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There’s no shortcut to making your car shipment as affordable as possible—it takes an understanding of not just how much car transport costs, but why it costs what it does. Once you understand what goes into the vehicle shipping quote, you can use our calculator to get the best possible quote to ship your car.
The average car shipping cost is around $650. According to our research on US vehicle shipping companies, you will pay anywhere between 0.40 to $2.00 per mile for car transport service in January 2026. It all depends on the distance of your shipment, type of carrier, location, vehicle, time of year, and delivery speed.
When you use a professional service to have a car shipped, the cost of shipping a car varies based on these factors and more. Using our instant online car shipping quote calculator is the best way to figure out your car shipping costs. But the charts below can give you a sense of how costs vary by vehicle, distance, and carrier type.
| Route Distance | Average open carrier cost | Average closed carrier cost |
| Less than 500 miles | $630 | $930 |
| Between 500-2500 miles | $1,135 | $1,550 |
| Over 2500 miles | $1,350 | $1,830 |
| Vehicle Type | Less than 500 miles | Between 500-2500 miles | Over 2500 miles |
| Sedan | $425 | $725 | $925 |
| Compact SUV | $455 | $775 | $1,025 |
| SUV | $505 | $825 | $1,075 |
| Truck | $575 | $925 | $1,275 |
The Nexus car shipping cost calculator tells you how much it will cost to ship a car. Our calculator uses extenuating automobile transport factors to determine your overall transport cost. Here are all of the variables that our online calculator uses to provide the most accurate car transport quotes to you:
The longer the route, the lower your automobile shipping price per mile. However, longer distances will increase the total cost of transporting a car with a professional car transport company. Long distance shipping on a safe carrier can be affordable, though, if you pick the right auto transport provider.
Metropolitan areas tend to have the most drivers available and the lowest car shipping quotes, while rural towns usually cost more. If you live in a smaller town, you can keep costs down by arranging for a more urban pickup destination and driving the rest of the way in your vehicle to meet your car carrier.
Your vehicle type will undoubtedly affect your overall enclosed or open transport cost. The bigger the vehicle, the more space it takes up on the trailer (and the higher the car shipping cost climbs.) Bike racks and other accessories can change your vehicle's dimensions and increase the cost of open carrier and closed carrier services.
An inoperable car requires additional labor to winch or forklift onto and off the trailer at pickup and delivery, raising the shipping cost. Most car transport companies need your vehicle's condition to be good enough to at least brake, steer, and roll onto a trailer.
Choosing an exact pickup day requires careful planning by your vehicle shipping company. That will increase the cost of shipping. If you’re running out of time and need to ship right away with a car transport service, expedited vehicle shipping is for you. The extra expense of expedited open or enclosed transport is offset by timely, efficient car transport services.
The type of carrier significantly influences the price of vehicle transportation. Open carriers, exposing vehicles to the elements, are generally more cost-effective than enclosed carriers, which provide additional protection.
Seasonal availability is one of the driving factors behind car shipping costs in the auto transport industry. When fewer auto transport carriers are on the road and fewer vehicle shipments are rolling through your preferred pickup and delivery points, automobile shipping costs may increase.
Vehicle shipping costs change throughout the year based on driver availability, ease of delivery, weather, and demand for services that can significantly increase or decrease car shipping rates. Watch the video below or keep reading to learn when is the cheapest time of year to ship your car.
Or use our car shipping calculator and receive a set of auto shipping quotes that takes everything into account including the current season and the extenuating circumstances which come along with it.
Shipping a car in the winter can take longer than in other seasons because snow and ice can cause delays. Also, the drivers have less daylight to work. As the days get shorter and the conditions get tougher for car haulers to transport cars, things can get tricky. However, there are some choice times for you to consider when looking for a cheap automobile shipping quote and a carrier you can trust.
December – The holiday season means drivers take time off to spend with their families, so try to book with auto transporters three to four weeks in advance.
January – Many people migrate south to warmer states during this time. Your auto shipper may increase vehicle shipping rates due to increased demand.
February – One of the slower months for the entire industry. Car haulers return to the road from holiday vacations. But, demand for car carrier services is still low. Vehicle shipment rates tend to be the cheapest during this month.
Early springtime is one of the best seasons to ship your car with a professional car transporter. The weather conditions improve dramatically, the days get longer, and more car transport drivers are on the road and ready to ship a car for you.
March – Vehicle shipment rates generally remain low until the end of the month when people move back north in large numbers to enjoy the warmer months.
April and May – There can be a backlog when shipping cars from southern to northern states due to high demand, increasing car transportation rates for open carrier and closed carrier services.
The summer months are the peak season for car transportation. Whether you need an open carrier or a closed carrier, demand is high for the services of car transport companies. Universities are letting out, employees are relocating, and auto transporters are swamped by people taking their vacations. Fortunately for vehicle shipping company customers, increased competition in the vehicle transport industry drives prices down.
