How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car?
Wondering how much to ship a car across the country or to another state? You’re not alone. Car shipping costs can vary widely based on several factors, making it difficult to get a clear answer without understanding what influences pricing. This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly how much it costs to ship a car in 2024, what factors affect your price, and how to get the best deal for your specific situation.
Whether you’re relocating, buying a vehicle online, or sending a car to a family member, knowing what to expect for car shipping costs will help you budget effectively and avoid surprises. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about auto transport pricing.
Average Car Shipping Costs in 2025
| Distance | Average Cost Range | Cost Per Mile |
| 0-500 miles (local) | $450-$700 | $0.90-$1.40 |
| 500-1,000 miles (regional) | $700-$1,000 | $0.70-$1.00 |
| 1,000-2,000 miles (cross-state) | $1,000-$1,500 | $0.50-$0.75 |
| 2,000+ miles (cross-country) | $1,500-$2,500 | $0.35-$0.60 |
Notice
Remember that these are average ranges. Your specific car shipping quote may be higher or lower based on the factors we’ll discuss next. For the most accurate pricing, it’s always best to request a personalized quote based on your exact requirements.
6 Key Factors That Determine How Much It Costs to Ship a Car
Understanding what influences car shipping costs can help you make informed decisions and potentially save money. Here are the six primary factors that determine how much you’ll pay to ship your vehicle:
1. Distance and Route
The distance between pickup and delivery locations is the most significant cost factor. While longer distances mean higher total costs, the price per mile actually decreases as distance increases:
- Short distances (under 500 miles): $0.90-$1.40 per mile
- Medium distances (500-1,500 miles): $0.50-$0.90 per mile
- Long distances (1,500+ miles): $0.35-$0.60 per mile
Popular routes with high carrier availability (like New York to Florida or California to Texas) often have more competitive pricing compared to less-traveled routes.
2. Vehicle Size and Weight
Larger and heavier vehicles take up more space on carriers and require more fuel to transport, increasing costs:
- Compact cars and sedans: Base rate
- SUVs and crossovers: 10-20% more than sedans
- Trucks and large SUVs: 20-30% more than sedans
- Oversized vehicles: May require specialized equipment at premium rates
3. Transport Type
You have two main options for shipping your vehicle:
- Open car shipping: The standard and most economical option, where your vehicle is transported on an open trailer along with other vehicles.
- Enclosed car shipping: Provides complete protection from weather and road debris, typically costing 30-50% more than open transport. Recommended for luxury car shipping, classic cars, or high-value vehicles.
4. Pickup and Delivery Locations
Location accessibility significantly impacts car shipping costs:
- Urban areas with major highways: Lower costs due to better carrier availability
- Rural or remote locations: Higher costs due to additional time and fuel needed
- Terminal-to-terminal shipping: Can save 5-10% compared to door-to-door service
- Limited access areas: May incur additional fees
5. Seasonality and Timing
Car shipping costs fluctuate throughout the year based on demand:
- Summer (June-August): Peak season with highest prices (10-25% premium)
- Winter (December-February): Lower demand and prices, except for “snowbird” routes
- Spring/Fall: Moderate pricing with occasional fluctuations
- Holidays: Often see price increases due to reduced carrier availability
6. Delivery Speed and Flexibility
How quickly you need your vehicle transported affects pricing:
- Standard shipping (1-2 week pickup window): Base rate
- Expedited shipping (1-3 day pickup): 30-40% premium
- Guaranteed pickup date: 25-35% premium
- Flexible dates: Potential for 5-15% savings
How Much to Ship a Car to Another State vs. Cross Country
The cost difference between shipping a car to a neighboring state versus across the country can be substantial. Let’s break down what you can expect to pay for different distances.
State-to-State Car Shipping Costs (Neighboring States)
When shipping a car to a neighboring state, you’re typically looking at distances of 100-500 miles. For these shorter distances, expect to pay between $450 and $700 for standard open car shipping. The cost per mile is higher for these shorter distances, typically ranging from $0.90 to $1.40 per mile.
Popular state-to-state routes and their average costs:
| Route | Distance (approx.) | Average Cost |
| New York to New Jersey | 200 miles | $450-$550 |
| California to Nevada | 450 miles | $550-$650 |
| Texas to Oklahoma | 350 miles | $500-$600 |
Cross-Country Car Shipping Costs
For cross-country shipments (2,000+ miles), the total cost is higher, but the per-mile rate drops significantly. Expect to pay between $1,500 and $2,500 for standard open transport across the country. The cost per mile typically ranges from $0.35 to $0.60 for these longer distances.
