How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car?
Shipping a standard sedan costs $450 to $1,800 on an open carrier across the 24 routes we publish. Your quote is locked at booking under our Price Lock Guarantee, so the price you see is the price you pay.
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How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car in 2026?
Shipping a standard sedan costs $450 to $1,800 on an open carrier across the 24 routes we publish. Enclosed transport runs $875 to $2,800 on the same lanes.
Past 500 miles that works out to $0.40 to $1.80 per mile. The longest coast to coast runs sit at the low end, about $0.55 to $0.65 per mile, because the truck's fixed costs spread over more miles. Under 500 miles a car ships by the job, $450 to $875, not by the mile.
Four things move the number more than anything else: how far the car goes, what you drive, open or enclosed, and the month you ship. The rest of this page puts a figure on each one.
Where These Numbers Come From
We are a licensed broker, not a carrier. MC-796224 and USDOT 2336907. We do not own trucks or employ drivers. We vet, book, and manage the carriers who do, and we stay on the shipment until it is delivered. You can check both numbers in the FMCSA SAFER system.
The distance bands and the route table come from our 24 route pages, each priced from real bookings on that lane. Where nothing is published, the page says get a quote instead of guessing. There is no national average here, because a national average tells you nothing about your trip.
In business since 2010. More than 50,000 vehicles shipped. Family owned, A+ with the BBB, five stars on Google, Yelp, and Transport Reviews, and on the Inc. 5000 list. When you call, a person who books cars every day picks up.
Car Shipping Rates by Distance
Distance sets the base rate. Find the band your trip falls into and you have a working number before you pick up the phone. Longer trips cost more in total and less per mile.
| Distance | Open cost | Enclosed cost | Per mile (open) | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $450 to $875 | $950 to $1,275 | $1.20 to $2.75 | 1 to 3 days |
| 500 to 1,000 miles | $575 to $1,200 | $875 to $1,700 | $0.80 to $1.80 | 1 to 4 days |
| 1,000 to 1,500 miles | $800 to $1,650 | $1,150 to $2,475 | $0.60 to $1.45 | 3 to 5 days |
| 1,500 to 2,500 miles | $650 to $1,800 | $1,000 to $2,800 | $0.40 to $1.10 | 3 to 10 days |
| 2,500 miles and up | $1,450 to $1,750 | $2,100 to $2,800 | $0.55 to $0.65 | 6 to 10 days |
Each band takes the low and high of the route pages whose typical distance falls in it. Per mile divides each page's open range by that distance. Our state pages publish a simpler guide ($1.00 to $1.75 per mile under 500 miles, $0.75 to $1.00 to 1,000, $0.50 to $0.75 past 1,000), and real lanes run above it on the short and middle bands.
Two lanes in the same band can sit far apart. In the 1,500 to 2,500 mile band, New York to Colorado books at $650 to $1,050 while New York to Texas books at $1,100 to $1,800. Demand on the corridor and the number of trucks running it move the price as much as the miles do.
Car Shipping Prices on Popular Routes
Two tables. The first covers the 24 lanes we ship most, each priced from the bookings on that lane. The second is a set of sample quotes on 25 more trips around the country.
24 Routes With Full Pricing
Each row links to the route page, with city pair pricing and the interstates the truck runs.