June, July and August – All three months are equally busy, with demand and driver availability for enclosed and open car transport at their highest points. This makes for little monthly difference in car shipping costs, whether you’re transporting a car across the country or simply having a vehicle shipped across state lines.
Milder weather and more driver availability than in the summer months lead to a slightly lower car shipping cost when you transport your vehicle. While it may not offer the same car transport discounts as the late winter, it's still a good time to request an auto transport quote when you're in the market to ship a vehicle.
September – An increase in college students shipping their cars may increase vehicle shipping prices slightly when you ship your vehicle.
October and November – Slower months with good auto transporter availability and cheap vehicle shipping rates. You can even schedule an enclosed trailer for a lower price with most car shippers.
Shipping a car in the winter can take longer than in other seasons because snow and ice can cause delays. Also, the drivers have less daylight to work. As the days get shorter and the conditions get tougher for car haulers to transport cars, things can get tricky. However, there are some choice times for you to consider when looking for a cheap automobile shipping quote and a carrier you can trust.
December – The holiday season means drivers take time off to spend with their families, so try to book with auto transporters three to four weeks in advance.
January – Many people migrate south to warmer states during this time. Your auto shipper may increase vehicle shipping rates due to increased demand.
February – One of the slower months for the entire industry. Car haulers return to the road from holiday vacations. But, demand for car carrier services is still low. Vehicle shipment rates tend to be the cheapest during this month.
Early springtime is one of the best seasons to ship your car with a professional car transporter. The weather conditions improve dramatically, the days get longer, and more car transport drivers are on the road and ready to ship a car for you.
March – Vehicle shipment rates generally remain low until the end of the month when people move back north in large numbers to enjoy the warmer months.
April and May – There can be a backlog when shipping cars from southern to northern states due to high demand, increasing car transportation rates for open carrier and closed carrier services.
The summer months are the peak season for car transportation. Whether you need an open carrier or a closed carrier, demand is high for the services of car transport companies. Universities are letting out, employees are relocating, and auto transporters are swamped by people taking their vacations. Fortunately for car shipping company customers, increased competition in the vehicle transport industry drives prices down.
June, July and August – All three months are equally busy, with demand and driver availability for enclosed and open car transport at their highest points. This makes for little monthly difference in car shipping costs, whether you’re transporting a car across the country or simply having a vehicle shipped across state lines.
Milder weather and more driver availability than in the summer months lead to a slightly lower car shipping cost when you transport your vehicle. While it may not offer the same car transport discounts as the late winter, it's still a good time to request an auto transport quote when you're in the market to ship a vehicle.
September – An increase in college students shipping their cars may increase car shipping prices slightly when you ship your vehicle.
October and November – Slower months with good auto transporter availability and cheap vehicle shipping rates. You can even schedule an enclosed trailer for a lower price with most car shippers.
With Nexus Auto Transport, you never have to worry about hidden fees that increase the cost to ship your car.
We're always transparent about the mitigating factors that affect your shipping price for a given order.
In our minds, that's the approach the very best of the best vehicle shipping companies should take.
Whether you need open or enclosed transport services, you should always be in the loop on how much it will cost you in the end.
You should always expect upfront pricing from Nexus Auto Transport.
And with a 99.9% customer satisfaction rate, Nexus paces the industry in affordable open transport and enclosed transport services coordinated with your best interests at heart.
For maximum convenience and transparency, our auto shipping cost calculator provides you with three different auto transport quotes spread across three different service tiers:
All car transport quotes from Nexus for both open transport and enclosed transport include standard auto cargo insurance policies. Car shipping costs for open and enclosed transport may vary based on the cost of insuring your particular vehicle. Contact us at (224) 218-2949 if you have questions about the cost of vehicle insurance coverage for your shipment, regardless of whether you choose open or enclosed transport services.
To start your instant car transport quote with Nexus Auto Transport, please provide us with your desired pickup and delivery zip codes, your preferred shipping date, and the size of your vehicle. Once you enter a valid email and phone number, we will provide you with two quotes -- one for credit/debit transactions and one for COD transactions.
Car shipping costs are estimated based on the pickup and drop-off locations for your vehicle, its make and model, key information about the vehicle condition and value, driver availability, and special needs such as enclosed car carrier transport. Add-ons such as inoperable transport are available in the sidebar of your quote screen.
No! You do not incur the cost of car transportation when you use our online car transport quote calculator. It's a free tool to estimate the cost to ship a car. Only when a driver is assigned to your order will you be charged for the full shipment fee (for credit/debit transactions) or a 20-40% deposit (for COD transactions).
We recommend using a trusted professional vehicle transport provider like Nexus Auto Transport to schedule and monitor your car shipment. Shipping a vehicle yourself can be dangerous and involves additional costs, including gas, food, lodging, and rescheduling maintenance appointments.
