Moving a car to another state typically costs about $500 to $1,700 for standard open-carrier transport. The distance makes the biggest difference (and cross-country moves cost the most), but the car you’re moving, the route, and the type of carrier all affect your quote.
HireAHelper has helped with more than 1 million moves, so we know getting your car to your new home is a big part of your relocation, too. This guide covers what vehicle shipping costs in 2026, what can raise or lower the price, and how shipping compares with driving or towing the car yourself.
Casey Bond is a reporter covering money, home, and living. Her work has appeared on HuffPost, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, MSN, Business Insider, Forbes, and others.
She brings years of personal finance and consumer reporting experience to HireAHelper, helping readers make smart, informed decisions about the costs and logistics of moving.
Shipping a car to another state usually costs about $500 to $1,700 for an operable standard vehicle on an open carrier. A large vehicle, enclosed trailer, remote destination, or expedited pickup can push the price higher.
Car shipping prices are often expressed as a cost per mile. The per-mile rate generally falls as the trip gets longer, although route availability can cause some variation.
Your overall price rises with the mileage, but you’ll typically pay less for each individual mile on a longer shipment. There are exceptions, and while these ranges are useful for early budgeting, but they aren’t a substitute for quotes based on your actual route and vehicle.
Distance vs. Cost and Per-Mile Rate| Distance | Typical Cost Range | Approximate Per-Mile Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Short trip, under 500 miles | $500 to $900 | $1.25 to more than $2.30 |
| Mid-range trip, around 1,000 miles | $750 to $1,100 | $0.75 to $1.25 |
| Long-distance trip, around 2,000 miles | $900 to $1,400 | $0.50 to $0.75 |
| Cross-country trip, 2,500+ miles | $1,300 to $1,800 or more | $0.53 to $0.60 or more |
Source: Rounded planning ranges based on ConsumerAffairs’ March 2026 quote research for an operable Toyota Camry shipped between major cities on an open carrier.
Larger and heavier vehicles cost more to move because they take up more of the carrier’s available space and weight capacity. A truck that can carry nine compact cars may not be able to carry the same number of large SUVs or pickups.
The prices below compare vehicles shipped over a similar interstate route between Massachusetts and Florida.
Vehicle Type vs. Cost| Vehicle Type | Typical Cost Range on a Comparable Route |
|---|---|
| Sedan or compact car | $650 to $825 |
| SUV or minivan | $850 to $1,200 |
| Full-size truck | Usually near the upper end of $850 to $1,200, or more |
Source: ConsumerAffairs’ 2026 quote research. Its published figures group SUVs, vans, and pickup trucks together rather than providing a separate national range for full-size trucks.
The condition of the vehicle can also affect the price. If the car doesn’t run, the driver may need a winch or other equipment to get it on and off the trailer, which will raise the price.
The biggest factors are the distance, vehicle size, route, transport method, time of year, and any additional services you request. Some are outside your control, but you may be able to spend less by choosing an open carrier, offering a flexible pickup window, or meeting the driver somewhere easier to reach.
Here’s how each factor can change your quote.
This aspect of your move has the biggest impact on the final cost. If you're shipping a car to a state that's less than 100 miles away, it's considered a short-distance move. Shorter moves will cost you more per mile, on average, but less overall in total because you don't have far to go.
Long-distance moves of several hundred miles or more are much more expensive. It can also cost more to ship a car to a location that's in a rural area versus a major metropolitan area.
Naturally, size and weight also influence the price of shipping a vehicle. If you have a compact car, such as a Honda Civic or Mini Cooper, it will likely cost much less to ship than a Ford F-150 or Toyota 4Runner. And of course, vintage or luxury cars cost more because they require special care.
A vehicle that can’t start, steer, or roll may also cost more. Let the company know exactly what works before requesting quotes so the assigned driver arrives with the right loading equipment.
Open carriers are more affordable and carry most of the everyday vehicles shipped across the country. If your car is a few years old and doesn’t need specialized protection, this option will usually make the most sense.
An enclosed carrier shields the car from weather and road debris, but it costs more and may have fewer pickup dates available. Current estimates put the premium at around 30-40% more for many shipments, although routes requiring specialized equipment or handling can cost considerably higher.
Summer is one of the busiest times for household moves and car shipping, so limited trailer space can raise prices.
You may find better availability outside the summer peak, but there isn’t one inexpensive season for every route. Snowbird traffic increases southbound demand in fall and winter and northbound demand in spring, for example. Winter storms can also make certain routes more expensive or less predictable.