| Route | Distance | Transit | Open cost | Enclosed cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York to Massachusetts | 100 to 420 mi | 1 to 3 days | $450 to $600 | $950 to $1,100 |
| New York to Maryland | 190 to 375 mi | 1 to 2 days | $575 to $775 | $975 to $1,275 |
| New York to Virginia | 340 to 590 mi | 1 to 3 days | $550 to $875 | $975 to $1,100 |
| New York to Ohio | 450 to 625 mi | 1 to 3 days | $575 to $750 | $1,075 to $1,150 |
| New York to Michigan (Lower Peninsula) | 400 to 700 mi | 2 to 4 days | $575 to $750 | $875 to $1,250 |
| New York to North Carolina | 600 to 750 mi | 2 to 4 days | $750 to $1,200 | $1,200 to $1,700 |
| New York to Indiana | 525 to 850 mi | 2 to 4 days | $650 to $875 | $1,075 to $1,275 |
| Denver to El Paso | 660 to 760 mi | 2 to 3 days | $700 to $1,000 | $975 to $1,400 |
| Atlanta to Dallas | 750 to 850 mi | 2 to 4 days | $650 to $950 | $900 to $1,350 |
| New York to Illinois | 730 to 925 mi | 2 to 3 days | $750 to $1,175 | $1,250 to $1,350 |
| New York to Tennessee | 675 to 1,000 mi | 3 to 4 days | $650 to $975 | $900 to $1,425 |
| San Diego to Portland | 1,100 to 1,200 mi | 3 to 4 days | $975 to $1,650 | $1,475 to $2,475 |
| New York to Minnesota | 1,000 to 1,450 mi | 3 to 5 days | $850 to $1,250 | $1,150 to $1,575 |
| Florida to New Jersey | 1,150 to 1,350 mi | 3 to 5 days | $800 to $950 | $1,275 to $1,450 |
| New York to Florida | 1,250 to 1,450 mi | 3 to 5 days | $800 to $950 base | $1,275 to $1,450 |
| California to Texas | 1,200 to 1,800 mi | 3 to 6 days | $900 to $1,400 | $1,250 to $2,250 |
| Texas to California | 1,200 to 1,800 mi | 3 to 6 days | $750 to $1,200 | $1,050 to $1,700 |
| New York to Texas | 1,370 to 2,200 mi | 4 to 6 days | $1,100 to $1,800 | $1,430 to $2,700 |
| New York to Colorado | 1,500 to 1,800 mi | 4 to 6 days | $650 to $1,050 | $1,000 to $1,400 |
| California to Tennessee | 1,810 to 2,525 mi | 4 to 8 days | $1,050 to $1,650 | $1,575 to $2,475 |
| New York to Arizona | 2,189 to 2,450 mi | 7 to 10 days | $1,500 to $1,750 base | $2,375 to $2,800 |
| New York to Nevada | 2,400 to 2,700 mi | 6 to 8 days | $1,450 to $1,700 | $2,150 to $2,550 |
| New York to California | about 2,800 mi | 7 to 10 days | $1,500 to $1,750 | $2,375 to $2,800 |
| New York to Oregon | 2,600 to 3,000 mi | 7 to 10 days | $1,500 to $1,700 | $2,100 to $2,350 |
Every figure comes from the route page in the first column. The two snowbird lanes show the base rate: New York to Florida runs $925 to $1,275 open from October through December and in April, and New York to Arizona about $1,650 to $2,100 in snowbird season.
Sample Quotes on 25 More Trips
Rough estimates for a standard car, not final quotes. Your locked price uses the rate on your lane the day you book.
