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Car shipping costs start around $600 and can exceed $3,000, depending on a variety of factors including shipping length, season, and auto transport type.
Key Takeaways
- Shipping a car around 1,500 miles costs an average of $0.82 per mile for open transport and $1.25 for enclosed transport in 2024. Per-mile costs tend to go down as distance increases.
- Mercury Auto Transport has the lowest average car shipping costs at $0.72 per mile for open transport and $0.88 per mile for enclosed transport.
- Shipping distance, transport type, gas prices, and time of year will change your car shipping costs
The listings on this site may be from companies that compensate us, which could influence their placement and order. Not every company, product, or offer has been reviewed.
Featured Car Shipping Companies
We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:
Best Service Options
Montway
Best Customer Experience
SGT
Locked-In Pricing
Sherpa
Easy Online Quotes
Nexus
Car shipping costs depend on a wide variety of factors. Understanding what these factors are and how they affect your rates can help you get a better idea of what to expect and how you may be able to get cheaper rates.
In this article, we’ll look at the average cost of car transport services and explain the auto shipping process. We’ll also share a few money-saving tips for your vehicle shipment and highlight some car shipping companies that provide hassle-free service and peace of mind.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car?
Based on our 2024 secret shopper study, the average cost to ship a car is $0.96 per mile for open transport and $1.25 per mile for enclosed shipping. For common shipping distances, overall costs range from around $600 to around $2,500, but can easily fall above or below those figures based on the specifics of your shipment.
Car Shipping Costs by Distance
Vehicle transport distance is one of the most important factors in determining auto transport costs. As the table below illustrates, per-mile rates tend to go down as shipping distance increases.
| Shipping Distance (In Miles) | Transport Type | Overall Cost Range | Per-Mile Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 535 | Open | $565–$1,085 | $1.06–$2.03 |
| 1500 | Open | $955–$1,797 | $0.64–$1.20 |
| 1500 | Enclosed | $1,325–$2,685 | $0.88–$1.79 |
| 2445 | Open | $1,145–$2,211 | $0.47–$0.90 |
Car Shipping Costs by Company
In the table below, we’ve listed the average quotes from auto transport companies in our 2024 secret shopper study. You’ll also find industry average rates from all providers in our study to compare.
| Provider | Average: Open Transport (Any Distance) | Average: Open Transport (535 Miles) | Average: Open Transport (1,500 Miles) | Average: Open Transport (2,445 Miles) | Average: Enclosed Transport (1,500 Miles) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury Auto Transport | $0.72 | $1.06 | $0.64 | $0.47 | $0.88 |
| Ship a Car Direct | $0.76 | $1.12 | $0.65 | $0.52 | $0.95 |
| RoadRunner Auto Transport | $0.84 | $1.37 | $0.66 | $0.49 | $1.03 |
| SGT Auto Transport | $0.86 | $1.29 | $0.72 | $0.56 | $1.04 |
| Montway Auto Transport | $1.00 | $1.42 | $0.75 | $0.83 | $1.10 |
| AmeriFreight | $0.87 | $1.45 | $0.68 | $0.49 | $1.15 |
| Easy Auto Ship | $1.09 | $1.67 | $0.90 | $0.70 | $1.28 |
| Nexus Auto Transport | $0.98 | $1.36 | $0.91 | $0.68 | $1.31 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | $0.96 | $1.45 | $0.83 | $0.59 | $1.33 |
| Industry average | $0.96 | $1.43 | $0.82 | $0.63 | $1.25 |
Open Car Shipping Cost
In our 2024 secret shopper study, quotes for open transport shipments ranged from $565 to $2,211 in total. You’ll find the cheapest quotes and providers for 535-,1,500-, and 2,445-mile shipments along with industry averages to compare in the table below.
| Car Shipping Company | Quote for 535 Miles Open Transport | Quote for 1,500 Open Transport | Quote for 2,445 Miles Open Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury Auto Transport | $565 | $955 | $1,145 |
| Ship a Car Direct | $600 | $975 | $1,275 |
| A-1 Auto Transport | $629 | $1,404 | $1,908 |
| SGT Auto Transport | $691 | $1,080 | $1,364 |
| Nexus Auto Transport | $725 | $1,365 | $1,665 |
| RoadRunner Auto Transport | $735 | $995 | $1,195 |
| Montway Auto Transport | $759 | $1,129 | $2,029 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | $775 | $1,250 | $1,450 |
| National Express Auto | $775 | $1,245 | $1,400 |
| AmeriFreight | $777 | $1,019 | $1,199 |
| Industry average | $764 | $1,227 | $1,553 |
Enclosed Car Transport Cost
Quotes for a 1,500-mile enclosed container shipment ranged from $1,325 to $2,000 in our secret shopper study. We’ve listed the cheapest enclosed shipping quotes and providers in the table below.
