Skip to main content
Premium Auto Transportation

Pricing guide

What car shipping actually costs

Honest ranges, what moves the number, and how to spot a quote that is too low to be real.

For most domestic routes, shipping a car costs between $500 and $1,500. Where you land in that range comes down to distance, vehicle size, the type of trailer and the time of year.

The table below reflects typical open-transport pricing for a standard sedan on established lanes. Your actual number depends on live carrier availability, which is exactly what the calculator prices against.

  • Under 500 miles

    Open
    $250 - $600
    Enclosed
    $400 - $960
    Typical use
    Short regional hops

  • 500 - 1,000 miles

    Open
    $460 - $860
    Enclosed
    $740 - $1,380
    Typical use
    Most common lane length

  • 1,000 - 2,000 miles

    Open
    $660 - $1,230
    Enclosed
    $1,060 - $1,970
    Typical use
    Multi-state relocations

  • 2,000+ miles

    Open
    $950 - $1,500
    Enclosed
    $1,520 - $2,400
    Typical use
    Coast to coast

Why the cheapest quote is usually the most expensive

Brokers do not set carrier rates. The market does. When a quote comes in far below every other, it generally means the load will be posted at a price no driver will accept. The vehicle sits, and eventually you are asked for more money, after you have already committed and your dates are locked.

A quote you can rely on is priced at what carriers on your lane are actually taking this week. That is why our pricing is built on live market data rather than a fixed rate card.

Price drivers

Eight things that move the number

Understand these and no quote will ever feel arbitrary again.

  • Distance

    Longer routes cost more in total but less per mile. A 2,000-mile move is not four times a 500-mile move.

  • Vehicle size

    Trailers are limited by weight and space. An SUV or dually takes more of both than a sedan.

  • Open vs enclosed

    Enclosed typically runs 40-60% above open transport for the same route.

  • Running condition

    A non-running vehicle needs winch loading and adds roughly $100-$200.

  • Season

    January southbound and spring northbound both spike with snowbird demand.

  • Route density

    Major metro to major metro is cheapest. Rural pickups cost more because of the detour.

  • Timing flexibility

    A wide pickup window is cheaper. Guaranteed dates carry a priority premium.

  • Fuel prices

    Diesel feeds directly into carrier rates, which is why quotes shift week to week.

Ready to move your vehicle?Find out what it really costs.

15% off your first shipment on top of a live market rate. No obligation, and nothing added on at pickup.

Get an instant quote
+1 (888) 807-4249

Answered in under 5 seconds

Pricing

Cost questions

Enter your vehicle details, your preferred transport method, and your pickup and drop-off locations in our short online form. An instant car shipping quote is returned to you with no additional fees and no obligation.

Call nowInstant quote