| Trip | Distance | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA to Baltimore, MD | 404 mi | $550 |
| Saint Louis, MO to Trenton, NJ | 906 mi | $750 |
| Saint Louis, MO to New York, NY | 953 mi | $975 |
| Milwaukee, WI to New Orleans, LA | 1,015 mi | $1,075 |
| Memphis, TN to Denver, CO | 1,047 mi | $925 |
| Chicago, IL to Houston, TX | 1,082 mi | $800 |
| Orlando, FL to Chicago, IL | 1,154 mi | $975 |
| Nashville, TN to Albuquerque, NM | 1,220 mi | $1,075 |
| San Antonio, TX to San Diego, CA | 1,275 mi | $750 to $1,050 open |
| New York, NY to Miami, FL | 1,300 mi | $850 open |
| Austin, TX to Miami, FL | 1,350 mi | $700 |
| Jersey City, NJ to Dallas, TX | 1,545 mi | $975 |
| New York, NY to Dallas, TX | 1,547 mi | $1,000 to $1,450 open |
| Austin, TX to San Jose, CA | 1,716 mi | $950 to $1,200 open |
| Atlanta, GA to Tucson, AZ | 1,733 mi | $975 |
| Chicago, IL to Phoenix, AZ | 1,754 mi | $975 |
| Boise, ID to Houston, TX | 1,814 mi | $1,275 |
| Las Vegas, NV to Detroit, MI | 2,012 mi | $1,150 |
| Baltimore, MD to Phoenix, AZ | 2,277 mi | $1,100 |
| Boston, MA to Salt Lake City, UT | 2,364 mi | $1,350 |
| New York, NY to Los Angeles, CA | 2,778 mi | $1,500 open |
| Philadelphia, PA to Sacramento, CA | 2,784 mi | $1,275 |
| Seattle, WA to Charlotte, NC | 2,795 mi | $1,300 |
| Portland, OR to Washington, DC | 2,806 mi | $1,350 |
| Miami, FL to San Francisco, CA | 3,113 mi | $1,250 |
Linked rows use that route page's figures: its city pair for Los Angeles and Miami, its distance band for the other three. The other 20 are estimates kept from the earlier version of this page. Several, mostly the longest trips, sit below today's distance bands above, so expect a current quote on those to come in higher.
All 24 lanes are on the popular routes hub. Every state has its own page on the ship by state hub, with in-state and state to state pricing tables.
What Changes the Price of Shipping a Car
Eight things set your quote. Each one has a number attached, and most of them are in your control.
Distance
The longest lanes cost the most and the least per mile. New York to California runs $1,500 to $1,750 over about 2,800 miles, near $0.55 a mile. New York to Maryland runs $575 to $775 over 190 to 375 miles, more than $2 a mile.
Vehicle size and weight
A car hauler has a fixed deck length and a legal weight limit. A compact SUV runs about $50 more than a sedan and a full-size SUV or pickup $100 to $150 more on the same lane.
Open vs enclosed
Open carriers haul 8 to 10 cars. Enclosed trailers haul 2 to 6, so each car pays a bigger share of the trip. On New York to Florida that is $800 to $950 open against $1,275 to $1,450 enclosed.
Season
The same New York to Florida trip runs $925 to $1,275 from October through December and again in April, when snowbirds fill every southbound truck.
Pickup and delivery access
A 75-foot car hauler cannot turn onto most tight residential streets. A rural address far off the truck's route adds miles the carrier bills for.
Running condition
A car that does not start needs a carrier with a winch and the time to use it at both ends. That adds $100 to $250.
Flexibility on dates
A pickup window of 1 to 5 days lets us match you with a truck already running your lane. A fixed date means a truck has to come to you.
Fuel prices
Diesel is the carrier's biggest cost after the driver. When it climbs, lane rates follow within weeks. Your quote is locked at booking, so a fuel jump after you book does not reach you.
Car Shipping Cost by Vehicle Type
Sedans set the base rate on every lane. Everything else pays for deck space, weight, or special handling. Our car shipping services page covers each vehicle type in detail.
| Vehicle | Over the sedan rate | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan | Base rate | Fits any slot on an open rack. The route and distance tables above are sedan prices |
| Compact or midsize SUV | About $50 more | A little more length and weight on the deck |
| Full-size SUV or pickup | $100 to $150 more | More length and weight on the deck |
| Oversized or lifted | Get a quote | Can take two slots or need a flatbed, so each one is priced on its own |
| Motorcycle | Get a quote | Ships on a bike carrier or in an enclosed trailer, not on the car tables |
| Inoperable | $100 to $250 more | Needs a carrier with a winch at both ends |
The SUV and pickup adds are the ones published on our how to ship a car across the country page, which prices each vehicle type by band. The inoperable add is the winch fee published on our California and Texas pages. Where we publish nothing, we quote.
