How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car in the U.S. (2026)?
Shipping a car in the United States in 2025 typically costs between $650 and $1,500, depending on distance, vehicle type, season, and whether you choose open or enclosed transport.
Prices may be higher for oversized or luxury vehicles and lower if you’re flexible with pickup dates. Below is a clear breakdown of what affects car shipping costs, along with real average rates for 2025.
📌 Average Car Shipping Prices in 2026(By Distance)
| Distance | Average Price | Cost per Mile |
|---|---|---|
| 1–300 miles | $350 – $600 | $1.00 – $1.70 |
| 300–800 miles | $600 – $900 | $0.80 – $1.00 |
| 800–1,500 miles | $900 – $1,300 | $0.65 – $0.90 |
| 1,500+ miles | $1,300 – $1,600 | $0.55 – $0.80 |
🔹 Longer distances cost less per mile, but more overall.
📌 Open vs. Enclosed Transport Prices
Open Carrier
$650 – $1,200
- Best for normal vehicles
- Fastest dispatch
- Most common and affordable option
Enclosed Carrier
$1,200 – $2,500+
- Ideal for luxury, exotic, classic, or low-clearance vehicles
- Maximum protection and privacy
➡️ Enclosed transport usually costs 40–60% more due to limited space and added protection.
📌 Top Factors That Affect Car Shipping Costs
1️⃣ Distance & Route Popularity
High-traffic routes (e.g., Los Angeles → Phoenix) are cheaper than low-demand routes (e.g., Montana → Mississippi)
2️⃣ Season
- Snowbird season (Oct–Apr): High demand, higher prices
- Summer: Stable pricing
- Holidays: Limited drivers → price spikes
3️⃣ Vehicle Size & Weight
- Sedans cost less
- SUVs, trucks, and vans weigh more → higher cost
4️⃣ Transport Type
- Open transport = cheapest
- Enclosed transport = premium pricing
- Expedited pickup = +$150–$300
5️⃣ Pickup Flexibility
- Flexible pickup windows reduce cost.
Same-day or urgent pickups always cost more.
📌 Real Car Shipping Price Examples (2025)
California → Texas (1,500+ miles)
- Sedan: $1,050 – $1,350
- SUV: $1,150 – $1,450
Florida → New York (1,200+ miles)
- Sedan: $900 – $1,200
- SUV: $1,000 – $1,350
Illinois → California (2,000+ miles)
- Sedan: $1,200 – $1,500
- SUV: $1,300 – $1,600
Same-State Transport (100–300 miles)
- Sedan: $350 – $550
- SUV: $400 – $650
📌 How to Lower Your Car Shipping Cost in 2026
- ✔ Book 5–7 days in advance
✔ Avoid last-minute or holiday shipping
✔ Choose open transport unless enclosed is necessary
✔ Stay flexible with pickup dates
✔ Ship to or from major cities when possible
Is Shipping a Car Cheaper Than Driving?
In many cases, yes.
When you factor in:
- Fuel
- Hotels
- Food
- Tire wear
- Mileage depreciation
- Time off work
Driving often ends up costing $450–$750 more than shipping.
📞 Get an Accurate Car Shipping Quote
For an exact price on your route, use UWON Carriers’ quote form, call us at +1 (216) 412-4411, or email quote@uwoncarriers.com
