Quick answer: Shipping a car costs roughly $0.80–$1.30 per mile in 2026 on most long-distance routes, with shorter hauls priced higher per mile and coast-to-coast runs lower. Real examples from our own routes: New York to Florida runs $1,200–$1,700 (3–5 days door to door), and California to North Carolina starts at $1,145. Your exact price depends on distance, vehicle type and condition, open vs. enclosed transport, and the season. Call (800) 216-6045 for a firm quote in minutes.
Car Shipping Cost by Distance
Distance is the single biggest driver of your price — but per-mile rates drop as the route gets longer, because pickup and delivery labor gets spread across more miles. Here is what typical quotes look like for a standard running sedan on open transport:
| Distance | Typical Per-Mile Rate | Typical Total (Standard Sedan) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $1.00–$1.75 | $250–$700 | Miami → Orlando, LA → San Diego |
| 500–1,000 miles | $0.90–$1.20 | $450–$1,200 | Chicago → Dallas, Houston → Nashville |
| 1,000–1,500 miles | $0.80–$1.15 | $900–$1,700 | New York → Florida: $1,200–$1,700 |
| 1,500+ miles (coast to coast) | $0.45–$0.90 | $1,100–$2,300 | California → North Carolina: from $1,145 |
The New York–Florida and California–North Carolina figures above are real quoted ranges from our own dispatch — not scraped averages. High-demand corridors (Northeast–Florida, California–Texas) tend to price below remote rural routes, because carriers can fill the return trip. For a deeper breakdown by corridor and vehicle class, see our cost calculator guide and cost by state.
The 6 Factors That Set Your Price
- Distance and corridor. Longer routes cost more in total but less per mile. Popular corridors are cheaper than remote ones.
- Vehicle type and weight. A compact sedan is the base rate. Full-size trucks and SUVs typically add $150–$300; oversize duallys and commercial trucks add more.
- Open vs. enclosed transport. Open is the standard and the cheapest. Enclosed protects high-value vehicles but costs meaningfully more — see our open vs. enclosed comparison.
- Running or not. A vehicle that won’t start needs winch loading and special equipment, adding $100–$650 depending on condition. Details on our non-running vehicle transport page.
- Season. Snowbird season (fall southbound, spring northbound) tightens capacity on Northeast–Florida lanes and pushes prices up.
- Pickup flexibility. A 2–3 day pickup window prices better than a same-day pickup.
Broker vs. Direct Carrier: Why Quotes Vary So Much
Most “car shipping companies” you’ll find are brokers — they take your order, add a fee, and post the job to a load board for an actual carrier to claim. That’s why broker quotes often start low and climb later. We’re a direct carrier: our own fleet of 9 trucks, our own drivers, one price. FMCSA operating authority MC-724477 / USDOT 2247479. For the full economics, read broker vs. direct carrier pricing.
Popular Routes and Real Pricing
These are the corridors we run most, with live pricing pages for each:
- New York to Florida — $1,200–$1,700, 3–5 days
- California to North Carolina — from $1,145
- California to Texas
- Texas to Florida
- Illinois to Florida
Browse all corridors on our nationwide routes hub.
How to Get Your Exact Price
Online “instant calculators” guess. We quote your actual route, vehicle, and dates — and because we’re the carrier, the number doesn’t change after you book. Two ways to get it:
Call (800) 216-6045 or request a free quote online. Shipping cars nationwide since 2010 from Coconut Creek, FL.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship a car across the country?
Coast-to-coast shipping for a standard running sedan typically lands between $1,100 and $2,300 on open transport. Our California to North Carolina route starts at $1,145. Enclosed transport, oversize vehicles, or non-running condition raise the price.
How much does it cost to ship a car from New York to Florida?
$1,200–$1,700 for a standard sedan, with 3–5 days door-to-door transit. This is one of the highest-demand corridors in the country, so pricing is competitive — but it tightens during snowbird season.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car?
Open transport, flexible pickup dates, and booking with a direct carrier instead of a broker. Open transport is what the overwhelming majority of vehicles ride on, including dealer inventory.
Is it cheaper to ship a car or drive it?
For long routes, shipping usually wins once you count fuel, hotels, meals, time off work, and the wear a 2,000+ mile drive puts on the vehicle. For short hops under a few hundred miles, driving is usually cheaper.
Does shipping a non-running car cost more?
Yes — expect $100–$650 above the running-vehicle rate depending on whether the car rolls and steers or needs full rigging. See our non-running and inoperable vehicle transport page for the full condition-by-condition breakdown.