How much does it cost to ship a car?
You're adding up the whole move: the movers, the deposit, the flights. Here's what sets the car's price, the trap to avoid, and the only number that matters: the one that doesn't change after you book.
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The five things that set your price
| Factor | What it does to the price |
|---|---|
| Route and distance | Longer is more in total but less per mile. Major interstate routes cost less than rural pickups the truck has to detour to. |
| Season | May through September is moving season and costs more. Snowbird lanes spike north-to-south in fall and south-to-north in spring. |
| Vehicle | Bigger and heavier takes more room and weight on the truck. Lifted, lowered or modified vehicles need to be disclosed. |
| Open or enclosed | Open carriers are the standard and cost less. Enclosed protects classics and exotics and costs more. |
| Runs or not | A car that doesn't run needs a winch and more time. |
Why the cheapest quote usually costs the most
Instant calculators are set low on purpose. The broker books you at that number and posts your car on the load board. No truck takes it. Then you get the call: "the carrier needs more." Move.org's mystery shoppers found the average jump was $277.
Our quotes are built from what carriers are actually paid on your route this week, and a real person stands behind every one. That can look higher up front. It's also the price you pay. How our written guarantee works.
How to get an accurate quote
- Give your exact pickup and delivery ZIPs, not just cities.
- Give the first day the car can go, and the day you need it.
- Tell us the year, make and model, plus any modifications.
- Tell us if the car doesn't run.
- Ask: "Is this guaranteed in writing? Is there a deposit? Who do I pay at delivery?"
Drive or ship?
For a 500+ mile move, add up gas, hotel nights, meals, the days off work, and the wear and miles on the car. Then compare it to a written quote. For a lot of families the numbers come out close, and shipping gives them back two or three days. Run your numbers in the drive-or-ship calculator.
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Cost
Questions about price
How much does it cost to ship a car across the country?
For a running sedan or SUV on an open carrier, most 1,000–2,500 mile moves land between [LOW] and [HIGH] depending on the route, the season, and whether the truck is passing your ZIP or has to detour to it. Anyone who gives you a number without looking at this week's rates on your route is guessing, and guessing low on purpose. Ours is built from what carriers are actually paid on your route right now, then we put it in writing. What drives the price.
Why are some car shipping quotes so much cheaper?
Because they're built to win the click, not to move your car. A lowball quote gets posted on the load board at a price no truck will take. Then the price goes up, or the car sits. The industry average jump between quote and final bill is $277.
Is it cheaper to ship a car in the winter?
Often, on most routes, because summer is moving season and demand peaks May through September. The big exception is snowbird lanes: north-to-south in the fall and south-to-north in spring get busy and more expensive.
Does it cost more to ship a car that doesn't run?
Yes. A car that doesn't run needs a truck with a winch and extra time to load and unload. Tell us up front and we'll quote it right the first time.
Do I pay a deposit?
Not with us. Nothing is charged when you book. We charge your card for the full transport at pickup and hold it until delivery.
Get your real number. In writing.
Get your price online in minutes. A real person calls to plan it around your move, and the same team stays with you until the car is delivered at your new home. No deposit. Never sold to other brokers.