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How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Car?

Car shipping costs vary based on distance, vehicle size, and shipping method. On average, domestic shipments range from $570 to $2,570. It's best to get estimates from several shipping companies for an accurate quote.

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How Much Does Car Shipping Cost

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Lets Drive!

Real talk: shipping a car across the US involves lots of factors that play into the costs such as distance traveled, type of transport, and the condition and make of your vehicle.

Here’s a breakdown of costs and our pro tips about how to make it happen:

Car Shipping Cost Breakdown

Here is a small breakdown of the costs involved:

  • Distance: The main factor influencing cost is the distance your car needs to actually travel of course. Longer distances typically mean higher costs but short travels can also add up quickly. If the distance is very short many times you should just drive your car there yourself or pay a student to do so.
  • Type of Transport:
    • Open: This is the most common and cheaper way to ship your car when your car is moved on an open trailer. Costs range from $500 to $1,500 depending on distance. They usually move multiple cars at once and deliver to one central area.
    • Enclosed: This offers more protection as your car is transported in an enclosed trailer and not exposed to the elements This is usually done for classic or luxury cars, and costs range from $1,000 to $2,000 or more depending on the distance.
  • Car Size and Weight: Larger or heavier vehicles cost more to ship due to their need for more space and they take up weight capacity on the truck that is carrying multiple cars.
  • Demand: Prices vary depending on demand and the time of year. Summer tends to be the most expensive due to higher demand of families moving before the new school year.

Car Shipping Costs with Open Transport

Choose Item

Cost Range:$500-$1,000

Cost Range:$800-$1,500

Cost Range:$1,200-$2,500

Cost Range:$1,800-$3,500

Car Shipping Costs with Enclosed Transport

 

Choose Item

Cost Range:$1,000-$1,800

Cost Range:$1,500-$2,800

Cost Range:$2,200-$4,000

Cost Range:$2,800-$5,000

Specialty Transport

 

Choose Item

Cost Range:$1,000-$1,800

Cost Range:$1,500-$2,800

How To Ship Your Car: A Step by Step Guide

  1. Research and Choose a Carrier: Look for reputable auto transport companies, not just a guy who offers to drive for you. iMoving offers many reputable companies that will be happy to transport your car safely for you.
  2. Get Multiple Quotes: Prices and services vary, so it's important to get quotes from multiple companies to compare. iMoving does the work for you giving you multiple quotes by only inputting your info one time.
  3. Check The Paperwork: Ensure the company is licensed and insured as well as experienced. Verify their DOT mover’s registration number and check their reviews from past customers. If you book on iMoving you can skip this step as our professional teams do this for you.
  4. Prep Your Car: Clean your car inside and out at a professional cleaner if you can. Document any damage with photos and written records after the car has been cleaned to show scratches. Remove all your personal items and don’t have more than a quarter tank of gas if possible.
  5. Book Your Company: Once you’ve chosen a moving company on iMoving, book your in advance. Confirm dates, costs, and any special instructions. It is simple to book on our platform and can be done faster than you even read this article.
  6. Insurance: Make sure that the mover’s insurance covers your car during transport. Check what happens for certain small damage versus total loss costs. Consider additional insurance if needed or if the premiums are extremely high.
  7. Pickup and Delivery: You or a family member need to be present physically at both pickup and delivery to inspect your car and ensure everything is in order on the spot to claim damages. Note any new damage upon delivery asap and don’t drive off until it is documented or you won’t have a way to prove the damage isn’t your fault.
  8. Pay Up: Payment is often done partially when booked to lock in your date and the rest is paid upon delivery. Verify accepted payment methods with your mover beforehand so things will go smoothly.

Moving Tips for Car Shipping

  • Create a timeline mapping out your main moving-related tasks to shipping your car
  • Estimate your moving expenses, including the car move, packing supplies, moving services, and any unknown costs. 
  • Before packing up your car, sort through your things and decide what to keep, donate, sell, or discard.
  • Book your mover in advance with iMoving. Booking early can lower costs and ensure the availability of your favorite vendor. 
  • Update your car registration in time
  • Stay organized during the move: Keep important documents easily accessible throughout the move.
  • Understand terms and conditions before signing any contract. Pay attention to cancellation policies, and down payments for damage and liability.

Drive Off and On Your Way Across the USA

Shipping your car across the USA can be a simple process when you understand the steps and book with iMoving. By understanding the costs and following the simple steps, you can lock down great and safe transport for your car. Don’t stress, iMoving has your back for every single type of move out there, no matter the location.

Frequently Asked Questions

When finding a mover at random you can never be sure. iMoving makes sure to vet and double-check each and every one of our movers.

From their insurance documents to their customer reviews we get to know our vendors so that we know we can recommend you the best option for your area and needs. At the end of the day, your gut feeling should make the call to make it or break it.

Plan ahead, build a personal timeline, and ensure to have a proper checklist of your items and enough packing materials on hand.

Proper planning saves the stress of packing up at the last minute and having items get lost. Don’t think it’s possible to pack up an entire home in one day unless you are a professional moving service. 

If any company you are considering asks you to pay the entire amount up front or pay a huge down payment, this is a really bad sign of a scammer. You shouldn't pay more than 10% to a mover that has yet to do the job. 

While down payments are common, a huge amount of funds should not be spent on this. As well you should also check your mover has a DOT registration number and no recent bad accident records or claims.

There are ways to purchase or source free cartons. Most movers are happy to deliver you boxes for a fee when you book with them. You can also buy them at hardware stores.

Another option is to go to major chain and grocery stores and request their boxes from their daily deliveries for free.

Yes, iMoving Movers offers a packing and unpacking VIP service option with many of our vendors. If you don’t have the time and desire to pack up your whole house and live among the boxes or bins, this could be a great option for your family.

This service means a team of professional organizers and packers show up to your home and in a number of hours have everything ready to go in organized boxes. They also prepare the packing materials needed, saving you the headache.

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Rachel Kaplan

Rachel has spent the last few years writing for moving companies while actually moving across the globe. After many years of moving between many states in the US, she moved abroad to try the remote work life. She’s a pro at moving all her things with her dog and hundreds of plants. Thankfully she’s a minimalist so moves aren’t too much of an issue.

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