Car Shipping Cost Calculator

Experience immediate car shipping cost estimates with the amazing features of a Premium Auto Transport robotic car shipping cost calculator.

Whether you're relocating across the country or buying or selling a vehicle online, our team is here to help coordinate your shipment. We understand how important your vehicle is, and we approach each booking with professionalism and attention to detail. Premium Auto Transportation is committed to responsive communication and transparent pricing. With competitive rates and positive customer feedback, we work to make the shipping process straightforward and well-managed.

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Discover Budget-Friendly Car Shipping

The cost of shipping a car doesn’t depend on a single he cost of shipping a car depends on multiple factors, including total distance, vehicle type, route demand, seasonality, and selected shipping method. Below is a general estimate of current market ranges for 2026:Short Distances (1–500 miles): Approximately $1.85 per mile on average (e.g., around $555 for 300 miles).Medium Distances (500–1,500 miles): Approximately $0.91 per mile on average (e.g., around $910 for 1,000 miles).Long Distances (1,500+ miles): Approximately $0.59 per mile on average (e.g., around $1,180 for 2,000 miles).Enclosed transport typically ranges 10–40% higher than open transport due to added protection and equipment type.All pricing is subject to carrier availability and market conditions prior to dispatch. For the most accurate estimate, use our free quote calculator or call us at +1 (888) 807-4249.factor. It relies on the distance covered, vehicle type, and shipping method. Here’s a general breakdown for 2026 rates: Short Distances (1–500 miles): It includes about $1.85/mile (e.g., $555 for 300 miles). Medium Distances (500–1,500 miles): It includes about $0.91/mile (e.g., $910 for 1,000 miles). Long Distances (1,500+ miles): It includes about $0.59/mile (e.g., $1,180 for 2,000 miles). The costs of enclosed transport are 10–40% more than open transport due to the protection. For the most accurate quote, you can try our free calculator or call us at +1 (888) 807-4249.

All About Car Transport

Car transport refers to the process of arranging vehicle shipment from one location to another through licensed motor carriers. The service is commonly available in two primary forms:

Open Transport: A widely used and cost-effective option for many vehicles, including dealership inventory and everyday cars.

Enclosed Transport: Designed for luxury, exotic, or classic vehicles that may benefit from added protection during transit.

Acquiring a Quote for Car Transport

You can get a car shipment quote instantly and accurately at the calculator available on our website. Or you can consult with a Premium Auto Transportation expert. Do not forget to specify any special requirements that could affect the price, such as expedited pickup, vehicle modifications, or damaged vehicles. For the most accurate quote, please prepare the following pieces of information: pickup and delivery locations (preferably zip codes), transport preference (open or enclosed), vehicle year, make, and model, operational status (can it drive forward and reverse with basic steering?), and earliest pickup date.

Breakdown Car Shipping Fees

The car shipping estimate you receive is influenced by several factors, including carrier availability, total distance, vehicle dimensions, operable condition, selected transport type (open or enclosed), pickup and delivery location (urban vs. rural), and seasonal demand. The Premium Auto Transportation calculator allows you to enter these details and generate a real-time market-based estimate designed to reflect current conditions and route demand.

Final pricing is confirmed prior to carrier dispatch and is subject to availability and prevailing market conditions. We maintain transparent pricing and clearly communicate any adjustments before scheduling your shipment.

Decoding the Auto Transport Sector

The car shipping process involves three main players: the lead providers, the carriers, and the brokers. Lead providers will be the ones giving you the list of possible carriers that you might need, but further research will be needed on your end. Carriers are the ones who will be doing the actual transportation of your car, but inexperience can make it difficult for you to pick the right one. This is the point where brokers come in, they make a link between you and the best carriers according to your needs and budget, to ensure a stress-free and effective process.

Dependent Factors for Car Shipping Cost

Distance

Distance is the primary factor that affects shipping costs the most. Mileage from pickup to delivery points has a direct relationship with pricing. Long routes may be costlier in general but lower costs per mile are generally offered. To explain, a 300-mile trip will cost approximately $1.85 per mile whereas 2,000 miles will be around $0.59. If it is about shipping to international destinations, it will be different because they involve logistics and regulatory processes.

Route

The distance planned for taking the car is another cause of the car shipping price increase or decrease. Things such as road conditions, traffic, bad weather and road construction along the path can increase costs. Transporting through urbanized areas could cost more because of possible delays, whereas smoother roads could facilitate cheaper transport.

Shipping date

The date of car shipment matters a lot since it is a key factor in determining cost. If you book in advance, you will get lower prices so you better be flexible with your dates for pickup and delivery to decrease even more. Furthermore, the season affects prices; for example, due to high demand in the winter when a lot of customers ship cars to the southern states, prices might go up then.

