Car shipping prices — real costs for popular US routes
Real prices from real shipments — updated weekly from live carrier data. Get your expert-verified quote in 30 minutes.
Car shipping costs between $400 and $1,800 for most domestic routes in the US. The average for a standard sedan on open transport is around $950. Coast-to-coast routes such as Los Angeles to New York typically range from $900 to $1,500. Shorter routes under 500 miles start from $400.
Live pricing for the routes we ship most
Starting prices for a standard sedan. Your exact quote depends on vehicle size, pickup dates, and carrier availability.
| Origin | Destination | Distance | Open from | Enclosed from | Avg transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | 2,790 mi | $1,150 | $1,650 | 7-9 |
| Miami, FL | New York, NY | 1,280 mi | $750 | $1,150 | 4-6 |
| Chicago, IL | Los Angeles, CA | 2,015 mi | $950 | $1,400 | 5-7 |
| Dallas, TX | Los Angeles, CA | 1,435 mi | $800 | $1,200 | 4-6 |
| Seattle, WA | Phoenix, AZ | 1,420 mi | $820 | $1,220 | 4-6 |
| Boston, MA | Miami, FL | 1,490 mi | $870 | $1,290 | 5-7 |
| Atlanta, GA | Los Angeles, CA | 2,180 mi | $990 | $1,450 | 5-7 |
| Denver, CO | Chicago, IL | 1,000 mi | $680 | $1,020 | 3-5 |
| Houston, TX | New York, NY | 1,630 mi | $890 | $1,330 | 5-7 |
| San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA | 810 mi | $590 | $890 | 2-4 |
| Phoenix, AZ | Dallas, TX | 1,065 mi | $700 | $1,050 | 3-5 |
| Portland, OR | Las Vegas, NV | 1,025 mi | $690 | $1,030 | 3-5 |
* Starting prices from live carrier benchmarks. Updated regularly.
Price by vehicle type
Averages from historical data on open transport. Enclosed costs 30–50% more.
| Vehicle | Under 500 mi | 500 – 1,500 mi | Over 1,500 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | $420 – $720 | $700 – $1,150 | $900 – $1,500 |
| SUV / Crossover | $480 – $820 | $800 – $1,300 | $1,050 – $1,700 |
| Pickup truck | $520 – $880 | $870 – $1,400 | $1,150 – $1,850 |
| Van / Minivan | $500 – $850 | $830 – $1,350 | $1,100 – $1,800 |
| Motorcycle | $280 – $480 | $450 – $750 | $650 – $1,000 |
Five factors, no surprises
Distance
Per-mile cost falls with distance. Under 500 mi: $0.80–$1.60/mi. Over 1,500 mi: $0.40–$0.70/mi.
Vehicle size
Full-size truck or SUV costs 15–30% more than a sedan on the same route.
Transport type
Enclosed costs 30–50% more than open. Fewer carriers, higher overhead.
Timing & season
Summer & Oct snowbird season add 15–25%. Jan–Feb is the cheapest window.
Route demand
High-demand corridors have more carriers competing — better pricing.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car?
The auto-transport calendar is highly seasonal. Use this to plan around peak windows.
Pick the transport type that fits the car
Best for: standard vehicles, first-time shippers, price-conscious buyers.
Best for: luxury, classic, exotic, EV, and high-value vehicles. 30–50% more than open.
How to save on car shipping
- 1Book 3–4 weeks early — last-minute pays a 20–40% premium.
- 2Be flexible on pickup dates — a 3–5 day window cuts cost 10–15%.
- 3Choose open transport for standard vehicles — enclosed adds 30–50%.
- 4Ship in January or February — the two quietest months.
- 5Get an expert-verified quote — AI matching removes broker markup.
Pricing questions, answered
Car shipping costs between $400 and $1,800 for most domestic US routes. The average for a standard sedan on open transport is around $950.
Open transport on a flexible pickup window booked 3–4 weeks in advance. January and February are the lowest-demand months.
Enclosed transport costs 30–50% more than open. For most routes: $700–$1,200 short haul, $1,500–$2,500 coast-to-coast.
Yes. June through August is peak season — demand drives prices 15–25% above average. Book 3–4 weeks early.
No. CarShippers.ai shows all fees in the quote before you book. The quoted price is the price paid.
Yes. A full-size truck or SUV costs 15–30% more than a standard sedan on the same route because it takes more carrier space.
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