Instant Estimate · USDOT 7557228
Car Shipping Cost Calculator
Two ZIP codes and a vehicle type is all it takes. The estimate uses current per-mile market bands for open and enclosed transport.
How the estimate works
We take the road distance between your two ZIP codes and price it against the per-mile bands carriers are currently accepting, then adjust for vehicle size and condition.
Larger vehicles occupy more of a hauler, and an inoperable vehicle needs winch-equipped equipment — both raise the rate. Enclosed transport runs higher because far fewer enclosed trailers are in service.
Real quotes also account for lane density, season and how flexible your dates are, which is why a dispatcher will always beat a calculator on accuracy.
The rate bands behind the estimate
| Distance band | Range | Open transport | Enclosed transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short haul | Under 500 miles | $1.05 – $1.75 per mile | $1.55 – $2.60 per mile |
| Mid range | 500 – 1,500 miles | $0.70 – $1.10 per mile | $1.00 – $1.60 per mile |
| Long haul | Over 1,500 miles | $0.50 – $0.80 per mile | $0.75 – $1.20 per mile |
Estimating car shipping cost
How much does it cost to ship a car?
Most single-vehicle moves land between about $500 and $1,700 on open transport, depending on distance, vehicle size, lane density and season. As a per-mile guide: roughly $1.05–$1.75 per mile under 500 miles, $0.70–$1.10 per mile from 500 to 1,500 miles, and $0.50–$0.80 per mile beyond 1,500 miles. Enclosed transport typically runs 40% to 60% above open.
Why is shipping a car cheaper per mile on long routes?
A carrier's fixed costs — loading, paperwork, deadhead miles to reach you — are spread across more miles. A 2,500-mile coast-to-coast move costs more in total than a 400-mile regional move but far less per mile.
What makes a car shipping quote go up?
Oversized or lifted vehicles that eat more than one slot, inoperable vehicles needing a winch, enclosed trailers (there are far fewer on the road), rural or mountain pickups off the main interstates, tight date windows, and seasonal surges such as snowbird traffic into Florida and Arizona in autumn.
Should I trust the cheapest car shipping quote?
Be careful with it. A quote well below market often means the load is posted at a rate no carrier will accept, so it sits unassigned until the price is raised. Ask whether the quote is the dispatched rate or a teaser, and confirm the carrier's authority and cargo coverage before you commit.
Do I pay before my car is shipped?
Only a small part of it. Quoting a lane is free and costs nothing, and no money is due while we are still sourcing a truck. Once a carrier is assigned and dispatched, a small deposit is due before pickup, and the remaining balance is paid in cash to the driver on delivery. Terms are confirmed in writing before you pay anything, and the bill of lading documents the vehicle's condition at pickup and delivery.