moves push rates up. Fall and late winter are the bargain windows.

⏱️

Pickup Flexibility

A 3–5 day pickup window lets us pick the best-priced truck. Need it today? Same-day pickup adds an expedite fee.

Fuel & Demand

Diesel prices and truck availability move weekly — the reason every number on this page is an estimate, and your exact quote is worth two minutes.

Save Money

How to Get the Best Rate (Without Getting Burned)

✅ Do this

Choose open transport for everyday cars. Give a flexible pickup window. Ship in off-peak months. Get a flat, all-inclusive rate in writing. Shipping two cars on the same route? Ask for the multi-car discount. And if your instant quote seems high — book it anyway: our team reviews every order and works to find you a better rate based on your flexibility.

⚠️ Watch out for

Quotes far below everyone else's — that's usually bait pricing: the car never gets assigned, then the price "has to" go up. Terminal shipping hidden behind a low number (your car can sit for weeks). And per-mile teaser rates that exclude fuel surcharges. One flat rate with $0 upfront on mainland routes means no games.

FAQ

Car Shipping Cost Questions

How much does it cost to ship a car?
An estimated $600–$1,500 in the continental U.S. depending on distance, vehicle, transport type, and season. Puerto Rico: est. $845–$1,795 with ocean freight. Hawaii: from ~$1,500. Alaska: $1,500–$4,000. Exact flat rate takes two minutes — call, text, or use the form.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship?
Over ~500 miles, shipping usually wins. Count gas, hotels, food, wear and tear (~70¢/mile), and days of your time — a coast-to-coast drive "costs" roughly $2,000 before you factor in your schedule.
Why is my quote different from these numbers?
These are estimates for a standard running sedan on open transport. Your vehicle, dates, exact addresses, fuel prices, and current truck availability set the real number — that's why we quote one flat rate per shipment.
Why do some companies quote way less?
Bait pricing is common in this industry: an unrealistically low quote gets your booking, then the price climbs once you're committed. A realistic flat rate gets your car on a truck the first time.
What if my instant quote seems high?
Book it anyway — our team reviews every order and will do everything possible to find you a better rate. The more flexible your pickup window, the more room we have.
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