Nationwide Car Shipping Services | How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Car?

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How much does car shipping cost?

Get an instant car shipping quote and read about what determines the cost to ship a car below

1Shipment Details

3Shipper Details

As of March 2023, the nationwide average cost to ship a car is $1,210. This is based on thousands of successful shipments, where the median distance was 968 miles and the median shipping cost per mile was $1.25.

Here are some example car shipping costs for popular transport routes:

The average cost to ship a car from New York to Florida was $1,150 in October 2022 and $1,250 in January 2023. The difference reflects the highly seasonal nature or "snowbird season" where many dual residents migrate south to Florida after the holidays.
Shipping from California to Virginia averages about $2,220. The enclosed carrier option also tends to be popular with coast-to-coast shipments.
The average Michigan to Texas car shipping cost was about $1,510 in March 2023. Shipments to and from urban areas such as Detroit to Houston tended to be slightly cheaper due to higher carrier availability.

The overall cost of your transport will primarily depend on the overall distance and pick up and delivery locations. However, there are several other factors that can lead to a higher or lower price. Our instant car shipping calculator, based on mathematical models that ingest large amounts of historical data , can help you to plan your move by getting a highly accurate quote today.

"Save time looking and just call Roadrunner Auto Transport - they truly helped make my move easier!"

Trish A.

Miami, FL

"When I bought a car out of state I was unsure what to expect with the shipping. RoadRunner made everything so easy!"

Jenna D.

Lufkin, TX

"RoadRunner gave us a fair price and was able to pick up when we needed. Very professional from start to finish."

Sean T.

Brooklyn, NY

"My car arrived in mint condition. The service was great and the personnel very courteous. Great job guys!"

Victor B.

Fresno, CA

Car shipping costs are calculated based on several factors: distance, vehicle type and size, transport type, pick-up and delivery locations, time of year, current fuel prices, and speed of delivery.

Longer distances, larger vehicles, and enclosed transport typically result in higher costs. Rural or hard-to-reach locations can also increase prices.

Costs may fluctuate depending on the time of year and fuel prices. Expedited shipping services are available for faster delivery but come at a higher cost.

Our car shipping specialists are always available to discuss which factors matter most to you for your particular car transport with the goal of getting you the best value through the process.

Delivery distance and speed

The accessibility of your pickup and delivery location

The time of year when your car shipment is scheduled

The type and size of your vehicle

The type of transport service

The cost of fuel at the time of your shipment

The distance between the pick-up and delivery locations is one of the primary factors in determining the cost of your car shipment. The further the distance, the higher the cost, as it requires more fuel, time, and labor. Overall, a shipment of 300 miles will be considerably cheaper than a car shipment of 2,000 miles. However, the further you ship a car, the cheaper it will be per mile. Almost all car shipments will cost between $0.50 and $2.00 for each mile traveled.

If your shipment is only 300 miles, expect your shipment to cost between $1.50 and $2.00 per mile. However, if your shipment is 2,000 miles, expect the cost per mile to fall between $0.50 and $1.00.

If you need your vehicle transported with minimum notice, expedited shipping services are available but typically come at a higher cost.

Urban areas tend to have more car transport carriers available, which can lower costs. However, if your pick-up or delivery location is in a rural or hard-to-reach area, the cost may be higher due to the additional time and effort required to reach the location.

Car shipping companies can also offer lower prices for pick-ups/deliveries that are in more populated areas, such as cities because they will likely be making most of if not all of their other pick-ups/deliveries in that same small area.

Demand for car shipping services can vary depending on the time of year. During peak seasons, such as over the summer, there may be higher demand, leading to increased prices.

"Busy season" for a car shipping company will usually run from May through September, the duration of the summer. If you want to keep the cost of your car shipment low and have the flexibility to ship during another time of the year, like in February, you should do so.

The type, size, and weight of your vehicle can also impact the cost. Larger, heavier vehicles may require specialized equipment or more space on a transport carrier, resulting in higher shipping costs.

When a vehicle weighs more, the engine of the car carrier it is on needs to work harder to be able to move it. When the engine works harder, fuel gets burned more quickly. Thus, there is a higher fuel cost for carriers transporting heavier vehicles. This cost gets reflected in a slightly higher price for the customer.

Different types of car transport services are available, such as open transport and enclosed transport. Open transport is typically more affordable, as it allows more vehicles to be transported simultaneously. Enclosed transport offers additional protection for your vehicle but comes at a higher cost of a few hundred extra dollars. Other upgraded options, such as choosing to top-load your vehicle, will also come at an additional cost.

The cost of gas for your auto carrier throughout its trip gets factored into the price of your auto shipment. Fortunately, your car will ship with several other cars, so this cost is split between each car in the shipment. Fuel prices can fluctuate over time, and higher fuel prices can lead to increased car shipping costs.

Calculate your instant car shipping cost and view carrier availability in your area.

A few reasons why open car transport is our most popular service:

Network of open car transport professionals

Over 10,500 certified open carrier car shipping experts in our advanced network of nationwide transporters.

Complete nationwide coverage

Direct service to and from anywhere in the country - our transporters will pick up and deliver at your home or business.

Frequent carrier availability

Open carrier transporters are the most common carrier on the road and provide the most flexible options for pickup and delivery.

Average Price Estimations Based On Mileage

This table shows average price estimations for car transport based on distance. The prices per mile decrease as the distance increases, which is a common pricing structure in the car shipping industry.