When driving your car from state to state or across the country, you lose time that you can spend preparing for a household move, working, spending time with family, and enjoying life in general. Nexus partners with top independent professional auto shippers to deliver the 100% client care experience you pay for. Enjoy a premium auto shipping service with secure, efficient open and enclosed transport services. Our transport coordinators will take care of everything.
Get a free auto transport quote via our car moving costs calculator. Nexus Auto Transport provides precise car transport quotes so you can make the necessary budgeting adjustments for your household or business move.
We also help you find moving companies in your area so you can get moving at affordable, fair rates. Secure a car transport quote, research storage and pod rental services, or compare prices for movers near you. We are proud to be among the highest-value vehicle shipping companies in the United States, as featured in top media outlets like Forbes and MarketWatch.
If you need to ship a vehicle on a budget, it's essential to understand the difference between low car shipping prices and the best vehicle transport services for you. The auto transport industry has a fluid pricing structure predicated on shifting demand, fuel costs, driver turnover, and more.
It is a red flag if the car shipping prices offered by a company are significantly lower than the average quotes from other providers. These prices are often too good to be true and usually portend poor service or something even worse. To save money on open auto transport services and/or enclosed car transportation, be flexible with scheduling. Work closely with a top provider like Nexus Auto Transport, which offers an accurate car shipping estimate calculator. If you ship at the right time and give us the right amount of scheduling leeway, you can save hundreds on auto transport costs.
The safest way to ship a car is with the help of a vetted, experienced auto transporter. Nexus Auto Transport works with an extended network of car haulers handpicked for customer service, equipment quality, experience, and overall reputation.
Shipping a car yourself puts your vehicle at risk of damage in transit. It also leads to wear and tear if you drive the car from state to state or coast to coast. The risks often offset the money you save on the sticker price of professional vehicle shipping. Opt for reliable, pro car shipping services with good reviews and a repeat customer base. Nexus Auto Transport is an A+-rated, BBB-accredited auto transportation company with over 5,000 5-star reviews across multiple platforms.
It is often less costly to ship a vehicle than to drive it yourself. Shipping a car yourself is cheaper on paper, whether hauling it with a trailer hitch or driving the vehicle yourself. However, professional car shipping services save money in the long run. Transporting a car yourself incurs fuel, lodging, maintenance, and overall vehicle depreciation expenses.
Conversely, auto transport companies like Nexus Auto Transport help you avoid such vehicle moving costs, allowing you to move your car at a fair overall rate.
Most car carriers ask that you remove personal items from your car before shipment. Some vehicle shippers allow a certain weight with an added charge for every pound in excess. Speak with a Nexus representative to find a vehicle transporter who can accommodate you in shipping personal belongings with your vehicle.
The most affordable car shipping rates are typically available during winter (January–March), excluding holiday seasons. This may differ in certain areas and on certain days, so be sure to call (224) 218-2949 for the most current auto transportation pricing information.
Car dealerships usually contract out automotive transport to professional brokers like Nexus Auto Transport. Transport costs vary depending on the vehicle, the type of trailer used, and other extenuating factors. Some shipments will cost you as low as $299. Other cross-country shipments may cost $1,500 or more. Your dealer may ask you to pay the car shipper separately, or they may include the cost of car transport in the final pricing arrangement.
Absolutely! Professional car transportation protects your vehicle throughout its journey from Point A to B. Door-to-door auto transport services offer the utmost convenience, allowing you to pick exactly where you want to ship your car from and to.
Nexus offers affordable auto transport services to everyone for long-distance moves, classic car shipping, military auto transport, student vehicle transport, and more. We will pair you with a top vehicle shipper, and an experienced vehicle transport assistant will monitor everything for you until your car is safely delivered at its destination.
The average car shipping cost in 2026 is just over $600, usually for a shipment under 1,000 miles. A typical 2,000-mile open auto transport order averages $1,000 to $1,500, depending on the time of year and other extenuating factors.
Our vehicle shipping cost calculator estimates auto transport quotes based on current market conditions. Final prices may vary if driver availability shifts, routes change, or other extenuating factors occur—call (224) 218-2949 with any questions or concerns about your free vehicle transport quote.
Yes. There are a few things you should do before shipping a car professionally:
Nexus Autop Transport recommends booking auto transport services 1-2 weeks in advance. The more time you give a vehicle transporter to set up the right plan for you, the more likely it is that you'll get the most affordable vehicle shipping rates. Flexibility is key to shipping a car on a budget.
Nexus assigns independent auto carriers who are legally required to carry full cargo insurance for car shipping services. We do not insure cars as a company. Instead, we vet our drivers to ensure they follow all current shipping rules, laws, and regulations.
If you're having any difficulties with our automobile shipping cost calculator and require assistance, our agents are ready to help. Just give us a call at (224) 218-2949. We will connect you to a car transportation expert who will be able to provide more information about car transport costs and answers to questions you may have about our vehicle shipping cost calculator.
