How much does it cost to ship a car in the US?
5 transport companies compared · Checked on 11/05/2026
Estimate your car shipping cost
A rough range from per-mile rates that transport companies publish, listed below. It is not a quote: season, route and vehicle size change the price.
| Company | When you payPrice guaranteeCancellationPublished price | Score | Action | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nationwide, door-to-door |
|
Visit Montway Auto Transport | ||
 |
Nationwide, large carrier network |
|
Visit SGT Auto Transport | |
 |
Nationwide, route-by-route estimates |
|
Visit Sherpa Auto Transport | |
Nationwide, vetted carrier network |
|
Visit AmeriFreight | ||
 |
Nationwide, partner carriers |
|
Visit A-1 Auto Transport | |
Published car shipping prices
These are the figures the companies publish themselves. They differ because each one uses its own routes and period, so treat them as a range. Our estimator uses $1.55 to $2.50 a mile up to 500 miles, $0.91 to $1.45 up to 1,500 miles, $0.59 to $0.90 up to 2,000 miles, and $0.40 to $0.65 beyond that, based on the published rates and route samples below. Enclosed adds 30% to 50%, and a non-running car can add up to $500.
| Case | Per mile | Total | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| short, 0 to 500 miles, open trailer (Sherpa) | $1.55 to $2.50 | n/a | source |
| short, 0 to 500 miles, open trailer (SGT) | $1.56 | $549 to $649 | source |
| short, 1 to 500 miles, open trailer (Montway, 2025 table) | $1.85 | n/a | source |
| medium, 501 to 1,000 miles, open trailer (Sherpa) | $1.00 to $1.45 | n/a | source |
| medium, 500 to 1,000 miles, open trailer (SGT) | $1.04 | $699 to $799 | source |
| medium, 501 to 1,500 miles, open trailer (Montway, 2025 table) | $0.91 | n/a | source |
| medium, about 1,000 miles, open trailer (A-1) | $0.70 to $1.20 | $700 to $1,200 | source |
| long, 1,501 to 2,000 miles, open trailer (Sherpa) | $0.65 to $0.90 | n/a | source |
| long, 1,500 to 2,000 miles, open trailer (SGT) | $0.63 | $979 to $1,079 | source |
| long, over 1,500 miles, open trailer (Montway, 2025 table) | $0.59 | n/a | source |
| cross-country, New York City to Los Angeles, open (Sherpa route estimate) | n/a | $1,325 to $1,625 | source |
| cross-country, California to Florida, 2,900 miles, open (AmeriFreight sample) | n/a | $1,148 | source |
The federal rules behind car shipping
- Federal rules define a broker as someone who arranges transportation by an authorized carrier for pay. A carrier that has accepted and legally bound itself to move the shipment is not treated as a broker for that shipment. source
- A broker has to keep a record of each deal. It includes the originating carrier's name, address and registration number, and the broker's own compensation, which gives customers a way to see who actually moves the car. source
- Each party to a brokered shipment may ask to review the broker's record of that transaction. source
- A federally registered broker must keep a $75,000 surety bond or trust fund in place, and registration lasts only while that coverage stays in effect. source
- A carrier moving property in interstate commerce must issue a receipt or bill of lading. It lists the shipper and receiver, the origin and destination, and a description of the freight. source
- The carrier has to keep its bill of lading information on record under the federal record rules, so ask for a copy at pickup and keep it until delivery is settled. source
What to check before you book
- Ask whether you are dealing with a broker or a carrier, and write down its MC or USDOT number.
- Read when the first payment is due and what you lose if you cancel.
- Ask for the carrier insurance details, and note the condition of the car on the bill of lading at pickup and delivery.