The cost to ship a car depends on a number of factors including distance and route the vehicle needs to travel, size and condition of the vehicle, type of car transporter, pick-up and drop-off location, seasonality and when you book your order.
| Distance | Open Transport | Enclosed Transport |
|---|---|---|
| 1–500 miles | $3.44/mile | $3.57/mile |
| 501–1,500 miles | $1.16/mile | $1.87/mile |
| 1,500+ miles | $0.69/mile | $0.85/mile |
Several factors determine the final cost of your car shipping service, including the type of vehicle you are shipping, your selected transport method, and your timeline.
To help you budget your upcoming move, we have compiled the average cost per mile to ship a standard-sized, operable vehicle based on the distance and carrier type.
(Note: These are baseline averages. For an exact, locked-in price tailored to your specific vehicle, use our Instant Quote Tool or call us at )
Shorter routes take carriers the same amount of time to load and unload as longer routes, but yield fewer miles. Long-haul routes across major interstates are more fuel-efficient for carriers, dropping the overall cost per mile.
Car shipping isn’t a one-size-fits-all service. Your exact quote is calculated using these specific variables:
The total mileage is the biggest factor, but the type of route matters just as much. Shipping a car between major metropolitan hubs (like Los Angeles to Dallas) is highly competitive and often cheaper. Shipping to remote, rural areas requires carriers to detour from their main routes, which increases the cost.
Larger, taller, and heavier vehicles (like a Ford F-250) take up more space and weight on a transport trailer, meaning they cost more to ship than a Honda Civic. Modifications like lifted suspensions, oversized tires, or roof racks also impact the space needed on the truck and will adjust the price.
If your car is inoperable (e.g., dead battery, won’t start, or cannot steer), it requires special equipment like a winch or forklift to load safely. This will incur an additional “inoperable vehicle” fee.
Open Carrier: The most cost-effective option. Your car shares a trailer with other vehicles.
Enclosed Carrier: Protects your vehicle from weather and road debris. Because these trailers hold fewer cars, it typically costs 30% to 50% more.
Car shipping operates on supply and demand. In the late fall, thousands of “Snowbirds” ship their cars from the Northeast down to Florida and Arizona, causing prices on routes heading South to rise. Extreme weather, such as winter blizzards in the Midwest or hurricane season in the Southeast, can also cause route diversions and price spikes.
If you require expedited shipping for a last-minute move, you will pay a premium to jump the line. Booking your transport 2 to 4 weeks in advance gives us the time to secure the best possible standard rate on your behalf.
It is important to note that our online instant quote tool assumes you are shipping an operable, standard-sized vehicle.
If you are shipping a specialized vehicle—such as a lifted truck, a dually, a heavily modified sports car, or a vehicle that does not run—the automated quote is subject to change to account for the specialized equipment or trailer space required.
Don’t worry! If you are moving a non-standard vehicle, simply call our support team at (888) 699-2648 or send us an email at support@runbuggy.com. Our shipping experts will gather your exact specifications and provide you with a thorough, detailed, and accurate custom quote.
Once we factor in all the variables above and provide you with your final quote, that number is locked in. In the auto transport industry, many brokers use “bait-and-switch” tactics. They lure you in with an impossibly low initial quote, only to hit you with hidden fuel surcharges, paperwork fees, or “carrier demands” right before your car is loaded.
With RunBuggyOne, you get an upfront, all-inclusive price. The price you are quoted is the exact price you pay. No hidden fees, no last-minute surprises, and you don’t pay until your car is delivered.
When shopping around, a rock-bottom price can be tempting. But remember: you are trusting a company with one of your most valuable assets. If a quote is drastically lower than the market average, it is usually a red flag. Here is why you shouldn’t skimp on quality:
Shorter routes take carriers the same amount of time to load and unload as longer routes, but yield fewer miles. Long-haul routes across major interstates are more fuel-efficient for carriers, dropping the overall cost per mile.
No! Unlike other brokers who demand a non-refundable deposit just to look for a driver, RunBuggyOne requires $0 upfront. You don’t pay until the delivery is complete.
Yes. Your RunBuggyOne quote is all-inclusive. It covers the carrier’s primary cargo insurance as well as RunBuggyOne’s extra layer of contingent cargo insurance.
When moving cross-country, shipping is often cheaper. When you factor in the cost of gas, multi-night hotel stays, food on the road, and the severe depreciation of adding 2,000+ miles to your vehicle, open-carrier transport is the smarter financial choice.
© 2026 RunBuggy OMI, Inc.