| Auto Transport Company | Total Quote for 1,500 Mile Enclosed Transport | Per-Mile Quote for 1,500 Mile Enclosed Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury Auto Transport | $1,325 | $0.88 |
| Ship a Car Direct | $1,425 | $0.95 |
| RoadRunner Auto Transport | $1,542 | $1.03 |
| SGT Auto Transport | $1,559 | $1.04 |
| Montway Auto Transport | $1,649 | $1.10 |
| AmeriFreight | $1,732 | $1.15 |
| Easy Auto Ship | $1,924 | $1.28 |
| Nexus Auto Transport | $1,965 | $1.31 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | $2,000 | $1.33 |
| Industry average | $1,877 | $1.25 |
How To Lower Car Shipping Costs
You can use a few simple strategies to get the best possible deal on your auto shipment. Here are our best tips for locking in low car shipping costs:
- Book in advance: You’ll want to give auto transport carriers plenty of time to bid on your specific job. Booking well in advance gives you the best shot at a low rate.
- Use open transport: Open vehicle transport is the default shipping option for most customers. Unless you’re moving a high-value vehicle and need the extra protection that comes with enclosed auto transport, an open carrier will typically lead to lower car shipping prices.
- Ship to and from a terminal: Door-to-door service is more expensive than shipping to and from a central location. Having your car picked up from and delivered to a shipping terminal is the easiest way to get reduced car shipping costs.
Factors That Affect Car Shipping Costs
The best way to learn how much your vehicle shipment could cost is by comparing car shipping quotes online from multiple auto transport providers. Brokers generally take the following factors into account when calculating car shipping quotes:
- Shipping distance: You’ll likely pay a higher car shipping cost for cross-country transports such as from Los Angeles to New York. However, the price per mile will generally be lower for these long-distance routes.
- Transport type: Shipping your vehicle in an open car carrier is cheaper than using an enclosed trailer. Open auto transport is the more common method, but owners of luxury and classic cars often go with enclosed shipping due to extra protection against road hazards and bad weather. Know that enclosed carriers are much pricier most of the time.
- Time of year: The auto transport industry typically sees the most demand in January and throughout the summer months. The timing of your vehicle shipment plays a key role in determining overall car transport prices.
- Type of vehicle: SUVs and pickup trucks are more expensive to ship than sedans and other smaller cars. The size of the vehicle is significant to auto shippers in their calculation of rates for car shipping services.
- Vehicle condition: Inoperable vehicles come with higher car shipping costs because they’re more difficult for movers to load and unload.
- Pickup and drop-off locations: Terminal-to-terminal shipping involves having your car picked up and dropped off at centralized locations. This is one of the cheapest ways to ship a car compared to door-to-door service, where your vehicle moves between specific addresses.
- Gas prices: If prices are currently high at the pump, expect your car shipment to cost more as well.
Best Car Shipping Companies
Mercury Auto Transport and AmeriFreight tied for best car shipping company overall in the Automoblog 2024 Car Shipping Study. We’ve listed the overall and category ratings of all providers that earned an above-average overall score in our study in the table below.
| Car Shipping Company | Overall Rating | Industry Standing | Affordability | Shipping Options | Operations | Customer Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury Auto Transport | 4.8 | 4.7 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 4.7 |
| AmeriFreight | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.7 |
| Montway Auto Transport | 4.6 | 5.0 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.6 |
| SGT Auto Transport | 4.6 | 4.2 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 4.6 |
| Ship a Car Direct | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.9 | 4.4 |
| Nexus Auto Transport | 4.5 | 4.6 | 3.9 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 4.6 |
| Guardian Auto Transport | 4.5 | 4.9 | 3.3 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.8 |
| Easy Auto Ship | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 4.2 |
| National Express Auto Transport | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 4.5 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.4 |
| Industry average | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.2 |
#1 Mercury Auto Transport: Best Overall
Mercury Auto Transport gave some of the lowest quotes in our 2024 secret shopper study for several categories. But its place at the top of this year’s list of the best car shipping companies is about more than that. The company has a wealth of shipping options to accommodate a wide range of needs. Mercury also has strong ratings from customers, holding a 4.7 out of 5.0 stars from customers on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website.
