In the USA the average cost to ship a car can be $1000 for short distances and 2500 for long distances. However, the actual cost of shipping a car depends on your vehicle type, transportation method, and many factors which we will discuss in this article
The Average Cost to Ship a Car in The USA
Most transportation companies provide a cost calculator to provide the estimated cost of transporting a car but some factors decide the actual cost. According to the distance the average cost of car shipping in the USA is mentioned here.
| Distance (miles) | Average Cost (Open Carrier) | Average Cost (Enclosed Transport) |
| 0-500 | $200 – $600 | $600 – $1,000 |
| 500-1000 | $600 – $1,000 | $800 – $1,200 |
| 1000-1500 | $800 – $1,300 | $1,000 – $1,500 |
| 1500-2000 | $1,000 – $1,500 | $1,200 – $1,800 |
| 2000-2500 | $1,200 – $1,800 | $1,400 – $2,000 |
| 2500-3000 | $1,400 – $2,000 | $1,600 – $2,200 |
| 3000+ | $1,500+ (depending on distance) | $1,800+ (depending on distance) |
Factors That Affect the Car Shipping Cost
Some of the key factors mentioned here can affect the cost of shipping a car.
- Distance.
- Vehicle type.
- Vehicle condition.
- Shipping method.
- Seasonality.
Distance
One of the main factors that affect the cost of car shipping is the distance between from pickup location and to delivery location. More distance means more cost of shipping. Most of the transportation companies charged shipping per mile basis. For shorter distances, shipping costs are cheaper but the cost per mile is high, and for long distance shipping costs are high but the cost per mile is less.
Vehicle type
The cost to ship a car in the USA is calculated on vehicle type. More car weight and size cost you more, or smaller and lighter cars cost you less in shipping your car across the country.
Vehicle condition
If your vehicle is drivable or does not have any kind of mechanical issue then it will cost you less. If your car got wrecked in an accident and faced any kind of mechanical issue that’s making it harder to move, then it requires extra effort to load and unload on a trailer which is why the transportation company will cost you more in this scenario.
Shipping method
Trans[ortation method also plays a big role in shipping a car to another place. Many transportation companies provide several shipping methods but two methods are most commonly used to ship a car.
- Open car shipping
In this method, your car shipped on an open trailer with several other cars.
Open car trailer exposed to weather conditions and road elements like debris, dust, hailstorms, rain, and thunderstorms.
An open trailer can haul from 6 to 8 cars at once to transport that costs less than the enclosed shipping method
This method is best for transporting your non expensive or daily commuter car
- Enclosed car shipping
This method uses an enclosed trailer which is covered with solid walls and sealing to transport your car across the country.
Enclosed car shipping offers the highest level of security for your vehicle and shields your car from weather conditions.
This method costs more than open car shipping to to transport your car to its destination because it cannot haul more the 4 cars at once.
This method is best for transporting your luxury and premium cars or costume and antique cars from one location to another location.
Seasonality
If you plan to ship your car in peak seasons like summer and winter then it might cost you more because, at this time of the year, many people travel and ship across the country. Transportation companies cost more amount to ship your car during peak season because of high demand.
Tips to Save Money on Car Shipping in The USA
some tips are mentioned here to save money on car shipping.
- Compare quotes with other transportation companies
One transportation company quote might not be profitable for you so need to check other quotes from other companies to get the best deal for your car transportation.
- Book in edvance
Book your car shipping ahead of time can be beneficial for you to book your car shipping at a better rate.
- Be flexible with time and date
Flexibility with the time and date of the shipping can give time to the transportation company to fill the trailer which can save some money for you.
- Transportation method
You can choose the cheapest transportation method available in the market to ship your car. Open car shipping or terminal to terminal car shipping methods can save a lot of money for you.
- Seasonality
Demand for car shipping always fluctuates throughout the year making peak seasons like summer and winter. Also, you can choose off season like spring to ship your car which can be beneficial for you.