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SAFE SHIPPING
High value vehicle insurance.
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RAPID TRANSPORT
Faster vehicle pickup-delivery.
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A+ SERVICE
High rated transport service.

Trust Your Vehicle Transport Quote to Nexus

How to get the best quote for shipping your vehicle

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.

How much it costs to ship a car

The average car shipping cost is around $1,290. 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 2024. 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.

Average Car Shipping Cost by Carrier Type and Distance

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

Average Car Shipping Cost by Vehicle and Distance

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

6 Factors That Impact On Car Shipping Cost

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:

Distance

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.

Location

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.

Make & Model

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.

Vehicle Condition

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.

Expedited Car Transport

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.

Carrier Type

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.

Time of Year

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.

Find out how much your car shipment will cost.

How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Car in Different Seasons?

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.

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a road in winter

Shipping a Car in Winter

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.

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Shipping a Car in Spring

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.

classic car
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parked suv

Shipping a Car in Summer

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.

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Shipping a Car in Fall

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.

a suv on road
Winter
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a car snowy road

Shipping a Car in Winter

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.

classic car

Shipping a Car in Spring

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.

parked suv

Shipping a Car in Summer

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.

a suv on road

Shipping a Car in Fall

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.

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No Hidden Fees

With Nexus Auto Transport, you never have to worry about hidden fees that increase the cost to ship your car.

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Always Transparent

We're always transparent about the mitigating factors that affect your shipping price for a given order.

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Best Car Shipping

In our minds, that's the approach the very best of the best vehicle shipping companies should take.

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Open or Enclosed

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.

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Upfront Pricing

You should always expect upfront pricing from Nexus Auto Transport.

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99.9% Satisfaction

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.

Ready to book your car shipment?

3 Simple Steps to Book Car Shipping Services

Step 1
Schedule your auto shipment with Nexus.
Secure free, instant quotes and easily schedule door-to-door service.
Step 2
We pick up your vehicle.
It’s that easy.
The best auto transporters simplify the vehicle shipping experience for you.
Step 3
Your car is delivered, and you’re on your way!
Our easy-to-use auto transport services are changing the industry.
Step 1
Schedule your auto shipment with Nexus.
With affordable car shipping prices and flexible scheduling options, booking with Nexus is effortless.
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ZIP CODES
Provide your auto pickup and auto delivery zip codes
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VEHICLE INFO
Select a vehicle size and type
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OPEN OR ENCLOSED
Pick between open or enclosed transport
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Step 2
One of our expert drivers will pick up your vehicle.
Our network of 59,000+ vetted auto transport carriers provides the best car shipping services in the U.S.
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GET PREPPED
Clean your car inside and out to prepare for auto shipping.
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A FEW THINGS
Disable alarms, remove personal belongings, and make sure your vehicle has a quarter to half tank of gas.
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LET'S GO
A driver dispatched by Nexus will conduct an auto inspection before loading it onto their car hauler.
Step 3
Our car transport services deliver your car, and you're good to go!
The car shipping process isn't complicated with Nexus. That's what you should expect from a top auto transport company.
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PAY WHEN YOU WANT
You can pay for your vehicle shipment now or at pickup.
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FINAL INSPECTION
Your driver will inspect your vehicle at its destination.
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THAT'S IT!
Sign off on your Bill of Lading, and you're ready to go!
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Super Competitive Auto Transport Pricing

For maximum convenience and transparency, our auto shipping cost calculator provides you with three different auto transport quotes spread across three different service tiers:

Expedited
$1105
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Accelerated Open Carrier

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Faster Pickup-Delivery For Open Transport
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Use your preferred dates for expedited shipping
Best
$855
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Standard Open Carrier

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Lowest Price, Best Availability For Open Transport
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Required flexibility for pickup timing
Premium
$1530
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Enclosed
Carrier

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Best protection from outside elements with enclosed transport
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High-value vehicle protection during the car shipping process
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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.

Your Car Shipping Questions Answered
Our instant car transport quote calculator is anonymous. Until you decide to book your vehicle shipment (with no reservation fee!), we do not request any identifying information such as your name and mailing address. To estimate your car shipping costs, you just need to enter a few things. This includes the pickup and drop-off locations for your vehicle, its make and model, key information about the vehicle condition and value, and special needs such as enclosed car carrier transport. Once you get all of this entered in, you'll have your car shipping quote within seconds.
No! You won't be on the hook for the cost of car transportation when using our anonymous online car transport quote calculator. It's a free tool to help you estimate the cost to ship a car with instant online quotes. You pay nothing for using our online car shipping cost calculator. Furthermore, you don’t pay a reservation fee if you decide to ship your car with us. If you decide against using our service, your vehicle shipping quote is completely free. You pay nothing. Auto shipping costs make much more sense when you use our car shipping cost calculator. You can ship your vehicle with confidence and without worrying about hidden fees!
The best way to have your vehicle shipped is with the help of a top professional vehicle transport provider like Nexus Auto Transport. Shipping a vehicle yourself has plenty of hidden costs when you factor in gas, food, lodging, and potential wear and tear on your car. And that's not even to mention the time you'll spend driving your car from state to state or across the country. That's where the best professional auto shipping companies step in to save you time and money. When you transport a car with a premium auto shipping service like Nexus, you can secure efficient open and enclosed transport services that work with both your schedule and your pocketbook.
Your auto transport quote is only a piece of the overall moving costs puzzle. And lucky for you, Nexus Auto Transport doesn't just provide car transport quotes. We work closely with moving companies around the nation, compiling estimated moving costs for our game-changing moving costs calculator. Combining information from our vehicle shipping calculator and top moving companies in your area, our moving cost calculator is the perfect way to plan your next relocation. You can secure a car transport quote, research storage and pod rental services, and compare prices for movers near you. Other vehicle shipping companies ship cars. Nexus Auto Transport moves travelers like you at a price you can afford.
Are you looking to ship a vehicle on a budget? We’ve got your back! Nexus Auto Transport believes in transparency and giving you the information necessary to make an informed purchasing decision. The auto transport industry is subject to shifting demand and driver availability from day to day and month to month, increasing or decreasing car shipping prices in the process. Also, you’ll pay more for shipping your vehicle in inoperable condition or opting for enclosed car transportation. To save money, opt for open auto transport services, ensure your car is in working order, and be flexible with your scheduling. If you are looking for instant online quotes tailored to a tight budget, use our car shipping estimate calculator. You’ll be surprised at how much you can save on your total auto transport costs!
The safest way to ship a car is with an experienced auto transport provider like Nexus Auto Transport. Shipping a car yourself puts your vehicle in jeopardy of damage in transit while adding unnecessary wear and tear into the equation. And when you transport your vehicle with less reputable providers, the money you'll potentially save out the door means little compared to the risks associated with improper vehicle shipping practices and outdated equipment. Choose Nexus Auto Transport for safe, secure car shipping services that have earned the trust of thousands of customers just like you. Our experienced, vetted network of 59,000+ car haulers is fully licensed and trained. And, all of our drivers use trucks and equipment that meet and exceed state and federal standards for commercial operation.