Cost
Enclosed car shipping cost
Compare estimated enclosed and open transport costs for the same approximate distances.
Key facts
- Price basis
- Estimated shipping costs
- Historical prices used
- 3588
- Enclosed versus open transport
- 1.5 times the open estimate (a planning assumption)
- U.S. diesel
- $6.13 per gallon, week of 2026-11-09
As of 2026-11-09. Source: RideShipper estimate v1 for a running Sedan or compact car. Each row uses an example distance within that group. The per-mile figure uses the estimated midpoint. Distances are approximate. Based on prices reported in MoveAdvisor reviews. This is not a quote.
| Approximate distance | Open transport | Enclosed transport | Estimated open cost per mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 250 miles | $376–$573 | $564–$859 | $3.11 |
| 250–499 miles | $404–$616 | $606–$924 | $1.34 |
| 500–999 miles | $556–$848 | $834–$1,271 | $0.92 |
| 1,000–1,499 miles | $704–$1,072 | $1,056–$1,609 | $0.70 |
| 1,500–1,999 miles | $822–$1,252 | $1,233–$1,878 | $0.58 |
| 2,000–2,499 miles | $923–$1,406 | $1,384–$2,109 | $0.51 |
| 2,500 miles and over | $1,053–$1,605 | $1,580–$2,408 | $0.44 |
The historical calculation starts at $499 before adjustments for the vehicle, month and fuel. Short trips have limited supporting data, so ask companies for quotes. Distances are approximate. The place directory uses straight-line distance increased by 20%, while the historical state-center calculation uses a factor of 1.22.
Why enclosed is higher on this page
We estimate enclosed transport at 1.5 times open transport. The reviews do not say whether transport was open or enclosed. This is a planning assumption because an enclosed trailer carries fewer vehicles, rather than a measured price difference.
What changes the price
- Longer trips usually cost more in total and less per mile. The calculation starts at $499 before other adjustments.
- Vehicle size changes the estimate: Sedan or compact car: 1.00 times the sedan estimate (from reported prices); SUV or crossover: 1.06 times the sedan estimate (from reported prices); Pickup or large SUV: 1.20 times the sedan estimate (from reported prices); Van or minivan: 1.07 times the sedan estimate (from reported prices); Heavy-duty or oversized vehicle: 1.12 times the sedan estimate (from reported prices); Motorcycle: 0.95 times the sedan estimate (from reported prices).
- A vehicle that does not run adds $150 (assumption).
- Fuel prices change the estimate. A 10% diesel price rise changes the estimate by about 0.2%. The historical comparison price is $3.67 a gallon, from the sample whose middle date is 2021-09-23.
- Seasonal travel to and from Florida and Arizona can change the price in each direction. The adjustment ranges from 0.88 to 1.12 times the base estimate.
- The pickup month changes the estimate based on historical reported prices: January: 0.98 times the base price, February: 0.99 times the base price, March: 0.94 times the base price, April: 1.05 times the base price, May: 1.00 times the base price, June: 1.03 times the base price, July: 1.05 times the base price, August: 1.05 times the base price, September: 1.00 times the base price, October: 1.03 times the base price, November: 0.93 times the base price, December: 0.95 times the base price.
Prices used to build the estimate: 3588 from 2009-03-26 to 2026-11-06. These prices come from MoveAdvisor reviews and were used to calculate the distance adjustment. This is not a quote.
Open the calculator for a route. Price index.
Sources
Call (800) 989-8833 Quotes by phone, 24/7