Open vs Enclosed Car Shipping Cost
Open is the standard and the cheaper option on every lane. Enclosed costs more because the trailer carries fewer cars and fewer trucks run it. Here is what the choice changes.
| Factor | Open transport | Enclosed transport |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Base rate on every lane | Usually 40 to 60 percent more, and more than that on short lanes where the minimum charge dominates |
| Trailer | Two-level open rack, 8 to 10 cars | Hard-sided or soft-sided box trailer, 2 to 6 cars |
| Exposure | Weather and road dust, the same as a day of driving | Sealed from weather, debris, and eyes |
| Carrier supply | About 85 percent of the trucks on the road. Books in 1 to 2 weeks | About 15 percent. Books in 2 to 3 weeks |
| Best for | Daily drivers and most used cars | Classics, exotics, cars worth about $75,000 and up, fresh paint or restoration work |
Which One Should You Book?
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Open Transport
The right call for most cars. The same trucks that deliver new cars to dealers, at the lowest rate on the lane.
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Enclosed Transport
Worth the premium when the car is worth it. Sealed trailer, liftgate loading, and a carrier who hauls high-value cars for a living.
Not sure which trailer fits your car? Get both prices in one quote.
Car Shipping Cost by Season
Carriers charge more when trucks are full and less when they are hunting for loads. Five windows cover the year. The premiums are the ones published on our state pages.
| Window | Demand | What drives it | Price effect | Book ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January to February | Lowest of the year | Holiday moves are done, snowbirds are settled, few relocations | At base | 1 to 2 weeks |
| March to April | Building to peak | Snowbirds head north, spring moves begin | 5 to 20 percent above base | 2 to 4 weeks |
| May to August | Peak | Military PCS season, summer relocations, students | 10 to 20 percent above base | 3 to 4 weeks |
| September | Shoulder | Moves taper off, snowbirds not yet booking | 5 to 10 percent above base | 2 weeks |
| October to December | Peak | Snowbirds head south, year-end relocations | 10 to 20 percent above base, up to 35 on I-95 and I-75 | 3 to 4 weeks |
The cheapest months to ship are January and February, then September. If you ship south in the fall and north in the spring every year, our snowbird car transport page covers the corridors, the lead times, and how to book both legs at once.
How to Get an Accurate Car Shipping Quote
A real quote takes about a minute and asks for five things. Our how it works page walks through booking to delivery, and our guide to shipping a car across the country covers the long hauls.
What to have ready
Pickup and delivery ZIP codes, the year, make, and model, whether the car runs, any lift, rack, or oversized tires, and the first date the car can go.
How the quote is built
The lane rate per mile, the month, the vehicle's size, and the trailer type, priced off live market rates. Our fee is inside the number.
Price Lock
The quote you book is final. No fuel surcharge later, no fee at delivery, no call asking for more money to get a truck.
Deposit and payment
A small refundable deposit holds the booking. The balance is paid to the driver at delivery by cash, certified check, Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, or money order.
What a real quote includes
Pickup at your address or a meetpoint, cargo insurance verified before dispatch, a 1 to 5 day pickup window, and a driver call 24 hours ahead.
What Is the Cheapest Way to Ship a Car?
Six things lower the quote, and none of them costs you the truck.
Give the carrier a window
A 3 to 5 day pickup window lets dispatch put your car on a truck already passing through. On most lanes it is the biggest single saving.
Meet the truck
A wide lot near the highway saves the carrier the residential detour. On tight city streets it is the only way the truck reaches you.
Ship open
Open is the base rate. Enclosed is worth it for a classic or an exotic, not for a daily driver.
Ship off season
January and February run at base. October through December and May through August run 10 to 20 percent above it.
Ship two cars
Two vehicles from the same pickup to the same delivery fill two slots on one truck. Ask for the pair rate.
Book two to three weeks out
Three to four in peak season. Inside a week the truck has to come to you, and you pay for that.
