After 15+ years in this business, I can tell you car shipping pricing is both simpler and more complicated than most people think. Simpler because it follows basic supply and demand. More complicated because a lot of companies don't want you to understand how it actually works.
This guide covers everything: what drives your quote up or down, how calculators actually work, how to get the best rate without getting burned, and how to compare quotes without falling for the usual traps. No fluff, no corporate speak—just the real numbers and the stuff I wish someone had told me when I started.
In this guide
How car shipping pricing actually works
Car shipping prices follow the same rules as any freight market: supply and demand on your specific route. When there are more cars needing to move than trucks available, prices go up. When carriers are deadheading (driving empty) back from a destination, they'll take lower-paying loads just to cover fuel.
That's the game. Every quote you get is basically a calculation of: how hard is it to find a truck going your direction, at the time you need it, that has space for your vehicle?
The trucking industry runs on what's called "cost per mile." For carriers, this includes fixed costs (truck payments, insurance, permits) and variable costs (fuel, maintenance, driver wages). According to industry data, the average trucking cost per mile runs $1.50-$2.50 depending on equipment and route. But that's the carrier's cost—what you pay includes margin for the broker or company coordinating your shipment.
Cost per mile breakdown (2026 numbers)
People always ask for per-mile rates, so here's what we typically see. These are ballpark figures—your actual quote depends on everything I'll cover below.
| Distance | Per Mile Rate | Total Range |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $1.00 - $2.00 | $400 - $700 |
| 500 - 1,000 miles | $0.75 - $1.25 | $500 - $900 |
| 1,000 - 1,500 miles | $0.60 - $0.90 | $700 - $1,100 |
| 1,500 - 2,000 miles | $0.50 - $0.75 | $850 - $1,300 |
| 2,000+ miles (coast to coast) | $0.45 - $0.65 | $1,000 - $1,600 |
Add 10-20% for SUVs/trucks, 40-60% for enclosed transport. Peak season (summer, snowbird migrations) can push prices 15-25% higher.
Notice how per-mile rates decrease as distance increases? That's because fixed costs (loading, paperwork, stops) get spread over more miles. Shipping 2,000 miles often costs less than double a 500-mile trip. The math seems weird, but it's real.
Cost to ship a car 2,000 miles
For a standard sedan on a coast-to-coast route like LA to New York (roughly 2,800 miles), expect $1,100-$1,500 for open transport during normal season. An SUV or truck adds $150-300. Enclosed bumps it to $1,800-$2,400. During peak summer? Add another 15-20%.
What moves your price up or down
1. Distance (but not how you'd think)
Per-mile rates actually decrease as distance increases. A 300-mile run might cost $1.50-2.00/mile, while a 2,000-mile haul drops to $0.50-0.70/mile. Short hauls aren't efficient for carriers—too much loading time relative to drive time.
2. Route popularity
Popular corridors (LA to Texas, Florida to New York) have tons of trucks running constantly. Competition keeps prices down and pickups fast. Rural routes? Carriers have to deadhead to get there, and that cost lands on you. Shipping from a major city to another major city is almost always cheaper than rural-to-rural.
3. Vehicle type and condition
Standard sedans are the cheapest—easy to load, don't hog deck space. SUVs and trucks add $100-300 because they take up more vertical space on the trailer. Lifted trucks or oversized rigs? Some carriers won't touch them. Non-running vehicles (INOPs) need winch loading, adding 10-25% to your quote.
Be honest about mods, lift kits, and anything unusual. Surprises at pickup never end well. I've seen drivers refuse loads because the "sedan" turned out to be a lifted Wrangler with 35s.
4. Timing and seasonality
Summer (June-August) is peak season—everyone's moving before school starts. Snowbird season (Oct-Nov heading south, Mar-Apr heading north) hammers Florida routes. Best time to ship? Late winter and early fall. Prices drop and trucks are available.
Flexible pickup windows (2-4 days instead of exact dates) can save you $100-200. "Must pickup Monday morning exactly" costs more because you're limiting options.
5. Open vs. enclosed transport
Open is standard and what 90%+ of cars ship on. Your vehicle is exposed to weather and road debris, same as driving it yourself. Enclosed adds protection for classics, exotics, and anything you'd cry over if a rock chip appeared. Expect 40-60% premium for enclosed—limited capacity and specialized handling.
Honest take: unless it's a $100k+ car or a show-condition classic, open transport is fine. Your car drives through worse every day.
6. Pickup and delivery access
Car carrier trucks are 75+ feet long. Narrow streets, low trees, tight turns—all problems. If a driver can't get the rig to your door safely, you'll need to meet nearby. Not a scam, just physics. Offering to meet at a shopping center or wide road can sometimes drop your price slightly and speed up pickup.