Mercury Auto Transport Shipping Costs
You’ll find the quotes we received from Mercury Auto Transport to ship a 2020 Nissan Rogue in the table below.
| Shipping Distance (In Miles) | Type of Transport | Mercury Auto Transport Quote |
|---|---|---|
| 535 | Open | $565 |
| 1,500 | Open | $955 |
| 1,500 | Enclosed | $1,325 |
| 2,445 | Open | $1,145 |
Mercury Auto Transport Pros and Cons
| Mercury Auto Transport Pros | Mercury Auto Transport Cons |
|---|---|
| Consistently cheap car shipping costs | Requires a deposit |
| Guaranteed pricing | No GPS tracking available |
| Offers terminal-to-terminal shipping |
#2 AmeriFreight: Best Value
AmeriFreight offers a wide range of discounts for shipping to all 50 states. First responders, students, active-duty military members, and older adults are among those who can receive reduced rates. AmeriFreight also has options for shipping specialty vehicles such as boats, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and motorcycles.
AmeriFreight offers three different levels of auto transport services. The Economy option is best for cheap car shipping, but it takes longer to secure a carrier. Priority shipping features average rates and typical delivery times. First Class is the most expensive option from AmeriFreight, but provides expedited transport.
AmeriFreight has an A+ rating and a 4.7- out of 5.0-star rating from customers on the BBB website. The company also gets 4.7 out of 5.0 stars from more than 3,700 Google reviews.
Keep reading: AmeriFreight Review
AmeriFreight Shipping Costs
Here are the quotes we received from AmeriFreight for shipping a 2020 Nissan Rogue with door-to-door car transport service:
| Shipping Distance (In Miles) | Type of Transport | AmeriFreight |
|---|---|---|
| 535 | Open | $777 |
| 1,500 | Open | $1,019 |
| 1,500 | Enclosed | $1,732 |
| 2,445 | Open | $1,199 |
AmeriFreight Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Many discounts available | No GPS tracking available |
| High ratings from customers | Doesn’t offer locked-in rates |
| Offers three tiers of service | No international shipping option |
#3 Montway Auto Transport: Best Service Options
Montway Auto Transport offers competitive rates partly due to its large network of vetted carrier partners. Expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup dates, and the ability to pack up to 100 pounds of personal items in your trunk are some options that the company offers. Montway provides transport services to all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii along with shipments to international destinations.
Customers give Montway Auto Transport high marks on the BBB website. The company has an A+ rating and 4.5 out of 5.0 stars from customer reviews. Montway Auto Transport also holds a 4.2- out of 5.0-star rating on Trustpilo from more than 1,500 customers.
Keep reading: Montway Auto Transport Review
Montway Auto Transport Shipping Costs
Here are some quotes we received from Montway Auto Transport for the door-to-door shipment of a 2020 Nissan Rogue:
| Shipping Distance (In Miles) | Type of Transport | Montway Auto Transport Quote |
|---|---|---|
| 535 | Open | $759 |
| 1,500 | Open | $1,129 |
| 1,500 | Enclosed | $1,649 |
| 2,445 | Open | $2,029 |
Montway Auto Transport Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large network of vetted car carriers | Mixed reviews from customers |
| Competitive auto transport costs | No guaranteed pricing |
| Excellent industry reputation |
#4 SGT Auto Transport: Best Customer Experience
SGT Auto Transport is a shipping broker with an excellent industry reputation. Thanks to the company’s price-matching guarantee, it’s likely to be among the cheapest car shipping options available. Customers can ship nearly any type of car with SGT, along with alternative vehicles like all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and motorcycles.
SGT Auto Transport offers many options for auto shipments. Customers can choose to use an open trailer or enclosed container to ship their vehicles. The company also offers guaranteed pickup dates and express shipping services.
SGT has an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB. Customers on the site give it an average rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars with more than 1,400 reviews.