The Lowball Quote: How a Cheap Number Leaves Your Car Sitting
Here is how the industry works. A broker posts your car to a national dispatch board with the price a carrier will be paid to move it. Trucks running that lane pick up the loads that pay. A car posted below the going rate stays on the board.
So when one quote is $200 under everyone else, the broker has either cut the carrier's pay below what any truck will accept or plans to call you later and raise the price. Either way your car sits. Our fee is already inside the number we quote, and the number is one a carrier will run.
Before you book with anyone, check three things. Look the company up by MC number in the FMCSA SAFER system and make sure the authority is active. Read the reviews on BBB, Google, and Transport Reviews, not the ones on the company's own site. Ask for the carrier's cargo insurance certificate before dispatch. The carriers we book carry $1,000,000 in liability and at least $100,000 to $250,000 in cargo coverage.
Is It Cheaper to Drive or Ship Your Car?
On a short trip, drive. Past about 1,000 miles the math turns, and by 1,500 miles shipping usually wins once you count the days. Here is a typical 1,500-mile move, priced from our Texas page's Los Angeles to Houston table.
| Expense | Typical cost, driving |
|---|---|
| Fuel | $210 to $290 |
| Lodging, 2 nights | $160 to $360 |
| Meals | $60 to $120 |
| Tolls | $0 to $40 |
| Wear and mileage | $150 to $250 |
| Time off work | 2 to 3 days, 23 to 25 hours behind the wheel |
| Total out of pocket | $580 to $1,060 |
Figures from the drive or ship table on our Texas auto transport page, Los Angeles to Houston, 1,545 miles. Shipping the same lane runs $900 to $1,400 open per our California to Texas route page.
Driving vs Shipping, Side by Side
| Factor | Driving yourself | Shipping your car |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $580 to $1,060 out of pocket on 1,500 miles, before your time | $900 to $1,400 open on the same lane, locked at booking |
| Wear | 1,500 miles on the odometer, one oil change closer, tire and brake wear | Zero miles added. The car rides |
| Time | 2 to 3 days of driving, plus a night or two on the road | 3 to 6 days in transit while you fly, work, or pack |
| Risk | Weather, fatigue, a breakdown 600 miles from home | The carrier's cargo insurance covers the car from pickup to delivery |
| Effort | You plan the route, the stops, the hotels, and the return | You hand over the keys and sign at delivery |
For the longest moves, our coast to coast auto transport page covers the 2,500 mile and up lanes, where driving costs the most and shipping costs the least per mile.
Car Shipping Cost Questions
The questions people ask before they book. The auto transport FAQ covers pickup, delivery, and paperwork.
How much does it cost to ship a car?
Shipping a standard sedan costs $450 to $1,800 on an open carrier across the 24 routes we publish. Enclosed runs $875 to $2,800. Distance, vehicle size, trailer type, and the month set where your trip lands in that range.
How much does it cost to ship a car 500 miles?
A 500-mile trip sits where our two shortest distance bands meet. Lanes under 500 miles run $450 to $875 open for a sedan, and lanes from 500 to 1,000 miles run $575 to $1,200. New York to Ohio, 450 to 625 miles, books at $575 to $750 with 1 to 3 days in transit.
How much does it cost to ship a car 1,000 miles?
On our lanes between 1,000 and 1,500 miles, open transport runs $800 to $1,650 for a sedan and enclosed $1,150 to $2,475, with 3 to 5 days in transit.
How much does it cost to ship a car 1,500 miles?
On our lanes from 1,500 to 2,500 miles, open transport runs $650 to $1,800 for a sedan and enclosed $1,000 to $2,800. California to Texas, 1,200 to 1,800 miles, runs $900 to $1,400 open with 3 to 6 days in transit. New York to Colorado sits at the low end of the band at $650 to $1,050.
How much does it cost to ship a car across the country?
Lanes of 2,500 miles and up run $1,450 to $1,750 open and $2,100 to $2,800 enclosed. New York to California is $1,500 to $1,750 open with 7 to 10 days in transit. Per mile that is the cheapest shipping there is, about $0.55 to $0.65.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car?
