- Dallas → Houston
- $775
- Dallas → Chicago
- $1,315
- LA → New York
- $2,205
Cost by distance
Distance sets the base price. Total cost rises with mileage, but the cost per mile falls, because loading time and the carrier's minimum pay matter less on a long trip. All prices below are for a running sedan with standard pickup.
| Route | Miles | Open | Enclosed | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas → HoustonRegional · TX → TX | 266 | $775 | $1,040 | 1–2 days |
| Chicago → AtlantaMulti-state · IL → GA | 695 | $1,135 | $1,590 | 2–3 days |
| Seattle → DenverCross-region · WA → CO | 1,203 | $1,460 | $2,100 | 3–5 days |
| Chicago → Los AngelesLong haul · IL → CA | 2,056 | $1,880 | $2,745 | 5–7 days |
| Los Angeles → New YorkCoast to coast · CA → NY | 2,885 | $2,205 | $3,255 | 6–10 days |
Cost by vehicle type
Bigger and heavier vehicles take more deck space and weight allowance on a carrier. Here's the same 950-mile Dallas to Chicago trip by vehicle class.
| Vehicle | Open | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan or coupe | $1,315 | $1,870 |
| Small SUV or crossover | $1,415 | $2,025 |
| Large SUV or minivan | $1,515 | $2,185 |
| Pickup truck | $1,515 | $2,185 |
| Heavy-duty or dually | $1,770 | $2,575 |
Fuel
Diesel is the largest variable cost for a carrier. U.S. diesel averaged about $6.28 a gallon the week of Oct 19, 2026 (U.S. EIA weekly on-highway diesel), up from $3.46 to $3.62 in January, and carrier pay has risen with it. Quotes here include a fuel adjustment that updates when diesel moves.
Season and direction
Demand peaks in summer, when families move, and on snowbird lanes in fall and spring. Direction matters as much as season: New York to Miami costs about $1,655 in November, when everyone is heading south, and about $1,505 in April, when the trucks are full going north and running light going south.
See snowbird car shipping for the full seasonal calendar.
Other things that change the price
- Inoperable vehicles need a winch, which adds about $150.
- Expedited pickup in 1 to 2 days costs about 17 percent more (Dallas to Chicago).
- Flexible dates save about 4 percent.
- Rural addresses off the main carrier corridors add about $75 per end, or $150 for remote areas.
Why the cheapest quote can cost you more
Most brokers post your car on a national load board, where carriers choose which loads to take. Carriers pick loads that pay the going rate for that lane. A quote set below market wins your booking, but the car can sit for days until the price is raised. Pricing from current carrier pay is how a load gets picked up on time.
Questions about cost
How much does it cost to ship a car in 2026?
For a running sedan on an open carrier: about $775 for a short regional trip (Dallas to Houston, 266 miles), $1,135 for Chicago to Atlanta (695 miles), $1,460 for Seattle to Denver (1,203 miles) and $2,205 coast to coast from Los Angeles to New York (2,885 miles). Enclosed transport costs about 42 percent more on a route like Dallas to Chicago.
What is the cost per mile to ship a car?
It falls as the trip gets longer, because loading time and the carrier's minimum pay matter less. Dallas to Houston works out to about $2.91 a mile and Los Angeles to New York to about $0.76 a mile on an open carrier.
Why do some companies quote much lower prices?
Some brokers advertise a low number to win the booking, then post the load below what carriers accept. The car sits until the price is raised. Quotes based on current carrier pay take longer to beat but get picked up.