What is the average car shipping cost?
Open Auto Transport
Open Auto Transport
| Distance (miles) | Type of transport | Avg. price per mile | Sample distance | Sample price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 500 | Open | $1.56 | 385 miles | $599 - $699 |
| 500 - 1000 | Open | $1.04 | 722 miles | $699 - $799 |
| 1000 - 1500 | Open | $0.66 | 1387 miles | $899 - $969 |
| 1500 - 2000 | Open | $0.63 | 1647 miles | $999 - $1099 |
| 2000 - 2500 | Open | $0.49 | 2030 miles | $999 - $1099 |
| 2500 - 3000 | Open | $0.43 | 2811 miles | $1199 - $1299 |
| 3000+ | Open | $0.46 | 3227 miles | $1499 - $1599 |
Enclosed Auto Transport
| Distance (miles) | Type of transport | Avg. price per mile | Sample distance | Sample price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 500 | Enclosed | $2.10 | 385 miles | $799 - $899 |
| 500 - 1000 | Enclosed | $1.44 | 722 miles | $999 - $1099 |
| 1000 - 1500 | Enclosed | $0.92 | 1387 miles | $1299 - $1399 |
| 1500 - 2000 | Enclosed | $0.89 | 1647 miles | $1499 - $1599 |
| 2000 - 2500 | Enclosed | $0.73 | 2030 miles | $1499 - $1599 |
| 2500 - 3000 | Enclosed | $0.63 | 2811 miles | $1799 - $1899 |
| 3000+ | Enclosed | $0.61 | 3227 miles | $1999 - $2099 |
Car Shipping Cost Estimates by Mileage
| Distance | Average Price Per Mile | Sample Distance | Sample Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–500 miles | $0.80 | 250 miles | $200 |
| 500–1,000 miles | $0.73 | 700 miles | $511 |
| 1,000–1,500 miles | $0.70 | 1,000 miles | $700 |
| 1,500–2,000 miles | $0.48 | 1,750 miles | $840 |
| 2,000–2,500 miles | $0.37 | 2,400 miles | $888 |
| 2,500–3,000 miles | $0.35 | 2,700 miles | $945 |
| 3,000–3,500 miles | $0.33 | 3,200 miles | $1,122 |
EV Car Shipping
| FROM | TO | DELIVERY TIME | PRICE* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, California | to | Houston, Texas | 3-4 days | $999 - $1199 |
| Phoenix, Arizona | to | Denver, Colorado | 1-2 days | $999 - $1199 |
| Miami, Florida | to | Atlanta, Georgia | 1-2 days | $699 - $899 |
| Chicago, Illinois | to | Wichita, Kansas | 2-3 days | $999 - $1199 |
| Detroit, Michigan | to | Portland, Oregon | 4-5 days | $1599 - $1799 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | to | Minneapolis, Minnesota | 2-3 days | $1299 - $1499 |
| Las Vegas, Nevada | to | Brooklyn, New York | 5-7 days | $1699 - $1899 |
| Cleveland, Ohio | to | Salt Lake City, Utah | 3-4 days | $1399 - $1599 |
| Seattle, Washington | to | Charlotte, North Carolina | 5-7 days | $1599 - $1799 |
Car Shipping Cost Calculator
SGT's car shipping cost calculator gives you an instant, no-obligation estimate based on live carrier rates not a rough guess. Enter your pickup and delivery locations, vehicle details, and preferred date to see your price. On average, customers pay about $0.5-$2.0/mile, though short-distance and enclosed shipments cost more. The quote reflects real market pricing at the time of your request, so you know what to expect before you book.
How much does a car transport quote cost?
A car transport quote is free and depends mainly on distance, vehicle type, and pickup date. As of June 2026, SGT customers pay an average of $1099 to ship a car, based on 3500 recent shipments roughly $0.5-$2.0/mile. Open transport costs a few hundred dollars less than enclosed. There's no charge or obligation to get a quote: enter your route in the calculator above and you'll see a real price based on current carrier rates.
How much does car shipping cost on average?
As of June 2026, the average cost to ship a car with SGT is $1,099, based on 3,500 recent shipments with a median distance of 1,000 miles about $1.10 per mile. Prices vary with distance: short moves under 500 miles average around $1.70 per mile, while cross-country routes over 2,000 miles drop to roughly $0.70 per mile. Open transport is the most affordable option; enclosed transport costs about $400-$500 more. Use the calculator above for a price specific to your route.
