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How Much Does It Cost to Ship A Car?
By Kat Tretina MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Moving to a new city is an exciting adventure, but figuring out how to move all of your belongings can be daunting. If you’re moving to another state, driving your vehicle to your new location may not be possible, so you’ll need to ship it instead.
How much does it cost to ship a car? The average car shipping cost was $1,290 in 2022, but the actual price will vary depending on your location, the distance to your new home, the transport method you choose and the size of your vehicle.
What is the average cost to ship a car?
Cost of car shipping companies comparison
How to calculate the cost of shipping a car
What factors affect the cost of shipping a car?
Requirements to ship a car
How to ship a car
Car shipping costs FAQs
Summary of our guide to car shipping cost
What is the average cost to ship a car?
If you need to ship a vehicle, the most popular car transport method is in an open carrier. With an open carrier, multiple cars are shipped at one time on an open-air trailer. Open carriers are the most economical methods of shipping cars. On average, the car shipping cost via open carrier is about 80 cents per mile.
Depending on how far you’re moving, you can expect to pay between about $600 and $1,400 to transport your car via an open carrier. (That’s according to the online moving marketplace move.org, from which we also drew the information below.)
| Distance | Average Cost | Average Cost Per Mile |
| <500 miles | $630 | $1.26 |
| <1,000 miles | $790 | $0.79 |
| <1,500 | $1,070 | $0.71 |
| <2,000 | $1,320 | $0.66 |
| <2,500 miles | $1,360 | $0.54 |
Cost of car shipping companies comparison
Several variables affect your car shipping cost, so it’s a good idea to shop around and get estimates from multiple car transport companies. Quotes can vary widely, so it pays to compare prices.
To give you an idea of how much it costs to ship a car, we’ve gathered quotes from three popular car shipping companies:
| Companies | 500 miles (White Plains, NY to Fayetteville, NC) | 1,000 miles (Omaha, NE to Atlanta, GA) | 1,500 miles (Trenton, NJ to Houston, TX) |
| Montway Auto Transport | $789 | $859 | $1,059 |
| AmeriFreight | $677 | $1,124 | $901 |
| SGT Auto Transport | $729 | $885 | $1,069 |
| *Quotes are based on open carriers transporting a 2022 Toyota Camry | |||
Here’s more about these three companies, to provide perspective on the range of services shippers provide:
Montway Auto Transport
Montway is an auto transport company that ships cars nationwide and internationally through its partner carriers. It provides both open and enclosed transport services, and it offers door-to-door service.
AmeriFreight
AmeriFreight also offers enclosed and open shipping services, and it will pick up and drop off the vehicle at your home. AmeriFreight has several discount programs that could lower your overall cost, including discounts for students, medical personnel and military service members.
SGT Auto Transport
Based in South Carolina, SGT Auto Transport has delivered over 31,000 cars since its inception. It will ship cars across the country and even to Hawaii, and it offers door-to-door service.
How to calculate the cost of shipping a car
While there are several factors that affect your car shipping cost, these guidelines can help you calculate a ballpark figure:
Across the country
How much does it cost to ship a car across the country?
Long-distance or cross-country moves typically cost about $0.54 per mile, according to move.org. Multiply that number by the distance of your move to get an estimated cost.
For example, transporting your car from Philadelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA, a distance of about 2,800 miles, would cost $1,512.
Overseas
If you are moving overseas, prepare for gulp-inducing sticker shock to send your car along to join you. International transport via plane can cost $40,000 or more, which is why most people opt for cargo ships. But even shipping via a cargo ship will cost between $1,000 and $5,000.
Another state
Shorter moves, such as to a neighboring state that is less than 500 miles away, will cost about $1.25 per mile. To get at least a rough idea of your car shipping cost, then, multiply the number of miles you’re moving by that amount.
For example, a move from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Detroit, Michigan — a move of about 300 miles — would cost about $375.
Train
Shipping a car via train isn’t an option for most people. Most train lines are only utilized for vehicle transport by auto manufacturers and commercial transporters. Amtrak, with its auto-train service, is one of the few rail lines that allows individuals to transport vehicles. However, the Amtrak auto-train only runs between Virginia and Florida.
As of October 2022, the transport cost for a standard vehicle like a coupe or sedan via Amtrak was a flat rate of $269.
What factors affect the cost of shipping a car?
When it comes to determining the cost of shipping a vehicle, the following factors affect your total price:
- Type of carrier: An enclosed carrier typically costs more than open carriers because they provide extra protection for your vehicle. Open transport services are the cheapest way to ship a car, but there is more risk of damage to your car than with enclosed shipping.
- Vehicle: Larger vehicles generally cost more to ship than smaller ones.