Popular cross-country routes and their average costs:
| Route | Distance (approx.) | Average Cost |
| New York to California | 2,900 miles | $1,700-$2,300 |
| Florida to Washington | 3,100 miles | $1,800-$2,400 |
| Massachusetts to Texas | 2,000 miles | $1,500-$1,900 |
Pro Tip
How much is it to ship a car to another state? For the most accurate pricing, always get quotes based on your specific zip codes rather than just state-to-state estimates. Even within the same state, prices can vary significantly depending on the exact pickup and delivery locations.
Car Shipping Costs by Vehicle Type
The size, weight, and value of your vehicle significantly impact how much it costs to ship a car. Here’s a breakdown of shipping costs by vehicle type:
| Vehicle Type | Cost Factor | Average Price (1,000 miles) |
| Sedan/Compact Car | Base rate | $850-$1,100 |
| Midsize SUV/Crossover | +10-15% | $950-$1,250 |
| Full-size SUV/Pickup | +20-30% | $1,050-$1,400 |
| Luxury/Sports Car | +30-50% (enclosed) | $1,300-$1,800 |
| Classic/Exotic Car | +40-60% (enclosed) | $1,400-$2,000 |
| Modified/Oversized | +25-70% | $1,200-$2,200 |
Special Considerations by Vehicle Type
Standard Vehicles
Sedans, compact cars, and standard SUVs are the most economical to ship. These vehicles fit easily on standard carriers and form the baseline for pricing.
Standard Vehicles
For high-value vehicles, luxury car shipping services with enclosed car shipping is recommended. While more expensive, enclosed transport provides complete protection from weather, road debris, and curious onlookers.
Oversized and Modified Vehicles
Lifted trucks, vehicles with aftermarket modifications, or unusually large vehicles may require special accommodations and equipment, increasing the cost. Always disclose modifications when requesting quotes.
Oversized and Modified Vehicles
Non-running vehicles typically incur an additional fee of $100-$150 as they require winches or forklifts for loading and unloading.
Seasonal Variations in Car Shipping Costs
The time of year you choose to ship your car can significantly impact how much it costs. Understanding seasonal trends can help you plan your shipment for optimal pricing.
Summer (June-August)
- Highest demand and prices (10-25% premium)
- Faster pickup times due to more carriers on the road
- Popular for family relocations and college moves
Fall (September-November)
- Gradually decreasing prices
- Snowbird routes (North to South) become busy and more expensive
- Good availability for most routes
Winter (December-February)
- Lowest overall prices (except snowbird routes)
- Potential weather delays in northern routes
- Less carrier availability in some regions
Spring (March-May)
- Gradually increasing prices
- Snowbird routes (South to North) become busy
- Improving weather conditions nationwide
Snowbird Routes and Special Considerations
Certain routes experience their own seasonal pricing patterns, particularly “snowbird routes” between northern states and Florida, Arizona, or Texas. These routes see price increases during fall (northbound) and spring (southbound) as retirees migrate with the seasons.
Money-Saving Tip:
For the absolute lowest car shipping costs, aim to ship during February (avoiding Valentine’s Day weekend) or between mid-September and mid-November (avoiding major holidays). These periods typically offer the best combination of reasonable weather and lower demand.
7 Ways to Save Money on Car Shipping
Looking for cheap car shipping options? While quality service comes at a fair price, there are legitimate ways to reduce how much it costs to ship your car:
1. Book Early and Be Flexible
Booking 2-4 weeks in advance gives you access to more carrier options and better rates. Additionally, offering a flexible pickup window of 2-5 days can reduce your cost by 5-15%.
2. Choose the Right Season
As discussed earlier, shipping during off-peak seasons (especially winter months for non-snowbird routes) can save you 10-25% compared to summer rates.
3. Consider Terminal-to-Terminal Shipping
While less convenient than door-to-door service, terminal-to-terminal shipping (where you drop off and pick up your vehicle at designated locations) can save you 5-10%.
4. Ship Multiple Vehicles Together
If you’re moving multiple vehicles, shipping them together can result in discounts of 10-15% per additional vehicle.
5. Choose Open Transport
Unless you’re shipping a high-value or classic vehicle, open car shipping is perfectly adequate and costs 30-50% less than enclosed transport.
6. Compare Quotes (But Beware of Lowball Offers)
While it’s smart to compare quotes from multiple providers, be wary of prices that seem too good to be true. Extremely low quotes often lead to service issues or hidden fees later.
7. Prepare Your Vehicle Properly
Ensure your vehicle is in running condition, has less than a quarter tank of gas, and is clean and free of personal items. Non-running vehicles incur additional fees.
Ready to Ship Your Car ?
Now that you understand how much it costs to ship a car and what factors influence pricing, you can make an informed decision about your auto transport needs. At GlobalCarMove, we’re committed to providing transparent pricing, reliable service, and a stress-free shipping experience.
Whether you’re relocating across the country, purchasing a vehicle online, or sending a car to a family member, our team of experienced specialists is ready to help you navigate the process and find the most cost-effective solution for your specific situation.
