Car Shipping Cost Calculator

Find your car shipping cost in seconds with Premium Auto Transport calculator.

Your car is your baby, we get that. Where other companies might shy away, we’re eager to answer all your questions, like “how does auto transport work?” Whether you’re off on your next great adventure or purchasing (or selling) a car online, you want the very best auto transport you can find at a great price, and with a 5-star rating, Premium Auto Transportation delivers.

Request To Get an Instant Quote

How much does car shipping cost?

Car shipping costs in 2024, specifically for open car shipping, are estimated around $1.85/mile for short distances (1-500 miles) or $555 for a 300-mile trip. Medium distances average about $.91/mile (500-1500 miles) or $910 for 1000 miles. Long distances (1500+ miles) are about $.59/mile or $1,180 for a 2000-mile trip. It’s important to note that car shipping costs may vary and the rates for enclosed car shipping will be higher. When it comes to shipping your vehicle, there are several factors that come into play when determining the cost. Everything from the type of vehicle you’re shipping to the type of shipping method you choose will affect the price. To get a clear idea of what your final cost will be, we recommend using our free instant quote calculator for an estimate. You can also speak with a Premium Auto representative via live chat or at (888) 666-8929 to discuss your shipment and request a quote. This will give you the most accurate estimate possible, taking into account factors such as the distance of the shipment, seasonal demand, any additional services required and current market rates.

What is car transport?

Car transport or car shipping, is a service that moves cars from one destination to another. The best car transport involves licensed professionals with the right experience and equipment to safely move your vehicle. The type of transport you choose will affect your car shipping cost. You can ship via open transport (more cost effective) or enclosed transport (more protection). Typically, enclosed auto transport will cost 10-40% more than open transport. Open transport is the most common type of transport, used by most customers, including car dealerships. Enclosed transport is the preferred method for anyone shipping luxury, exotic or collector vehicles that want added protection.

How to get a car transport quote

Car transport quotes can be calculated a few different ways. You can get an accurate estimate of your car shipping by using our instant quote calculator or speaking with a Premium Auto Transportation representative via live chat. When discussing your shipment be sure to mention any special requirements you may have, as these could affect the price. Some examples of special requirements include expedited pickup, vehicle modifications or inoperable vehicles. In order to get the most accurate and up-to-date car shipping quote, it’s important to know and have the following information available: Vehicle pickup and delivery destinations (zip codes are preferred for increased quoting accuracy) Car transport preference (open or enclosed trailer) Vehicle year, make and model (ensures availability of required transport trailer size) Operational status (can be driven forward and in reverse, with basic steering for truck loading and unloading) Earliest available pickup date

Calculating car shipping costs

Auto transport quotes and car shipment rates are calculated using unique considerations for each customer. Your car shipping estimate will be based on several different transport factors. This includes, but isn’t limited to: trip distance, car size (sedan, pickup truck, SUV, etc.), vehicle condition (operable or inoperable), transport type (open or enclosed), location (i.e. rural or urban) and the time of year you ship. Premium Auto Transportation instant quote calculator lets you enter all the details about your vehicle, allowing us to generate the most accurate and cost-optimized price—without hidden fees.

Auto transport industry overview

There are three types of companies you might work with to ship your vehicle: lead providers, carriers and brokers. In exchange for providing your contact information, lead providers supply vehicle owners with a list of “leads” or potential carriers, based on the owner’s search criteria. The owner is responsible from there to further research or contact the carriers on the list to determine the best option for their needs and budget. Lead providers will typically share your contact information with their network, so you will likely receive phone calls and emails from the various transport companies. Carriers employ the truckers who do the actual transportation of your car, picking it up and dropping it off at the designated locations. You can work directly with a carrier company—from requesting a quote for shipment, to working out details, to the actual transport—but without some industry knowledge it can be hard to identify the best carrier for your unique vehicle shipment. This is why you might choose to work with an auto transport broker. Brokers work as the middle man between vehicle owners and a network of carriers, finding the best-suited solution for the highest value.

