How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car?
By the Smart Taurus team · Updated 13 July 2026
Car shipping prices depend mostly on distance, vehicle size and trailer type. This guide breaks down average costs per mile, open vs enclosed transport, seasonality and how to pay less.
What is the average cost to ship a car?
The average cost to ship a car in the US is about $1,128, or roughly $2.35 per mile, according to Move.org's October 2025 analysis of around 800 real quotes. That average hides a wide spread: uShip's published averages put cars and SUVs at $500–$1,500 depending on route and vehicle, while motorcycles typically ship for $200–$800. The single biggest driver of your price is distance — but counter-intuitively, longer routes cost less per mile.
How much does car shipping cost per mile?
Car shipping costs between roughly $0.56 and $2.92 per mile, with short trips priced highest per mile and cross-country trips lowest. uShip's published averages show $2.92 per mile for moves under 200 miles versus $0.78 per mile for moves over 1,000 miles. Kelley Blue Book's 2026 estimates follow the same curve.
| Distance | Typical rate per mile | Typical total (open transport) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 200 miles | ~$2.92/mile | $300–$600 | uShip published averages |
| ~500 miles | ~$1.50/mile | $650–$890 | Kelley Blue Book, 2026 |
| Over 1,000 miles | ~$0.78/mile | $800–$1,300 | uShip published averages |
| ~2,500 miles (coast to coast) | ~$0.56/mile | $1,050–$1,800 | Kelley Blue Book, 2026 |
Open vs enclosed car transport: what's the price difference?
Enclosed transport costs roughly 50% more than open transport, according to Kelley Blue Book's 2026 figures — and Move.org's quote analysis found open shipments averaging $914 against $1,342 for enclosed. Open carriers (the multi-car trailers you see on motorways and highways) are the standard, cheapest option and are fine for most everyday vehicles. Enclosed trailers protect against weather, road debris and prying eyes, so they're worth the premium for classics, exotics, low-clearance sports cars and high-value motorbikes — see our motorbike transport page for two-wheeled specifics.
What factors affect car shipping cost?
Seven factors drive almost every car transport quote. Understanding them helps you spot a fair price — and see where you can save.
- Distance — total price rises with distance, but per-mile rates fall on long routes.
- Vehicle size and weight — a large SUV or pickup takes more trailer space and fuel than a compact hatchback, so it costs more.
- Open vs enclosed trailer — enclosed adds roughly 50% (Kelley Blue Book, 2026).
- Season — demand peaks April–September; winter routes to snowy regions can also spike.
- Pickup and delivery locations — rural or hard-to-reach addresses cost more than city-to-city routes on busy transport corridors.
- Running vs inoperable — a car that can't be driven onto the trailer needs a winch or forklift and costs more.
- Delivery speed — guaranteed or expedited pickup windows carry a premium; flexible dates earn discounts.
When is the cheapest time of year to ship a car?
The cheapest months to ship a car are generally October through March, because industry demand peaks from April to September, per Kelley Blue Book. Summer relocations, student moves and seasonal "snowbird" migrations all squeeze carrier capacity in peak season, pushing prices up. If your dates are flexible, booking outside the peak window — or giving transporters a wide pickup window at any time of year — is one of the simplest ways to cut your quote.
Does it cost more to ship a car that doesn't run?
Yes — an inoperable vehicle typically costs a few hundred dollars more to ship than a running one. Move.org's analysis found a 500-mile shipment averaging $696 for a running car versus $978 for an inoperable one, roughly a 40% premium. Non-runners need a carrier with a winch, and loading takes longer. If your vehicle has broken down rather than being sold or relocated, a local vehicle recovery job may be the better fit than long-distance transport.
How much does car transport cost in the UK and Australia?
Outside the US the same rules apply — distance, vehicle size and flexibility set the price — but the terminology changes. In the UK, single-car moves are usually quoted as a flat job price on a trade plate (driven) or transporter basis, and comparing several quotes matters more than any published average. In Australia, the service is called interstate car transport, and backload car transport — filling spare space on a truck already making the trip — averages AUD $400–$1,300, according to Truckit.net. Backloading is the biggest lever for savings on long Australian routes like Sydney–Melbourne or Melbourne–Brisbane; our guide to what backloading is explains how it works.
How do I get cheaper car shipping quotes?
The cheapest quotes come from making transporters compete for your job — especially those with empty space on a route they're already driving. On Smart Taurus it works like this:
- Post your job free with your vehicle details, photos, locations and dates on the car transport service.
- Receive quotes from verified transporters — including carriers with backload space who can undercut dedicated-hire pricing.
- Compare, book, track and pay in the app — check profiles and reviews, then track your car in real time with secure in-app payment.