Know The Real Price
Before You Book Anything.
We use current carrier rate data so you know exactly what your shipment should cost before you commit to anyone.
Where is your vehicle?
Enter the pickup and delivery locations.
Most affordable · Best for standard vehicles
How much does it cost to ship a car in 2026?
Shipping a standard sedan on an open carrier costs about $400–$650 for trips under 500 miles and $1,100–$1,775 coast to coast. Enclosed transport adds roughly 40–60%. Most shipments are delivered in 1–9 days depending on distance.
| Distance | Open transport | Enclosed transport | Transit time | Example route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $400–$650 | $575–$1,050 | 1–3 days | Atlanta to Charlotte |
| 500–1,000 miles | $500–$975 | $725–$1,550 | 2–4 days | Chicago to Dallas |
| 1,000–1,500 miles | $750–$1,200 | $1,100–$1,925 | 3–6 days | New York to Miami |
| 1,500–2,000 miles | $950–$1,400 | $1,375–$2,250 | 4–7 days | Chicago to Phoenix |
| 2,000+ miles (coast to coast) | $1,100–$1,775 | $1,600–$2,850 | 6–9 days | Los Angeles to New York |
What you get with a Transportvibe quote
Most quote forms send your details to brokers who call you with their own price. We show you the market price first, so you can judge every offer you get.
Market price for your route
A realistic price range built from current carrier rates on your route, adjusted for your vehicle, transport type and date.
AI price analysis
ShipAdvisor AI explains what's driving your price and whether a quote you've received is too high, fair, or suspiciously low.
Brokers and carriers for your route
FMCSA-checked companies that serve your route, ranked by TrustScore, with verified reviews and insurance status.
Full Service option
Prefer one company to handle it? Full Service is Transportvibe's own licensed brokerage, shown separately from the independent rankings.
What affects the price of shipping a car
Distance and route
Longer trips cost more in total but less per mile. Routes between major cities on busy interstates are cheaper and faster than rural pickups, where a carrier has to detour to reach you.
Vehicle size and weight
SUVs, pickups and vans take more space and weight on the trailer, typically adding $100–$250 over a sedan. Oversized or modified vehicles may need special equipment.
Open or enclosed transport
Open carriers move up to about ten cars at once, keeping prices low. Enclosed trailers carry fewer cars with full protection, so they cost about 40–60% more.
Season and demand
Summer relocations and snowbird season (south in fall, north in spring) push prices up on busy routes. January and February are usually cheapest outside Florida and Arizona.
Condition and timing
A car that doesn't run needs a winch, which adds a fee. Exact or urgent pickup dates cost more than flexible ones, because the carrier has less room to plan the route.
Popular car shipping routes and prices
Estimated 2026 prices for a standard sedan on some of the most-shipped routes in the country.
| Route | Distance | Open transport | Enclosed transport | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to New York, NY | 2,930 mi | $1,400–$1,775 | $2,025–$2,850 | 6–9 days |
| New York, NY to Miami, FL | 1,310 mi | $900–$1,125 | $1,300–$1,800 | 3–5 days |
| Boston, MA to Orlando, FL | 1,340 mi | $900–$1,150 | $1,300–$1,850 | 3–5 days |
| Chicago, IL to Phoenix, AZ | 1,740 mi | $1,025–$1,325 | $1,475–$2,125 | 4–7 days |
| Dallas, TX to Los Angeles, CA | 1,480 mi | $950–$1,200 | $1,375–$1,925 | 3–5 days |
| Seattle, WA to Denver, CO | 1,220 mi | $850–$1,100 | $1,225–$1,750 | 3–5 days |
| Chicago, IL to Dallas, TX | 970 mi | $750–$950 | $1,100–$1,525 | 2–4 days |
| Houston, TX to Atlanta, GA | 840 mi | $700–$900 | $1,025–$1,450 | 2–4 days |
Open vs enclosed car transport
About nine in ten cars ship on open carriers. Choose enclosed transport when the car's value, finish or clearance makes road exposure a real risk.