What factors are used to calculate the cost of car shipping?

Distance

Total distance is the main component used in calculating a quote for car shipping. Longer distances generally lead to a higher overall car shipping price, but also include a discounted cost per mile. With our car shipping calculator, you can get the best auto transport quote for any car shipment. It’s important to note that international car shipping prices might differ from ground vehicle transport.

Route

Different from distance, route refers to what highways and other roads will be traveled to transport the vehicle. Routes in highly populated areas may have increased traffic congestion, which could impact transport time and shipping costs. Additional route considerations that can be factored into shipping costs include: physical road conditions, adverse weather and road construction.

Shipping date

When you book a car transport service, the shipment date often plays a role in the cost. It’s best to book your car shipment as far in advance as possible. As soon as you know you’ll need to ship your vehicle, begin researching an auto transport company to request a car shipping quote. Additionally, increased flexibility around car pickup dates will often result in car transport quote savings.

Vehicle make and model

When planning your auto transport, we ask for the exact vehicle specifications, because the truck driver must know how much space is required to safely secure your automobile and ensure proper trailer height and side clearance. Longer and taller cars require additional vehicle transport adjustments, which may slightly increase car shipping costs. Vehicle modifications like larger tires and roof racks can also increase the cost.

Auto transport type

Most people shipping a car select open car transport, as it is the industry standard and cheapest way for car shippers to move your vehicle. For extra car shipment protection, we recommend using enclosed car transportation services that shield vehicles from weather and debris. Enclosed auto transport can increase the cost of car shipping, but is worth the peace of mind for delicate, exotic or luxury car transportation.

Vehicle condition

If your car is running, you will get a better auto shipping price from car shippers for the allotted distance. If your car is inoperable, but maintains the ability to roll, steer and brake, it will require a winch and other accommodations to be loaded onto the carrier trailer, which will increase the cost of shipment. To request a quote or to arrange shipment for an inoperable vehicle, please contact

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

Ground clearance, also called ride height, is the distance between the bottom of the vehicle’s body and the road or driving surface. Low vehicle ground clearance requires special attention and accommodation, such as a specialized ramp. If ground clearance is four inches or less, the vehicle must be shipped in an enclosed trailer equipped with a lift gate, which open trailers do not have.

Location

Metropolitan areas usually have plenty of trucks available to carry out car shipping orders for auto shippers, which lowers the car transport price. When transporting cars, we strive to find the best deal for residents of small towns.

Seasonality

Car shipping costs vary greatly based on the time of year. For example, auto transport services to warmer states are very popular during the winter travel season, so the cost for transporting a car to those destinations may be higher. Use Premium Auto Transportation car shipping calculator to get the price for shipping a car. Depending on your scheduling flexibility, we recommend trying different shipping dates to see rate impact for choosing the best price.

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.

Testimonial

What they say

Premium Auto Transportation, our customers are at the heart of everything we do. Here’s what they have to say about their experience with us:

Let’s get the Shipping truck moving.

Our team is here to handle all the details, so you can sit back and relax while we get your vehicle where it needs to go. Reach out today and let’s get moving!

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 transport all types of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, trucks, motorcycles, luxury, classic, and even oversized vehicles. Our fleet is equipped to handle various sizes and types, ensuring safe and reliable transport.

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.

Yes, all shipments are fully insured. Our insurance coverage ensures your vehicle is protected against any potential damages during transportation.

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.

Yes, we provide convenient door-to-door service, where we pick up and deliver your vehicle at specified locations. If your location is inaccessible to our trucks, we arrange for the closest safe meeting point.

Absolutely! We offer real-time GPS tracking so you can monitor your vehicle’s location and stay informed throughout the entire journey.

Though rare, if any damage occurs, our insurance covers it. Our team will guide you through the claims process and assist in making any necessary arrangements.

×