Free Car Shipping Cost Calculator

1. 1

   Enter Your Route

   Enter your pickup and drop-off ZIP codes. The tool maps your real driving route. It returns the actual highway distance a carrier drives.

2. 2

   Select Your Vehicle

   Choose vehicle type, make, year, transport type, and condition. Running or non-running. Open or enclosed. Each selection adjusts your estimate.

3. 3

   Get Your Estimate

   Your results appear instantly, including estimated shipping cost range, price per mile, fuel surcharge estimate, estimated transit time, total carriers on your route, and a route map with highway names.

4. 4

   Compare Your Options

   Change any input, such as transport type, vehicle type, or condition. Recalculate to see how your estimate changes.

The displayed amount is an estimate, not a guaranteed carrier quote.

• Distance

  Distance sets the base price. Short routes cost $1.55 to $2.60 per mile. Long hauls cost $0.65 to $0.85 per mile. The per-mile rate drops the longer your route gets. The calculator uses your real ZIP-to-ZIP route.

• Vehicle Type

  Standard sedans get the most economical shipping prices. Bigger vehicles weigh more and take up more trailer space. In this calculator, SUVs add $150 and trucks and vans add $225 to the estimate. Fewer cars fit per load when vehicles are larger.

• Time of Year

  Season changes the price. Early summer is the peak moving season nationwide. Late autumn rises with snowbird relocation demand. January through March is usually the cheapest stretch.

• Door-to-Door vs. Terminal Shipping

  Door-to-door brings the truck to your address. Terminal shipping uses drop-off hubs instead. Terminal service saves about $80 to $150 on a real quote. This is general carrier behavior, not a toggle in this calculator.

• Fuel Prices

  Fuel is a major carrier cost. Higher diesel prices push shipping quotes up, and quotes can shift week to week with fuel. Long routes feel fuel changes the most.

• Location

  Location affects how competitive your route is. Major city routes have more carriers and better rates. Rural pickups add fuel and time surcharges, and remote drop-offs raise the final price.

• How to Save on Car Shipping Costs

  Three strategies lower car shipping costs without negotiation:

  1. Give a flexible pickup window. A 3-to-5-day pickup window can save 10% to 20%.
  2. Use terminal shipping. Terminal drop-off can save about $80 to $150.

  Run an estimate before contacting carriers. A known market range helps identify unusually low quotes.

• Is It Worth It to Ship Your Car?

  It depends on distance, time, and driving costs. Shipping usually becomes more economical beyond about 500 miles. Below that distance, driving is often cheaper. Compare these costs with the shipping price:

  • Fuel: Long-distance driving can consume significant amounts of fuel.
  • Time: Multi-day drives can reduce work days.
  • Wear: Long trips add mileage and vehicle wear.
  • Lodging: Overnight travel adds hotel costs.

  For a cross-country move, shipping usually saves money and time. For a short trip, driving is often cheaper.

• What Is the Cheapest Way to Ship a Car?

  Open transport is the cheapest shipping method. It costs $700 to $1,500 on standard routes. Enclosed transport costs a fixed 38% more. Combine these strategies to lower the price:

  • Ship open rather than enclosed. This provides the largest saving.
  • Use terminal-to-terminal shipping. Terminal drop-off can save $80 to $150.
  • Give a flexible pickup window. Save 10% to 20%.
  • Book January through March. Off-season rates are typically lowest.

  Open transport with flexible dates is the most cost-effective option.

• How much does it cost to ship a car 700 miles?

  About $875 to $1,025. A 700-mile route costs about $1.35 per mile.

• How much does it cost to ship a car 1,000 miles?

  About $975 to $1,125 at the mid-distance rate.

• How much does it cost to ship a car 2,000 miles?

  About $1,425 to $1,675. Long-distance shipments cost less per mile.

• Do I need to provide personal information to get an estimate?

  No. The estimate requires no name, email, or phone number.

• Is long-distance shipping cheaper per mile?

  Yes. Long-distance shipments cost less per mile but more in total. Cross-country routes cost $0.65 to $0.85 per mile.

• How much more does enclosed transport cost?

  Enclosed transport costs a fixed 38% more. Open transport costs $700 to $1,500, while enclosed transport costs $1,000 to $2,200 or more.

• Does a non-running car cost more to ship?

  Yes. It adds about $200 because the carrier needs specialized loading equipment.

• How can I save money on car shipping?

  Give a flexible pickup window, use terminal shipping, and avoid quotes that appear unusually low.

• How accurate is the calculator?

  It uses current 2026 rates and your actual route. The estimate provides a reliable planning range, although final quotes vary.

• When do people use a car shipping calculator?

  Common situations include moving to another state, buying a car out of state, seasonal or snowbird vehicle relocation, and selling a vehicle to a remote buyer. Running an estimate first gives you a market range before you finalize a purchase, plan a move, or complete a sale.

• How is the shipping distance calculated?

  The calculator uses the actual driving route between the pickup and delivery ZIP codes.

• Why do I get a price range instead of one exact number?

  A single number would imply more precision than any calculator can guarantee. This calculator shows its estimate as a range roughly ±8% around the base price.

• Does vehicle type affect the estimate?

  Yes. This calculator adds $150 for an SUV and $225 for a truck or van compared to a sedan, reflecting the extra trailer space they require.

• Can I ship an SUV or pickup?

  Yes. Select the appropriate vehicle type in the calculator.

• Does the calculator cover international shipping?

  No. This calculator covers domestic U.S. routes only. For international vehicle shipping, contact an international freight forwarder.

• Do I need an account?

  No account is required to calculate the initial estimate.