What’s the cheapest way to ship a car?
Open transport with a flexible pickup window, booked 1–2 weeks ahead, shipped in an off-peak month. March, April, and October are the cheapest months, with open-carrier rates averaging about $0.78 per mile — while summer moves carry a 20–30% premium. What doesn’t work: chasing the lowest quote. A quote 30% or more below market average is bait for a price hike, not a savings.
The levers that cut cost, in order of impact:
The five levers that lower the price
- 1. Choose open transport. Enclosed costs 40–60% more and earns it only for classics, exotics, and high-value vehicles. For a daily driver, open is the standard — it’s how dealers move new cars every day. See open vs. enclosed for where the line is.
- 2. Time the season. March, April, and October are the cheap windows. February is the industry’s slowest month. Avoid summer’s 20–30% premium and the October–January snowbird spike on southbound routes if your dates can flex.
- 3. Give a flexible pickup window. A multi-day window lets carriers slot your car into an efficient load. Tight timing costs: expedited pickup within 24–48 hours adds $150–$300.
- 4. Book ahead, not last minute. 1–2 weeks ahead standard, 2–4 in peak season. More lead time means more carrier options competing for your load.
- 5. Stay on the main corridors if you can. High-volume lanes price lower per mile. Meeting a carrier in a metro area instead of a remote pickup point can trim the cost — ask when you book.
What “cheap” costs you: the lowball trap
The cheapest quote in your inbox is usually the most expensive way to ship a car. The pattern, documented across the industry: a teaser quote wins your booking, then the price jumps at pickup or delivery — sometimes with your car held until you pay cash. Red flags: a quote 20–30% below three comparable quotes, a deposit required before anything is in writing, no locked price in the contract. Get three quotes; if one is dramatically lower, don’t book it. The full pattern is in our car shipping scams guide.
What real prices look like
| Route | Open carrier cost |
|---|---|
| Arizona → California (~400–800 mi) | $300–$700 |
| Texas → Florida (~900–1,400 mi) | $700–$1,400 |
| New York → Florida (~1,200–1,350 mi) | $750–$1,350 |
| California → Florida (~2,500 mi) | $900–$1,400 |
Corridor detail: Arizona to California, Texas to Florida, and New York to Florida.
Frequently asked questions
Is terminal-to-terminal cheaper than door-to-door?
On high-volume routes, not meaningfully. Door-to-door is the default, and terminal pickup mostly adds hassle without real savings. Where money moves is transport type, season, and flexibility — not the terminal option.
What’s the cheapest month to ship a car?
February is the industry’s slowest month, and March, April, and October offer the best combination of low rates — about $0.78 per mile on open carriers — and normal carrier availability.
Does a bigger vehicle cost more to ship?
Yes. A pickup or full-size SUV runs 15–25% more than a sedan because it takes more trailer space. Oversized vehicles — duallys, lifted 4x4s, anything over 7 feet tall — carry a further surcharge.
Can I save money by shipping an inoperable car as-is?
No — the opposite. A non-running vehicle needs a winch-equipped carrier and adds $100–$200. Disclose it at booking; hiding it creates a standoff at pickup, not a discount.
Get the real low price
Tell us your route and your date flexibility, and we’ll quote the lowest number we can stand behind — locked in writing, no hike at pickup.
Or call us at (800) 997-4181.
