Car Shipping Cost: What Affects the Price?

Every trip is different, so we quote each one. Here is what changes the price of shipping a car, and simple ways to keep it affordable.

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Short answer: The cost of shipping a car depends mainly on the distance and route, open or enclosed transport, the size and weight of the vehicle, whether it runs, and the season. Day to Day Auto Transport does not list prices online. Call (305) 506-8675 and we will quote your exact trip.

Online price calculators give a rough idea, but the real price depends on details: where exactly the car is, where it is going, what it is, and when. A short phone call gets you a quote for your trip, not an average.

What affects the cost of shipping a car?

Factor	How it affects the price
Distance	Longer trips cost more in total. The cost per mile often goes down on long trips.
Route	Busy routes between big cities are easier to fill. Remote pickups or deliveries can cost more.
Open or enclosed	Enclosed transport costs more than open transport.
Vehicle size and weight	Larger and heavier vehicles take more space and weight on the trailer.
Running or not running	A car that does not drive needs extra handling to load.
Season	Snowbird weeks in fall and spring, and summer moving season, are busier.
Flexibility	Flexible pickup dates make it easier to fit the car on a truck.

Open vs enclosed: how much does the carrier type change the price?

Open car transport is the most affordable way to ship a car, because an open carrier holds more vehicles and the cost of the trip is shared. Enclosed car transport costs more, because enclosed trailers usually carry fewer cars. For an everyday car, open transport is usually the better value.

How much does it cost to ship a motorcycle?

Motorcycle shipping depends on the same things: distance, route, open or enclosed transport, the size and weight of the bike, and whether it runs. See motorcycle shipping for how bikes are secured, then call (305) 506-8675 for a quote.

How can you keep car shipping affordable?

Choose open transport for everyday cars.
Be flexible with dates. A pickup window of a few days is easier to schedule than one exact day.
Book early, especially before snowbird season and summer moves.
Meet the truck at an easy spot if your street is narrow or hard for a large carrier to reach.
Ship a running car if you can. Fix small problems like a dead battery before pickup.
Remove extras such as roof boxes and bike racks.

What should a car shipping quote include?

Before you book with any company, ask:

Is this price for open or enclosed transport?
What pickup window does it include?
Can the price change before pickup, and why?
How and when is payment made?
What happens at pickup and delivery, including the inspection report?

We are happy to answer each of these on the phone before you book.

Be careful with quotes that look too low

A price far below others can be a sign that the quote is not realistic for the route. A truck still has to agree to carry the car at that price, so very low quotes can lead to long waits or price changes later. Compare what is included, not just the number.

How do I get a quote from Day to Day Auto Transport?

Call (305) 506-8675.
Share the year, make and model, and whether it runs.
Tell us the pickup and delivery cities or ZIP codes.
Choose open or enclosed transport.
Tell us your preferred pickup dates.

How do these factors work together?

Think of the price as a mix of the trip and the vehicle. A running sedan on an open carrier between two big cities on a busy route is usually the most affordable kind of trip. A non-running classic car in an enclosed trailer from a remote town in peak snowbird week is usually at the other end. Most trips are somewhere in between, which is why we quote each one.

When is the best time to book car shipping?

As early as you can. A week or two of notice gives more options, and more notice helps before the busy fall and spring snowbird weeks on Florida routes, and in summer when many families move. Short-notice trips are sometimes possible, but they are harder to schedule.

Does a car that does not run cost more?

Usually, yes. A car that does not start, steer or brake has to be winched or pushed onto the trailer, which takes more time and the right equipment. Tell us when you call. Sometimes a small fix, like charging a dead battery, makes the car a running car again before pickup.

Is shipping cheaper than driving?

It depends on the distance and on how you value your time. When you drive, you pay for fuel, hotels and meals, take days off work, and put miles and wear on the car. When you ship, you pay for the transport and usually a plane ticket. For long trips, many people find shipping is worth it.

Frequently asked questions

Why don’t you list prices online?

Every trip is different. Distance, route, vehicle, carrier type and season all change the price, so we quote each trip.

Is enclosed transport always more expensive?

For the same trip, yes. Enclosed trailers usually carry fewer vehicles than open carriers.

Does it cost more to ship a car that does not run?

Usually, yes. A non-running car needs extra handling to load. Tell us when you call.

Is car shipping more expensive in snowbird season?

Florida routes are busier in the fall and spring snowbird weeks. Booking early helps.

How do I get a quote?

Call (305) 506-8675 with the vehicle, both cities, the carrier type and your dates.

Get a quote for your trip

Call Day to Day Auto Transport with the vehicle, both cities, the carrier type and your dates. We will quote your exact trip.