How Much Does It Really Cost to Ship a Car?

So you’re planning a big move and you’re worried about how you’ll get your car to move with you?

While transporting a car elsewhere isn’t as difficult as it might seem, the high cost is what concerns most consumers. Many consumers worry that the price will be too high and whether it might not be better to sell the car instead.

But what is the actual cost to ship a car?

This guide will break down the factors that determine auto shipping prices so you can determine if it’s worth your budget.

Here’s what you need to know:

Basic Expenses

The first expense to consider is transport wrap to protect your car. The cost of car wrapping all depends on the size and make of your vehicle.

However, as a general rule, you shouldn’t expect to pay more than $750 for car wrapping. In many cases, it’ll average around $500 to get your car wrapped. Only in rare cases will the cost exceed $1,000.

The next cost is for basic car maintenance. In many cases, you won’t be able to ship your car if it has a few maintenance issues.

You’ll have to take your car to your local mechanic and inform them that you want the car prepared for shipping. You can expect to pay, on average, around $500 for basic car maintenance. This is assuming that there aren’t serious issues with your car.

You can also negate this cost if you can handle maintenance on your own.

The Cost to Ship a Car

Now that your car is ready, let’s look at the average costs to ship it elsewhere.

Within the continental United States, it costs an average of around $3 per mile to ship a car. This is the cost if your range doesn’t exceed 200 miles.

If your cost to ship is between 200 to 500 miles then the cost will be around $1.30 per mile. For 500 to 1,000 miles it’ll cost around $1.10 and then the price goes to around 80 cents up to 3,000 miles.

If shipping above 3,000 miles you’ll have to request a quote from the shipping company. If you ship overseas then you’ll also have to pay additional taxes and fees depending on your country of destination.

As you can see, it can cost as little as $500 to $600 to ship your car and as high as just above $2,000 for longer distances.

Other factors that’ll increase the cost to ship a car include the car’s size, condition, age, desired delivery time, weather conditions, and whether you opt for open or closed transport.

See Your Car Off

Now you know the cost to ship a car and can determine if it’s a worthwhile investment for you.

You have to first pay to wrap your car and to get it maintained. You can negate the latter expense if you handle maintenance issues on your own.

The cost to ship a car can range, on average, between $500 to $2,000 in most cases.

You’ll have to pay additional fees when shipping overseas that are determined by the new country. You’ll also have to consider the additional fees based on your car’s specifications and delivery issues.

You can find more tips on car ownership on our blog.