Find your car shipping cost in seconds with SGT Auto Transport‘s car shipping cost calculator.
What factors are used to calculate the cost of car shipping?
Let’s break it all down briefly:
Distance: anything that’s transported by commercial truck, by rail, by cargo plane or even by ship is going to cost more money if it has to cover more mileage to get to its destination.
Route: The American interstate highway network was designed to efficiently connect major population centers. It was set up with limited access via onramps and offramps, and mainly bypassed small towns. If a transport driver has to go for many miles off the main Interstate route to get to a rural area or a remote small town, that means a lot of hours on state or county roads and higher shipping costs.
Shipping date: the auto shipping business is cyclical and always sees peaks and valleys in the amount of deliveries that we handle, depending on the season. Things always get busier around certain calendar dates like Labor Day, July 4, the Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays and other periods. When scheduling and work load spikes like that, it means that fewer drivers are available to handle incoming orders and the supply/demand model will cause shipping rates to temporarily rise until things slow down again.
Vehicle make and model: it’s just logical that if something is bigger and heavier, it’s going to cost more money to transport. It’s taking up more space in the trailer or container, and it costs more in fuel for each mile that it has to travel. So, a RAM 1500 that’s 15 ft long and weighs in at 5500 lbs is going to cost more money to ship than a Fiat 500 with a curb weight of 2500 lbs.
Auto transport type: to better respond to customer needs, we’ve developed a few different options when it comes to transportation services. They offer differing degrees of security and protection for your vehicle, and all come in at different price points when it comes to shipping charges.
Vehicle condition: we can and do ship non-running vehicles, such as a project car that needs to go to a specialty mechanic or body shop in some other part of the country. It’s generally more expensive to ship a vehicle that can’t start, run, steer and stop on its own, though, as it requires special procedures and equipment (and more time) on the part of the transport driver.
Vehicle details: if you’ve got a very expensive luxury car, exotic, sports car or a rare and fragile classic or antique, you’ll probably want an added measure of security and protection while it’s en route, which can be an influence on billing and rates.
Location: this ties in with routing as mentioned above - certain locations that are far off the main route are going to be more expensive for pickup and delivery, just because of the extra miles involved.
How Car Shipping Works: From Quote to Delivery
We’ve simplified and streamlined the car transport process to just three easy steps!
We’ve simplified and streamlined the car transport process to just three easy steps!
Quote & Book Order:
Vehicle Pickup:
Vehicle Delivery:
Advantages of Choosing SGT Auto Transport
Punctuality and professionalism - all part of our commitment to customer satisfaction and going the extra mile to make sure everything is neatly buttoned up and taken care of
No-nonsense pricing – all quotes are final with no tacked-on fees or hidden charges due on the back end, all quotes will include verified carrier insurance to cover your vehicle in case of any accidental damage en route, and all quotes are considered valid and will be honored for 7 calendar days
Experience and expertise – we’ve been answering customers’ needs and helping them reach the right solutions for their auto transport problems for over a decade. We’ve put together the right team, the right options, the right set of innovations and the right systems to really excel and make every customer experience an exceptional one.
Why choose SGT Auto Transport?
No Upfront Payments:
Personalized Approach:
Insurance Coverage:
26,000+ Professional Carriers:
Dedicated Advisors and Extended Hours:
Top-Rated in The Nation:
How Accurate Is Our Car Shipping Cost Calculator?
Car Shipping Cost by Route
Below are sample car shipping prices for popular routes, based on recent SGT shipments. Prices vary with season, vehicle type, and carrier availability.
