Average Cost to Ship a Car

Shipping Antique Cars, Antique car shipping, Antique car shipping companies

How Much Does Auto Transport with Elite Car Shipping Company Cost?

Cheaper Average cost to ship a car. We can offer the best Average car shipping cost in the industry, including a fast and secure delivery.

Elite Car Shipping Company is in the business of helping motorists transport their vehicles throughout the world, and we’re here to help you get the best possible rates on auto transport services. It currently costs about $1,300 for ground transportation in an open car carrier, but you should only consider that figure to be a rough estimate. There are a lot of different factors that can affect your overall auto shipping cost, and we’ll be discussing a few of those factors in more detail in this article. It’s not difficult to get a great deal as long as you’re patient and if you take the time to shop around. Our dedicated team of transportation professionals is here to help you get the lowest possible rates, and our shipping agents can save you the most money if you book early.

Give us a call at 1-888-885-5354 to learn more about ground transportation for your car, truck, or SUV. We offer an online shipping calculator on our website, and we can provide you with a custom quote for your vehicle in just a few minutes. We don’t require our customers to make any up-front deposits when they’re booking transportation services, and we can beat any price quote!

How is the Average Car Shipping Cost Calculated?

We based our $1,300 car shipping estimate on the current industry averages. A short trip of 500 miles or fewer on an open transport carrier will cost you around $600, but if you want to upgrade to an enclosed transport the price will go up by around $400. Shipping your car more than 2,000 miles in an enclosed transport will cost you about $1,800.

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When you contact a shipping agent to schedule a car shipment, the shipping job will be offered up for bidding in an open marketplace. We partner with the nation’s most trusted transportation carriers, and they’re all prepared to compete for your business. The bidding process is a good way to ensure that you get a fair price for the job, and it also helps you get the best possible rates. We can often find auto transports that are already making deliveries along your route and help you ship your vehicle at deeply discounted rates. Car shipping companies want to ensure that their car carriers are always fully-loaded, and they often offer unsold space at bargain prices when they’re making deliveries for their customers who paid for expedited shipping.

A Quick Look at How Auto Shipping Companies Price their Services

When you’re shopping for a shipping quote, there are plenty of experienced and reputable transportation companies prepared to compete for your business. Ask the shipping agents as many questions as you need to when you’re getting your shipping quote, and make sure to get multiple estimates. Even though the costs of auto transportation remain pretty constant, shipping companies will often price their services differently. You’ll generally pay less per mile for a longer trip, but some transporters offer regional service and can offer you lower rates for a shorter trip. Here’s a look at how auto shipping services work, as well as a few of the main factors that can affect the total price of your shipping job.

Open transport vs. enclosed auto shipping

Open transport is your cheapest option because you and up to eight other customers will be sharing the expense of transporting your vehicles. Your vehicle can be delivered to any destination, and you won’t be putting any mileage on your engine or on your tires during the trip. Open transport is a safe and easy way to transport autos, but they won’t be protected from the weather en route. If you’re accustomed to keeping your luxury vehicle in a garage when it’s not on the road, enclosed auto shipping offers an additional layer of protection for your most prized possession! You’ll pay about $400 more for enclosed shipping, but you’ll enjoy true peace of mind while your vehicle is in transit.

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If you’re traveling a longer distance, the average estimated cost for open transport jumps up to around $1,080 and the average estimated cost for enclosed transport jumps up to around $1,500. Enclosed shipping serves as a “garage on wheels” for your car, and it ensures that your paint job will still look great at the end of the journey! Enclosed transport is also a great way to ship motorcycles or car parts.

You’ll pay a lower average cost to ship a car per mile on a longer trip

Your transportation estimate has certain fixed costs that you can expect to pay no matter how far you’ll be shipping your vehicle. But the expense of motor fuel is on the rise, and it will be directly proportional to the length of your trip. What this means is that your cost per mile will be lower if you’re traveling a longer distance. You’ll pay an average of .85-$1.20 per mile for open carrier transport, and approximately 30-40% more for enclosed auto transport. Shipping costs are also subject to seasonal factors and they will be slightly higher from late spring through early fall.

A longer trip will cost you more

Even though you’ll pay less per mile for a longer trip, your overall price tag will be higher. Here are the most current shipping estimates for car shipping on both open transport and enclosed transport carriers.

Shipping distance Open transport carrier Enclosed auto transport carrier Average
1-499 miles $635 $935 $785
500-999 miles $795 $1,125 $965
1,000-1,499 miles $1,075 $1,515 $1,295
1,500-1,999 miles $1,325 $1,735 $1,535
2,000-2,499 miles $1,365 $1,855 $1,605
More than 2,500 miles $1,355 $1,835 $1,595

It costs more to ship larger vehicles

Your shipping estimate will be based on the weight of your vehicle, and larger vehicles will cost more to ship than compact cars. SUVs weigh more than sedans, but they weigh less than half-ton trucks. Each time that you step up to a heavier weight class, it will cost you about $150 more. Make sure to look up your vehicle’s weight in your vehicle owner’s manual before you call to get your shipping quote.