How shipping calculators work
Car shipping calculators take several factors into account to estimate your transport cost. Distance is the baseline, but it's not a simple multiplication. A good calculator weighs:
- Route distance and complexity—highway miles vs. mountain passes, toll roads
- Origin/destination markets—is there carrier capacity in your area?
- Vehicle specifications—a Honda Civic costs less to ship than a Ford F-150
- Service type—open vs. enclosed, standard vs. expedited
- Current market conditions—seasonal demand, fuel prices
The difference between calculators comes down to data quality. Some use static tables from years ago. Others pull real-time dispatch data to show what carriers are actually accepting. Ours does the latter—we know what routes are moving and at what price today, not what they cost six months ago.
How to get the best rate (without getting burned)
Quotes vary because routes and capacity change day-to-day. You can't control the market, but you can stack the odds in your favor.
Be flexible with pickup dates
A 2-4 day window lets dispatchers match you with trucks already running your direction. This is the single biggest lever you have. Carriers prioritize flexible loads because they fit into existing routes more easily.
Book 2-4 weeks ahead when possible
Last-minute shipping costs more. Carriers charge premium for rush jobs because they're rearranging their routes for you. Planning ahead saves money and stress. That said, if you're flexible on dates, even short-notice shipments can work out.
Skip enclosed unless you really need it
I've shipped thousands of cars on open trailers. They arrive fine. Enclosed makes sense for exotics, pristine classics, or anything you'd have a breakdown over if a stone chip appeared. For a daily driver? Save the money.
Give accurate vehicle info upfront
Lift kits, oversized tires, roof boxes, custom bumpers—all affect deck space and loading. If you spring surprises on a driver at pickup, expect price changes or refusal. Be straight from the start. Describe everything that makes your vehicle non-standard.
Consider terminal-to-terminal
If door-to-door access is tricky (narrow streets, gated communities), meeting at a nearby terminal or wide lot can save $50-100 and speed up your pickup window.
Understanding quotes (and spotting bad ones)
Here's the uncomfortable truth: some companies quote low knowing they can't dispatch at that price. They get your deposit, then call back with a "price adjustment." Others pad quotes with hidden fees that appear at the end. Neither is fun to deal with.
Guaranteed vs. estimated pricing
Guaranteed quotes lock your price when conditions are met—they include a buffer for market swings. You know exactly what you'll pay.
Estimated quotes can move with market conditions. They may start lower but often take longer to dispatch or adjust upward later. If someone won't commit to a price, ask why.
What should be included
- Door-to-door service (where accessible)
- Carrier cargo insurance for the vehicle
- All fuel, tolls, and standard fees
- Clear service type (open/enclosed)
- Estimated pickup and delivery windows
Red flags to watch for
- Quote way below everyone else (bait)
- Vague about what's included
- Pressure to pay large deposit immediately
- No clear DOT/MC numbers provided
- Won't put price in writing
What can change your price after quoting
- Vehicle not as described (size, mods, inoperable)
- Pickup/delivery constraints or last-minute date changes
- Unusual weight, rooftop accessories, or special equipment needs
- Location access issues requiring driver to deadhead further
Broker vs. carrier pricing explained
Most car shipping companies are brokers, not carriers. They don't own trucks—they connect you with independent carriers who do. This isn't necessarily bad, but it's important to understand.
Brokers can dangle low numbers to get your deposit, but if the price is below what carriers will actually accept, your car sits. Eventually, they call back: "Good news, we found a carrier! Bad news, it's $200 more." This is the bait-and-switch that gives the industry a bad name.
Carriers set prices based on what loads pay versus their operating costs. If a broker's offer doesn't cover fuel and driver pay for that route, the carrier passes. Your load sits on the dispatch board while better-paying jobs get picked up.
The fix? Work with companies that price at market rate from the start. A quote that's $100 higher but actually dispatches beats a low quote that wastes two weeks and ends up costing the same anyway.
How we price
We pull real dispatch data to price at what carriers are actually accepting on your route today. No lowballing to get your deposit, no "price adjustments" later. The quote you see is the quote you pay. If market conditions shift dramatically between booking and pickup, we'll tell you upfront—not spring it on you at the last minute.
The bottom line
Car shipping pricing isn't magic—it's supply and demand, vehicle specifics, and timing. Now you know what moves the needle. Use that knowledge to time your shipment, choose the right service level, and spot quotes that are too good to be true.
The companies that last in this industry are the ones that price fairly from the start. Bait-and-switch might win a deposit, but it loses customers and destroys trust. We'd rather give you a real number upfront and actually get your car shipped.