Open transport, a flexible pickup window, a meetpoint near the highway, and a January or February ship date. What does not work is chasing the lowest number online, which is usually a price no carrier will run.
Why do car shipping quotes differ so much?
Most quotes come from brokers, and each broker decides how much of the price goes to the carrier. A low quote usually means low carrier pay, and a car priced below the market sits on the dispatch board unassigned.
Do I pay a deposit, and when is the balance due?
A small refundable deposit holds the booking. The balance is due at delivery, paid to the driver by cash, certified check, Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, or money order.
Are you a carrier or a broker?
We are a licensed broker, not a carrier. MC-796224 and USDOT 2336907. We do not own trucks or employ drivers. We vet, book, and manage the carriers who do, and we stay on the shipment until it is delivered. You can look both numbers up in the FMCSA SAFER system.
How much more does enclosed transport cost?
Usually 40 to 60 percent more than open on the same lane, and more than that on short hops where the minimum charge dominates. New York to Florida runs $800 to $950 open and $1,275 to $1,450 enclosed.
Does the size of my vehicle change the price?
Yes. A compact or midsize SUV runs about $50 more than a sedan, and a full-size SUV or pickup $100 to $150 more on the same lane. Lifted or oversized vehicles are quoted one at a time.
What does it cost to ship a car that does not run?
Add $100 to $250 to the running rate, because the carrier needs a winch at both ends. Tell us at booking, since a car that surprises the driver at pickup can be refused.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship your car?
On a 1,500-mile move, driving costs $580 to $1,060 out of pocket plus two to three days of your time. Shipping the same lane runs $900 to $1,400 open. Past about 1,000 miles the gap closes fast, and shipping wins once you count the days.
What time of year is cheapest to ship a car?
January and February, when holiday moves are over and trucks have open slots. September is next best. October through December and May through August run 10 to 20 percent above base.
Is pickup at my house more expensive than meeting the driver?
Pickup and delivery at your address is the standard and is priced into every figure on this page. Meeting the driver at a wide lot near the highway can lower the price, because the truck skips a residential stop. Ask when you book.
Are there hidden fees or fuel surcharges?
No. The quote includes our fee, the carrier's pay, and the carrier's cargo insurance. There is no fuel surcharge added later and no fee at delivery. The number you lock at booking is the number the driver collects.
Do you offer military or student discounts?
Yes. Active duty, veterans, and their families get $50 off any shipment. College students get a student discount as well. Mention it when you book.
How far ahead should I book to get the best rate?
Two to three weeks ahead gives the best rate in most months, three to four weeks in peak season. Inside a week the truck has to come to you rather than the other way around, and that costs more.
Can I put personal items in my car when I ship it?
Up to 100 pounds in the trunk or back seat, kept below the window line. Personal items are not covered by the carrier's cargo insurance, so leave valuables, electronics, and documents out.
What are the disadvantages of shipping a car?
You are without the car while it is in transit, and pickup comes in a window of 1 to 5 days, not at a set hour. On an open carrier the car sees the same weather and road dust as a day of driving. Tight streets can mean meeting the driver at a nearby lot. On a long move those trade-offs usually cost less than driving the car yourself.
Get Your Car Shipping Quote
Enter your pickup and delivery points in the form above or call and talk to a person. Read what customers say on our auto transport reviews page, then lock your rate. Military families get $50 off through our military auto transport program, and students get a discount through college student car shipping.
Number 1 Auto Transport
Phone: 855.422.4141
Hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm ET, Saturday 9am to 5pm ET
MC-796224 | USDOT 2336907
Number 1 Auto Transport is a licensed and bonded auto transport broker, not a motor carrier. We arrange transportation with vetted, FMCSA-authorized carriers who hold active cargo insurance. Pricing shown reflects recent activity on these routes and is not a binding quote. Your locked rate is confirmed at booking.