Shipping a Tesla, or any electric car, works almost exactly like shipping a gas car: it rides on the same open or enclosed carrier, with the same drivers and the same paperwork. The differences are in the details. The car should leave with about 30–50% charge, the driver needs a key card rather than your phone, and heavier models like the Model X or a Cybertruck cost more to move. If the car can’t drive onto the truck, Tesla’s Transport Mode lets it be winched on safely. This guide covers what it costs, how to prepare the car and what to tell the company.
Key findings
- Any licensed car carrier can ship an EV. There is no special “electric car truck.” A Tesla in good working order drives onto the trailer like any other car.
- Price depends on the body type, not on the battery. A Model 3 costs about the same as a sedan, a Model Y like a crossover, and a Cybertruck or Rivian R1T like a full-size pickup: about 30% more than a sedan.
- Charge it to about 30–50%. Enough to drive on and off and cover standby drain during the trip, but not full. Follow the carrier’s own number if it gives one.
- Give the driver a key card. Your phone key goes with you. Without a card, the driver can’t move the car at pickup or delivery.
- A dead EV needs Transport Mode or wheel dollies. It can’t simply be pushed or dragged like a gas car in neutral.
PlayHow much does it cost to ship a Tesla?
Car carriers price by size and weight, so a Tesla costs the same as a gas car of the same body type. These are our estimates for open transport, with enclosed in brackets:
| Vehicle | 500 miles | 1,000 miles | Coast to coast (2,800 miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3, Model S, Chevy Bolt | $625–$1,000 (enclosed $950–$1,500) | $850–$1,250 (enclosed $1,275–$1,875) | $1,400–$2,000 (enclosed $2,100–$3,000) |
| Tesla Model Y, Mustang Mach-E | $700–$1,125 (enclosed $1,075–$1,675) | $950–$1,400 (enclosed $1,425–$2,100) | $1,575–$2,250 (enclosed $2,350–$3,350) |
| Tesla Model X, Rivian R1S | $775–$1,250 (enclosed $1,200–$1,875) | $1,075–$1,575 (enclosed $1,600–$2,350) | $1,750–$2,500 (enclosed $2,625–$3,750) |
| Tesla Cybertruck, Rivian R1T, F-150 Lightning | $825–$1,300 (enclosed $1,225–$1,950) | $1,100–$1,625 (enclosed $1,650–$2,450) | $1,825–$2,600 (enclosed $2,725–$3,900) |
Why heavier EVs cost more: batteries add hundreds of pounds, and a car carrier has a weight limit as well as a space limit. A Model Y weighs about 4,400 lbs, several hundred more than a typical gas crossover of the same size, and the big electric trucks are heavier still. For your exact route and month, use the car shipping cost calculator and pick the matching vehicle type.
How much charge should an electric car have for shipping?
Aim for about 30–50%. Most carriers and guides land in that range for shipping by truck, and here is why:
- Not empty. An EV keeps using power while parked: the battery management system, the alarm and the connectivity all draw a little every day. A car that arrives at 3% may not have enough to drive off the trailer, and a deeply drained battery is bad for the car.
- Not full. A full battery adds nothing useful for the trip, and carriers prefer a partial charge as a safety margin. Some ask for a maximum.
- The carrier’s rule wins. If the company gives you a number, use it. Ocean shipping (to Hawaii or Alaska) and air freight have their own, often stricter, limits.
A long trip can take more than a week, and the car may sit at a terminal before pickup or after drop-off. Starting around 40% leaves room for that.
How to prepare a Tesla for shipping
- Charge to about 40% a day or two before pickup.
- Hand over a key card. Test it before pickup. If the car has only phone keys set up, pair a card first.
- Turn off features that drain the battery. Sentry Mode records whenever someone walks past the car, and on a busy terminal lot it can run for days. Turn off Cabin Overheat Protection and scheduled preconditioning too.
- Take out personal items, toll tags and the charging cable, unless the company agrees to carry the cable. Like personal items, it isn’t covered by the carrier’s cargo insurance.
- Photograph every side, the wheels and the glass roof. Note existing damage on the Bill of Lading with the driver. Our car shipping checklist has a printable inspection form.