- Pickup and delivery location: If you live in a rural area, it may cost more to ship your car because the carrier has to travel a greater distance. Pickup and delivery locations also affect the price if the carrier is required to pay tolls to access your home.
- Season: The time of year can affect your car transport cost. Demand for car shipping services is higher in the summer when more people are relocating, so expect to pay more during that time.
- Distance: Distance is likely the biggest factor in determining your car shipping cost. Longer distances require more fuel and hours on the road, so they tend to be more expensive.
- Gas: Fuel prices can also impact your cost. As gas prices increase, you can expect to pay more for vehicle shipping.
Requirements to ship a car
To ship a car via a major carrier, you need to meet the following requirements:
- Fuel: Carrier requirements can vary, but you should make sure your car has at least a ¼ tank so that the company can move the vehicle as needed.
- Glass: Windows and windshields should be in good order, without cracks or damage.
- Condition: The car should be operable. If it’s not running, you will need to contact the carrier to make special arrangements to have it transported.
- Ground clearance: Depending on the method of transport, you’ll need at least four to six inches of ground clearance. Vehicles that have been modified and lowered may need special accommodations.
- Belongings: In most cases, your car needs to be emptied of personal belongings.
In general, you aren’t required to have insurance on your car. However, having comprehensive and collision coverage (as most drivers do) can be helpful if your car is damaged while en route to your new location.
How to ship a car
To ship your car, follow these steps:
- Find a company: You’ll first need to find a reputable auto shipping company that offers the service. Once you have a few auto transport services in mind, get quotes from each one to compare prices. Make sure to ask about any hidden fees that could affect your total cost, and be clear about which transport type you want for your car.
- Schedule pickup: Once you’ve selected a company, schedule a time for them to pick up your vehicle. Depending on the shipping option you choose, you may be able to choose a specific date or range of dates. If a trailer cannot safely reach your home, you may have to set another pickup location, such as a local parking lot.
- Inspect the car: Be sure to be home when they come to get your car so that you can sign the bill of lading and inspect the car for any damage. It’s a good idea to take lots of pictures of the vehicle before it’s loaded so that you have proof of the vehicle condition, and also get a photo of the current odometer reading.
- Track the vehicle: After your car has been loaded onto the carrier, it will be taken to its destination. You should receive updates along the way so that you know where your car is and when it will arrive. In general, a specific dropoff time isn’t guaranteed unless you pay an additional fee.
- Look over the car: Once the car arrives, inspect the vehicle again for any damage that may have occurred during transport. If everything looks good, sign the bill of lading and take possession of your car. You’re now ready to start your new life in your new location!
Car shipping costs FAQs
What is the most cost-effective way to ship a car?
The most cost-effective vehicle transport method is to ship your car on an open carrier. Open car carriers are less expensive than enclosed ones because they can transport more vehicles at the same time.
How does car shipping work?
When you book a car shipping service, the company will typically work with a carrier to schedule your move. The car shipper will pick up your vehicle and, in the case of open carriers, load it onto the trailer with other vehicles on its route.
The carrier drives the trailer to your destination. In general, you don't get a specific dropoff time unless you paid extra. Instead, the carrier gives you a dropoff window for when you can expect your car.
How long does car shipping take?
How long is required to have your car shipped depends on the distance you're moving and whether you opt for an enclosed or expedited service.
Laws dictate how long a driver can be on the road, and those regulations can affect the time it takes to transport your vehicle. Property-carrying drivers, such as those who drive car shipping carriers, cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. They cannot resume driving until they have taken 10 consecutive hours off duty.
For example, let's say you're moving from Delaware to Florida, a distance of about 1,000 miles. Assuming the driver of the carrier averages 55 miles per hour, it would take 18 hours of driving time to complete the move.
Because of the safety laws, the driver would only be able to drive for 14 consecutive hours, and then would have to take a 10-hour break before they could complete the remaining four hours of driving time. So the driver would need at least 28 hours to deliver your vehicle, plus additional time if there are other vehicles on the trailer, delays due to traffic or other issues.
What is the most reliable car shipping company?
There are many car shipping companies to choose from. The best car shipping companies in terms of reliability include Nexus, Sherpa Auto Transport, Montway, AmeriFreight and Easy Auto Ship.
Remember, the cheapest option isn't always the best choice; it may be worth paying a bit more to have a reliable and professional company handle your move.
Summary of our guide to car shipping costs
How much does it cost to ship a car? Now that you know the typical costs to expect, you can make plans to transport your vehicle.
On average, the cost of shipping a car is $1,290. But your cost may vary based on the size of your car, the distance you’re moving and the company you choose. Shipping rates can be significantly different between transport carriers, so it pays to shop around and get car shipping quotes from several companies before making a reservation.
