How Much Does US Car Shipping Cost? 2025 Savings Guide

Planning to move your car across the country? Understanding the cost of hiring car shipments is crucial – that’s where we come in. Our guide will cover the following:

• How much a car shipping costs
• What affects the cost of car shipping
• How to save money on car shipping
• What’s involved in hiring a car shipment
• How to know if car shipping is the best choice for you
• How to find and book a car shipment

In this article, we’ll delve into the key expenses and explore ways to find reliable car shipping services within your budget. Let’s get started.

How Much Does Car Shipping Cost?

Let’s take a look at some car shipping costs for domestic trips within the US.

Distance Travelled	Average Price per Mile	Total Estimated Cost
Up to 500 miles	$1.20	$600 to $750
Between 500 and 1,000 miles	$0.90	$900 to $1,150
Between 1,000 and 2,500 miles	$0.50	$1,250 to $1,500

The main determiner of price is the distance travelled, followed closely by the size/type of your vehicle and how much space it needs on your chosen shipping method. Typically for journeys of up to 500 miles, the cost per mile is around $1.20, while the fee goes down for longer journeys to around $0.50 for journeys of between 1,000 to 2,500 miles.

This gives total estimated costs of around $600 to $750 for up to 500-mile journeys, and between $1,250 to $1,500 for the longer, 1,000- to 2,500-mile trips.

What Affects the Cost of Shipping a Car?

The cost of shipping a car is influenced by four main areas. Let’s delve into the details.

Distance and Location

The cost of shipping a car is significantly influenced by the distance it needs to be transported to. Longer distances and remote destinations usually lead to higher shipping fees due to increased fuel, labour and logistical expenses.

While you can’t change the starting and ending points, it’s wise to anticipate higher costs for more distant destinations from your starting position, as well as isolated locations that may take longer to reach because of the lack of highways.

Shipping Method

Your chosen shipping method plays a role in the price you pay. Enclosed transport, which offers better protection from weather and road debris, tends to be pricier when compared to open transport which is where your vehicle will be loaded onto the back of a truck without any protection from the elements.

Enclosed transport is particularly recommended for valuable vehicles or classics that require extra protection during transit – but if this isn’t an issue for you, you can expect cheaper transport costs for open options instead.

Vehicle Type and Size

Unsurprisingly, the size, weight and dimensions of your vehicle affect shipping costs. Larger and heavier vehicles demand more space and resources, leading to higher shipping rates compared to smaller vehicles.

It’s also good to note that the more expensive your vehicle, the higher the transport cost will be as a result of the higher insurance needed.

Season and Demand

The time of year and the overall demand for car shipping services can impact the cost. Peak moving seasons, like summer, when many people are relocating, often result in higher prices due to increased demand.

Conversely, off-peak seasons could offer more competitive rates as companies will want to fill their schedules during seasonal lulls.

How Can I Save Money on Shipping a Car?

There are some ways in which you can influence the cost of your vehicle transport – let’s take a look at a few ways in which you can lower your fees.

Where possible, consider flexible shipping dates, avoiding peak moving seasons when demand surges. Off-peak times can lead to cost savings, as shipping companies may offer discounts to fill their schedules.

Opt for open transport instead of enclosed transport wherever feasible. While enclosed options provide extra protection, open carriers are more budget-friendly, especially if your vehicle doesn’t require any added shielding.

It’s a good option to choose terminal-to-terminal shipping for the cost savings – although it might require some extra logistics on your part, as you need to drop off your vehicle at a location, and then travel to pick it up from another terminal once the bulk of the journey has happened. This service type is often more economical than door-to-door service, where the carrier comes directly to you.

If you have multiple vehicles or know others moving cars, you can consider shipping them together. This might result in volume discounts from the shipping company, reducing the cost per vehicle, translating into savings for you.

What’s Involved in Car Shipping?

Car shipping might seem complex, but it can be simplified. First of all, you should gather quotes. Collecting quotes from various car shipping companies will help you to compare prices and services, seeing what is out there to select from.

Once you’ve got the quotes in hand, you should then choose between open transport and enclosed transport based on your preferences and needs. When this is done, you can now secure your booking slot.

Before the big day, clean your car, take pictures of the current condition and of any damage, and wait for the driver to pick it up. Upon delivery, inspect it to ensure it’s in the same condition, and report any defects if necessary.

How Do I Know If Car Shipping Is Right for Me?

Car shipping might feel overwhelming if you’re unfamiliar with it. Here’s a look at the main pros and cons to assist your decision-making process.

Advantages of a Car Shipping	Disadvantages of Car Shipping
Convenience and time-saving – you don’t need to worry about getting your car from A to B	Damage can happen on the road – you’re not driving, so can’t comment on the actual driver’s ability
Reduced wear and tear – you won’t have to drive the vehicle, so your mileage won’t be affected and you are less likely to damage your car	It can cost more than the value of the fuel to get from A to B
Multiple vehicles can get group discounts if you’re transporting more than one vehicle at a time	Less control over the timing of the service – during peak times you may struggle to be fitted in when you want to be

The advantages of car shipping stem from the convenience it offers. By entrusting a car shipping company, you don’t need to drive the vehicle yourself from A to B. This not only spares you from the wear and tear typically faced during such journeys, but also eliminates potential road-related mishaps, and saves you time otherwise spent on the road.

However, alongside these benefits come some drawbacks to consider.

There can still be uncertainties surrounding the driver’s skill, as road accidents can affect anyone. Car shipping can be a substantial expense, further escalating if you opt for enclosed shipping and door-to-door delivery. 

How Do I Find a Car Shipping Company?

Finding a suitable car shipping company starts with a simple search. You should take the time to find reputable traders during this stage to evaluate services, prices and customer reviews to get a rounded picture of their style. 

While your own research is important, it’s a good idea to tap into recommendations from friends, neighbors or colleagues who may have used similar services before for their own needs and can provide you with valuable insights – and perhaps even steer you away from less reputable choices.

Take the time to consider your needs and the services available, finding something that meets your budgetary requirements as well as your transport needs, all while coming from a reputable company with a good track history.

Once you’ve found a suitable provider, be sure to check their availability on your required dates and secure your booking as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Finding the Best Car Shipping Service For You

Before agreeing to do business with any company, it’s important that you make sure their ethics meet your requirements. Be sure to look at their customer history, read reviews where available, and speak to friends and family to see if they have had any experience with the company.

You can also get a general ‘feel’ for the company as soon as you are in touch with them, so be sure to trust your gut and if you have a bad feeling about their customer service towards you, it may be best to find an alternative provider. 

Final Checklist

Once you’ve found the best company for your needs, it’s time to get booked in. Before you do that, make sure you’ve followed these steps to ensure everything has been thought of:

• Research vehicle transport types – do you require enclosed or open transport?
• Does the service align with your needs? – is the cost of the service ‘worth’ the convenience it offers you?
• Explore potential companies, assessing reviews and customer feedback
• Gather quotes for comparison, being sure to ask about any hidden fees 
• Once you’ve found a suitable trader, be sure to verify their availability on your chosen dates
• Secure your booking!

Frequently Asked Questions