Below are sample car shipping prices for popular routes, based on recent SGT shipments. Prices vary with season, vehicle type, and carrier availability.
| Route | Price | Distance | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Arizona to California | $399 - $699 | 387 MILES | 0 - 1 DAYS |
| From Boston to Florida | $999 - $1399 | 1346 MILES | 2 - 3 DAYS |
| From Idaho to New York | $1199 - $1499 | 2500 MILES | 4 - 5 DAYS |
| From California to Colorado | $799 - $999 | 1035 MILES | 2 - 3 DAYS |
| From Buffalo to Florida | $899 - $1299 | 1247 MILES | 2 - 3 DAYS |
| From Iowa to New York | $999 - $1299 | 1050 MILES | 2 - 3 DAYS |
| From California to Connecticut | $1399 - $1499 | 2900 MILES | 5 - 7 DAYS |
| From Connecticut to Florida | $899 - $1199 | 1126 MILES | 2 - 3 DAYS |
| From Los Angeles to New York | $1199 - $1499 | 2814 MILES | 5 - 7 DAYS |
| From California to Georgia | $850 - $1199 | 2200 MILES | 4 - 5 DAYS |
| From Florida to Minnesota | $1199 - $1599 | 1800 MILES | 3 - 4 DAYS |
| From Miami to New York | $1199 - $1399 | 1286 MILES | 2 - 3 DAYS |
| From California to Illinois | $850 - $1199 | 2030 MILES | 4 - 5 DAYS |
| From Florida to Colorado | $1099 - $1399 | 2063 MILES | 4 - 5 DAYS |
| From Minnesota to New York | $899 - $1099 | 1250 MILES | 2 - 3 DAYS |
| From California to Michigan | $880 - $1199 | 2295 MILES | 4 - 5 DAYS |
| From Florida to Georgia | $799 - $1099 | 461 MILES | 0 - 1 DAYS |
| From New York to Alabama | $999 - $1299 | 1000 MILES | 1 - 2 DAYS |
| From California to New Jersey | $950 - $1215 | 2751 MILES | 5 - 7 DAYS |
| From Florida to Illinois | $650 - $899 | 1400 MILES | 2 - 3 DAYS |
| From New York to Delaware | $399 - $599 | 188 MILES | 0 - 1 DAYS |
| From California to North Carolina | $1099 - $1499 | 2375 MILES | 4 - 5 DAYS |
| From Florida to Indiana | $799 - $999 | 1100 MILES | 2 - 3 DAYS |
| From New York to Kentucky | $699 - $999 | 800 MILES | 1 - 2 DAYS |
| From California to Oregon | $799 - $999 | 1000 MILES | 1 - 2 DAYS |
| From Florida to North Carolina | $499 - $799 | 800 MILES | 1 - 2 DAYS |
| From New York to Maine | $799 - $1099 | 330 MILES | 0 - 1 DAYS |
| From California to Washington | $630 - $899 | 1141 MILES | 2 - 3 DAYS |
| From Florida to Texas | $699 - $999 | 1210 MILES | 2 - 3 DAYS |
| From New York to Massachusetts | $399 - $699 | 250 MILES | 0 - 1 DAYS |
* The prices shown above are reflective of current market conditions and are subject to change due to seasonal fluctuations, gas prices, and pick-up or delivery locations.
Car Shipping Cost: Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about how much it costs to ship a car.
How is a car transport quote calculated?
The car shipping quoting process can be quite complicated as there are many factors involved in formulating a single price. The extent of the calculations our system does is in the thousands per shipment in order to find the best, most suitable price range. In March of 2026, we rolled out our most recent calculator update, which now uses machine learning and A.I. models to map out any future changes in gas prices. Since fuel prices amount to nearly 40% of the expense of a shipment, it's very important to factor it into any calculations done.
In essence, we take the historic data we’ve collected for the past 12 years and combine it with the new fuel price calculations and predictions to formulate an extremely up-to-date price estimation with a high percentage of precision. What this does for our customers is save them time and money by preventing the overpaying of overestimated prices.
It also gives carriers a bit more peace of mind, knowing that the prices we quote are fair and that they can safely dispatch a hauler to our orders, which maintains a higher availability, resulting in fewer delays and better shipping and pickup times for our customers.
What Happens After You Book?
After finalizing the booking itself, the process follows the next step, which is the verification phase. It helps with fine-tuning the services that can be provided, as well as the choice of a carrier. The verification of the booking details can be sped up by the customer if they complete the process online, or they can wait for a service provider to give them a call. The important details that need verification are the location for the pickup, what sort of street it is, what sort of access there is, the delivery location, where exactly it is, whether it is a business location we are delivering to, a military base, or a residential area, a car dealership, etc. We also acquire information about the state of the car, if there are any mechanical issues with it, what sort of issues, can they be resolved on the spot by the carrier (jumping a dead battery), or is the vehicle inoperable and needs specialized equipment for loading and unloading.
