How-to · Updated October 2, 2026
How much does it cost to ship a car?
Direct answer
A 1,100-mile open sedan is about $1,675.52 in this model, or $1.52 per mile, with a 5-day transit estimate.
What is in the 1,100-mile total
Sedan, 3,600 lb, open carrier, standard urgency, normal demand, fuel at $3.75 a gallon and 6.2 MPG, $28,000 declared value, $80 terminal, $120 door pickup or drop-off.
| Piece | Amount |
|---|---|
| Linehaul (1,100 × $0.92) | $1,012.00 |
| Fuel surcharge | $239.52 |
| Insurance (0.8% of $28,000) | $224.00 |
| Terminal + door fees | $200.00 |
| Total | $1,675.52 |
Weight is under 4,000 lb, so the $0.02-per-pound add-on is $0.00.
Same sedan at three distances
| Miles | Total | Per mile | Transit days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | $992.87 | $1.99 | 4 |
| 1,100 | $1,675.52 | $1.52 | 5 |
| 2,500 | $3,268.35 | $1.31 | 8 |
Insurance and the two fees stay fixed, so the per-mile figure falls as the trip gets longer.
Vehicle class on the 1,100-mile lane
| Class | Base rate | Open total |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan | $0.92/mi | $1,675.52 |
| SUV | $1.04/mi | $1,807.52 |
| Truck | $1.20/mi | $2,007.52 |
| Luxury | $1.35/mi | $2,148.52 |
The truck row uses 5,200 lb, which adds $24.00 for weight above 4,000 lb. Base rates are sedan $0.92, SUV $1.04, truck $1.20, luxury $1.35 per mile.
Limits
- A planning total for budgeting. A broker or carrier quote uses the live lane, the exact ZIP codes, and whether the car runs.
- Modified, oversized, or inoperable vehicles can add equipment the model does not price.
- Transit days use 420 miles a day plus 2 handling days on open standard service. Weather and multi-stop routes move the calendar.
Use the calculator
Open versus enclosed on the same lane: open vs enclosed car shipping cost. Change miles and vehicle class in the car shipping cost calculator.