- Keep the app connected. As long as the car has a signal, the Tesla app shows where it is, which is a handy way to follow the trip.
Tesla Transport Mode: what it is and when the driver needs it
Electric cars are not meant to be pushed or dragged with their wheels turning: Tesla recommends a flatbed and warns that rolling the car too far or too fast can damage the drive units. That is fine when the car can drive onto the trailer. It becomes a problem when it can’t: a dead 12-volt battery, a fault, or a car bought with damage.
For that case, Tesla has Transport Mode (called Tow Mode in some older manuals). The steps are in the instructions for transporters in Tesla’s owner’s manual. It lets the wheels turn freely so the car can be winched onto a flatbed or out of a parking space. Tesla’s own limits are strict: the wheels may turn only slowly, under about 3 mph, and only for a very short distance, under about 30 feet. Going beyond that can damage the drive units and isn’t covered by the warranty. If Transport Mode can’t be turned on, for example because the touchscreen doesn’t work, the car has to be loaded on wheel dollies or tire skates.
Other EV makers have similar rules. Rivian’s tow guide, for instance, calls for flatbed transport and warns against towing with wheels on the ground. If your EV can’t drive, tell the company before booking. It is shipped as an inoperable vehicle, which costs more and needs a truck with the right equipment.
Open or enclosed transport for an electric car?
Open transport is fine for most Teslas and other EVs. Consider enclosed transport, which costs about 40–60% more, for a brand-new car you want delivered spotless, a performance model with expensive wheels and paint, or a winter trip through states that salt their roads.
What to tell the company when you ask for a quote
- The exact model and version, for example “Tesla Model Y Long Range” or “Cybertruck.” The price depends on size and weight.
- That it is an electric vehicle and whether it drives normally.
- Whether it has aftermarket parts that affect loading: lowered suspension, a front splitter, oversized wheels.
- Ask what charge level the carrier wants and whether the driver has handled Teslas before.
Where to find companies that ship electric cars
Every company in our directory is checked against FMCSA records, and each one lists the services it offers. Good places to start:
- Companies that list electric vehicle (EV) transport: about 50 across the country.
- Enclosed car transport companies, for a new or high-value EV.
- Car shipping companies by state: open your state and tick “Electric vehicle (EV) transport” in the filters.
- Before you pay a deposit, check the company’s federal authority with our company lookup.
Shipping your EV to Hawaii? Ocean carriers have their own charge rules, so read our guide to shipping a car from San Diego to Hawaii and confirm the limit with the shipping line.
Methodology
Prices come from our car shipping price model, the same one behind the cost calculator and the route guides on this site. It estimates an open-carrier price for a sedan by road distance and scales it by vehicle type: about 12% more for a crossover, 25% for a large SUV and 30% for a full-size pickup; enclosed transport adds about 50%. Each EV is placed in the class that matches its body. Charge levels and preparation steps come from carrier guides, and Transport Mode limits come from Tesla’s owner’s manuals. Company counts are from our directory in October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can you ship a Tesla on a regular car carrier?
Yes. A Tesla in working order drives onto an open or enclosed carrier like any other car. It only needs special handling if it can’t drive, in which case it is winched on in Transport Mode or loaded on wheel dollies.
How much does it cost to ship a Tesla across the country?
About $1,400–$2,000 for a Model 3 on an open carrier, $1,575–$2,250 for a Model Y, $1,750–$2,500 for a Model X and $1,825–$2,600 for a Cybertruck, for roughly 2,800 miles. Enclosed transport costs about half as much again.
How charged should an electric car be for shipping?
About 30–50% for shipping by truck, unless the carrier asks for a different number. That covers driving on and off the trailer and standby drain during the trip.
What is Tesla Transport Mode?
A setting that lets the wheels turn freely so a car that can’t drive can be winched onto a flatbed or moved out of a parking space. Tesla limits it to very low speed and a very short distance.
Does shipping an electric car cost more than a gas car?
Not because it is electric. Carriers price by size and weight, so an EV costs about the same as a gas car of the same body type, a little more if it is much heavier.
Should I leave my Tesla’s Sentry Mode on during shipping?
No. Sentry Mode records every time someone moves near the car, which on a truck or a terminal lot is all day, and it can drain the battery. Turn it off before pickup.