After these details are finalized and the order is confirmed, we send it to our network of over 30,000 verified and certified carriers. Once we start receiving quotes from the network, we find the most suitable service provider for your specific needs and match you to them. If the shipment schedule allows it, we spend a bit more time negotiating with the carrier to lower the rate, so you can enjoy a better price. Once we are happy with their offer, we send the order back to you with the details of the closest pickup date. Expect your car to be picked up within 1-2 days of SGT dispatching the order to our network.
How to Prepare Your Car for Shipping: 5-Step Checklist
SGT is all about helping people make good choices that are both smart and safe, so here are some tips from our team on how to prepare your car for the day of the pickup.
SGT is all about helping people make good choices that are both smart and safe, so here are some tips from our team on how to prepare your car for the day of the pickup.
Clean and Inspect the Vehicle
Document Existing Damage
Check Tires, Battery, and Fluids
Leave Only a Small but Enough Fuel Level
Remove Toll Tags and Personal Items
How to Lower Your Auto Transport Cost in 2026
Five proven ways to save money on your car shipment without cutting corners on service:
Use an Off-Peak Shipping Window: Rates are lowest in late fall and winter, when demand drops. Shipping in November through February instead of summer can save you 10–20% on the same route.
Remove Extra Weight and Personal Items: Carriers price partly by weight, and the DOT limits personal items in a shipped vehicle. Emptying your car keeps you under weight limits and avoids extra fees.
Pick the Right Transport Type: Open transport costs a few hundred dollars less than enclosed and is fine for most vehicles. Choose enclosed only for classic, luxury, or high-value cars that need extra protection.
Provide Accurate Shipment Details: An exact pickup address, vehicle make/model, and running condition let carriers quote precisely. Vague details lead to price adjustments later, so accurate info up front keeps your quote firm.
Ask About Discounts or Route Availability: SGT offers discounts for military, students, and multi-car shipments. Popular routes with more carrier availability also cost less ask if a nearby terminal or flexible date lowers your price.
Customer Insights
Read what other customers say about shipping a car with SGT Auto Transport
Read what other customers say about shipping a car with SGT Auto Transport
Why Customers Trust SGT Auto Transport?
That’s the kind of thing that reputations are based on, and the kind of thing that generates great word-of-mouth advertising. In the 21st century, online reviews are the new version of word-of-mouth, and we invite you to take a look through the reviews we’ve compiled from sites like Trustpilot, Angies, uShip, BBB and various logistics forums. In hundreds of positive reviews,customers speak of many of the same attributes we just listed and applaud the professionalism, diligence and transparency of working with SGT Auto Transport. We invite you to look through the reviews for yourself and let the customers tell the story - don’t just take our word for it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Shipping Costs and Quotes:
How to estimate car shipping costs?
It’s easy to get an estimate for your car shipping costs by using the Quote Calculator feature on our website - it just takes a couple of minutes to complete, then a few seconds of processing time to actually get the quote you need for your services.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship your car?
That all depends on what kind of fuel economy your vehicle gets - in some cases, it might be cheaper to drive but then you have to think about the investment of time that you spend on the road, the wear and tear on the vehicle, the risk that’s inherent any time you drive anywhere, and the number of miles that pile up on the car’s odometer. After taking that into account, vehicle transport looks like a pretty cost-effective option.
What is the most cost effective way to ship a car?
If you’re on a budget, we recommend open car transport, a system where your vehicle is loaded onto a double decker transport trailer with several others. It does leave cars exposed to weather and dust/road grit, but it’s by far the most cost-effective option we offer. Upper deck shipping is available with open car transport.
Is it worth it to get a car shipped?
Considering the savings in peace of mind and wear and tear on the vehicle, it’s absolutely worth it. It’s even more of a great option for older vehicles and classics that may or may not be 100% roadworthy for hundreds of miles on the highway (and for which a breakdown could mean a real headache involving hard-to-find parts).
Does time of year affect car shipping costs?
Yes, normal business cycles in the auto shipping business mean that demand will spike during certain calendar periods. When things pick up that way, shipping is going to be more expensive since the number of available drivers will drop, and then rates will go back down again when things slow down a bit.
