Shipping a car usually means a licensed carrier loads it onto a multi-car truck, drives it to your destination and hands it over after a joint inspection. Most people book through a broker who finds that carrier for them, and a typical cross-country move takes one to two weeks on an open trailer.
The price depends on distance, your vehicle, the transport type and timing. This guide explains who is involved, the choices that affect cost, how to check a company before you pay anything, and how the Bill of Lading protects you if something goes wrong.
Brokers vs carriers
A carrier owns the trucks and physically moves your car. A broker takes your order, posts it to a network of carriers, and assigns it to one that is running your route at a price it will accept. Most consumer car shipments are booked through brokers.
- Broker advantages: access to many trucks, faster pickup on popular routes, and one company to deal with if a carrier falls through.
- Broker drawbacks: the quote is an estimate of what a carrier will accept. A lowball quote may sit unclaimed for days until the price goes up.
- Carrier advantages: you deal directly with the company that has your car.
- Carrier drawbacks: limited routes and less flexible dates.
Either can work well. What matters is that the company is registered, insured and clear about who will actually haul your vehicle.
Open vs enclosed, terminal vs door-to-door
Open transport
Open carriers, the familiar two-level trucks hauling up to around nine or ten cars, handle most shipments. They are the cheapest and most widely available option. Your car is exposed to weather and road debris, much as it would be if you drove it, but serious damage is uncommon.
Enclosed transport
Enclosed trailers protect the car from weather, dust and debris and often carry fewer vehicles. They make sense for classic, exotic, collectible or freshly restored cars, or low-clearance vehicles that may need a liftgate. Expect to pay noticeably more, commonly 30% to 60% above open transport, and to wait longer for an available truck.
Door-to-door vs terminal
Door-to-door service means the driver picks up and delivers as close to your addresses as a large truck can safely reach; on narrow residential streets you may meet in a nearby parking lot. Terminal-to-terminal shipping, where you drop off and collect the car at a storage yard, can be cheaper on some routes but adds trips and possible storage fees. Door-to-door is the standard today.
What drives the price
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Distance | Longer trips cost more in total but less per mile |
| Vehicle size and weight | Large SUVs and pickups take more space and weight capacity than a compact car |
| Open vs enclosed | Enclosed commonly adds 30% to 60% |
| Route popularity | Major interstate corridors between big cities are cheaper than rural or remote pickups |
| Season | Summer and seasonal migrations, such as north-to-south moves in fall, raise demand and prices |
| Operability | A car that doesn't run needs a winch or forklift, adding a fee |
| Flexibility and speed | Wide pickup windows cost less; guaranteed or expedited dates cost more |
As a rough guide for a standard sedan on an open carrier, short trips under 500 miles often cost several hundred dollars to about $1,100, while cross-country moves commonly run $1,000 to $3,000 or more. Fuel prices and the market for trucks shift these figures, so get several current quotes. If you are weighing shipping against driving, add up fuel, lodging, meals and the extra miles on the car, which our total cost of ownership calculator can help put in perspective.
Typical timing
Shipping has two windows: the time until pickup, and the time in transit.
- Pickup: commonly one to five days after booking on a popular route, longer for rural areas, enclosed transport or peak season.
- Short trips of a few hundred miles: often one to three days in transit.
- Mid-distance trips of 1,000 to 1,500 miles: often three to seven days.
- Cross-country: often seven to fourteen days.
Drivers are limited by federal hours-of-service rules and make several pickups and drop-offs along the way, so treat dates as windows rather than appointments. Book two to three weeks ahead if your timing matters.
How to vet a shipping company
Interstate auto brokers and carriers in the US must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Before you pay a deposit, check the company yourself.
- Get the USDOT and MC numbers. Carriers generally have both; brokers have an MC number for their brokerage authority.
- Look them up with the FMCSA. Use the FMCSA SAFER system to confirm the company name matches, its operating authority is active, and the listed address is real.
- Ask for a certificate of insurance. Carriers should carry cargo insurance that covers your vehicle. Confirm the coverage amount and deductible, and ask who pays the deductible if there is a claim.
- Read recent reviews across more than one site, looking for patterns around surprise price increases, missed pickups and damage claims.
- Get everything in writing: the total price, deposit, cancellation terms, pickup window and the accepted payment methods.
Watch out: A quote far below all the others is a common warning sign. It may never be accepted by a real carrier, leaving you waiting or facing a higher price at the last minute. Be wary of large upfront deposits or any request for payment by wire transfer or gift card.
Prepare the car and inspect the Bill of Lading
- Wash the car so existing damage is easy to see
- Take dated photos and video of every panel, the wheels, roof, interior and odometer
- Remove personal items, toll transponders and loose accessories
- Leave about a quarter tank of fuel or less
- Check the battery, tires and fluids, and note any leaks
- Fold in mirrors and remove or secure roof racks, spoilers and antennas
- Have a spare key ready to hand over, and keep your VIN handy; our VIN decoder confirms vehicle details for your booking
The Bill of Lading is your receipt and inspection report. At pickup, walk around the car with the driver while they mark existing scratches, dents and chips on a diagram. Make sure it is accurate before you sign, and keep a copy.
At delivery, inspect the car again before signing, ideally in daylight; if it arrives at night, use a strong flashlight. Compare it with the pickup report and your photos. Your signature at delivery is often treated as confirmation that the car arrived in good condition.
If there is damage
Write every new mark on the delivery Bill of Lading, photograph it with the driver present, and ask the driver to sign the noted copy. Then notify the carrier and broker in writing promptly and file a claim against the carrier's cargo insurance, attaching your before and after photos and a repair estimate. If the claim stalls, you can also file a complaint with the FMCSA.
Key takeaway: Your pickup photos and an accurate Bill of Lading are your evidence. Never sign for delivery until you have inspected the car and noted any new damage on the form.
Shipping internationally or by sea
Overseas shipments usually go by roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessel, where the car is driven aboard, or inside a shipping container, which costs more but offers more protection and may allow shared space. You will also deal with export rules, import duties, local emissions and safety standards, and registration in the destination country. In the US, CBP requires export documents, including the original title, at least 72 hours before export, plus a lienholder letter if you still owe money. Shipments to Hawaii, Alaska and overseas territories also travel by sea, with their own timing and port rules. Canada, the UK and India each have their own import requirements, so check them before booking.
The bottom line
Compare several quotes, verify every company's registration with the FMCSA, and choose open transport unless your car's value justifies enclosed. Document the car thoroughly at pickup and inspect it carefully before signing at delivery. If you are selling the car instead of moving it, see our guide to selling your car for the most money.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a car?
Price depends mostly on distance, vehicle size, transport type and season. As a rough guide, short trips under 500 miles often run several hundred dollars to about $1,100 on an open carrier, while cross-country moves commonly cost $1,000 to $3,000 or more. Enclosed transport usually adds 30% to 60%.
Should I use a broker or a carrier?
Most car shipments are arranged through brokers, which match your vehicle with a carrier from a large network and can often find a truck faster. Booking directly with a carrier means one point of contact but less flexibility on dates and routes. Either can work if the company is properly registered and insured.
Can I put personal items in a car I'm shipping?
Many carriers allow a small amount, often limited to the trunk and a set weight, but personal belongings are generally not covered by the carrier's cargo insurance. Ask the company's policy in writing and leave valuables out.
What should I do if my car is damaged during shipping?
Note every new damage on the Bill of Lading before you sign at delivery, photograph it, and have the driver sign the noted copy. Then notify the carrier in writing promptly and file a claim against its cargo insurance with your pickup and delivery photos.