Getting Car Shipping Quotes is

Easy on Shiply

What Is Car Shipping?

Car shipping, also known as auto transport or vehicle transport, is a service that moves your vehicle from one location to another using a professional transport provider. Rather than driving the vehicle yourself, it is collected from the pickup location and delivered safely to its destination.

People use car shipping for many reasons, including relocating, buying or selling a vehicle online, moving for work, or transporting a classic, luxury, or non-running vehicle. It is also a convenient option for long-distance and cross-country moves, helping reduce mileage, wear and tear, and the time spent on the road.

There are several car shipping options available, including open and enclosed transport, as well as door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal delivery. The best option depends on your vehicle, budget, and delivery requirements, which we'll explain in the sections below.

Types of Auto Transport Services

There are a number of auto transport services available which have been summarised below. It can be a big help to read through and work out exactly what sort of vehicle transportation service you need or want to move your car.

The first decision that you need to make is where you want your car picked up from and delivered to, whether you're moving your vehicle across the country or to a neighbouring state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, meaning that designated pick-up and drop-off points are used which are often the car transport company’s stores or operating bases. For this reason, terminal-to-terminal delivery is often cheaper but will require some more effort on your end to get the car home. The vast majority of people however require a door-to-door delivery service so that their cars are picked up and dropped off at their door, regardless of whether it is a cross-country car transport, or just to transport a car to another state. This is often preferable as it means you do not need to get anywhere to then pick up your vehicle - something that can be tricky without your vehicle in the first place!

Vehicle transport generally falls into two main categories, either you have someone drive your car to where it needs to be, or it’s put on a trailer and taken there.

Have Someone Drive Your Car

One option is to hire a professional driver to deliver your vehicle directly to its destination, whether the need is to ship a car across country or to ship cars to another state. The benefits of this auto transport method are that it is often cheaper as trailers and an extra vehicle are not required and that it can also often be fast due to the straightforward nature of the transport.

However, there are some downsides to this method offered by many transport providers that leads some people to opt for other types of car transport. The first is that mileage is obviously added to your vehicle on the journey, meaning if you are shipping a car across country there will be some significant miles added - less so when simply shipping a car to another state (as long as it is close by). Second, there is a slight risk of damage happening to your car whilst it is driven from A to B. These are particularly worrisome for people buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the car arrives in exactly the same condition as it was advertised.

Put Your Car On A Trailer

Putting your car in a trailer is a safe way to guarantee a higher level of safety than having someone drive your car to its destination. With vehicle transport trailers, there are multiple options that you may want to go with depending on the value and size of your vehicle.

You need to decide whether you want a single trailer for your car. These are often more expensive as they only transport one car at a time but are a great option if you are moving an expensive or classic car which you don’t want to risk getting damaged. The absolute safest way to transport a car is to put it in a shipping container, but this is by far the most expensive option.

Open Car Shipping vs. Enclosed Auto Transport

The other option is a multi-car transporter which can transport many cars at once, of which there are a few variants:

Open car shipping is the most common and affordable way to move a vehicle. Your vehicle is placed on an open carrier and is driven to the destination. All cars are safely secured but, as the name suggests, they are exposed to the elements during the drive and so this may not be recommended by car shipping companies for highly valuable vehicles. Further, whilst it may be the cheapest way to ship a car cross country, long journeys in open trailers will obviously run more risk of damage and leave your car exposed to the elements for longer periods of time.

Enclosed auto transport involves multiple cars secured on a carrier but they are enclosed, meaning they are not exposed to the dust, weather, and debris of the outside world during transit. This is often preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during auto transport.

Should you need to move your vehicle overseas through an auto transport company then you should try and find one of the specialist services on our platform or one which has experience in international vehicle transport as they can provide you with tailored advice based on what you require.

Broker vs. Carrier Comparison

Before booking vehicle transport, it's important to understand the difference between a car shipping broker and a carrier. Although both help move your vehicle, they play different roles in the shipping process.

A carrier is the company that owns the transport trucks and is responsible for collecting, transporting, and delivering your vehicle. Carriers employ the drivers, operate the equipment, and complete the shipment from pickup to delivery.

A car shipping broker doesn't usually transport vehicles directly. Instead, brokers work with a network of licensed and insured carriers to find available transport for your route. This allows customers to compare pricing, carrier availability, and delivery options without contacting multiple companies individually.