How far in advance should I book a car for shipping?
Considering all the details that have to be worked out to set up a car shipping order, we prefer two weeks advance notice. When that’s not possible, expedited shipping can be arranged (at a premium rate).
Is my car insured while transporting it?
Yes – every car that’s shipped via SGT Auto Transport is covered by verified carrier insurance, rolled into the quote total for shipping costs.
What are the risks of shipping?
Shipping a vehicle is incredibly safe and low-risk, especially if you opt for enclosed car shipping where the vehicle is loaded into a closed metal trailer and locked in while en route.
What is the average shipping cost per mile?
Cost/mile hinges on vehicle year/make/model, vehicle running condition, the number of miles involved, fuel costs for the transport truck and even the time of year. That all makes a question like this difficult to answer.
What is the cheapest car transport service?
Shipping a car via open car transport, on a double decker commercial transport trailer along with 8 or 9 other vehicles, is the most budget-friendly option for vehicle transport.
Who is responsible for damage during shipping?
When you ship your car via SGT Auto Transport, you have the peace of mind of knowing that it’s covered against any eventuality with verified carrier insurance, rolled into the quote total. It’s rare that a vehicle sustains any kind of damage in shipping, but regardless of who’s at fault, you’re covered with verified carrier insurance.
Can I pay the full transport cost with my credit card?
Yes - we accept all major credit cards, Zelle, PayPal and Venmo as payment methods. If you decide on discounted shipping with balance due on delivery, all of the above along with cash, cashier’s check or money order are accepted (you can pay the transport driver directly on delivery).
Can I place an order if I don’t know the exact address?
That won’t really work - we do need an exact address for pickup and destination, to be able to dispatch a driver. If the exact address of pickup point and destination aren’t available, please select a place where you can connect with the driver for pickup and delivery.
Can I track the progress of my shipment online?
While we don’t offer a feature that allows you to track the vehicle’s route in real time, our team can contact the driver and get updates on his progress, location and current ETA. Just give us a call at (864) 546-5038 or talk to us via live chat.
What details do you need to place an order?
Placing an order is done through SGT’s Quote Calculator feature, and the calculator will need the following information: vehicle year/make/model, vehicle running condition, Zip codes of starting point and destination, the desired timeframe and desired method of transport. From there, we’ll put your order into the system and start looking for a driver to assign it to, and things will be off and running.
How long does it take to get a quote?
Getting a quote from SGT Auto Transport takes only a few seconds if you calculate the rates with the price calculator, or several minutes if you request a phone call during work hours. We know your time is valuable, and we invest a lot of effort into working quickly and sourcing the right price estimations based on your vehicle type and particular shipping needs.
Is the quoted price final?
All quoted prices are based on current market evaluations and are subject to change with the market. An estimation is fixed once the carrier has been dispatched and they’ve confirmed they’re sending a trailer to your location. You can then choose to pay with cash/card or make a full payment with a credit card.
Can I change my pickup date after booking?
Yes, it is possible; however, it may cause a change in the price of the service. You can push the date of the shipment forward, but changes to the pickup date can be made 1 day before the original date. Changes 24 hours before the actual pickup date are difficult to arrange, and in some circumstances, it might not be possible.
How can I lower car shipping costs?
You can book during an off-peak period of the year, like February or October, or you can book during the week, which sees at least 10% lower costs. We also have regular deals and offers during the week, as well as special events that can help you save a lot on your shipment, even during the peak season. Check back with SGT Auto Transport regularly to get the best prices on the market.
How do I not get scammed when shipping my car?
That’s easy - pick the right car shipping company - pick SGT Auto Transport, or if not, set your sights on a reputable service provider with an established presence on the market. Legitimate companies will be at least 10 years on the market and have actual reviews that date back at least 5 to 7 years from your current date of checking.
How do I get the best vehicle shipping quote?
Book in advance because you get more options for carriers and prices. Be as precise as possible about the pickup and drop-off location, preferably use the exact ZIP code for your area, and be open to communication with the carrier to pinpoint the best location for collection or delivery. It's also important to compare multiple offers as they will give you access to more options, and of course, be flexible with your pickup and delivery dates. Carriers are more likely to give a customer a good price when they are flexible with their schedule, and they can be scheduled anywhere on their fleet.