If you’re asking how much to transport a car, you’ve probably already seen calculators, ads, and “from $499” claims that feel all over the place. Here’s the straight answer: your final price is a function of distance, route density, vehicle size and condition, trailer type (open or enclosed), timing, and pickup/delivery flexibility. National analyses put most cross-country shipments between the mid-three-figures and low-four-figures, with typical per-mile averages sliding down as distance goes up.
Below you’ll find Speedy Way’s current ballpark ranges, how they compare to national norms, the exact levers that move your quote up or down, and step-by-step ways to lower your cost without sacrificing safety.
Quick Answer: Typical Price Ranges
At Speedy Way, the most common question is how much to transport a car on an open trailer vs. enclosed. Here are working ranges we see daily in 2025. These reflect a 10¢-per-mile competitive adjustment from the industry benchmarks you shared.
Open Trailer — Estimated Cost Per Mile
| Trip Length | Price Range (per mile) |
|---|---|
| Short (0–500 miles) | $0.90 – $1.40 |
| Medium (500–1,500 miles) | $0.65 – $0.90 |
| Long (1,500+ miles) | $0.40 – $0.65 |
Enclosed Trailer — Estimated Cost Per Mile
| Trip Length | Price Range (per mile) |
|---|---|
| Short (0–500 miles) | $1.40 – $2.40 |
| Medium (500–1,500 miles) | $0.90 – $1.40 |
| Long (1,500+ miles) | $0.65 – $1.15 |
Why ranges? Because the market rate for any lane lives at the intersection of equipment supply, fuel, and demand. Independent audits that aggregate quotes across major carriers show similar patterns: as mileage climbs, the per-mile rate trends down, while enclosed service prices carry a premium for specialty equipment and limited capacity.
If you want a fast lane-specific number, grab a free quote on our homepage and choose door-to-door car shipping. You’ll see live availability from our carrier network nationwide.
What Actually Drives Your Price
The phrase how much to transport a car only has meaning when you attach these variables:
1) Distance and Route Density
Short hops cost more per mile than long hauls because load time and fixed handling don’t scale with distance. Dense corridors like I-95 and I-5 usually price lower than rural pickups or deliveries off the beaten path, thanks to higher carrier frequency and backhaul options. Third-party cost studies show this “distance down, total up” curve across thousands of lanes.
2) Trailer Type: Open vs. Enclosed
Open carriers move the majority of vehicles at the lowest cost. Enclosed carriers protect from road debris and weather and are preferred for classics, exotics, and show vehicles. Expect a noticeable premium for enclosed because capacity is tighter and equipment costs more to run. Independent guides put enclosed at roughly 30–60% above open, depending on season and lane.
Learn more on our Open Auto Transport and Enclosed Auto Transport pages.
3) Vehicle Size, Weight, and Modifications
Larger SUVs, heavy EVs, long-wheelbase pickups, roof racks, and lift kits reduce carrier capacity and can require specialized placement or ramps. That pushes the rate. Guides that survey carrier pricing confirm heavier and oversized units command higher bids.
4) Vehicle Condition
Does it run, steer, and brake? Inoperable vehicles need winching and sometimes special equipment. That adds labor time at both ends and may require a carrier that supports inop loading, which narrows the pool. See our dedicated Inoperable Vehicle Shipping overview for what to expect.
5) Timing and Flexibility
Peak demand windows—late spring through early summer, and again in snowbird season—tighten capacity. Flexible pickup windows and terminals with easy truck access can shave meaningful dollars. National price trackers show seasonal surges year after year.
6) Origin and Destination Constraints
Tight streets, gated communities, or islands introduce workarounds. Hawaii and Alaska lanes are multimodal and price differently than contiguous U.S. ground moves. Read our Hawaii Auto Transport guide for port options and timing.
7) Insurance, Compliance, and Service Level
Price should never be divorced from safety. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s FMCSA maintains the public SAFER Company Snapshot database where you can confirm active authority and insurance for the motor carrier that will actually move your car. Brokers may coordinate the shipment; they are not permitted to misrepresent themselves as motor carriers under federal rules.
Check out our About page to see how Speedy Way vets and monitors our network.
What A Real-World Total Looks Like
Here are sample totals you might see when you ask how much to transport a car on common routes, using the per-mile bands above. These assume a running sedan with standard ground clearance and door-to-door service.
| Example Lane | Distance | Open Total | Enclosed Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA → Orlando, FL | ~440 mi | $400–$615 | $615–$1,050 |
| Dallas, TX → Phoenix, AZ | ~1,060 mi | $690–$950 | $950–$1,480 |
| Chicago, IL → Miami, FL | ~1,380 mi | $900–$1,240 | $1,240–$1,930 |
| Los Angeles, CA → Seattle, WA | ~1,135 mi | $740–$1,020 | $1,020–$1,590 |
| New York, NY → San Diego, CA | ~2,800 mi | $1,120–$1,820 | $1,820–$3,220 |
Use our instant car shipping quotes tool on the speedy way home page to see live rates for your exact addresses. If you’re comparing service levels, our FAQ explains pickup and delivery windows, transit timing, and what “door-to-door” really means once a tractor-trailer meets local restrictions.
How Our Price Compares To National Averages
You’ll find plenty of “average cost” posts when you search how much to transport a car. Two common data points:
- National consumer guides regularly report short-distance shipments running higher per mile than long cross-country moves; they also confirm enclosed costs more than open.
- Financial and automotive outlets surveying multiple brokers and carriers show most coast-to-coast sedans landing in the low-four-figures, with SUVs and enclosed service climbing from there.
Our open and enclosed bands sit right alongside those studies, with a built-in 10¢-per-mile edge where we can secure capacity efficiently through our nationwide network.
