Licensed Broker · USDOT #3600228 · MC-1222605
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car?
Most shipments run $500–$1,500 on open transport. The honest answer depends on your lane and dates — the form gives you a real number in about a minute, no phone call required.
Trust signals
The numbers
Typical cost by distance
Open transport, standard sedan. Per-mile rates fall as distance grows.
| Distance | Per-mile rate | Typical total |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $1.00 – $1.70 / mi | $300 – $650 |
| 500 – 1,000 miles | $0.60 – $1.10 / mi | $400 – $950 |
| 1,000 – 1,500 miles | $0.50 – $0.90 / mi | $600 – $1,300 |
| 1,500 – 2,500 miles | $0.45 – $0.70 / mi | $850 – $1,600 |
| Coast to coast (2,500+ mi) | $0.40 – $0.60 / mi | $1,100 – $1,900 |
What moves the price
Six factors, no mysteries
- Distance — longer trips cost more but less per mile
- Vehicle size — SUVs and trucks price above sedans
- Running or not — inoperable vehicles need a winch carrier
- Open vs. enclosed — enclosed runs 30–40% higher
- Season — snowbird peaks (Oct–Nov, Apr–May) add 10–25%
- Date flexibility — flexible pickup windows get better rates
The lowball-quote trap
If one quote is hundreds below everyone else's, that's usually the bait: a price no carrier will accept, followed by a "market changed" call once your dates are locked in. We quote from real carrier availability on your lane, and once your price is confirmed it only changes if the shipment itself does. Real people. Real quotes. No bait-and-switch.
FAQ
Cost questions
How much does it cost to ship a car?
Most shipments run $500–$1,500 on open transport for a standard sedan. Short regional moves can be $300–$650; coast-to-coast runs $1,100–$1,900. The per-mile rate drops as distance grows. Request a quote for your exact lane — it takes about a minute.
What makes the price go up or down?
Six things: distance, vehicle size and weight, whether it runs, open vs. enclosed transport, the season on your lane, and how flexible your dates are. Flexible dates are the easiest saving — carriers fill empty spots at better rates.
Is enclosed transport worth it?
For classic, exotic, luxury, or low-clearance vehicles — usually yes. Enclosed runs 30–40% above open transport and shields the car from weather and road debris. For a daily driver, open transport is the industry standard and what most customers choose.
Why do quotes from different companies vary so much?
Some brokers quote a teaser price to win your booking, then raise it when no carrier accepts the load — the classic bait-and-switch. We quote from real carrier availability on your lane, and once your price is confirmed it only changes if the shipment itself does. That's the whole reason Trivium exists.
Are there hidden fees?
No. Your confirmed quote covers door-to-door transport and the carrier's insurance coverage. The only things that change a price after booking are changes to the shipment itself — a different vehicle, new dates, or a car that turns out to be inoperable.
Customer reviews
4.8★ from 103 Google reviews
“Hand down the best. I had been getting quotes from a plethora of companies that fell short. Either the carrier cancelled or other companies couldn’t find anyone. I called and spoke to Maik and explained what had taken place. As soon as I got off the phone I was matched with a carrier and the dispatcher name and information. The process was smooth and hassle free. I would definitely recommend them 100 times over. I found my forever carrier.”
“The man running the operation Maik was very communicative throughout the whole process and even when problems outside his control arose did his best to fix the situation and the delivery was made on time with the product exactly as how it left the warehouse. Maik has excellent communication and troubleshooting skills. Will work again with him for future deliveries.”
“Wonderful service from start to finish. Will be using Maik again!”
Stop guessing — see your price
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