Car Shipping Broker	Carrier
Connects customers with transport providers	Transports your vehicle using its own trucks and drivers
Access to multiple carrier quotes	Operates a single fleet or network
Often offers wider route coverage	May only service specific regions or routes
Helps compare pricing and availability	Responsible for pickup, transport, and delivery

Which Option Is Best?

There isn't a single "best" option; it depends on your shipment.

Booking directly with a carrier may work well if you've already found a trusted company that operates on your route. However, if you're looking to compare prices, delivery schedules, and service options, working with a broker or transport marketplace can save time and help you find a carrier that meets your requirements.

Shiply operates as a transport marketplace, allowing you to receive quotes from multiple transport providers through a single listing. Rather than contacting carriers individually, you can compare prices, customer reviews, and delivery options in one place before choosing the provider that's right for your shipment.

How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Car in the United States?

The cost of shipping a car depends on several factors, including the distance travelled, vehicle size, transport method, pickup and delivery locations, seasonal demand, and carrier availability. Because every shipment is unique, prices can vary significantly. However, average pricing provides a useful benchmark when planning your budget and comparing quotes.

On average, vehicle transport costs approximately $2.92 per mile for journeys under 200 miles, around $0.93 per mile for distances between 200 and 500 miles, and approximately $0.78 per mile for shipments over 1,000 miles. While longer shipments cost more overall, the average price per mile generally decreases as the distance increases.

The table below shows estimated price ranges for both open and enclosed transport, along with typical transit times for common shipping distances.

Distance	Open Carrier	Enclosed Carrier	Transit Time
Under 500 Miles	$500 – $900	$700 – $1,200	1 – 3 Days
500 – 1,000 Miles	$800 – $1,000	$1,100 – $1,500	2 – 4 Days
1,000 – 1,500 Miles	$900 – $1,200	$1,300 – $1,800	4 – 6 Days
1,500 – 2,000 Miles	$1,100 – $1,400	$1,600 – $2,000	5 – 8 Days
2,000+ Miles (Cross-Country)	$1,300 – $1,600	$1,800 – $2,500	7 – 10 Days

These figures are intended as a general guide. Your final quote may be higher or lower depending on your vehicle, route, pickup and delivery requirements, and current market conditions. The most accurate way to determine your shipping cost is to compare quotes from multiple transport providers.

Factors That Can Affect The Cost of Auto Transport

We all want cheap car transport, but there are a number of factors and variables that can affect how much your car shipping will cost. Below, we will lay out the main ones so that you can get a rough idea of whether your auto transport requirements will be expensive or cheap.

Distance

As mentioned above, distance is one of the factors that will play a big part in how much your car transport will cost, with cross-state and cross-country journeys costing a lot more than an interstate car delivery, which is often the cheapest car shipping.

While longer distances do cost more, thankfully, the average price per mile does drop the longer the journey is, meaning that you aren’t paying over the odds.

International Shipping

International shipping will always result in expensive car shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring a car overseas and the distance it will need to travel. It can also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your vehicle.

Route

Along with distance, the route needed to take your car from its pick-up spot to its delivery spot can affect the pricing of your car carrier service. Routes with known higher traffic, in LA, for example, may end up costing more than quieter roads due to the time this can add to a journey. Likewise, unforeseen circumstances such as major roadworks could also incur extra costs from the car moving companies or mean that a different route is required that may take longer.

Shipping Dates

How fast you need your car transportation service to operate can also affect the price. For example, if you are able to be flexible around timings, then you may find that your car shipping service charges a lot less. This is because they are able to fit your vehicle delivery into their schedule and reduce overheads for themselves, passing the savings on to you. However, if you require auto transport in a strict timeframe (often known as expedited shipping) then this will typically end up costing you more due to the car transport company likely having to dedicate a trailer and driver just for your delivery.

Vehicle Size

The height, length, and width of the vehicle will all affect how much it will cost to transport your vehicle. Car shippers will require larger trailers for bigger vehicles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than a sedan. Further, you should always make sure to let the auto transport company know about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on the car, as these can also change the size of the trailer required for the delivery.

Vehicle Condition

If your car is not in a drivable condition, then this may make your auto transport cost more expensive. This is because it may require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to get your car on and off the trailer. If your car has a locked wheel, for example, then it will be impossible to simply roll it onto a trailer and off again, requiring more time, effort, and machinery than a standard car transport service. Most car carriers would consider a car that can brake, roll, and steer to be in good enough condition to ship easily.

