Shipping a car across the US usually costs a few hundred dollars for a short trip and $1,000–$2,000 for coast to coast. The exact price depends on six things: distance, the size of the vehicle, open or enclosed transport, whether the car runs, how soon it must be picked up, and how busy the route is.
Below are the price ranges our pricing engine shows today for a standard sedan on an open trailer, and an explanation of each factor so you can see where your own quote comes from.
Car shipping prices on popular routes
| Route | Distance | Estimated price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami → New York | 1,292 mi | $875–$1,125 | Exact price → |
| Los Angeles → Dallas | 1,460 mi | $975–$1,250 | Exact price → |
| Chicago → Orlando | 1,164 mi | $775–$1,000 | Exact price → |
| Dallas → Atlanta | 849 mi | $700–$875 | Exact price → |
| New York → Los Angeles | 2,886 mi | $1,500–$1,925 | Exact price → |
| Houston → Denver | 1,038 mi | $700–$900 | Exact price → |
These are estimates for an operable sedan on open transport, picked up in about a week. Your route, vehicle and dates give you an exact range in a minute: get your price.
1. Distance: longer trips cost less per mile
Distance is the biggest part of the price, but the rate per mile falls as the trip gets longer. A truck that drives 2,000 miles with a full load spends less per mile on loading, fuel stops and empty miles than one that drives 200.
| Distance | Open transport, sedan |
|---|---|
| 0–300 miles | about $1.60 per mile |
| 301–600 miles | about $1.15 per mile |
| 601–1,000 miles | about $0.90 per mile |
| 1,001–1,500 miles | about $0.75 per mile |
| 1,501–2,200 miles | about $0.65 per mile |
| 2,201+ miles | about $0.58 per mile |
Minimum price $375 per vehicle. Estimates from the Carvelo AI pricing engine.
Very short trips have a minimum price, because loading, unloading and the drive to the pickup cost the carrier the same whatever the distance.
2. Vehicle size and weight
A car carrier has a weight limit and a fixed number of spots. A large SUV, a pickup truck or a van takes more room or weight than a sedan, so it costs more: roughly 15% more for an SUV or van and 25–30% more for a pickup. Motorcycles and ATVs cost less.
3. Open or enclosed transport
Open transport is how most cars travel: on the double-deck trailers you see on the highway. It is the cheapest option and safe for everyday cars.
Enclosed transport covers the car completely, protecting it from weather and road debris. It usually costs 40–60% more and suits classic, exotic or freshly restored cars. Fewer carriers have enclosed trailers, so allow more time to find one.
4. Does the car run?
An inoperable car has to be winched onto the trailer and needs a carrier with a winch, which adds to the price (about $175 on our quotes). Tell the carrier up front: a surprise at pickup can cancel the booking.
5. How soon you need pickup
Carriers plan their trips days in advance. A pickup in the next one to three days means a carrier changes its route for you, and that costs more. Booking one to two weeks ahead, with a flexible pickup window, gets the best prices.
6. Season and route
Routes between big cities on main highways are the cheapest, because many trucks run them. Rural pickups cost more. Prices also follow the seasons: in late fall many snowbirds ship cars south to Florida and Arizona, and in spring they ship them back north, so trucks on those routes fill up fast.
How to pay less for car shipping
- Be flexible on dates. A pickup window of several days lets more carriers fit your car into a trip.
- Choose open transport unless your car really needs a covered trailer.
- Book early. One to two weeks ahead is ideal.
- Meet near a main road if you live somewhere a big truck cannot reach easily.
- Compare offers. On Carvelo AI, carriers send their own prices and dates, and you pick the best one.
What is included in the price
On Carvelo AI the price you book is final: the carrier agreed to it when you booked, and you never pay the driver extra. The Carvelo AI service fee and the card processing fee are shown at checkout before you pay. Your payment is held until your car is delivered and you give the driver your Delivery Code.
Ready to see your exact price? Enter your route and vehicle and get an instant range, free and without commitment.
Get my priceQuestions, answered
How much does it cost to ship a car 1,000 miles?+
For an operable sedan on open transport, about $800–$1,025 on our current estimates. Larger vehicles, enclosed transport or a pickup within three days cost more.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship a car?+
For long trips shipping is often close to the cost of driving once you count fuel, hotels, meals, time off work and wear on the car. For short trips under 300 miles, driving is usually cheaper.
Do I pay the whole amount upfront?+
On Carvelo AI your card is charged when you book a carrier, and the payment is held until delivery. The carrier is paid only after you confirm the car has arrived.