The short answer
Car shipping cost per mile drops sharply as distance increases: short local moves can run $3-6 per mile due to the $275 minimum, mid-range regional moves (500-1,000 miles) typically fall between $0.70-$1.10 per mile, and true cross-country hauls over 2,000 miles often land near $0.40-$0.60 per mile. Enclosed adds 35%, inoperable adds 35%, large vehicles add 15%, and Expedited pickup adds 35% on top of the base rate.
- Short routes under 200 miles are governed by a $275 minimum, which is why per-mile cost looks highest on the shortest trips.
- Mid-distance moves of 500-1,000 miles commonly average $0.70-$1.10 per mile depending on vehicle size and route demand.
- Cross-country routes over 2,000 miles often price closer to $0.40-$0.60 per mile because fixed costs are spread across more distance.
- Enclosed transport, inoperable vehicles, and expedited pickup each add a flat 35% to the base quote; large vehicles add 15%.
- Optional insurance is a flat $99 per vehicle for $200,000 of coverage, regardless of distance.
- Shipping 2-8 vehicles together can knock up to 20% off the combined total through stacking discounts.
Why per-mile cost isn't flat
Auto transport pricing isn't a simple rate times distance. Every route has fixed costs - fuel to and from the pickup and delivery points, driver time loading and securing the vehicle, and dispatch coordination - that get spread across however many miles the trip covers. On a 100-mile trip, those fixed costs dominate, pushing the effective per-mile rate high and triggering the $275 minimum. On a 2,500-mile trip, the same fixed costs are a tiny fraction of the total, so the effective per-mile rate drops significantly.
Distance brackets at a glance
- Under 200 miles: minimum $275 flat rate applies regardless of calculated per-mile cost.
- 200-500 miles: typically $1.20-$2.00 per mile as fixed costs still weigh heavily.
- 500-1,000 miles: typically $0.70-$1.10 per mile, the most common range for regional relocations.
- 1,000-2,000 miles: typically $0.55-$0.80 per mile.
- 2,000+ miles (coast-to-coast): typically $0.40-$0.60 per mile.
The four surcharges that change your total
- Enclosed transport: +35% for weather and debris protection, common for classics and high-end trims.
- Inoperable vehicle: +35% for winch loading and extra handling.
- Large vehicle: +15% for oversized SUVs, trucks, and vans that take extra deck space.
- Expedited pickup: +35% for a guaranteed 1-5 business day pickup instead of Standard's 1-7 days.
Stacking multiple vehicles
If you're shipping more than one car - a family relocation, a dealer transfer, or friends coordinating a move - combining vehicles on the same route or the same booking can unlock discounts of up to 20% off the combined total. This works because a carrier can fill more deck space on one trip instead of running two nearly-empty routes, and that efficiency gets passed back as savings.
Payment timing doesn't change the math
Regardless of which distance bracket or surcharge combination applies to your shipment, the payment structure stays the same: $0 due at booking, no deposit ever, and the full calculated total is only charged to your card the moment the carrier physically picks up the vehicle. Nothing is collected while your car sits waiting for a pickup date, and nothing additional is due at delivery.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is my short-distance quote so much higher per mile than a cross-country one?
- Every shipment carries fixed costs for driver time and coordination. On a short trip those costs are spread across very few miles, pushing the effective rate up and often triggering the $275 minimum. On a long trip the same fixed costs are spread across thousands of miles, lowering the per-mile rate.
- How much does enclosed transport add to the price?
- Enclosed transport adds 35% to your base quote. It's most commonly chosen for classic cars, exotics, and vehicles the owner wants shielded from road debris and weather during transit.
- Do I save money shipping multiple cars together?
- Yes. Combining 2 to 8 vehicles on the same booking or route can reduce your combined total by up to 20%, since the carrier is filling more deck space per trip instead of running multiple partial loads.
- When do I actually pay for car shipping?
- You pay $0 at booking. The full order total is charged to your card only the moment the carrier physically picks up your vehicle - there is no deposit and nothing additional due at delivery.