Distance

Average Price Per Mile

Sample Distance

Sample Price

0-500 miles

$0.80

250 miles

$200

500-1000 miles

$0.73

700 miles

$511

1000-1500 miles

$0.70

1000 miles

$700

1500-2000 miles

$0.48

1750 miles

$840

2000-2500 miles

$0.37

2400 miles

$888

2500-3000 miles

$0.35

2700 miles

$945

3000-3500 miles

$0.33

3200 miles

$1122

The following price per mile averages listed above reflect current market conditions as of January 2023

These rates are estimated and are subject to change due to seasonality, cost of fuel, exact locations, etc.

The RoadRunner Advantage

Below, you can find the benefits and advantages of shipping with Roadrunner Auto Transport.

Top-Rated Auto Shipping

We have thousands of 5-star reviews for exceptional vehicle shipping services.

Nationwide Door-to-Door Service

We provide direct service to and from any residential or business location in the US.

Complete Vehicle Coverage

We offer the most comprehensive coverage options for complete peace of mind.

No Up-Front Deposit Required

You don't pay a penny until the day your shipment is scheduled for pickup.

Extended Office Hours

We're available past normal business hours in every timezone in the country.

24/7 Online Shipment Tracking

You can track the status of your shipment online anytime at your convenience.

Shipping your car with RoadRunner Auto Transport is as easy as 1-2-3!

RoadRunner Auto Transport simplifies your vehicle shipping into 3 easy steps

Calculate your instant car shipping quote.

Getting a quote is fast and easy with our online car shipping calculator. Enter the details of your transport and review your quote - continue to book your reservation online or by phone.

Your vehicle is picked up from the origin location.

On the day of pickup, your vehicle will be carefully inspected and loaded onto the carrier. Track the status of your shipment online anytime with our convenient transport tracker.

Your vehicle is safely delivered to the destination.

Your vehicle will be safely offloaded and a final inspection will be completed to confirm that your vehicle was delivered in the same condition as when it was picked up.

Featured Car Shipping Reviews

“I received a few car shipping quotes from various companies and decided to call RoadRunner to get more information. The shipping agent I spoke with answered all of my questions and was very helpful during my transport.”

Anthony K.West Palm Beach, FL

“This is my 3rd time using RoadRunner to ship my car and every time they have been fantastic. They are by far one the top car shipping companies out there and I would recommend them to anyone needing to ship a car!”

Susan W.Dallas, TX

“When I needed to ship my car, I was searching online for the best car shipping company to call. I came across RoadRunner and they gave me a cheap car shipping rate so I booked. A+ service from start to finish!”

Thomas F.San Diego, CA

"Save time looking and just call Roadrunner Auto Transport - they truly helped make my move easier!"

Trish A.

Miami, FL

"When I bought a car out of state I was unsure what to expect with the shipping. RoadRunner made everything so easy!"

Jenna D.

Lufkin, TX

"RoadRunner gave us a fair price and was able to pick up when we needed. Very professional from start to finish."

Sean T.

Brooklyn, NY

"My car arrived in mint condition. The service was great and the personnel very courteous. Great job guys!"

Victor B.

Fresno, CA

Calculate your instant car shipping cost and view carrier availability in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the vehicle shipping process.

How much does it cost to ship a car to another state?

Several independent variables will affect the cost of shipping a car to another state. However, the most important of these variables will be the total distance of your shipment. Shipping a car from New York to Pennsylvania will be much cheaper than shipping one from New York to California.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car across country?

The cheapest way to ship a car across the country will be to ship during a less in-demand time of the year, such as February, abstain from choosing any upgraded shipping options, book your shipment at least a month in advance, and be flexible with your pick up and drop off dates. Doing each of these things will help decrease your overall cost a bit.

How much does it cost to ship a car 1,000 miles?

Car shipping usually costs between $0.50 and $2.00 per mile, with longer-distance shipments being a bit cheaper per mile. The cost of shipping a car 1,000 miles will vary based on several things, including the distance of your vehicle shipment, the time of year during which you choose to ship, which specific shipping options you select, the make and model of your car, and how long before the pick-up of your car you booked your shipment. So, you can expect the cost of shipping an average-sized car 1,000 miles on an open-air carrier to be between $1,000 and $1,300.

How much does it cost to ship a car overseas?

When you ship a car somewhere, such as Hawaii or Puerto Rico, your vehicle must be transported on a cargo ship for part of the journey. This will increase the shipping cost because extra time and labor will be required to complete your shipment. You can expect overseas car shipping to cost between $1,500 and $3,000.

How do I get a quote for shipping my car?

To get a quote for shipping your vehicle, you can either use our instant online car shipping quote calculator above or you can call (888) 422-7584 to receive a quote from one of our car transport pricing specialists. In order for us to calculate your quote we will need to know the location you are shipping from and to, the type of vehicle you would like to ship, and the date your vehicle will be ready.

Can I track the progress of my shipment online?

Yes, online tracking is available to you 24 hours a day and is updated in real time. Upon scheduling your shipment, you will receive a unique booking number that will allow you to track the status of your shipment online. Your tracking portal will also give you the ability to live chat with a shipping agent that can answer any questions you may have regarding the status of your shipment.

Is my vehicle insured during transport?

All shipments include basic liability coverage during transit. Comprehensive insurance options are available for an elevated level of shipment coverage during transit. You will be able to select a level of coverage during the booking process. If you have further questions regarding insurance options give us a call.

View all frequently asked questions

View all frequently asked questions.