How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car?

In general, the farther your car has to travel, the more you’ll pay. On average, car shipping costs about $2.35 per mile across the continental U.S.

The cheapest way to ship a car is with open transport, which is the option most people choose. Enclosed auto transport typically costs more because it protects vehicles from weather and road debris during the trip.

Here’s what the averages look like:

• Open transport: about $914 per shipment, or $1.89 per mile
• Enclosed transport: about $1,342 per shipment, or $2.82 per mile

Most people don’t need enclosed transport. It’s usually reserved for high-value vehicles, such as antique, classic, custom, or luxury cars that require extra protection during shipping.

The numbers above reflect industry averages, not guaranteed prices. Actual quotes can vary depending on factors such as route, time of year, vehicle size, and how flexible you are with pickup and delivery dates. In other words, the price you see from one company might land a little above or below the typical range.

Some auto transport brokers regularly quote below those averages. Because brokers connect your shipment with a network of carriers already running similar routes, they can sometimes match your vehicle with available truck space and keep costs lower than what you’d expect from a single carrier.

For example, Navi Auto Transport’s pricing often falls below industry benchmarks, based on the quote data highlighted in its review page. That doesn’t mean every quote will come in cheaper, but it’s a good reminder that comparing a few brokers can reveal prices that sit under the typical market range.

Vehicle size plays a big role in the cost to ship a car. Larger vehicles weigh more and take up more space on a transport trailer. Because auto carriers have strict weight limits, loading heavier vehicles like pickup trucks often means fewer total vehicles can fit on the truck. To make up for those empty spots, carriers typically charge more.

Our research shows pickup trucks cost about 38% more to ship than standard cars. Larger SUVs and heavy-duty vehicles can also raise your car shipping cost for the same reason.

A vehicle’s condition matters too. Operable vehicles that can steer, roll, and brake are easy for carriers to load onto standard trailers. Inoperable vehicles, on the other hand, require specialized equipment, such as a winch, to get them onto the truck.

Because of that extra equipment and time, the cost to ship an inoperable car usually increases by about $100 to $300, depending on the carrier and route.

One important thing to know about car shipping quotes: they’re usually estimates, not guaranteed prices. Your final car shipping cost may be a little higher or lower, depending on whether the company offers a price lock or a guaranteed quote.

Here’s why prices can change.

Auto transport uses a bidding system.
Most bookings go through an auto transport broker. Brokers post your shipment request on a carrier marketplace, and drivers bid on the job. In many cases, the broker offers the job to the carrier willing to do it for the lowest price. Because car shipping is driven by supply and demand, prices can shift depending on how many drivers are available on your route.

Several factors affect the cost to ship a car.
Distance is a big one, but it’s not the only factor. Vehicle size, transport type, route popularity, and time of year can all influence your final price. Carriers weigh these details to determine the cost of a shipment before accepting the job.

Most car shipping bookings start with a broker. You request a quote, and the broker provides an estimate of the cost to ship a car. After that, the broker posts your shipment on a marketplace where auto transport carriers can bid on the job.

So how can companies give you an instant car shipping quote if drivers haven’t started bidding yet?

The quote you receive is usually a starting estimate, not the final price. Unless a company offers a guaranteed rate, the number you see is meant to attract carriers who are willing to take the job.

Here’s how the bidding typically works:

• A broker lists your shipment with the estimated price.
• Carriers review the job and submit bids if the route and price make sense for them.
• Another carrier may underbid slightly to win the job.
• The broker chooses a carrier, often a few days to about a week before pickup.
  

Some brokers, including Navi Auto Transport, use a no-deposit model, allowing you to compare quotes without paying anything upfront. Just keep in mind that the final price still depends on the carriers that accept the job and the bids they submit.

Experienced brokers understand current market rates, so their estimates for car transport costs are usually fairly close to what you’ll actually pay.

But not every company plays fair. Some brokers advertise extremely low car shipping prices just to secure your booking. Later, they raise the price once it’s clear a carrier won’t accept the original rate.

That’s why it’s important to work with reputable auto transport companies that provide realistic quotes and clear pricing.

Learning the warning signs can help you avoid common scams. You can read our guide on tips to identify a car shipping scam to protect yourself before booking.

Want us to do the work for you?

Learn more about the best car shipping companies.

The cost to ship a car can change quickly. Prices depend on several moving parts in the auto transport market, which means the car shipping quote you see today might look different tomorrow.

Here are the main factors that influence car shipping costs:

• Carrier bidding process: Auto transport carriers bid on shipments. Some days, competition drives prices down. On other days, fewer carriers are available, which can raise prices.
• Distance: In general, the farther your vehicle travels, the higher the car transport cost.
• Extra services: Add-ons like expedited car shipping or additional insurance increase the price.
• Number of vehicles: Shipping multiple vehicles costs more overall, though some companies offer discounts for multi-car shipments.
• Pick-up location: Major cities and common routes attract more carriers, which can lower prices. Rural areas or remote locations often cost more because fewer drivers service those routes.
• Infrastructure and road conditions: Construction, road closures, heavy traffic, or restricted routes can affect how carriers price a shipment.
• Time of year: Car shipping prices typically rise during busy moving seasons in spring, summer, and early fall.
• Transport type: Open transport is the most affordable option, while enclosed car transport costs more because it offers additional protection.
• Vehicle size and condition: Larger vehicles cost more to ship, and inoperable vehicles usually add extra fees.

Because so many variables affect the cost to ship a car, prices can shift from week to week, or even day to day. The good news is that understanding these factors can help you plan ahead and potentially save money on car shipping.

Looking for a quote that lands below the typical industry range?

Navi Auto Transport often shows competitive pricing for open-carrier shipments and doesn’t require a deposit until your vehicle is scheduled for pickup. It can be helpful to compare their estimate alongside quotes from a few other top car shipping companies.

Compare Navi Auto Transport Quotes

When we first started researching car shipping companies, we noticed an alarming trend: every brand seemed to have irate customers warning others to never use them. Type any car shipping company into Google and you'll find people complaining about lapses in communication, no-show carriers, surprise price increases, and scratched vehicles. 

Such widespread dissatisfaction seems to suggest that the problem isn't necessarily with the companies themselves, but with the car shipping industry as a whole. Brokers provide a popular service by streamlining the hiring process and allowing multiple carriers to bid on each job, which helps lower the final price. Some brokers offer additional perks like extra insurance coverage and quick access to a back-up plan when a carrier drops the ball, but the fact remains that they're middlemen and have little control over the carriers' schedules or communication skills.

Still, there are companies that successfully deliver cars and customer satisfaction more often than others. It's our job to figure out how they do it and who has the best track record.