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 | $0.80 | 300 miles | $200 |
500 - 1000 | Open | $0.73 | 750 miles | $511 |
1000 - 1500 | Open | $0.70 | 1350 miles | $700 |
1500 - 2000 | Open | $0.48 | 1900 miles | $840 |
2000 - 2500 | Open | $0.37 | 2200 miles | $888 |
2500 - 3000 | Open | $0.35 | 2750 miles | $945 |
3000+ | Open | $0.33 | 3200 miles | $1122 |
Enclosed Auto Transport
Distance (miles) | Type of transport | Avg. price per mile | Sample distance | Sample price |
---|---|---|---|---|
0 - 500 | Enclosed | $1.25 | 300 miles | $375 |
500 - 1000 | Enclosed | $1.00 | 750 miles | $750 |
1000 - 1500 | Enclosed | $0.71 | 1350 miles | $959 |
1500 - 2000 | Enclosed | $0.65 | 1900 miles | $1235 |
2000 - 2500 | Enclosed | $0.63 | 2200 miles | $1386 |
2500 - 3000 | Enclosed | $0.53 | 2750 miles | $1458 |
3000+ | Enclosed | $0.48 | 3200 miles | $1536 |

Car Shipping Cost Calculator
Of course cost is going to be one of the big factors for vehicle transport - anyone would want to know what they can expect to spend when they have an outlay of several hundred dollars coming up. At SGT Auto Transport, we set out to make that one of the easiest, fastest and most transparent parts of the whole process.

What is car transport?
We’ll talk about what car transport is, how it works and how you can actually set things up yourself and control the process, for a car shipment that’s designed around your specs and your preferences.

How to get a car transport quote?
We’re a customer facing company, everything we do is geared toward better ways to serve the people we work for, and we listen to our customers. That’s why we’ve made it as easy as possible to get a car transport quote when it’s time to get your vehicle from Point A to Point B.

How much does car shipping cost on average?
That’s a natural question, but considering how every car shipping quote is going to be subject to all kinds of variables and different factors (which we’ll touch on), there’s not really any such thing as an “average cost” for these services.
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.
The Car Transport Process
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:
Using the Car Shipping Cost Calculator
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

Driven by Respect. Powered by Passion
Everyone enjoys feeling appreciated and respected as customers; it’s knowing that you’re actually a stakeholder in what’s going on and not just a transaction or a number in a column on a balance sheet. We all want to do business with a company that does more than just meet the requirements and deliver competency - we put a value on the kind of company that goes above and beyond for their customers. Those are all foundational values here at SGT Auto Transport. We’re all car people ourselves, from our in-house staff to our transport drivers in the field. As car enthusiasts, we understand the connection between vehicles and their owners, and the kind of aspirations and dreams that are often wrapped up in cars, going way beyond their Blue Book resale value.

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.
What information do I need to use the instant quote calculator?
The quote calculator will need info on your car’s year/make/model, your car’s running condition, your desired timeframe, the zip codes of your starting point and destination and your desired transportation method. These all go into shipping cost calculations and will determine what you can expect to pay.
How to get a detailed shipping quote for your car?
No need for a lengthy phone call - just locate the Quote Calculator feature on our website. Use the dropdown boxes to enter information on your car’s year/make/model, its running condition, your pickup point and destination, your desired method of transport and your desired timeframe. Put that information into the calculator and wait a few seconds, and you’ll have the quote you need. All quotes are locked in and final, with no hidden charges or surprise fees.
How do I arrange my car transport?
It’s easy to set up your own auto transport order, personalized to your vehicle, your budget, your timeframe and your preferences. Just locate the Quote Calculator feature on our website and use the dropdown boxes to enter information on your car’s year/make/model, its running condition, your desired timeframe, your desired method of transport and the zip codes of your pickup point and destination. From there, you can get an accurate quote, confirm and book your order and we’ll take it from there!
How do you pay for a car being shipped?
At SGT, payment via major credit card, Zelle, PayPal or Venmo are accepted. If you opted for discount shipping with balance due on delivery, you can pay the transport driver directly with any of those, or cash, cashier’s check or money order.
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).
How to calculate car transport cost?
Transport costs are always calculated as cost/mile, but other factors come into play as well. The year/make/model of vehicle, the running condition of the car, the route involved, even the time of year are all influences over cost calculations for auto shipping.
Is it cheaper to ship a car or drive?
It might be cheaper in terms of fuel costs to drive a vehicle (depending on the vehicle and its fuel economy), but then when you consider depreciation, wear and tear, mileage and time involved in driving, vehicle shipping starts to look like a more attractive option.
Is it cheaper to ship car than drive?
While it might seem less expensive to drive (depending on the vehicle and its fuel economy), think about wear and tear on the car, mileage, depreciation, the time and risk involved in driving, and suddenly shipping a vehicle looks like it might be a pretty solid value.
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.
How do I get a quote for car moving?
No need for a lengthy phone call to get a shipping quote - just locate the Quote Calculator feature on our website. It only takes a couple of minutes to enter the details needed for an accurate quote, and all quotes are inclusive with no tacked-on fees or surprise charges on the back end.
How do I get a quote for shipping my vehicle?
Forget about lengthy phone calls with customer support - all you need is a couple of minutes to locate the Quote Calculator feature and enter a few details about your vehicle and your shipping needs. Your order will then be put in the system and our team will work on assigning it to a transport driver for dispatch. Remember that all quotes are locked-in and inclusive, with no tacked-on fees or charges, ever.
How do I get my car ready for shipment?
There’s a checklist of things you’ll need to do to prep your car for transport. A few include shipping with less than ¼ tank of fuel, making sure the battery is charged, removing all toll tags and parking tags, disabling the alarm, checking the fluid levels and checking for fluid leaks.
How do I pay for my auto shipping?
Major credit cards, Zelle, PayPal, Venmo are all accepted. Discount shipping is available with balance due on delivery; for these instances, you can pay the driver directly with any of those as well as cash, cashier’s check or money order.
How far in advance should I schedule my transport?
While expedited shipping is available for last-minute needs, we prefer that you give us two weeks lead time to set up your shipping order and sort out the details. There are several moving parts to deal with when it comes to assigning a shipping order to a transport driver.
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.