Average car shipping prices by distance
| Distance | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 300 miles | $300–$550 | $500–$850 | 1 day |
| 300–700 miles | $450–$800 | $700–$1,200 | 1–3 days |
| 700–1,200 miles | $700–$1,100 | $1,100–$1,700 | 3–4 days |
| 1,200–2,000 miles | $900–$1,400 | $1,400–$2,200 | 4–6 days |
| Over 2,000 miles | $1,100–$1,800 | $1,800–$2,800 | 5–10 days |
Estimates for a standard running sedan with a flexible pickup window. Your instant quote reflects live rates for your exact route.
Why the per-mile rate falls with distance
Every shipment carries a fixed cost: the driver's time to reach you, load, inspect, unload and inspect again. On a 300-mile run that fixed cost is most of the price, so you pay well over a dollar a mile. On a 2,800-mile run it is a small share, and the per-mile rate drops below sixty cents. Short moves are not a bad deal; they are just priced differently.
The seven things that move your price
- Vehicle size and weight. Carriers are limited by length, height and axle weight. A compact takes one slot; a full-size SUV, a crew-cab pickup or a heavy EV takes more, and the price scales with it. Lifted trucks and oversized vehicles may need a single-level or flatbed carrier.
- Open or enclosed. Enclosed transport costs 40 to 60 percent more than open. It is worth it for high-value, low or freshly finished vehicles and unnecessary for most daily drivers.
- Running or not. An inoperable vehicle needs a winch truck and carries a fee, usually $100 to $200. A vehicle that can't roll at all needs special equipment and costs more.
- Pickup flexibility. A one-to-two-week window lets dispatch put you on the cheapest truck with space. A fixed date or a pickup inside 48 hours means expedited pricing, typically 20 to 40 percent more.
- Season. Late spring through summer is peak season. Snowbird lanes spike in October–November and March–April. January and February are usually the cheapest months to ship.
- Route popularity. Busy lanes between major metros price lower because carriers compete for loads. Rural or unusual routes cost more and take longer to assign.
- Fuel prices. Carrier rates track diesel. Our quotes already include fuel; no surcharge is added later.
What's included in a Big Bear quote
Door-to-door pickup and delivery, the carrier's cargo insurance, fuel, tolls and standard loading. What's not included: a winch fee if the vehicle doesn't run, storage if a recipient can't take delivery, and the expedite premium if you choose a guaranteed date. All of those are quoted before you book, never discovered at delivery.
Why quotes vary so much between companies
A low quote is only a price if a carrier will actually take the load at that number. Some brokers post a teaser rate, fail to find a truck, and then call to "adjust" the price once you're committed. Our quotes come from live rates carriers are accepting on your lane this week, which is why the number holds at booking. If your dates or vehicle details change, the price may change with them, and we will tell you before anything is charged.
How to pay less
Be flexible on pickup dates. Ship in the off-season when you can. Choose open transport for a daily driver. Hand the car over in a major metro rather than a remote town if you have the option. Ship two vehicles together. Book a week or more ahead so dispatch has time to find the best truck rather than the nearest one. And compare an all-in quote to an all-in quote; a number that leaves out insurance or fuel isn't lower, just incomplete.