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Most U.S. car shipments cost between $700 and $2,100 door-to-door, averaging around $1,100–$1,300 for a standard sedan on an open carrier.
Short local moves can run a few hundred dollars; long coast-to-coast moves for larger vehicles can top $2,000. Your exact price depends on distance, vehicle size, open vs. enclosed transport, season and service tier.
Car shipping is priced on an economy-of-scale model: the total cost rises with distance, but the price per mile drops the farther your vehicle travels. A short 300-mile move is the most expensive per mile because the carrier’s fixed loading and labor costs are spread over fewer miles, while a 2,500-mile cross-country move earns the lowest per-mile rate. As a rule of thumb, open transport runs from roughly $0.60 per mile on long routes up to about $1.75 per mile on short hauls. Enclosed transport adds about 35–50%.
Vehicle size and weight are second only to distance in setting your auto transport rate. Larger vehicles take up more trailer space and add weight, so they cost more to ship than a standard sedan.
| Vehicle type | Cost vs. sedan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan / compact car | Baseline rate | The standard the calculator prices against — lightest and easiest to load. |
| Crossover / small SUV | +$100–$150 | Slightly larger footprint and weight. |
| Large SUV / pickup truck | +$200–$350 | More length, height and weight; takes more trailer space. |
| Minivan / cargo van | +$150–$250 | Taller and longer than a sedan, limiting what can load above it. |
| Non-running vehicle | +$150–$300 | Requires a winch and extra loading time on a specially equipped carrier. |
Estimated add-ons vs. a standard sedan on an open carrier. Run the calculator for your exact vehicle and route.
Estimated door-to-door open-transport pricing on high-volume lanes, by service tier. See the full breakdown on our Popular Car Shipping Routes page, or run the calculator above for your exact rate.
| Route | Distance | Standard | Expedited | Rush | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California to New York | ~2,790 mi | $2,075 | $2,540 | $2,780 | 6–7 days |
| California to Florida | ~2,500 mi | $1,880 | $2,285 | $2,520 | 5–6 days |
| Texas to California | ~1,440 mi | $1,170 | $1,380 | $1,570 | 3–4 days |
| Florida to Texas | ~1,100 mi | $940 | $1,105 | $1,260 | 3–4 days |
| Florida to New York | ~1,075 mi | $925 | $1,085 | $1,240 | 3–4 days |
| Texas to Illinois | ~925 mi | $830 | $965 | $1,110 | 2–3 days |
Estimates are for open transport, a standard operable sedan; enclosed runs roughly 35–60% more. Trucks, SUVs and vans price higher.
An accurate auto transport quote is a calculation of several real-world logistics variables. The calculator starts from a baseline — an average sedan, running condition, open carrier, between two well-populated cities — then adjusts for every deviation from that norm.
Every shipment is available at three service levels, so you control the balance of speed and price. All three include full door-to-door service and carrier insurance, with $0 due upfront — you only pay once a carrier is dispatched.
These tier prices are for a standard sedan via open carrier. Calculating your particular instant quote reflects your exact vehicle, ZIP codes and dates, which is even more precise.
Both methods are available on virtually every route. The right choice comes down to your vehicle’s value and the season.
Our honest recommendation: for a daily driver or a vehicle worth under $60,000, open transport is the right call on virtually every route. For a classic, exotic or sentimental vehicle, the enclosed premium is worth the protection.
Auto transport pricing moves with the season. Knowing when demand peaks — and when it cools — helps you time your shipment for the best combination of price and pickup speed.
| Season | Demand & Rates | What’s Driving It | Our Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Dec–Feb |
HIGH on southbound lanes | Peak snowbird migration into Florida, Arizona and Texas. Northbound and cross-country lanes are quieter and more competitively priced. | Book Expedited 2–3 weeks out for southbound moves. Standard works well on most other routes. |
| Spring Mar–May |
MODERATE, rising | Snowbirds return north, lifting northbound demand. Overall a shoulder season with good carrier supply on most corridors. | One of the best-value windows. Standard tier is viable for flexible shippers; book Expedited for northbound lanes. |
| Summer Jun–Aug |
HIGHEST nationwide | Peak moving season — family relocations, military PCS orders and college moves push demand up in every direction at once. | Book as early as possible and choose Expedited or Rush for firm dates. Standard windows run longer. |
| Fall Sep–Nov |
MODERATE, then climbing | Demand cools after summer, then southbound snowbird traffic begins building again in late October and November. | Early fall is a value sweet spot. Lock in southbound moves before the late-season snowbird surge. |
Pricing tracks the live market, so a quote pulled close to your pickup date is the most accurate. Run the calculator when you’re ready to schedule.
The tool is engineered for simplicity — you’ll have a quote in about 30 seconds.
From instant quote to door-to-door delivery, with no payment due until a carrier is assigned. Want the full walkthrough? Read How Auto Transport Works.
We pioneered online instant pricing for the auto transport industry in 2004 — before the first car shipping cost calculator, getting a quote meant phone calls, callbacks and days of waiting. Today you know your exact cost in 30 seconds, before committing to anything. Standard, Expedited and Rush tiers put you in control of price versus speed, and your card is never charged until a carrier is assigned to your vehicle.