| Open carrier | Enclosed carrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | Baseline price | About 40–60% more |
| Availability | High. Easiest to schedule on most routes. | Lower. Allow a few extra days to find a truck. |
| Protection | Exposed to weather, road grime and debris | Fully covered from weather, debris and dust |
| Best for | Daily drivers, leases, used cars, most moves | Classics, exotics, luxury and low-clearance cars |
| Typical cargo insurance | $100,000–$250,000 per load | $250,000–$1,000,000 per load |
Red flags to watch for before you book
Most car shipping problems start with the quote. Check for these before you pay anything.
- A price far below marketLow-ball quotes win the booking, then the car sits unassigned until the price goes up.
- A large deposit before a carrier is assignedReputable brokers typically charge nothing, or a small deposit, until a carrier accepts your car.
- No USDOT or MC numberEvery broker and carrier must be registered with FMCSA. Look the number up before you book.
- "Guaranteed" dates at a standard priceExact pickup dates usually cost extra. A guarantee with no premium is often a sales promise, not a commitment.
What to have ready for an accurate quote
Having these details on hand gives you the most accurate price.
- Pickup and delivery locationsCity or ZIP code for both ends. Exact addresses come later, when you book.
- Vehicle year, make and modelPlus any modifications like lift kits, oversized tires or roof racks.
- Whether it runsNon-running cars need a winch and a carrier that can load them.
- Your first available pickup dateAnd how flexible you can be. Flexibility is the easiest way to save.
Car shipping quote questions
How much does it cost to ship a car in 2026?
Shipping a standard sedan on an open carrier typically costs $400–$650 for trips under 500 miles, $750–$1,200 for 1,000–1,500 miles, and $1,100–$1,775 for coast-to-coast routes over 2,000 miles. Enclosed transport usually adds 40–60%. Enter your route above for a price specific to your pickup and delivery locations.
Is the Transportvibe quote free?
Yes. Checking the market price for your route is free and doesn't commit you to anything. You choose whether to contact a company, and you only pay the company you book with.
Why do quotes from different companies vary so much?
Most car shipping companies are brokers that post your car to a load board where carriers choose which jobs to take. A broker quoting far below market may never find a carrier willing to take the job, leaving your car unassigned. Comparing quotes against the real market price shows which offers are realistic.
What information do I need to get a quote?
You need the pickup and delivery city or ZIP code, the vehicle's year, make and model, whether it runs, your preferred transport type (open or enclosed), and the earliest date the car is ready for pickup.
How far in advance should I book car shipping?
Book about two to three weeks before your pickup date. That gives a carrier time to schedule your car at a fair price. Last-minute or guaranteed-date pickups usually cost more.
What is the difference between open and closed (enclosed) transport?
Open transport carries your car on the same type of trailer dealerships use, exposed to weather and road debris. It is the most affordable option and suits most vehicles. Enclosed transport keeps the car inside a covered trailer, protecting classic, luxury and low-clearance vehicles, and typically costs 40–60% more.
How long does car shipping take?
Transit takes about 1–3 days for trips under 500 miles, 2–4 days for 500–1,000 miles, 3–6 days for 1,000–1,500 miles, and 6–9 days coast to coast. Add one to five days for the carrier to schedule pickup.
How do I know a car shipping company is legitimate?
Check that the company has an active USDOT or MC number with FMCSA and insurance on file, read verified reviews, and look at its TrustScore. Be careful with quotes far below market or requests for large deposits before a carrier is assigned. Transportvibe's Red Flag Checker runs these checks for you.
Car shipping prices by state
See route prices, transit times and top-rated companies for your state.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
How we estimate prices
Price ranges on this page are 2026 estimates for a standard sedan, based on route distance, typical carrier per-mile rates, seasonal demand and the extra cost of enclosed transport. Your personal quote uses your exact route, vehicle and date. Company rankings use FMCSA records and verified customer reviews. How the TrustScore works.
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