Car Shipping Cost Calculator
Find your car shipping cost in seconds with DQ Trans LLC’s car shipping cost calculator.
How much does car shipping cost?
Open carrier auto transport rates start as low as:
$1.85 per mile for short-distance car shipping (under 500 miles)
$0.91 per mile for mid-distance vehicle transport (500-1,500 miles)
$0.59 per mile for long-distance auto shipping (1,500+ miles)
Enclosed car transport services typically cost 30-60% more but provide premium protection for luxury, classic, or exotic vehicles.
Your exact car shipping price depends on these key factors:
Distance of your auto transport route
Vehicle size/type (sedan, SUV, truck, etc.)
Transport method (open vs enclosed auto shipping)
Seasonal demand (summer/winter peak pricing)
Vehicle condition (running vs non-running)
For a 100% accurate car shipping quote, use our free calculator or call our auto transport specialists at (727) 339-0021.
Average car shipping cost per mile (2025)
| Distance | Open transport cost | Enclosed transport cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1-500 miles | $1.85/mile | $2.53/mile |
| 501-1,500 miles | $.91/mile | $1.25/mile |
| 1,500+ miles | $.59/mile | $.84/mile |
What is car transport?
Professional car transport services safely deliver your vehicle using specialized car carriers. We offer:
Open Auto Transport (Most popular – 90% of shipments)
Cost-effective solution for standard vehicles
Industry-standard for dealerships and personal vehicles
Enclosed Vehicle Transport (Premium protection)
Fully covered carriers shield from weather and road debris
Recommended for luxury cars, classics, and high-value vehicles
All DQ Trans LLC shipments include:
Door-to-door delivery (where accessible)
Full insurance coverage ($100K-$250K cargo insurance)
24/7 shipment tracking
How to get a car transport quote
Car transport quotes can be calculated a few different ways. You can get an accurate estimate of your car shipping by using our instant quote calculator or speaking with a DQ Trans LLC representative via live chat or phone call. When discussing your shipment be sure to mention any special requirements you may have, as these could affect the price. Some examples of special requirements include expedited pickup, vehicle modifications or inoperable vehicles.
In order to get the most accurate and up-to-date car shipping quote, it’s important to know and have the following information available:
- Vehicle pickup and delivery destinations (zip codes are preferred for increased quoting accuracy)
- Car transport preference (open or enclosed trailer)
- Vehicle year, make and model (ensures availability of required transport trailer size)
- Operational status (can be driven forward and in reverse, with basic steering for truck loading and unloading)
- Earliest available pickup date
Auto transport industry overview
There are three types of companies you might work with to ship your vehicle: lead providers, carriers and brokers.
In exchange for providing your contact information, lead providers supply vehicle owners with a list of “leads” or potential carriers, based on the owner’s search criteria. The owner is responsible from there to further research or contact the carriers on the list to determine the best option for their needs and budget. Lead providers will typically share your contact information with their network, so you will likely receive phone calls and emails from the various transport companies.
Carriers employ the truckers who do the actual transportation of your car, picking it up and dropping it off at the designated locations. You can work directly with a carrier company—from requesting a quote for shipment, to working out details, to the actual transport—but without some industry knowledge it can be hard to identify the best carrier for your unique vehicle shipment. This is why you might choose to work with an auto transport broker. Brokers work as the middle man between vehicle owners and a network of carriers, finding the best-suited solution for the highest value.
Using a broker for your vehicle transport offers a number of advantages over the other two options. First and foremost, you aren’t limited to one carrier option; brokers have a network of thousands of carriers and can find you the best solution based on your needs and exact vehicle. You don’t need to make multiple calls or visit dozens of carrier websites to settle on an option. They also do the legwork of back-and-forth communication with the carrier you choose so you can rest easy and focus your time and attention elsewhere. Your broker will provide you a quote and help plan all details of your shipment, then handle the rest with the chosen carrier.
As the nation’s leader in auto transport, we can help. Give us a call at. +1 727 339 0021 to speak with an advisor who will schedule your shipment with one of our 30,000+ vetted and trusted carriers.
Calculating car shipping costs
Auto transport quotes and car shipment rates are calculated using unique considerations for each customer. Your car shipping estimate will be based on several different transport factors. This includes, but isn’t limited to: trip distance, car size (sedan, pickup truck, SUV, etc.), vehicle condition (operable or inoperable), transport type (open or enclosed), location (i.e. rural or urban) and the time of year you ship. DQ Trans LLC’s instant quote calculator lets you enter all the details about your vehicle, allowing us to generate the most accurate and cost-optimized price—without hidden fees.
What factors are used to calculate the cost of car shipping?
Distance
Total distance is the main component used in calculating a quote for car shipping. Longer distances generally lead to a higher overall car shipping price, but also include a discounted cost per mile. With our car shipping calculator, you can get the best auto transport quote for any car shipment. It’s important to note that international car shipping prices might differ from ground vehicle transport.
Route
Different from distance, route refers to what highways and other roads will be traveled to transport the vehicle. Routes in highly populated areas may have increased traffic congestion, which could impact transport time and shipping costs. Additional route considerations that can be factored into shipping costs include: physical road conditions, adverse weather and road construction.
Shipping date
When you book a car transport service, the shipment date often plays a role in the cost. It’s best to book your car shipment as far in advance as possible. As soon as you know you’ll need to ship your vehicle, begin researching an auto transport company to request a car shipping quote. Additionally, increased flexibility around car pickup dates will often result in car transport quote savings.