Auto Transport Service Type

The type of auto transport service you select will also affect the cost of your car shipping. Having someone drive your car to its destination will always be the cheapest option, as you are essentially just paying for a driver’s time and petrol, whereas with single-car trailers and enclosed transport, the price is likely to be higher as extra equipment is required. Enclosed car shipping is usually the most expensive option because it requires specialist equipment to load, unload, and protect your vehicle during transport.

Locations of Pickup and Delivery

Depending on where you need the car picked up from and dropped off, this may also increase the price of shipping a car. Urban areas will usually have car shipping services nearby, and common destination routes often result in lower prices. Rural deliveries can cost more as they require deviations from normal routes and extra mileage for the company. If a pickup or drop-off point is in an unusual or difficult-to-access location, additional work may also increase the shipping cost.

Auto Transport Insurance

Whilst all auto transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer any additional insurance, as it is not required by law. If a car transport company does not offer cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you obtain additional coverage for your vehicle during transit. As with all insurance policies, make sure you understand what damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, and what parts of the vehicle are included.

Time of Year

Seasonality can also affect the price of car shipping, with many services costing more in winter due to ice and snow slowing transport routes.

Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your vehicle. Ice, snow, and blizzard conditions can all cause delays, while December is particularly busy due to the holidays. February is usually quieter and often offers better pricing.

Spring is a great time to ship your vehicle thanks to improved weather conditions, longer days, and greater driver availability. March often offers better rates than April or May.

Summer is the busiest season for car shipping due to holidays, university moves, and home relocations. June, July, and August are typically the most expensive months.

Fall is a good time to ship a car if you are looking for a slightly lower price. Driver availability typically improves after the summer rush, although October and November are generally better months than September due to student demand.

Average Car Shipping Time in the U.S.

Car shipping transit times depend on distance, route popularity, weather conditions, carrier availability, and whether the shipment is traveling along major interstate corridors. Nationwide car shipping routes between large metro areas are often completed faster due to higher carrier availability and more frequent transport schedules.

Below are estimated transit times for common car shipping distances across the United States.

Shipping Distance	Estimated Transit Time
Under 500 Miles	1–2 Days
500–1,000 Miles	2–4 Days
1,000–1,500 Miles	4–6 Days
1,500–2,000 Miles	5–8 Days
2,000+ Miles (Cross-Country)	7–10 Days

Cross-country car shipping routes between states such as California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois typically have the highest carrier activity nationwide, helping reduce wait times and improve scheduling flexibility. Rural pickup or delivery locations may increase transit times slightly due to reduced carrier availability outside major interstate routes.

How to Ship a Car: What to Do Before and After Car Shipping

Once you've booked your shipment, taking a few simple steps before pickup and after delivery can help ensure a smooth transport experience and make it easier to identify any issues should they arise.

Preparing Your Car for Shipping

If you have decided on an auto transport company to move your car and feel secure using them, then it’s time to prepare your car for shipping. We recommend following these steps:

Documents: It is important to ensure that any documents you may need are available at pick up or drop off, especially if you are selling your vehicle.

Cleaning: You should take care to remove all personal items from your vehicle prior to shipping, for the obvious reason that you don’t want to risk them getting lost or damaged in transit. It is also highly recommended that you clean your vehicle before transport, as this will allow you to ascertain its condition and notice any damages that may occur during delivery.

Running Condition: If the vehicle will be driven at any point during shipping or driven home from the drop-off location, then you should ensure that it is in running condition. This means ensuring that there is enough fluid, as well as checking battery charge and tire pressure levels. Again, this can also help you better judge the condition of the vehicle upon arrival.

Photographic Evidence: One very important thing to do when preparing your vehicle for the car delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photographs of all parts of the car. This provides you with evidence of the car’s condition before shipping, should anything happen to it during transport.

What To Do After Delivery

Once the car shipping company you selected has completed your delivery, there are a few things you should do:

Check Vital Signs: Lights, brakes, and engines should all be checked immediately to ensure that the car is in the expected condition, as well as enable you to immediately raise concerns with the car delivery service should anything not be working as it should.

Exterior Condition: You can compare the exterior of the vehicle to the photos taken of it before to ascertain whether any extra damage has occurred. Shipping a car can, in rare cases, cause damage, and you want to be sure your car transport service has not done so.

Check Mileage: This is more relevant to car shipping services where the car is driven to the destination, but it can help to check the mileage to ensure that it matches up with the journey taken.

Report Any Issues: If you notice any new damage or mechanical problems, take photographs immediately, and notify the transport provider before signing the delivery paperwork whenever possible.

Leave a Review: We would greatly appreciate it if you could also leave a review for the auto transport company you used on Shiply, so others can browse car shipping services with the same peace of mind.