Vehicle classification Average shipping cost Open transportation Enclosed car transportation
Car $1,155 $975 $1,345
SUV $1,285 $1,085 $1,485
Truck $1,455 $1,215 $1,685

Why Do Transportation Companies Price Their Services Differently?

Car shipping jobs are offered up for open bidding, and the final price that you pay will be based on supply and demand. When you contact a transportation broker, he or she will solicit bids on your behalf to get you the best possible price. Even though many of the fixed costs of transportation remain constant, transportation companies can often find ways to reduce overhead and offer you a lower price. Obtaining multiple bids is a good way to keep companies honest, and it ensures that they’re pricing their services fairly. You should also be concerned about any bids that come in substantially lower than the others.

How the bidding process works

When you want to schedule auto shipping, the first step is to get a shipping quote. A transportation broker will research the current market prices for your shipping job to offer you your shipping quote and will help you select the right options. Each vehicle has unique shipping needs, and we’ll help you make an informed decision. After you confirm your shipment, your transportation broker will then submit a Request For Proposal (RFP) for your shipping job. The RFP describes all of the details of the job, and qualified auto transport carriers will place bids on the shipment. We exclusively partner with bonded transportation carriers, and they’re all eager to earn your business.

We’ll usually leave the RFP active for about a week, but we can often save you the most money if you have a little more time. Transportation companies want to ensure that their trucks are always full, and unsold carrier space means lost revenue. They’d rather cut their rates than leave the carrier slots unsold. If you’re headed to the same location as another customer who has already paid for priority auto shipping, the driver can pick up your vehicle and deliver it along the way.

Factors that will affect your auto transport costs

Shipping costs are based on supply and demand, and you can expect to pay the highest prices during the summer months. Your shipping quote is also subject to change if you don’t book your transport right away. These are a few of the details transportation companies consider when offering an auto shipping quote.

  • Total number of miles for the shipment
  • Optional supplemental insurance
  • Priority shipping
  • Pick-up and delivery locations
  • Transport mode (open carrier shipping or enclosed shipping)

Make sure that you always get multiple bids and ask for itemized shipping estimates. If you ever see an estimate that is substantially lower than the others, be sure to find out if they’re cutting any corners to offer you that price.

Estimating the Average Cost to Ship a Car

Now that you know a few of the factors that can affect your shipping estimate, here’s a look at the average price of auto shipping based on transportation mode, travel distance, and vehicle sizes. These are only estimates, and pricing can fluctuate significantly throughout the year. You can use our auto shipping rate calculator to get an accurate and up-to-date price quote in just a few minutes.

Average shipping cost based on mode of transport

If you’re looking to save money, open transport is the cheapest way to ship an automobile. Unfortunately, your vehicle won’t be protected from the weather in transit. That’s why enclosed transportation is a great option for consumers who own sports cars or luxury vehicles. You’ll pay about $420 more to ship your car in an enclosed carrier, but it’s a small price to pay when you’re shipping a rare or vintage vehicle.

Mode of transport Average shipping cost
Open Transport $1,080
Enclosed Transport $1,500

Average shipping cost based on travel distance

It will cost you a higher price to ship your vehicle a longer distance, but you’ll pay a little less per mile. Here are the current estimates for shipping costs based on the distance for the shipment.

Distance Open transport Enclosed transport Average cost
1-499 miles $635 $935 $785
500-999 miles $795 $1,125 $965
1,000-1,499 miles $1,075 $1,515 $1,295
1,500-1,999 miles $1,325 $1,735 $1,535
2,000-2,499 miles $1,365 $1,855 $1,605
Over 2,500 miles $1,355 $1,835 $1,595

Average car shipping cost by vehicle size

The cost of shipping both vehicles and freight is based on weight, and you’ll pay more to ship a larger or heavier vehicle. Here’s a look at current shipping cost estimates for each category of vehicle.

Distance Car SUV Truck
1-499 miles $555 $635 $705
500-999 miles $715 $805 $885
1,000-1,499 miles $975 $1,075 $1,185
1,500-1,999 miles $1,175 $1,315 $1,495
2,000-2,499 miles $1,205 $1,335 $1,555
Over 2,500 miles $1,205 $1,345 $1,515

FAQ

  • Will my auto transport costs depend on which shipping company I hire for the job?

    Transportation carriers base their pricing on numerous different factors, including the size of your vehicle, the mode of transport, and the total shipping distance. Pricing is based on current supply and demand, and transportation companies might price the same services slightly differently. For example, a company making deliveries on regular shipping routes might be able to offer customers traveling on those routes better pricing. Some large carriers charge more if they have to deliver to rural areas, but an independent company that services certain regions might be able to offer you a better deal.

  • What’s the average shipping cost for open carrier transportation?

    The current average cost of open carrier shipping is $1,080. You can expect to pay around $630 for a shipment of 500 miles or fewer, and $1,200 or more if you’re shipping your car cross-country. Enclosed transportation will cost you an additional $420, and it’s a great way to ship rare vehicles and auction purchases.