Vehicle make and model
When planning your auto transport, we ask for the exact vehicle specifications, because the truck driver must know how much space is required to safely secure your automobile and ensure proper trailer height and side clearance. Longer and taller cars require additional vehicle transport adjustments, which may slightly increase car shipping costs. Vehicle modifications like larger tires and roof racks can also increase the cost.
Auto transport type
Most people shipping a car select open car transport, as it is the industry standard and cheapest way for car shippers to move your vehicle. For extra car shipment protection, we recommend using enclosed car transportation services that shield vehicles from weather and debris. Enclosed auto transport can increase the cost of car shipping, but is worth the peace of mind for delicate, exotic or luxury car transportation.
Vehicle condition
If your car is running, you will get a better auto shipping price from car shippers for the allotted distance. If your car is inoperable, but maintains the ability to roll, steer and brake, it will require a winch and other accommodations to be loaded onto the carrier trailer, which will increase the cost of shipment. To request a quote or to arrange shipment for an inoperable vehicle, please contact a DQ Trans LLC’s representative at (727) 339 0021
Vehicle details
Taller, longer and heavier vehicles may require a specific trailer or trailer type to support the length and/or added weight. They may also need certain accommodations, like being transported in a specific place within the trailer. Both of these situations could require the driver to take fewer or smaller vehicles to accommodate special requests and manage total allowable weight limits.
Ground clearance
Ground clearance, also called ride height, is the distance between the bottom of the vehicle’s body and the road or driving surface. Low vehicle ground clearance requires special attention and accommodation, such as a specialized ramp. If ground clearance is four inches or less, the vehicle must be shipped in an enclosed trailer equipped with a lift gate, which open trailers do not have.
Location
Metropolitan areas usually have plenty of trucks available to carry out car shipping orders for auto shippers, which lowers the car transport price. When transporting cars, we strive to find the best deal for residents of small towns.
Seasonality
Car shipping costs vary greatly based on the time of year. For example, auto transport services to warmer states are very popular during the winter travel season, so the cost for transporting a car to those destinations may be higher. Use DQ Trans LLC’s car shipping calculator to get the price for shipping a car. Depending on your scheduling flexibility, we recommend trying different shipping dates to see rate impact for choosing the best price.
Why choose DQ Trans LLC?
DQ Trans LLC Auto Transport delivers a balance of quality and affordability. Our transparent approach to car shipping costs ensures you receive an accurate quote from the beginning. By leveraging our extensive network and industry expertise, we secure the best price for your vehicle’s journey so you can plan your move confidently.
No upfront payments
At DQ Trans LLC, no payment is required until a carrier has been assigned to your order, so you can arrange transport now and handle payment later.
Personalized approach
DQ Trans LLC works with you to arrange the best transportation method for your vehicle. Experience hassle-free shipping when you choose DQ Trans LLC for your car shipping needs.
Insurance coverage
When you ship your vehicle with DQ Trans LLC, it will be covered by the carrier’s cargo insurance. We also have our own contingent cargo insurance protecting your vehicle for up to $250,000.
30,000+ professional carriers
Our nationwide network of over 30,000 carriers are all fully licensed and insured. We have drivers with the equipment and expertise to handle transport for vehicles in all 50 states.
Dedicated advisors and extended hours
Our expert auto transport advisors are available 365 days a year to arrange transport, monitor your shipment and answer any questions you may have.
Top-rated Company
With over 2k customers served and hundreds of online customer reviews, we’ve earned our reputation as one of the nation’s top auto transport companies. See what our customers are saying about their experience with DQ Trans LLC.
Auto transport insurance
Auto transport companies are held to stringent insurance requirements. Carrier companies are legally required to carry liability insurance and a minimal level of cargo insurance. Auto transport brokers can inform you of your carrier’s amount of coverage. When determining insurance coverage, ask your DQ Trans LLC’s representative these questions:
- What type of damage is covered?
- Does insurance cover the entire vehicle or only specific parts? – Is there a deductible?
- Is there a deductible?
- What is the limit of coverage?
- Are specialty items or accessories covered?
- Is there an option to purchase additional coverage?
Read what other customers say about shipping a car with DQ Trans LLC
Our auto transport services
Door-to-door car shipping
Open car transport
Expedited car shipping
Enclosed car shipping
Ship your car across the country with DQ Trans LLC
- Alabama Car Shipping
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Frequently asked questions about car shipping costs and quotes:
How much does it cost to ship a car?
There are several factors that affect the cost of your car shipment. The distance of your shipment will be the main consideration, as well as the vehicle type and condition, transportation type and the time of year.
Does time of year affect car shipping costs?
Yes, time of year can affect the cost of car shipping. Auto transport has fluctuations in seasonal demand and you can save money by shipping during low-volume seasons. Check with a DQ Trans LLC representative to learn more about seasonality and the best time to book a car shipment to save money.
Is there a payment or deposit for the instant quote calculator?
No, the instant quote calculator is free to use. There is no payment or credit card information required to get a quote.
What information do I need to use the instant quote calculator?
To use DQ Trans LLC’s instant quote calculator, simply enter your pickup and delivery locations (city or zip code), make a model of your car and your preferred transport type (open or enclosed). Try to provide as many details about your shipment as possible in order to receive the most accurate quote.
What is the best way to ship a vehicle?
The best way to ship a vehicle will depend on your specific needs. Some vehicles may require special accommodations like a lift gate or enclosed transport, while other shipments are better suited to open transport. Speak with a Montway representative to discuss your shipment needs and find the best option for you.