How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?

Given all of the options and variables involved with finding a car shipping service, actually searching for and finding the right one can seem like a daunting task, and this is where Shiply can help.

On Shiply, you simply need to fill out a simple form to get started with collecting quotes. All we need from you are the make and model of the car that needs shipping, the pickup location and delivery location, and the dates that you need to move the vehicle. This gives the auto transport providers on Shiply enough information to be able to provide you with an accurate quote for your job.

Once your listing is live, you will receive quotes in your Shiply inbox and to your email. We recommend keeping email notifications turned on so that you can know immediately when a new quote comes through. Quotes can start coming through within a few minutes of posting your listing, but we always recommend waiting for a few to come through before making a decision so that you have multiple options to pick from.

Once you have a few, you can ask them any questions you may have, such as when they are available (if a time frame is given), what insurance they have, and how they would secure your car. We recommend asking any company you may use these questions to ensure that everything goes smoothly and as expected.

Shiply has a feedback and ratings system which we also highly recommend looking at before selecting a quote to ship your vehicle. This system allows you to view previous customers’ experiences with a company, as well as view their overall score.

The Benefits Of Using Shiply For Car Shipping

Time-Saving

Rather than filling out a quote form every time you want an accurate price from a car shipping company, Shiply lets you complete just one listing. From there, you'll receive quotes from multiple transport providers based on your shipment details, saving you hours of researching companies, requesting quotes, and completing repetitive forms.

All communication with transport providers also takes place through the Shiply platform, so you can keep your quotes, messages, and booking details organized in one place.

Price Comparison

Cost is often the biggest factor when choosing a car shipping company, but comparing prices can be frustrating. Many companies only provide estimates until you've supplied detailed information or spoken with a representative.

With Shiply, you receive genuine, final quotes from multiple car shipping companies in one place. You can compare prices, read customer reviews, message transport providers directly, and choose the option that best fits your budget and requirements.

Cheap Car Shipping

Transport providers on Shiply can often offer lower prices than booking directly because many are looking to fill empty spaces on trips they are already making. Since much of their operating cost has already been covered, they can pass those savings on to customers.

For example, if you're shipping a car from Los Angeles to New York, a transporter may already have a multi-car trailer traveling that route with one space remaining. By filling that available spot, you could save up to 75% compared to booking a dedicated trip.

Better for the Environment

Choosing Shiply doesn't just help you save money—it can also reduce environmental impact. By matching your shipment with transport providers who already have available space on planned routes, fewer additional journeys are needed, helping reduce overall vehicle emissions.

Many transport providers also use Shiply to find return loads instead of traveling back with empty trailers. This reduces wasted fuel, lowers CO₂ emissions, and helps keep transport costs affordable for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Shipping

Below, we have answered some of the most asked questions about car shipping.

How much does it cost to ship a car?

Car shipping prices can vary drastically depending on the circumstances, but on average a journey should cost around $2.92 per mile if the journey is less than 200 miles, $0.93 per mile if the journey is between 200 and 500 miles, and if the journey is over 1,000 miles, this drops to around $0.78 per mile.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car?

Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is generally the cheapest way to ship a car. However, if you need to use a trailer, then a multi-car transporter is usually the most affordable option.

How do I pay for my auto transport?

Payment methods vary between transport providers. Before confirming your booking, discuss payment options directly with your chosen transport company. Most providers offer flexible payment methods.

Can I track my car transport online?

Each transport provider operates differently, but many offer shipment tracking or provide updates throughout the journey. If tracking is important to you, ask the transport provider before booking.

Does someone have to be present for pickup and delivery?

In most cases, yes. Someone will usually need to be present to hand over or receive the vehicle, complete the inspection, sign any required paperwork, and exchange the keys.

Can I keep items in my vehicle during shipping?

Many transport providers allow a limited number of personal belongings to remain inside the vehicle. However, additional weight may affect the shipping cost, and personal items are generally not covered by the carrier's insurance.

How much fuel should be in my vehicle during transport?

It is generally recommended to leave around a quarter tank of fuel. This provides enough fuel for loading and unloading without adding unnecessary weight to the shipment.

Can I ship a non-running vehicle?

Yes. Non-running vehicles can usually be transported, although the shipment may cost more because specialist equipment, such as a winch or forklift, may be required for loading and unloading.

Can I ship a modified vehicle?

Yes. Most modified vehicles can be transported, although it's important to inform the transport provider of any modifications in advance so they can ensure the appropriate equipment and trailer are used.