Average Cost to Ship a Car: 2026 Data From Real Shipments
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Shipping a car costs between $650 and $2,500 in 2026. That wide range hides the number that actually matters: what your specific vehicle, on your specific route, will cost. This page breaks down 2026 pricing data by distance, vehicle type, transport method, and route. Use it to find the number that best matches your shipment.
Key takeaways from the data:
- The national average cost to ship a car in 2026 falls between $1,020 and $1,350, with most sources landing near $1,200.
- Short hauls under 500 miles average $1.50 to $2.50 per mile, while cross-country hauls over 2,500 miles drop to $0.40 to $0.65 per mile.
- Enclosed transport averages $614 more than open transport across a data set of 335,000-plus real shipments: $1,852 versus $1,238.
- SUVs average $81 more to ship than sedans, based on that same real-shipment data set.
Average Car Shipping Cost by Distance in 2026
Distance changes the price more than any other factor, and the drop isn’t steady as miles increase. Fixed costs like loading, dispatch, and driver time spread across more miles on a long haul. That makes the per-mile rate fall fast at first, then level off.
| Vehicle Era | Shipments | Average Cost | Median Cost | Shipped Enclosed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic/vintage (pre-1980) | 1,095 | $1,581 | $1,450 | 83% |
| Older modern (1980-1999) | 276 | $1,472 | $1,400 | 58% |
| Modern (2000-2015) | 311 | $1,400 | $1,300 | 48% |
| Late-model (2016+) | 923 | $1,336 | $1,250 | 36% |
Key insights:
- Costs nearly double per mile on a short haul under 500 miles versus a cross-country trip, even though the total price is lower.
- Cuts the per-mile rate roughly in half between the shortest and longest distance tiers tracked.
- Falls mostly in the 500- to 1,500-mile range for single-vehicle shipments, where prices average $800 to $1,500.
Average Car Shipping Cost by Vehicle Type
A bigger, heavier vehicle takes up more space on the trailer, so it costs more to ship. Across more than 300,000 real shipments in 2026, that difference comes out to a specific dollar amount.
| Vehicle Type | Example Models | Average Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan/Compact | Camry, Accord | $800–$1,225 | Lowest-cost category |
| SUV/Minivan | CR-V, Sienna | $900–$1,350 | Averages $81 more than a sedan |
| Full-size truck/large SUV | F-150, Suburban | $1,100–$1,600 | Longer and heavier, so it takes more trailer space |
| Classic/luxury/exotic | Vintage models, Porsche, Corvette | $1,200–$1,852+ | Usually ships enclosed |
Key insights:
- Shipping an SUV adds only $81 to the average cost compared with shipping a sedan, a smaller gap than the difference in vehicle size might suggest.
- Full-size trucks and large SUVs have the highest average shipping costs among standard vehicle categories, typically ranging from $1,100 to $1,600.
- Classic, luxury, and exotic vehicles often fall into the highest shipping cost tier because they typically use enclosed transport, which costs more than open transport.
Open Transport vs. Enclosed Transport: Cost Comparison
Open transport carries vehicles on an uncovered trailer and handles most standard shipments. Enclosed transport uses a covered trailer to shield vehicles from weather, road debris, and other exposure during transit. It costs more because enclosed carriers typically transport fewer vehicles per load.
| Transport Type | Average Cost | Cost Per Mile | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | $1,238 | $0.40–$2.00 | Everyday sedans, SUVs, and trucks |
| Enclosed | $1,852 | 40%–60% more than open | Classic, luxury, and exotic vehicles |
Key insights:
- Enclosed transport adds an average of $614 to the shipping cost compared with open transport, a premium of about 50%.
- Open transport handles most vehicle shipments in the U.S., helping keep per-mile rates lower and carrier availability higher.
- Enclosed transport uses a covered trailer to protect vehicles from weather and road debris, making it a common choice for classic and exotic vehicles.
Sample Car Shipping Costs by Popular Route
National averages set expectations, but a real quote depends on the specific route. The table below shows actual 2026 pricing data for six popular routes, spanning short regional runs and coast-to-coast hauls.
| Route | Average Cost | Recorded Range |
|---|---|---|
| New York to Florida | $870 | $500–$1,400 |
| Michigan to Texas | $1,010 | $650–$1,600 |
| New York to Miami | $1,250 | $1,100–$1,400 |
| California to Virginia | $1,380 | $950–$2,050 |
| New York to Los Angeles | $1,475 | $1,325–$1,625 |
| San Francisco to New York | $1,650 | $1,425–$1,875 |
Key insights:
- The New York-to-Florida snowbird route averages less than the national shipping baseline because the trip covers fewer miles than a coast-to-coast haul.
- The San Francisco-to-New York route averages more than $1,600, making it the highest-cost route in the table.
- The Michigan-to-Texas route averages close to the national shipping cost, making it a useful benchmark for a mid-distance move.
Want a copy of the data? Request a PDF copy through the contact page.
Further Reading
- How to Ship a Car to Another State | ASAP Transport Solutions
- What Happens After You Buy a Car Out of State? Delivery Explained | ASAP Transport Solutions
- How to Ship a Car from a Dealership to Your Home | ASAP Transport Solutions
- Online Car Shipping Cost Calculator | Instant Quotes
Sources
- Kelley Blue Book: How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car in 2026?
- Forbes: How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Car In 2026?
- Sherpa Auto Transport: Car Shipping Costs in 2026
- Sherpa Auto Transport: Car Shipping Cost Calculator
- Montway Auto Transport: How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car
- Extra Space Storage: A Simple Guide to Car Shipping Costs
- RoadRunner Auto Transport: Car Shipping Cost Calculator
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