SGT Auto Transport Shipping Costs
Our team requested quotes from SGT Auto Transport to ship a 2018 Nissan Rogue. You can find the estimates we received in the table below.
| Shipping Distance (In Miles) | Type of Transport | SGT Auto Transport Quote |
|---|---|---|
| 535 | Open | $691 |
| 1,500 | Open | $1,080 |
| 1,500 | Enclosed | $1,559 |
| 2,445 | Open | $1,364 |
SGT Auto Transport Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Optional guaranteed pickup dates | No terminal-to-terminal option |
| Offers price matching | Doesn’t offer real-time tracking |
| Express shipping available | Some reviews mention hidden fees |
#5 Ship a Car Direct: Easy Online Quotes
In our 2024 study, we found that Ship a Car Direct offers a winning combination of affordability and a simple, stress-free experience. The company gave us some of the cheapest car shipping quotes for our Nissan Rogue of any provider in our study.
Our team also found that Ship a Car Direct was one of the easiest providers to get a quote from. The online tool on the company’s website returned a quote for us almost immediately and didn’t ask for too many details to get it, either.
Ship a Car Direct Shipping Costs
The table below shows the quotes we got from Ship a Car Direct for our 2020 Nissan Rogue.
| Shipping Distance (In Miles) | Type of Transport | Ship a Car Direct |
|---|---|---|
| 535 | Open | $600 |
| 1,500 | Open | $975 |
| 1,500 | Enclosed | $1,425 |
| 2,445 | Open | $1,275 |
Ship a Car Direct Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable auto transport rates | No guaranteed pricing |
| Includes a Damage Free Guarantee | Doesn’t offer international shipping |
| No deposit required | No terminal-to-terminal shipping option |
How Does the Car Shipping Process Work?
Finding out your potential car shipping cost begins with getting a free quote online from an auto transport company. You’ll get an estimate once you share details about your vehicle, shipping route, preferred shipping method, pickup and delivery locations, and ideal time frame. From that point, you’ll need to choose a provider, contact the driver assigned to the job, and make final arrangements.
When you meet your transport driver, you’ll inspect your car for existing damages before signing a form to confirm the inspection. Most car shipping companies offer some type of tracking option to help you monitor your vehicle’s journey, or at least the option to call and check on progress. Once the car arrives at its destination, you’ll perform another inspection with your driver, sign a bill of lading, and drive your car away.
Cost To Ship a Car: Conclusion
Car shipping costs start at around $600, but are calculated based on your unique shipping needs. That means the only way to truly know how much it will cost to ship your vehicle is to request some quotes and find out.
Mercury Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, and Montway Auto Transport earned the top three spots in this year’s car shipping study, in part thanks to their low car shipping costs. However, all of the providers you’ve seen on this page are worth a look for your next shipment.
The listings on this site may be from companies that compensate us, which could influence their placement and order. Not every company, product, or offer has been reviewed.
Featured Car Shipping Companies
We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:
Best Service Options
Montway
Best Customer Experience
SGT
Locked-In Pricing
Sherpa
Easy Online Quotes
Nexus
Auto Shipping Cost: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about the cost of shipping a car:
How much does shipping cost for a car?
Most people pay between $600 and $2,500 for standard car shipping costs. The exact price varies due to vehicle type and condition, shipping distance, time of year, and type of transport. Comparing instant quotes from multiple shippers and using a car shipping calculator are some of the easiest ways to determine car transport costs.
Is it worth it to ship a car?
Car owners looking to move their car across a single state like Texas or Florida might find that driving is cheaper, but they’ll put large amounts of wear and tear on their vehicles for longer journeys. It’s usually worth shipping a car if you’ve got a long-distance move ahead, such as from Seattle to Houston.
How much does it cost to ship a car across the U.S.?
According to our research, expect to pay between $1,500 and $2,200 when shipping a car across the country. To get cheap car transport prices, be sure to book early, choose open car transport, and go with terminal-to-terminal shipping if possible.
What is the average shipping cost for a car?
The average shipping cost for a car ranges from $600 and $2,500, although costs can vary well outside of that range. In addition to per-mile costs, the amount you pay for shipping depends on the options you choose, market factors, and more.
Our Methodology
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best car shipping companies.
- Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team performs ongoing secret shopper analyses for different vehicles, services, and shipping routes to give this rating.
- Shipping Options: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that an auto transport company offers an array of services. We take into account the availability of services, ability to guarantee pickup and drop-off dates, and insurance coverage options.
- Operations: We take a close look at how each auto transport company operates, including how quickly vehicles get picked up, average transit times, insurance coverage options, and more.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, a company’s history of service, and years in business when giving this score.
- Customer Service: Reputable car shippers operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We take into account customer reviews, BBB complaints, and the responsiveness of the customer service team.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