The best time to ship is often when you can avoid the busiest period for your particular route and give the company a flexible pickup window.
Well-travelled routes between major cities often cost less because more carriers already use them. That gives a broker more chances to find an available driver without asking someone to make a major detour.
This also means that a rural or remote address can cost you more because the driver has to leave the main route and spend additional time reaching you. Large transport trucks may also be unable to enter a narrow residential street.
In that situation, the driver may suggest meeting at another nearby accessible location. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve lost door-to-door service. It usually means the truck is getting as close to your address as it can safely and legally travel.
Some situations require you to pay additional fees on top of the base shipping price. If you're shipping a particularly valuable car, you may want to pay for extra insurance. If you need your car shipped ASAP, you could pay a few hundred dollars extra for express shipping.
The main options are open-carrier shipping, enclosed transport, terminal-to-terminal service, and door-to-door delivery. You may also be able to travel with the car by rail, although that option is limited to one Amtrak route.
An open carrier is the most popular type of cross-country car transport, and you've probably seen one of the carriers on the road before. Your car is loaded onto a multilevel rack on an open car hauler and driven to its destination.
Recommended for: Most vehicles and situations
Pros
Cons
Enclosed carrier shipping is similar to open carrier, except it uses a covered car hauler. The trailer walls shield the car, so it's less likely to be damaged or scratched by flying rocks and debris.
Recommended for: Luxury and classic cars, new vehicles
Pros
Cons
When shipping your car, you can choose terminal-to-terminal or door-to-door delivery. These are similar methods of transporting your car, but they have some important differences between them.
You drop off your vehicle at a terminal, where it's held until the company has enough cars to fill a carrier. When the company delivers your car, it arrives at another terminal near your new home. Keep in mind that if you leave the car at the destination terminal, you may incur storage fees.
Recommended for: People with flexible timelines
Pros of terminal-to-terminal shipping:
Cons of terminal-to-terminal shipping:
This option is exactly what it sounds like: the company picks up your car, ships it to your new state, and drops it off at your new home.
Recommended for: People who have a tight schedule or live in a remote area far from vehicle shipping terminals
Pros of door-to-door delivery:
Cons of door-to-door delivery:
Rail is available only in a very limited area. Amtrak’s Auto Train carries passengers and their vehicles nonstop between Lorton, Virginia, near Washington, D.C., and Sanford, Florida, near Orlando.
You have to ride the train with your vehicle, so it isn’t a nationwide shipping service. It can still be a useful alternative if your route follows the I-95 corridor and you’d rather avoid making the drive yourself. Ticket prices vary by travel date, vehicle, and the type of passenger accommodation you choose.
A little research into the car company you’re thinking of choosing can help you avoid lowball quotes, unexpected price increases, and confusion about who is actually transporting the car. Start by finding out whether you’re dealing with a broker, a carrier, or a company that acts as both, and also confirm a company’s federal registration.
A broker arranges the shipment by finding a carrier with space on its truck. The carrier owns or operates the truck and physically transports your vehicle.
A broker may give you access to more routes and drivers, which can be helpful when availability is limited. The initial price may still change if no carrier is willing to accept the job at that amount.
"In many cases, you can put some of your belongings in your car to be transported along with it. However… [companies] that allow personal belongings commonly set the limit at around 100 pounds, although the exact policy and any additional fee are up to the carrier."
Working directly with a carrier can make communication a little simpler, since you’re talking to the company actually moving your car. The catch is that one carrier may have fewer routes or pickup dates available, so you’ll have to put the time and legwork in checking each one that runs the route you need.
When deciding between a broker or a carrier, just make sure you know who is transporting the car, who you’re paying, and which company’s coverage applies once it is picked up.
Verifying a carrier before you hand over your keys isn’t too complex, but it is something you always want to do. A few checks can tell you whether the company’s paperwork and promises line up:
HireAHelper uses the same kind of transparency for the moving help booked through its marketplace. You can read more about provider vetting, payments, reviews, and protections in Is HireAHelper Legit?
Getting at least three written quotes based on the same vehicle, route, dates, transport type, and delivery method makes them much easier to compare. A lower estimate may simply leave out a service or fee included elsewhere.
Look at the deposit, carrier fee, pickup window, delivery method, cancellation terms, coverage, and possible surcharges, as they can all affect what you actually pay. A broker may give you an estimate before a carrier has agreed to take the job, so if drivers are asking for more on your route, the price could go up. Ask beforehand whether the quote is firm or may change once a carrier is assigned.
