Need the cost to ship your car?

The transport industry is a competitive business, and understanding how it works helps you shop for a quote. You can ask for a quote from us here, or call (800) 303-3986.

Many quote sites sell your details to dozens of companies, and then your phone will not stop ringing with sales calls. Keep control of your inbox by asking for quotes from companies you would like to do business with.

Every auto shipping service asks for the same basics. The year, make and model of the vehicle, because weight and size affect the price, and modifications that change width, weight or height count too. The pickup and delivery city, state and ZIP, because distance is a big factor and it also shows whether enough carriers run that route. Whether the vehicle runs, steers and brakes, because a car that is not fully operational needs special equipment to load and costs more to ship. Whether you want open or enclosed. The date or approximate date you want to ship. And an email address so a copy of your quote can be sent to you.

Open carriers do not protect your vehicle from rain, dust, sun, snow and hail. Damage is rare, but it can happen. Open carriers fit more cars on the trailer, so they cost less and are the faster option to schedule. Enclosed transport places your vehicle inside a covered truck, away from the elements. Many people shipping high-end and classic cars choose it. It moves fewer cars at a time, so each car costs more, and it can be harder to schedule.

Yes. The price to transport depends on diesel, the number of trucks on the road, and supply and demand. Car transport traffic often flows east to west, or the reverse, at certain times of the year. The less traffic going in your direction, the harder it is to get a carrier and the more a broker has to pay for the move. If you can be flexible on your dates, you may save some money.

Most of the time, no. There are two kinds of companies in the auto shipping business. One may own a few trucks that run set routes, and the other brokers jobs to car transport professionals. The industry uses a load board where companies post requests and carriers that run the needed route ask to take the job. It works a lot like Uber or Lyft: the company that books the ride does not own the car that picks you up.

Several companies often bid for the same open spot on a carrier, and the one willing to pay the most gets it. A quote far below the rest can mean the company cannot find a driver to take the job, and then the move never happens and the customer pays more to ship at the last minute. Pick from an average range of quotes rather than the lowest bid.

Carriers have to meet insurance standards to be part of our carrier network, including carrying insurance on the entire load they are hauling. We still recommend you check with your own insurance company to confirm car transport is covered under your policy, so you are protected twice.