  • Which shipping companies currently offer the best auto shipping rates on car shipping?

    The following transportation companies currently offer open carrier transport services for an average price of $960, which is less than the current industry average. All three companies are bonded, and your vehicle will be transported by a licensed and insured driver.

    All three companies allow you to book a car shipment on their website, and they provide you the option of purchasing supplemental insurance.

  • How can I estimate my auto shipping cost?

    The charts that we’ve included in this article are rough estimates for several common shipping scenarios, and you can visit our website any time to get a free quote. We can show you your options in a matter of minutes, and then we’ll help you schedule a pick-up for your car. Once you’ve confirmed your shipping order, we’ll then submit your shipping job to the leading transportation companies for bidding.

  • Will it cost more to ship a larger vehicle?

    Shipping autos is like shipping any other type of freight, and you can expect to pay more to ship a larger or oversized vehicle. Shipping a larger vehicle such as an SUV or a full-size pickup truck will cost you approximately $150-300 more than shipping a small sedan. We can also help you schedule shipping for your RV on a specialty flatbed trailer.

  • Is it more expensive to ship my vehicle during the summer?

    Summertime is the most popular time for taking vacations, and the increased demand for shipping means higher rates. You’ll pay the highest rates for car transportation from late spring through early fall.

  • How can I save the most money on car shipping?

    Open transport is the cheapest way to ship your car, and you owe it to yourself to schedule your shipment early if you want to find the lowest prices for car shipping. Enclosed transportation is money well-spent to ship a luxury vehicle, but it will cost you about $400 more than open transport. Your car won’t be protected from the weather in an open carrier, but it’s a perfectly safe way to ship your car.

  • What are the rates for car shipping to Hawaii?

    If you’re taking a Hawaiian vacation, we’ll make sure that you can see the islands in your own vehicle. Shipping a vehicle from Los Angeles to Honolulu currently costs an average rate of around $1,300-$2,200. We can help you ship your vehicle to Honolulu in a shipping container or on a roll-on transport.

  • What are the rates for car shipping to Mexico?

    You should estimate about $1,500-$2,500 for ground transportation to Mexico, and our open carriers can ship your vehicle in as few as 7 to 10 days. You’ll need to complete some additional paperwork for international car shipping, and you’ll need to schedule your shipment a minimum of three weeks in advance. You’ll need proof of current insurance, and you’ll need to obtain a certified copy of the car title. If you’re still making payments, you’ll need a letter of authorization from your auto finance company authorizing you to transport the vehicle out of the country.

  • What will auto transport cost per mile?

    There are certain fixed auto transport costs that you’ll pay no matter how far you’re shipping your vehicle, but the expense of fuel is directly proportional to the length of your trip. You’ll pay a higher overall price for a longer trip, but you’ll pay a lower shipping cost per mile. It costs around .80-$1.00 per mile for auto shipping in an open carrier, and slightly over a dollar per mile for enclosed auto transport.

  • How do shipping carriers determine their auto shipping rates?

    Transportation companies base their shipping rates on the weight of your vehicle, the mode of transport, and the total travel distance. Shipping carriers might price some of their services slightly differently, which is why it’s crucial to get at least three estimates. After you’ve confirmed your shipping order, we’ll solicit bids on your behalf to get the best possible rates. We exclusively partner with reputable transportation companies, and your vehicle will be transported by a licensed and insured driver.

  • What is the most trusted auto transportation company?

    Forbes reviewed bonded and insured transportation carriers in 2022 to rank the best car shipping companies, and you can read the article here. The article’s editors used the companies’ BBB scores, customer service scores, and their range of services to compile their rankings.

    You also owe it to yourself as a customer to research companies on your own. Scheduling auto shipping is like shopping for any other service, and you have plenty of reputable transportation companies to choose from. You’ll definitely want to read their online reviews to get started, and you can also contact the companies directly for more information.

  • How can I get a shipping quote for my car?

    We make scheduling a car shipment easy, and we provide a shipping calculator on our website to help you get started. Input your vehicle information and your shipping dates, and we’ll show you all of your shipping options. Our shipping agents will make sure that you select the right mode of transport, and they’ll get to work locating a driver as soon as you confirm your shipping order. We’ll submit an RFP for your shipping job to the most trusted transportation companies in the United States, and they will bid on your shipment. Once we’ve confirmed your shipping order, we’ll email you your confirmation with all of the details for the pick-up. The driver can pick up your car at your home or at a nearby parking lot.

Contact Us Today To Learn More!

We hope that you found this auto shipping price guide helpful, and we’re available 24 hours a day if you have any additional questions. You can reach us at 1-888-885-5354 to learn more or to get a shipping quote. We exclusively partner with trusted transportation companies, and we’re here to make sure that you get the best possible deal. The transportation industry is highly competitive, and that’s great news for consumers. Our transportation agents can save you 10% or more on auto transport services every day, and you won’t need to pay anything up-front to schedule a pick-up.

You can use our shipping calculator to get a detailed estimate for your auto shipment in minutes, and we’ll make scheduling your

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