How much does it cost to ship a car?

How much does it cost to ship a car? It depends on where it is going and what it is. Distance sets the starting point, and a handful of choices decide where your price lands.

This guide explains each of those factors in plain terms. Other companies price differently, but the same things drive almost every quote in the industry. When you want your own number, the car shipping cost calculator shows it in about a minute, or call (413) 231-6888 and a dispatcher will price it with you.

The short answer

Your price is built from your actual route and vehicle. The six things that move it:

• Distance

  The driving distance between your two addresses is the biggest single factor. Longer trips cost more in total, but not in a straight line.

• Vehicle size

  A larger or heavier vehicle takes more room and weight on the trailer, so an SUV or a luxury car is priced above a standard sedan.

• Transport type

  Open transport is the most economical. Enclosed transport costs more for the covered trailer, and expedited costs more for priority dispatch.

• Condition

  A car that doesn’t start, steer or brake needs a carrier with a winch and extra handling, which adds to the price.

• Timing

  A flexible pickup window is the easiest to schedule. A fixed date or a rush pickup takes priority dispatch.

• Route demand

  Busy interstate corridors between large metro areas fill carriers quickly. Remote pickups and seasonal peaks, like the snowbird runs, can change the picture.

Why distance matters most, but not in a straight line

Distance is measured from your pickup address to your delivery address, not city to city, so a pickup on the far side of a metro area can move the number. Longer trips cost more in total, but mile for mile they usually cost less.

That is not a discount. A good part of the carrier’s work is the same on every job: getting to your street, loading and strapping the car, the inspection, the paperwork, and unloading at the other end. On a longer trip those fixed costs are spread over more miles, and the truck spends more of its time on the interstate, which is the most efficient driving it does.

Open or enclosed transport

Open car transport is how most cars move and is the most economical option. Enclosed car transport keeps the car covered from door to door and costs more, because a covered trailer carries fewer cars. Expedited shipping also costs more, for priority dispatch on a fixed date. If you are unsure which you need, open vs enclosed car transport walks through the choice.

The vehicle and whether it runs

Bigger and more valuable vehicles take more room on the trailer or more care in handling, so an SUV or a luxury car is priced above a standard sedan. The price is per vehicle, so two cars cost more than one.

A car that doesn’t start, steer or brake has to be winched on and off the trailer, which needs the right equipment and more time, so it costs more to ship. More in shipping an inoperable car.

Timing, season and route demand

A few things affect how easily a carrier can be found for your car. Your dispatcher takes them into account and confirms the final price with you before anything is booked.

• Your route. Pickups near major interstates are on the lanes carriers already run. Rural addresses far from them can take longer to match.
• The season. Some lanes typically get busy at certain times of year, such as the Northeast to Florida in autumn and back in spring.
• Your dates. A flexible pickup window gives your dispatcher more carriers to choose from. A fixed date is what expedited shipping is for.
• Access. Streets a large truck can reach make for a quick pickup. If yours is tight, a nearby lot works just as well.
• Personal items. A few light belongings are fine. Keep them under 50 lb in total.

How to get your price

The quickest way is the cost calculator: enter your route, dates and vehicle, and your estimate appears as you go. Some trips, such as short local moves and long coast-to-coast runs, are priced by a dispatcher by phone instead; you send the same form and we call you.

How to keep the cost of shipping a car down

• Choose open transport for an everyday car. It is the biggest single saving on a long trip.
• Be flexible by a few days on pickup, especially in busy seasons.
• Ask for your quote early, so you are not forced into the first truck that can make your date.
• Make pickup easy. Offer a wide street or a lot if your road is narrow.
• Pack light. Keep belongings under 50 lb.

Questions to ask any car shipping company

Whoever you book with, these questions make quotes easier to compare:

1. Is this price per vehicle, and is it door to door?
2. Is it an estimate or a confirmed price, and when is it confirmed?
3. What would make it change: vehicle size, condition, personal items, access?
4. Are your carriers licensed with the DOT, FMCSA-compliant and insured?
5. Are pickup and delivery dates windows or fixed appointments?

If you are shipping from home, see Massachusetts car shipping.