2023 Nissan LEAF

Car Shipping Cost

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Car shipping costs range from $600 to over $2,500 depending on a variety of factors including shipping length, season, and auto transport type.

Key Takeaways

  • Shipping a car 500 miles will cost about $1.20 to $1.45 per mile while shipping a car almost 3,000 miles will cost $0.52 to $0.64 per mile.
  • Sherpa Auto Transport has the lowest enclosed car transport cost at $0.72/mile and SGT Auto Transport has the lowest open car transport cost at $0.64/mile
  • Shipping distance, transport type, gas prices, and time of year will change your car shipping costs

Featured Car Shipping Companies

We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:

Best Service Options
Montway

Our Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0

See Plans

On Montway’s Website

(844) 601-0286

Or Call Montway Directly

Best Customer Experience
SGT

Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0

See Plans

On SGT’s Website

(864) 635-4879

Or Call SGT Directly

Best Value
Sherpa

Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0

See Plans

On Sherpa’s Website

(888) 916-6358

Or Call Sherpa Directly

Easy Online Quotes
Nexus

Our Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0

See Plans

On Nexus’ Website

(224) 286-8173

Or Call Nexus Directly

The average car shipping cost depends on a wide variety of factors. If you know what elements determine the price of a vehicle shipment, you’ll have a better shot at locking in a good rate for your auto transport job.

In this article, we’ll look at the average cost of car transport services and explain the auto shipping process. We’ll also share a few money-saving tips for your vehicle shipment and highlight some car shipping companies that provide hassle-free service and peace of mind.

How Much Does It Cost To Ship a Car?

Car shipping costs range from $600 to around $2,500, sometimes even more. But these rates are always tailored to individuals and highly variable, depending on your vehicle transport needs.

Source: Nexus Auto Transport

Average Cost To Ship a Car

In October 2021, our team surveyed 1,000 car shipping customers. 16% of people paid under $500 for car shipping. The chart below shows the breakdown of people’s prices for their services.

Car Shipping Costs by Distance

Vehicle transport distance is one of the most important factors in determining auto transport costs. As the table below illustrates, while the average cost per mile to ship a vehicle is notably lower for longer distances, estimates are higher overall for long-distance shipping quotes:

Shipping DistanceQuote Range (Total)Quote Range (Per-Mile)
500 miles$599 to $723$1.20 to $1.45
1,500 miles$1,054 to $1,596$0.94 to $1.51
2,700 miles$1,386 to $1,725$0.52 to $0.64

Car Shipping Costs by Company

Here are three cost estimates from some providers that you should trust to ship your car:

CompanyApproximate MileageCost
Montway Auto Transport550 miles$649
Sherpa Auto Transport1,500 miles$1,150
Easy Auto Ship2,800 miles$1,903

*Ratings are determined by our editorial review team. Learn more about our scoring methodology below.

Open Car Shipping Cost

Open car transport costs range from $0.64/mile to $1.62/mile. Below is a table detailing the costs per mile of different car shipping companies for open car transport:

CompanyDistanceCost per Mile
Montway Auto Transport535 miles$1.33
Montway Auto Transport2,445 miles$0.69
American Auto Shipping535 miles$1.36
American Auto Shipping2,445 miles$0.73
AmeriFreight535 miles$1.62
AmeriFreight2,445 miles$0.65
Sherpa Auto Transport535 miles$1.40
Sherpa Auto Transport2,445 miles$0.67
SGT Auto Transport535 miles$1.14
SGT Auto Transport2,445 miles$0.64
uShip535 miles$1.21
uShip2,445 miles$0.94

Enclosed Car Transport Cost

You can get enclosed car transport for as low as $0.72/mile through Sherpa Auto Transport. Below is a table going over some per-mile costs of enclosed car transport:

Enclosed Car Transport Cost per Mile

CompanyDistanceCost per Mile
Montway Auto Transport1,500 miles$0.97
American Auto Shipping1,500 miles$1.39
Sherpa Auto Transport1,500 miles$0.72
AmeriFreight1,500 miles$0.80
SGT Auto Transport1,500 miles$1.39
uShip1,500 miles$1.33

How To Lower Car Shipping Costs

You can use a few simple strategies to get the best possible deal on your auto shipment. Here are our best tips for locking in low car shipping costs:

  • Book in advance: You’ll want to give auto transport carriers plenty of time to bid on your specific job. Booking well in advance gives you the best shot at a low rate.
  • Use open transport: Open vehicle transport is the default shipping option for most customers. Unless you’re moving a high-value vehicle and need the extra protection that comes with enclosed auto transport, an open carrier will typically lead to lower car shipping prices.
  • Ship to and from a terminal: Door-to-door service is more expensive than shipping to and from a central location. Having your car picked up from and delivered to a shipping terminal is the easiest way to get reduced car shipping costs.

