Car Shipping Cost Calculator

Enter your pickup and delivery ZIP codes along with your vehicle details into the calculator. The estimate is based on current average rates for that route, the size of the vehicle and the type of trailer, so it reflects what carriers are charging now rather than a national average. You get the number on screen without entering an email address or a phone number.

No. The calculator returns an estimate from two ZIP codes and your vehicle details alone — no email, no phone number, no registration. You share contact details only when you decide to request binding quotes from carriers, so there are no sales calls before you ask for them.

Open transport is the cheapest way to ship a car. Enclosed transport costs 40–60% more, because an enclosed trailer carries fewer vehicles and offers more protection. To bring the price down further, book at least two weeks ahead and avoid peak summer months, when demand and fuel surcharges are highest.

Auto shipping rates range from $0.60 to $1.70 per mile depending on distance. A sedan moved 1,000 miles costs around $900; an SUV or truck on the same route costs around $1,200. Electric vehicles add $150–$300 because of their weight. Prices also move with diesel costs and with seasonal demand on snowbird routes.

Yes. The calculator covers all US routes, including coast to coast. Cross-country shipments typically run $1,000–$1,800 for open transport, with the exact figure depending on the route, vehicle size and season. The longer the distance, the lower the price per mile.

The estimate is built from four inputs: total mileage, vehicle size and weight, the type of trailer you choose, and current rates on that route. Fuel costs and carrier availability move those rates week to week, which is why the same route can price differently in January and in July.

Two to four weeks ahead is the sweet spot. That gives dispatchers time to match your vehicle with a carrier already running your route, which is where the savings come from. Last-minute shipments are still possible, but they are priced as priority and cost more.

State-to-state shipping runs $500–$1,800 in 2026. Routes under 500 miles typically cost $500–$800, routes of 500–1,500 miles run $700–$1,200, and anything over 1,500 miles falls between $1,000 and $1,800. Those figures are for open transport; enclosed costs 40–60% more. Use the calculator above for your exact route.

Open transport is cheaper. Enclosed costs 40–60% more, and the reason is capacity: an open carrier holds 6–10 vehicles, an enclosed trailer holds far fewer, so the cost per vehicle is higher. For a standard car in running condition, open transport is the practical choice. Enclosed makes sense for classic, luxury and high-value vehicles, where paint and bodywork matter more than the price difference.

Yes. A non-running car needs a winch and a flatbed instead of a standard carrier, which adds $100–$200 to the base rate. Mark the vehicle as inoperable when entering details, and the carrier will confirm the loading method before the shipment is finalised.

Florida to California runs $1,100–$1,600 for open transport and $1,550–$2,550 for enclosed. The route is roughly 2,700 miles and is one of the busiest long-distance lanes in the country. Snowbird season from October to March pushes Florida prices up, so the same shipment costs more in winter than in summer.

Per-mile rates run $0.60 to $1.70 depending on total distance. Short hauls under 500 miles cost $1.20–$1.70 per mile, because fixed costs are spread over fewer miles. Routes over 1,500 miles drop to $0.60–$0.90. These are open transport rates; enclosed runs 40–60% higher per mile.