Car Shipping Cost in 2025: Average Prices, Quotes, and Savings Tips

Car shipping in the US in 2025 has become more transparent and affordable. This is not surprising, as the development of modern technologies and online services has made calculating costs even easier than before. Car shipping cost includes all basic transportation expenses:

• Pickup of the car from the specified location
• Delivery of the car to the address
• Basic car insurance
• Payment for the services of the driver-carrier

Understanding what is included in the final price helps to avoid unexpected expenses and choose the best delivery option. And one of the key points is the choice between door-to-door delivery and terminal shipment. The first option is more convenient, as the car is picked up and delivered directly to your address; however, it may cost 10-15% more. The second important choice is the type of transporter: open or closed. Open trailers are 40-60% cheaper and are suitable for regular cars. Enclosed trailers provide complete protection and are ideal for expensive cars. Modern online calculators have made the ordering process as straightforward as possible, allowing you to get an accurate estimate of the cost to ship a car in just a few minutes. Let’s take a closer look at all the details of paying for your car.

Average Cost to Ship a Car in 2025

The average cost of shipping a car in 2025 depends on the distance, type of transporter, and region. For short distances of up to 500 miles, the price is typically $400-$700 when using an open trailer, but keep in mind the size of the car. For medium distances of 500 to 1,500 miles, car transport prices range from $700 to $1,200. Long routes over 1,500 miles can cost $1,000-$1,800 or more. Closed transport is about one and a half to two times more expensive than open transport. Average prices by distance in 2025:

• 0-500 miles. Open transport $400-$700, enclosed $600-$1,050. This is the most common option for local moves between neighboring states.
• 500-1,000 miles. Open transport $700-$1,000, closed $1,050-$1,500. These distances cover routes such as Chicago to Dallas.
• 1,000-1,500 miles. Open transport $900-$1,300, closed $1,350-$1,950. Examples include New York to Miami or San Francisco to Denver.
• 1,500-2,000 miles. Open transport $1,100-$1,500, closed $1,650-$2,250. These are popular transcontinental routes between the coasts.
• Over 2,000 miles. Open transport $1,300-$1,800, enclosed $1,950-$2,700. These distances usually include full moves from the east to the west coast.

Please note that vehicle transport costs can fluctuate based on the season and current demand for a particular route. That’s why you can easily calculate the cost of transportation in our simple calculator from point A to point B.

How to Calculate the Cost to Ship a Car per Mile

Calculating the cost per mile helps you quickly estimate the approximate cost for your route. In 2025, the average cost is approximately $0.50 to $1.50 per mile. But the specific figure depends on the total distance. The longer the route, the lower the cost per mile. Cost per mile depending on distance:

• 0-500 miles. $1.00-$1.50 per mile for open transport, $1.50-$2.25 for closed transport. For short distances, the carrier’s base costs make up the majority of the cost.
• 500-1,000 miles. $0.80-$1.10 per mile for open transport, $1.20-$1.65 for closed. Medium distances offer a more favorable cost per mile.
• 1,000-1,500 miles. $0.70-$0.95 per mile for open transport, $1.05-$1.43 for closed transport. This is where the real savings on long routes begin.
• 1,500-2,000 miles. $0.60-$0.85 per mile for open transport, $0.90-$1.28 for closed transport. Transcontinental routes become more efficient.
• Over 2,000 miles. $0.50-$0.75 per mile for open transport, $0.75-$1.13 for closed transport. The lowest cost per mile is achieved at maximum distances.

A simple calculation formula involves several steps. Determine the distance between cities in miles using Google Maps. Find the appropriate rate per mile based on your total distance. Multiply the distance by the rate per mile to get an approximate estimate of the cost to ship a car across the US. For example, shipping from Phoenix to Portland (1,430 miles) at a rate of $0.82 per mile: 1,430 × $0.82 = $1,173. If you require enclosed transport, multiply the result by approximately 1.5 to arrive at $1,760. For a more accurate estimate, please contact us, and we will assist you in calculating the shipping cost for your car and discuss all the details.