Factors That Affect Car Shipping Costs

The best way to learn how much your vehicle shipment could cost is by comparing car shipping quotes online from multiple auto transport providers. Brokers generally take the following factors into account when calculating car shipping quotes:

  • Shipping distance: You’ll likely pay a higher car shipping cost for cross-country transports such as from Los Angeles to New York. However, the price per mile will generally be lower for these long-distance routes.
  • Transport type: Shipping your vehicle in an open car carrier is cheaper than using an enclosed trailer. Open auto transport is the more common method, but owners of luxury and classic cars often go with enclosed shipping due to extra protection against road hazards and bad weather. Know that enclosed carriers are much pricier most of the time.
  • Time of year: The auto transport industry typically sees the most demand in January and throughout the summer months. The timing of your vehicle shipment plays a key role in determining overall car transport prices.
  • Type of vehicle: SUVs and pickup trucks are more expensive to ship than sedans and other smaller cars. The size of the vehicle is significant to auto shippers in their calculation of rates for car shipping services.
  • Vehicle condition: Inoperable vehicles come with higher car shipping costs because they’re more difficult for movers to load and unload.
  • Pickup and drop-off locations: Terminal-to-terminal shipping involves having your car picked up and dropped off at centralized locations. This is one of the cheapest ways to ship a car compared to door-to-door service, where your vehicle moves between specific addresses.
  • Gas prices: If prices are currently high at the pump, expect your car shipment to cost more as well.

Best Car Shipping Companies

We’ve ranked the market’s best and most affordable car shipping companies to help you make an informed decision. Below are some of our top choices in the auto transport industry:

CompanyOverall RatingPrice RatingServices Rating
Montway Auto Transport4.74.54.8
Sherpa Auto Transport4.64.54.7
AmeriFreight4.54.64.9
SGT Auto Transport4.64.45.0
American Auto Shipping4.64.45.0
uShip4.54.55.0

*Ratings are determined by our editorial review team. Learn more about our scoring methodology below.

#1 Montway Auto Transport: Best Service

Montway Auto Transport offers competitive rates partly due to its large network of vetted carrier partners. Expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup dates, and the ability to pack up to 100 pounds of personal items in your trunk are some options that the company offers. Montway provides transport services to all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii along with shipments to international destinations.

Customers give Montway Auto Transport high marks on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website. The company has an A+ rating and 4.6 out of 5.0 stars from customer reviews. Montway Auto Transport also holds a 4.6- out of 5.0-star rating on Trustpilot, with more than 1,100 customers sharing their opinions.

Keep reading: Montway Auto Transport review

Montway Auto Transport Shipping Costs

Here are some quotes we received from Montway Auto Transport for the door-to-door shipment of a 2018 Nissan Rogue:

Shipping DistanceTransport TypeMontway Auto Transport Cost
535 milesOpen$709
1,500 milesEnclosed$1,459
2,445 milesOpen$1,679
Montway Auto Transport Pros and Cons
ProsCons
Large network of vetted car carriersMixed reviews from customers
Competitive auto transport costsNo guaranteed pricing
Excellent industry reputation

#2 Sherpa Auto Transport: Best for Locked-In Pricing

The Price Lock Promise from Sherpa Auto Transport locks in your initial quote to avoid additional fees that can occur mid-shipment. While terminal-to-terminal shipping isn’t an option with Sherpa, the company still offers some interesting perks. The Clean Car Guarantee, which reimburses customers up to $20 for a car wash after delivery, is one of these benefits.

On the BBB, Sherpa Auto Transport holds a 4.9- out of 5.0-star rating from more than 200 customer reviews. The company is known for its customer focus, so there’s a strong chance that you’ll approve of Sherpa’s cheap car shipping services.