Driving is usually cheaper in direct expenses, especially when the trip is short enough to complete without a hotel. Shipping becomes more competitive over a long distance, once you account for fuel, tolls, meals, accommodations, maintenance, added mileage, and the time spent on the road.
For a fair comparison, don’t count every normal ownership expense as a trip cost. AAA’s latest annual study estimates average fuel expenses at 13 cents per mile and maintenance, repairs, and tires at 11.04 cents per mile. Those are useful starting points for the expenses directly affected by making the drive for a move.
Driving vs. Shipping Comparison for a 2,000-Mile Trip| Cost Factor | Driving Your Car | Shipping Your Car |
|---|---|---|
| Gas or fuel | About $260 | Included in carrier fee |
| Tolls | Depends on route | Normally included |
| Lodging and food | Depends on trip length and travel style | None |
| Maintenance, repairs, and tires | About $221 | No additional mileage |
| Added mileage | 2,000 miles | None |
| Carrier fee | None | About $900 to $1,400 |
| Starting comparison | About $481 before tolls, lodging, and food | About $900 to $1,400 |
Sources: AAA’s 2025 Your Driving Costs study, the latest annual data available, and ConsumerAffairs’ 2026 car-shipping quote research. Actual fuel use, maintenance costs, and carrier prices vary by car and route.
Driving may still win on price, but shipping often wins on time, convenience, and avoiding thousands of miles of wear.
If you decide to drive or tow the car, you’ll still need a plan for the rest of your belongings. HireAHelper’s moving cost calculator can help you compare rental trucks, moving containers, full-service moves, and professional loading help.
You can transport your own car with a tow dolly or an auto transport trailer. This can cost less than hiring a carrier, especially if you’re already renting a moving truck and can add towing equipment to the reservation.
Here’s the catch: towing a car changes how the truck or other vehicle you’re driving accelerates, stops, turns, and changes lanes. The equipment also has to be compatible with both the tow vehicle and the car you’re transporting.
A tow dolly supports the car’s front wheels while the rear wheels remain on the road. It works best for many front-wheel-drive vehicles and is usually the lighter, less expensive option. Some rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles can use one, but the driveshaft may need to be disconnected.
An auto transport trailer carries the entire car with all four wheels off the road. It works with a wider range of vehicles and avoids adding mileage to the towed car, but it’s heavier and generally costs more.
In general, tow dollies are a more affordable option if they work for your vehicles. For example, U-Haul currently charges $49.95 per day for a local tow dolly rental, compared with $69.95 per day for an auto transport trailer. One-way prices vary by route, date, and availability, so you’ll need a quote for your specific move. Hitch equipment, taxes, fuel, and optional coverage can also add to the cost.
Once you've chosen a shipping method and company, you’ll need to prepare your car for the trip. Here are the steps to take to make sure it’s ready to be transported:
Shipping a car can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks after pickup. Distance has the greatest effect, but the carrier’s route, number of scheduled stops, weather, road conditions, and transport type can all change the timing as well.
For early planning, allow approximately:
Keep in mind these are transit estimates rather than guaranteed delivery windows. The company may also need several days to assign a driver and schedule pickup.
Expedited service is available from some companies when you have a tighter deadline, but it raises the price. Current planning estimates put rush-service premiums at roughly $200 to $500.
Moving long distances can be pricey, so anything you can do to reduce the size of your moving truck or shipping container helps.
In many cases, you can put some of your belongings in your car to be transported along with it. However, you can't pack just anything. Avoid fragile, valuable, and hazardous items. Keep your belongings in the trunk or below the window line to avoid theft.
Weight can also affect whether the carrier will accept the car. Companies that allow personal belongings commonly set the limit at around 100 pounds, although the exact policy and any additional fee are up to the carrier. The carrier’s coverage also usually excludes personal items left inside the vehicle. Confirm both points before packing anything.
Once you've decided how you want to ship your car, check this list to avoid problems:
HireAHelper is a marketplace that helps people compare and book moving services using upfront prices and reviews from verified moves. More than 1 million moves have been booked through the platform.
The 2026 shipping figures come from current quote research for standard open-carrier transport. We also used AAA’s latest annual driving-cost study and official information from FMCSA, Amtrak, and U-Haul. That lets us compare the car shipment with the costs and logistics of the rest of your move, rather than treating it as a separate decision.
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