Factors That Affect Transport Prices

Several key factors determine the cost of transporting a car; understanding these helps predict expenses more accurately. The main factors affecting the cost are:

• Car size and weight. Large cars, such as SUVs and pickups, increase car transport fees by 20-40% compared to sedans. Compact cars are the cheapest to transport.
• Car condition. A damaged car requires special equipment for loading, which adds $150-$300 to the total cost.
• Route distance. Longer routes have a lower cost per mile but a higher total price. Economies of scale begin to take effect after 1,000 miles.
• Route popularity. Popular routes between major cities are cheaper due to high demand. Rare destinations can cost 25-50% more.
• Type of transporter. Open trailers are 40-60% cheaper, but leave the car exposed to the weather. Closed trailers provide complete protection.
• Seasonality. The summer months (May-September) are the peak season, when prices rise by 15-30%. In winter, demand decreases, making transportation more affordable.
• Type of delivery. Door-to-door delivery costs $100 to $200 more than terminal delivery.
• Urgency of transportation. Standard delivery, which takes 7-14 days, is economical, while express delivery, which takes 2-5 days, costs 40-60% more.

Practical tips for reducing costs:

• Book in advance. Booking 2-3 weeks in advance reduces the cost of transporting a car from state to state by 15-25%.
• Be flexible with dates. A flexible schedule allows the carrier to include your car in their planned routes, which reduces the price.
• Avoid summer. Plan your transport for fall or winter, when prices drop by 15-30%.
• Choose open transport. For regular cars, this saves up to 50% of the cost.
• Consider terminal delivery. Save $100-$200 by spending the time to deliver the car to the terminal yourself.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Ship a Car?

If you are looking for the most affordable shipping option, there are several proven strategies to minimize costs. Proven ways to reduce costs:

• Open transport. The cheapest option, costing 40-60% less than enclosed transporters. For regular cars, this is the best choice.
• Flexible dates. Being flexible with your dates can reduce automobile transport costs by 20-30%.
• Terminal delivery. Saves $100-$200 compared to door-to-door delivery.
• Popular routes. Choose routes between major cities, where high demand ensures competitive prices.
• Early booking. Planning 2-3 weeks allows you to get the best prices.
• Off-season. Transportation in the fall or winter is 15-30% cheaper than in the summer.
• Working conditions. A serviceable car does not require additional equipment, which saves $150 to $300.

By combining these strategies, you can reduce your car shipping cost by 30-40% while still getting reliable transportation.

Open vs. Enclosed: When Paying More Makes Sense

The choice between open and enclosed transport affects the final cost and level of protection for your car. Key differences:

• Price difference. Open transport costs $700-$1,200 for medium distances, while enclosed transport costs $1,050-$1,800. The 50-100% difference is due to the smaller capacity of enclosed trailers.
• Level of protection for open transport. The car is exposed to rain, snow, dust, and road dirt. Serious damage is rare, but the car may arrive with minor scratches or dirt.
• Advantages of closed transport. Complete protection from all weather conditions. The car arrives in perfect condition.

When to choose enclosed transport:

• Luxury cars. Cars costing more than $50,000 require maximum protection.
• Classic cars. Vintage cars have high sentimental value.
• Low ground clearance. Sports coupes with minimal ground clearance are susceptible to damage during loading.
• Bad weather. Winter storms or heavy rain along the route make enclosed transport preferable.
• Long routes. Transportation over 2,000 miles increases the time exposed to weather conditions.

For standard sedans and SUVs worth less than $40,000, open transport is a completely safe and excellent value option.

Schedule When Your Car Will Be Picked up and Delivered at Onyx Auto Transport

Planning your transport is one of the most effective ways to save money and ensure convenience in choosing dates. The advantages of early booking with Onyx Auto Transport:

• More choice of carriers. Early planning gives you access to trusted companies with the best reviews.
• Schedule flexibility. You can choose the exact pickup and delivery dates that fit your schedule.
• Avoid rush fees. Early booking eliminates the need for expensive rush delivery.
• Complete transparency. Our team works closely with carriers and keeps you informed throughout every stage.
• Tracking. You receive regular updates on the vehicle’s location during transport.

By booking your transport in advance with Onyx Auto Transport, you not only get the best prices on the market but also peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is in the hands of professionals with years of experience. Our team of experts offers a personalized approach to each customer, transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and guarantees the safety of your vehicle at every stage of delivery. Contact us today for a free quote and see why thousands of customers choose Onyx Auto Transport for their car shipping needs across America.