Keep reading: Sherpa Auto Transport review

Sherpa Auto Transport Shipping Costs

We reached out to Sherpa for estimates on the shipment of a 2018 Nissan Rogue with door-to-door service. Here are the quotes we received:

Shipping DistanceTransport TypeSherpa Auto Transport Cost
535 milesOpen$750
1,500 milesEnclosed$1,075
Sherpa Auto Transport Pros and Cons
ProsCons
Strong reputation for customer serviceShipping prices higher than others for some services
Offers locked-in pricing with quotesNo terminal-to-terminal transport option
Includes useful perks

#3 SGT Auto Transport: Best Price-Matching Guarantee

SGT Auto Transport is a shipping broker with an excellent industry reputation. Thanks to the company’s price-matching guarantee, it’s likely to be among the cheapest car shipping options available. Customers can ship nearly any type of car with SGT, along with alternative vehicles like all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and motorcycles.

SGT Auto Transport offers many options for auto shipments. Customers can choose to use an open trailer or enclosed container to ship their vehicles. The company also offers guaranteed pickup dates and express shipping services.

SGT has an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB. Customers on the site give it an average rating of 4.73 out of 5.0 stars with more than 270 reviews.

SGT Auto Transport Shipping Costs

Our team requested quotes from SGT Auto Transport to ship a 2018 Nissan Rogue. You can find the estimates we received in the table below.

Shipping DistanceTransport TypeSGT Auto Transport Cost
535 milesOpen$610
1,500 milesEnclosed$2,079
2,445 milesOpen$1,565
SGT Auto Transport Pros and Cons
ProsCons
Optional guaranteed pickup datesNo terminal-to-terminal option
Offers price matchingDoesn’t offer real-time tracking
Express shipping availableSome reviews mention hidden fees

#4 American Auto Shipping: Best Customer Service

American Auto Shipping doesn’t necessarily offer the cheapest car shipping of the providers in this article, but it does offer one of the best selections of options. The company also stands out for its customer service, which includes real-time vehicle tracking to help customers know where their shipment is at all times.

While individuals can use American Auto Shipping to move a vehicle, its biggest strengths lie in its ability to ship a large number of cars at once. Dealerships who want to ship a fleet of vehicles and people who buy multiple cars at auction can get cheap car shipping from the company.

American Auto Shipping currently has an A+ rating from the BBB. Customer reviews on the site are similarly positive, giving the company an average score of 4.63 out of 5.0 stars.

American Auto Shipping Transport Costs

We reached out to American Auto Shipping for a few quotes to ship a 2018 Nissan Rogue. The table below shows the estimates we got back.

Shipping DistanceTransport TypeAmerican Auto Shipping Cost
535 milesOpen$729
1,500 milesEnclosed$2,079
2,445 milesOpen$1,789
American Auto Shipping Pros and Cons
ProsCons
Fleet shipping options availableCan be difficult to contact
Offers real-time shipment trackingFew customer reviews online
Oversize shipping availableIndividual shipping rates higher than other providers

#5 AmeriFreight: Best Deals

AmeriFreight offers a wide range of discounts for shipping to all 50 states. First responders, students, active-duty military members, and older adults are among those who can receive reduced rates. AmeriFreight also has options for shipping specialty vehicles such as boats, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and motorcycles.

AmeriFreight offers three different levels of auto transport services. The Economy option is best for cheap car shipping but it takes longer to secure a carrier. Priority shipping features average rates and typical delivery times. First Class is the most expensive option from AmeriFreight but provides expedited transport.

AmeriFreight has an A+ rating and a 4.9- out of 5.0-star rating from those on the BBB website. The company also gets 4.7 out of 5.0 stars from more than 3,200 Google reviews.

Keep reading: AmeriFreight review

AmeriFreight Shipping Costs

Here are the quotes we received from AmeriFreight for shipping a 2018 Nissan Rogue with door-to-door car transport service:

Shipping DistanceTransport TypeAmeriFreight Cost
535 milesOpen$869
1,500 milesEnclosed$1,199
2,445 milesOpen$1,598
AmeriFreight Pros and Cons
ProsCons
Many discounts availableNo GPS tracking available
High ratings from customersDoesn’t offer locked-in rates
Offers three tiers of serviceNo international shipping option

#6 uShip: Best Marketplace

As a provider, uShip has a different model than the other car shipping companies on this list. Rather than a direct provider or brokerage, uShip works as an online marketplace. Customers post their shipment details on the company website and then wait for individual carriers to submit offers.

While this makes it easy to compare options and find cheap car shipping, it has a few drawbacks. Unlike other providers, uShip does not vet carriers and instead leaves that work to the customer. That means that some of the offers you receive may be from low-quality shippers who may offer substandard service.