Vehicle make and model

Your car's features affect the shipping cost. If it's a larger or taller vehicle, it will take more space and hence may need adjustments that increase the price. For example, if there are custom modifications, such as larger wheels or roof racks, costs may go even higher because of required additional handling.

Auto transport type

The manner of transportation which is either open or enclosed greatly impacts the cost of shipping. The standard and noticed way to go in the automobile transportation industry is open transport in which you are more likely to deliver at a cheaper cost. Then you have the enclosed transport which is safer and it protects the cars from both weather and road debris. This shipping is suitable for exotic, luxury and classic cars. But this option is more expensive, usually by 10-40% compared to the open one.

Vehicle condition

Is the car operable or inoperable? This is also a factor considered while discussing the shipping cost. It's simpler to load and off-load the operable vehicles thus the cost will be lower for that. But for the inoperable vehicles, they need other equipment, for example, winches, and they require special handling, so the total cost will be higher.

Vehicle details

Taller, longer and heavier vehicles may require a specific trailer or trailer type to support the length and/or added weight. They may also need certain accommodations, like being transported in a specific place within the trailer. Both of these situations could require the driver to take fewer or smaller vehicles to accommodate special requests and manage total allowable weight limits.

Ground clearance

Bigger and heavier cars might require a different type of trailer or setup so this affects prices. For cars with low ground clearance (four inches or less), enclosed trailers will lift the gate which is usually required, thus adding to the costs. This is simply to ensure safe and damage-free transport for the cars that need special handling.

Location

The cost of shipping will not always be the same as it heavily relies on the exact location of the pickup and delivery point. Most carriers tend to be in the urban areas which means that the services there are competitive and thus cheaper. The situation is quite the reverse for remote and rural areas where the costs could be higher due to the limited number of available carriers and more miles driven by the truckers.

Seasonality

The season of the year plays a huge role in determining the rate you will be charged for shipping. For example, the price of transporting cars to warmer places during the winter could be higher due to the high season of travelers. Shifting your shipping dates to a more convenient time or scheduling your shipment in the off-peak season may help you get lower rates.

Why choose us

Call us for the best Shiping experience.

Are you ready to transport your vehicle with ease? At Premium Auto Transportations, we are committed to providing you with the best shipping experience in the industry.

Trusted & Professional

We understand that entrusting your vehicle to someone else is a significant decision.

Flexible Payment Options

We believe that convenience should extend beyond just our transportation services.

Satisfaction Guarantee

Your satisfaction is our top priority. We are committed to providing exceptional transport services that meet your expectations.

Friendly Support

We understand that transporting your vehicle can sometimes feel overwhelming, which is why we prioritize approachable and helpful.

Common Questions

Most Popular Questions.

We understand that auto transportation comes with a lot of questions.

Transit time varies based on distance, location, and route. Most cross-country shipments take 7–10 days, while shorter routes may only take 2–5 days. Our team provides an estimated delivery window upon booking.

We coordinate the shipment of many vehicle types, including sedans, SUVs, trucks, motorcycles, luxury, classic, and oversized vehicles. Through our network of independent motor carriers, we arrange transport solutions suited to various vehicle sizes and requirements, with attention to proper equipment and handling standards.

Pricing depends on factors like the distance, vehicle type, season, and type of transport (open vs. enclosed). Contact us for a custom quote based on your unique requirements.

Open transport is the most common and affordable option. Enclosed transport provides extra protection, making it ideal for luxury or classic cars, as it shields them from weather and road debris.

Motor carriers assigned to transport vehicles are required to maintain active cargo insurance coverage in accordance with federal regulations at the time of dispatch. Insurance coverage and claims are handled directly through the assigned carrier. We verify carrier authority and insurance status prior to shipment scheduling.

While some carriers allow a small amount of personal items (usually under 100 lbs), it’s generally discouraged for insurance and safety reasons. Speak with our team if you have specific needs regarding personal items.

Clean your vehicle inside and out, remove any personal belongings, and ensure the fuel tank is no more than a quarter full. Also, make sure the battery is charged, and tires are properly inflated.

We arrange convenient door-to-door service through assigned motor carriers, coordinating pickup and delivery at the locations you specify whenever accessible. If a location is restricted or unsafe for carrier equipment, we coordinate an alternative nearby meeting point that is suitable for the transport vehicle.

Tracking availability depends on the assigned motor carrier and equipment used. When available, we help facilitate shipment updates and communication so you can stay informed throughout the transport process.

In the unlikely event that damage occurs during transit, claims must be filed directly with the assigned motor carrier in accordance with their cargo insurance policy. We support customers by providing necessary documentation and guidance regarding the claims procedure.