Ways To Lower Your Price Without Risk
When you’re focused on how much to transport a car, savings should never come at the expense of compliance or coverage. These tweaks reduce cost while keeping quality intact:
- Choose open transport unless you truly need enclosed. Open still includes professional handling and standard carrier cargo coverage. Get the details on our Open Auto Transport page.
- Stay flexible on pickup and delivery dates. A 2–5 day window lets dispatch pair your vehicle with an optimal route.
- Use addresses with easy truck access. Wide streets and turnarounds keep time on site down and may avoid needing a smaller feeder truck.
- Ship from and to population centers when possible; meet at a nearby large parking lot if local streets are too tight.
- Keep ground clearance reasonable. Extremely low cars may require race-ramps or special handling that limits carrier availability. If you need extra protection, compare with Enclosed Auto Transport.
- If the car doesn’t run, tell us upfront. Properly planning an Inoperable Vehicle Shipping move saves failed pickup fees and re-dispatch charges.
- Book before seasonal spikes when possible. Snowbird and summer surges lift market rates across many lanes.
What Your Quote Includes (And What It Doesn’t)
A reputable quote for how much to transport a car should make these items explicit:
• Service type: open or enclosed, door-to-door, and whether any terminal handoffs are involved.
• Estimated pickup window and estimated transit time. See our FAQ for how windows work.
• Insurance basics: who the motor carrier is, their USDOT/MC numbers, and cargo coverage limits; how to file a claim if needed. You can independently verify that carrier’s authority in FMCSA’s public database.
• Fees: surcharges for inoperable vehicles, off-route locations, or specialized equipment.
• What you must do: have the vehicle empty of loose household items unless previously approved; prep and inspection steps; photo documentation at pickup and delivery.
If a quote feels vague, ask for the carrier’s legal name and DOT number before pickup. The FMCSA prohibits misrepresenting broker services as carrier services; that line matters. FMCSA
Open vs. Enclosed: Which Is Right For You?
Choosing the trailer type is often the biggest swing in how much to transport a car.
Open fits most daily drivers, fleet units, and dealer moves. It’s the most economical and the fastest to schedule because capacity is abundant.
Enclosed makes sense for luxury, classics, exotics, low-clearance builds, and fresh restorations. Soft-strap tie-downs, lift-gate loading, and full-height walls protect finish and underbody. Learn more on our Enclosed Auto Transport page.
Still on the fence? Talk to us about your specific vehicle, wheelbase, clearance, and value, and we’ll give you a side-by-side comparison.
Special Situations That Change The Math
Students and College Moves
Dorm schedules compress demand into tight windows around the start and end of terms. Booking even a week earlier can secure a lower spot price. Our Student Auto Transport page has packing tips and timing guidance.
Snowbird Season
When retirees head south and then back north, lanes like the Northeast to Florida heat up. Expect rates to move in tandem with demand. See Snowbird Auto Transport for timing.
Auction Purchases
Coordination with release paperwork and yard rules matters as much as the lane price. Our Auctions Auto Transport team handles gate passes, storage clocks, and approved pickup windows so you don’t pay avoidable fees.
Motorcycles
Two-wheel moves use crating or specialized motorcycle skids and straps. Visit Motorcycle Shipping for methods and timelines.
Island Routes
Hawaii requires port scheduling and ocean carriage. See Hawaii Auto Transport for island options and transit timing.
How To Read Reviews And Protect Yourself
Price matters, but so does how the company earns it. Here’s what to check:
-Does the quote name the actual motor carrier well before pickup, and will the company share the DOT/MC numbers so you can verify status in SAFER Company Snapshot?
-Are claims and inspections handled in writing with photos at both ends?
-Do they clearly state whether they’re a broker coordinating service or a carrier operating the truck? Federal rules are explicit about representations here.
If any of those answers are fuzzy, ask for clarity before you sign. A good partner makes this easy.
Frequently Asked Price Questions
What is the cheapest way to ship a car safely?
Open transport with flexible dates and easy truck access, booked outside peak season, is the best blend of safety and savings. Start on our Home page for live car shipping quotes.
How much to transport a car if it doesn’t run?
Plan on an inoperable fee to cover winching and additional handling. The exact amount depends on weight, steering/brake status, and winch points. We explain what dispatch needs on Inoperable Vehicle Shipping.
How much to transport a car in an enclosed trailer?
Use the enclosed per-mile bands above. For many 1,000–1,400-mile lanes, a standard sedan lands roughly in the $1,000–$1,900 window with lift-gate or premium equipment on the higher side. Industry studies consistently show enclosed pricing above open because capacity is limited.
Do personal items in the car change the price?
Loose household goods are restricted and can void a carrier’s cargo coverage. Even small approved items add weight and risk. See our FAQ for what’s allowed.
Can I get an exact number right now?
Yes. Enter your pickup and delivery addresses on our homepage. You’ll see a live estimate based on current market conditions, carrier availability, and your chosen service.
Bottom Line
The honest way to answer how much to transport a car is to combine nationwide market data with the specifics of your route, timing, and vehicle. Open trailers will almost always be the most economical, enclosed offers the most protection, and seasonal timing plus pickup flexibility can make a real difference. Use the per-mile ranges above to sanity-check any quote you receive, verify the carrier’s credentials in the FMCSA database, and don’t be afraid to ask detailed questions about insurance and windows before you book.
When you’re ready, get your instant car shipping estimate on the Speedy Way homepage. If your move involves students, a non-runner, an auction purchase, or snowbird timing, jump straight to the relevant service page for tips that can lower your cost and speed up scheduling:
Student Auto Transport • Inoperable Vehicle Shipping • Auctions Auto Transport • Snowbird Auto Transport.