Free tool · Updated September 2026
Car shipping cost calculator
Estimate what it costs to ship your car anywhere in the U.S. Enter your route, vehicle and dates — the calculator uses current market ranges for your distance and adjusts for trailer type, season and pickup location.
Estimates, not quotes. Prices are approximate and not 100% accurate — real quotes depend on fuel, driver availability and your exact addresses. Use the range to check the quotes you get.
Popular routes
What it costs to ship a car on popular routes
Estimated prices for a running sedan with a flexible pickup date. Enclosed transport is shown for comparison.
| Route | Distance | Open carrier | Enclosed trailer | Transit time | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY to Miami, FL Route guide → | ~1,290 mi | $950–$1,375 | $1,450–$2,050 | 3–5 days | Customize |
| Los Angeles, CA to New York, NY Route guide → | ~2,900 mi | $1,425–$2,050 | $2,150–$3,050 | 6–10 days | Customize |
| Chicago, IL to Phoenix, AZ Route guide → | ~1,700 mi | $1,075–$1,525 | $1,600–$2,300 | 4–7 days | Customize |
| Houston, TX to Los Angeles, CA Route guide → | ~1,630 mi | $1,050–$1,500 | $1,575–$2,250 | 4–6 days | Customize |
| Seattle, WA to San Diego, CA Route guide → | ~1,250 mi | $950–$1,350 | $1,425–$2,025 | 3–5 days | Customize |
| Boston, MA to Orlando, FL Route guide → | ~1,320 mi | $975–$1,375 | $1,450–$2,075 | 3–5 days | Customize |
| Dallas, TX to Atlanta, GA Route guide → | ~840 mi | $775–$1,175 | $1,175–$1,775 | 2–4 days | Customize |
| Denver, CO to Chicago, IL Route guide → | ~1,070 mi | $875–$1,275 | $1,325–$1,925 | 3–5 days | Customize |
| Philadelphia, PA to Tampa, FL Route guide → | ~1,100 mi | $900–$1,300 | $1,325–$1,925 | 3–5 days | Customize |
| San Francisco, CA to Las Vegas, NV | ~520 mi | $625–$1,000 | $950–$1,525 | 2–3 days | Customize |
| Detroit, MI to Fort Myers, FL Route guide → | ~1,290 mi | $950–$1,375 | $1,450–$2,050 | 3–5 days | Customize |
| Atlanta, GA to Charlotte, NC | ~270 mi | $500–$850 | $775–$1,300 | 1–2 days | Customize |
Ranges reflect typical 2026 market rates. Your price depends on your car, dates and exact addresses. See the 250 busiest routes →
Method
How the calculator estimates your price
We start from a base price for your road distance and adjust it for the things carriers actually charge for. Here are the exact adjustments.
- Distance sets the base. We measure the road distance between your cities and use typical rates for a running sedan on an open carrier — from about $500–$850 for 250 miles to $1400–$2,000 coast to coast. Long trips cost less per mile.
- Your vehicle and trailer. Bigger and heavier vehicles take more space on the truck; enclosed trailers carry fewer cars.
- When and where. Season, how fast you need pickup and how far the addresses are from major highways.
- A range, not a single number. Two good carriers can quote the same trip $200–$400 apart. The "most likely" price sits just below the middle of the range.
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Midsize SUV or crossover | +12% vs. a sedan |
| Minivan | +15% vs. a sedan |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | +25% vs. a sedan |
| Pickup truck | +30% vs. a sedan |
| Full-size or cargo van | +35% vs. a sedan |
| Motorcycle | −40% vs. a sedan |
| Enclosed trailer | +40–60% (we use +50%) |
| Doesn't run | +$150–$300 (winch loading) |
| Remote pickup or delivery | +$75–$150 per end, 40+ miles from a metro area |
| Terminal instead of door to door | −$50–$150 |
| Expedited pickup (1–2 days) | +30% |
| Flexible pickup (1–2 weeks) | −5% |
| Snowbird season | +15% south-bound Oct–Jan, north-bound Mar–May |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | +8% |
| Winter in northern states (Dec–Feb) | +5% |
| Each extra vehicle on one load | −5% (up to −15%) |
Before you book
Getting a fair price
- Get 3 quotes for the same dates. Quotes far below this range often go up after booking or sit unassigned for weeks.
- Ask if the price is all-in. Door-to-door delivery, insurance and fuel should be included; deposits are usually $0–$250.
- Check the USDOT number. Every company in our directory links to its FMCSA record.
- Know who hauls your car. A broker books a carrier for you; ask which carrier and when it's assigned.
- Prepare the car and document it. Use our car shipping checklist and printable inspection form at pickup and delivery.
FAQ
Car shipping cost questions
Straight answers based on the same data the calculator uses.
How accurate is this car shipping cost calculator?
It gives a realistic range, not a quote. Prices are based on typical 2025–26 rates for each distance and adjusted for your vehicle, trailer, season and pickup location. Real quotes can land outside the range when fuel prices, driver availability or your exact addresses differ — always compare quotes from several companies.
How much does it cost to ship a car across the country?
A coast-to-coast move (about 2,800 road miles, like Los Angeles to New York) usually costs $1,400–$2,000 for a running sedan on an open carrier and about $2,100–$3,000 in an enclosed trailer. Transit takes 7–10 days after pickup.
What affects the price of shipping a car the most?
Distance sets the base price. Then the vehicle (an SUV adds about 12%, a pickup about 30%), the trailer (enclosed costs about 40–60% more), the season (up to +15% on snowbird routes), whether the car runs (+$150–$300 if it doesn't) and how remote the pickup and delivery addresses are.
Is it cheaper to ship a car or drive it?
For trips over about 1,000 miles, shipping is often close to the real cost of driving once you add fuel, 2–4 nights of hotels, meals, wear on the car and time off work. For short trips driving is usually cheaper.
Why do car shipping prices change by season?
Demand moves with people. Summer is the busiest moving season, and "snowbirds" ship cars south in the fall and back north in spring — carriers on those lanes fill up and charge more, while the opposite direction can be cheaper.
How can I lower my car shipping cost?
Book 2–3 weeks ahead with a flexible pickup window, choose an open carrier, meet the driver near a major highway or city if you live somewhere remote, and ship outside the summer and snowbird peaks. Comparing quotes from carriers that already run your route helps the most.