How Much Does It Cost to Ship A Car?

We'll discuss how much Auto Transport should cost.

Jerrod Anthraper

4/23/20232 min read

When it comes to car shipping, one of the first questions that pops up is, "How much will it cost to ship my car?"

The cost of auto transport can vary based on several factors, including the distance between pickup and delivery, the type of car hauling service you choose, and the size and weight of your vehicle. For instance, shipping a car across the country will generally be more expensive than a shorter trip. Plus, if you opt for enclosed transport to better protect your vehicle, that can add to the cost.

But don’t worry—there are options to suit different budgets. The convenience of professional auto transport is often worth the investment. To get the best deal, it’s a good idea to compare quotes and ask about the specifics of each offer.

Most of the costs associated are going to be towards the expenses of the truck. Everything in transport costs money

  1. The Truck

  2. Insurance

  3. Fuel

  4. Wear and Tear

  5. The Driver's Labor


For the most part these are going to be very similar between almost every company.

Some specifics to look out for are

  1. How much insurance does your vehicle require

  2. Is there real-time location tracking available

  3. Are you able to get pictures of pickup/delivery

  4. Is the service fast and friendly


These are going to differ greatly from company to company. Note that these things are also expensive and add additional costs.

There are some general rules though.

  1. The shorter the distance, the more the cost per mile. For a regular sedan this starts at $2.50 a mile and goes down to about $0.65 a mile after reaching the 1,000m mark.

  2. The bigger the vehicle the more the cost per mile. Generally a Van will be the most expensive auto transport, followed by a 4 door pickup, then a 2 door pickup, an SUV, and a Sedan being the cheapest. The only outlier is 2 door coupes, some are cheaper than other to move. Clearance and width are the big determining factors. A knowledgable transport company will be able to guide you through what the numbers will look like in the current market.

  3. The more flexible you are with pickup and delivery dates, the better the price will be. Strict dates and rush orders will demand higher premiums as trucks can be anywhere in the country at any time. Matching up your specific needs with a truck will demand a higher price.

For the most accurate pricing - Get a Quote from us!

Here are some example transports that we've done recently to give you an idea!

  1. BMW 5 Series - San Jose, CA to Houston, Texas Via Open trailer : $1,200

  2. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van - College Park, GA to Bakersfield, CA Via Open trailer - $1,900

  3. Audi Q7 - Orlando, FL to Houston, Tx Via Open Trailer - $1100

  4. Audi Q7 - Houston, Tx to Denver, CO Via Enclosed Trailer - $1200

  5. Audi Q7 - Houston, Tx to Bloomington, In Via Enclosed Trailer - $1200

These are examples to help you get an Idea of how much quality and secure auto transport should cost. Be careful. This industry is plagued w/ fraud and theft.