If the marketplace model doesn’t appeal to you, you can get instant quotes from uShip. However, these quotes tend to be higher than what you can get if you wait for offers to come in.

uShip has an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB. The company also has a 4.55 out of 5.0-star rating from customers on the site.

Keep reading: uShip review

uShip Car Shipping Costs

Our research team requested quotes from uShip to transport a 2018 Nissan Rogue. You’ll find the estimates we got back in the table below.

Shipping DistanceTransport TypeuShip Cost
535 milesOpen$649
1,500 milesEnclosed$1,995
2,445 milesOpen$2,293
uShip Pros and Cons
ProsCons
Cheap car shipping rates availableNo carrier vetting
Many transport optionsPrices often go up after initial quote
Strong ratings from the BBB and customersLimited customer support
Show more Show less

How Does the Car Shipping Process Work?

Finding out your potential car shipping cost begins with getting a free quote online from an auto transport company. You’ll get an estimate once you share details about your vehicle, shipping route, preferred shipping method, pickup and delivery locations, and ideal time frame. From that point, you’ll need to choose a provider, contact the driver assigned to the job, and make final arrangements.

When you meet your transport driver, you’ll inspect your car for existing damages before signing a form to confirm the inspection. Most car shipping companies offer some type of tracking option to help you monitor your vehicle’s journey. Once the car arrives at its destination, you’ll perform another inspection with your driver, sign a bill of lading, and drive your car away.

Cost To Ship a Car: Conclusion

In this review, we went over everything there is to know about car shipping costs. If you want the lowest prices, we recommend checking out Montway Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, American Auto Shipping, AmeriFreight, or uShip. You can get your car shipped for as low as $600 using one of these providers.

Featured Car Shipping Companies

We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:

Best Service Options
Montway

Our Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0

See Plans

On Montway’s Website

(844) 601-0286

Or Call Montway Directly

Best Customer Experience
SGT

Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0

See Plans

On SGT’s Website

(864) 635-4879

Or Call SGT Directly

Best Value
Sherpa

Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0

See Plans

On Sherpa’s Website

(888) 916-6358

Or Call Sherpa Directly

Easy Online Quotes
Nexus

Our Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0

See Plans

On Nexus’ Website

(224) 286-8173

Or Call Nexus Directly

Auto Shipping Cost: FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions about the cost of shipping a car:

How much does shipping cost for a car?

Most people pay between $1,000 and $2,000 for standard car shipping costs. The exact price varies due to vehicle type and condition, shipping distance, time of year, and type of transport. Comparing instant quotes from multiple shippers and using a car shipping calculator are some of the easiest ways to determine car transport costs.

Is it worth it to ship a car?

Car owners looking to move their car across a single state like Texas or Florida might find that driving is cheaper, but they’ll put large amounts of wear and tear on their vehicles for longer journeys. It’s usually worth shipping a car if you’ve got a long-distance move ahead, such as from Seattle to Houston.

How much does it cost to ship a car across the U.S.?

According to our research, expect to pay between $1,500 and $2,200 when shipping a car across the country. To get cheap car transport prices, be sure to book early, choose open car transport, and go with terminal-to-terminal shipping if possible.

What is the average shipping cost for a car?

The average shipping cost for a car ranges from $1,000 to $2,000, although costs can vary well outside of that range. In addition to per-mile costs, the amount you pay for shipping depends on the options you choose, market factors, and more.

Our Shipping Review Standards

Our review team prides itself on sharing accurate and unbiased information with consumers. We have accumulated data from dozens of car shipping companies to formulate our rankings of the industry’s best providers. Auto transporters receive a score out of 5.0 overall, as well as a rating in each of the following categories:

  • Price: Comparing providers can be difficult due to the many factors that influence cost. To determine this score, we employ a secret shopper analysis using different vehicles, distances, and routes.
  • Services: A wide variety of services is essential to support the differing needs of customers. We take into account the types of services available, insurance coverage, and the ability to guarantee pickup and drop-off dates. We also consider whether a car transport company is a broker or a provider.
  • Customer Service: The level of customer service and care provided by a shipping company is an important consideration. Our review team sifts through customer reviews and complaints from reputable sources such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. We also consider the responsiveness of each company’s customer service team based on our secret shopper analysis.
  • Reputation: Good auto shipping providers consistently provide quality experiences. Our team takes into account BBB ratings and the company’s history of reliable service when giving this score.