Best Pricing
Sherpa Auto Transport
Highly TrustedPrice Lock Guarantee
96%
Pricing accuracy
A strong balance of competitive pricing and quote reliability for customers who want the best overall value.
Pricing Guide
12,400 verified shipments · Updated August 2023
How much does it cost to ship a car in 2026 — real data from 12,400 verified shipments
Every price in this guide comes from what customers actually paid — not what brokers quoted. The difference matters.
$980avg
National average · Open transport · Standard sedan
21%
Of customers paid more than their quote
$280over
Average overpayment vs quoted price
12.4k
Verified shipments in this dataset
The most important thing to understand first
Every other pricing guide in auto transport is based on quoted prices — what brokers say they charge before you book. This guide is based on what customers actually paid after the shipment was complete. The difference between quoted and paid is $280 on average. That gap is what this article is about.
Get an estimate first
Price estimator — based on actual paid prices
Enter your route and vehicle for a data-backed range from 12,400 verified shipments
What you will actually pay
The national price ranges — open transport, standard sedan, 2026
These are ranges from our verified shipment data. The "average" hides a wide spread — your actual price depends on route, season, timing, and which broker you use. All three columns reflect real paid prices.
Budget range
$550–$750
Short routes under 500 miles · Off-peak season · Flexible timing
Average range
$800–$1,200
Mid-distance routes 500–1,500 miles · Standard timing
Premium range
$1,200–$2,100
Cross-country · Enclosed transport · Peak season
Route price data
What specific routes actually cost — verified paid prices
FromToAvg paidTransitDemand
Los Angeles, CANew York, NY$900–$1,3508–14 daysVery High
Los Angeles, CAMiami, FL$1,050–$1,5009–14 daysHigh
Chicago, ILNew York, NY$520–$8503–6 daysSteady
Dallas, TXLos Angeles, CA$750–$1,1005–9 daysModerate
Miami, FLNew York, NY$480–$7903–5 daysSteady
Seattle, WAChicago, IL$840–$1,2506–10 daysModerate
Phoenix, AZDallas, TX$420–$6802–4 daysSteady
Open transport · Standard sedan · Door-to-door · 2025 Q4 verified paid prices
Make this data more accurate
What did you actually pay?
The prices above are built from what customers reported paying — not broker estimates. Your actual paid price updates the next version of this guide.
Why prices vary
The 5 factors that determine your actual cost
1
Route length and corridor demand
The single biggest factor. High-demand corridors like CA → NY have more carriers competing for loads — prices stay more predictable. Low-demand or rural routes have fewer carriers, so brokers offer more to attract them — and that cost passes to you. A remote rural pickup can add $300–$500 over an urban pickup on the same route.
2
Season and timing
Spring (April–June) is peak demand — prices run 18–24% above annual averages. Winter (December–March) is the lowest demand period — 8–12% below average. A flexible shipper who can move dates by 4–6 weeks saves meaningfully on most routes.
3
Transport type — open vs enclosed
Enclosed transport costs 40–60% more than open transport. For most standard vehicles, open transport is appropriate — the risk of exposure is minimal and the insurance coverage is the same. Luxury, exotic, or non-running vehicles benefit from enclosed transport.
4
Booking lead time
Booking less than 7 days before your first available date adds a 15–25% urgency premium on most routes. Carriers who are immediately available command higher rates. Booking 10–14 days ahead eliminates the urgency premium entirely on the majority of routes.
5
Which broker you use
Brokers with lower TrustScores frequently quote low and increase at pickup. Brokers with written price locks (like Sherpa's Price Lock Guarantee) charge slightly more up front but the price you see is the price you pay. On average, customers of high-TrustScore brokers pay $62 less total despite sometimes higher initial quotes.
When to ship
Seasonal pricing — when prices are lowest
Spring (Apr–Jun)
+18–24%
Peak demand. Book 3–4 weeks ahead or pay urgency premium.
Summer (Jul–Sep)
+12–18%
High demand. Wildfire risk on Western routes adds delay potential.
Fall (Oct–Nov)
Market rate
Best value window. Good carrier availability. No major seasonal risk.
Winter (Dec–Mar)
−8–12%
Lowest prices of the year. Best time to ship if dates are flexible.
Choose what matters most
Three recommendations for three different priorities
Most Premium
Montway Auto Transport
Premium supportHigh reliability
Premium
Service level
For customers who prioritize communication, support, and a more managed shipping experience.
Price Saver
AmeriFreight
Budget focusedFlexible timing
Saver
Budget option
For flexible customers whose main priority is reducing cost while still choosing a reviewed broker.
Not sure which broker fits your route?
Get a personalised recommendation
Answer 7 questions about your route, vehicle, and priorities. The Advisor matches you to the right broker based on your specific situation — not a generic list.
Get AI recommendation →What did you actually pay? Your number is behind the next version of this guide.
The prices in this article come from people who shipped their car and told us what they actually paid. Three minutes of your time makes the next reader's decision better.
Compare real quotes
Get pricing from verified brokers for your route
TrustScore 70+ brokers only · Takes 90 seconds
Price locked. Nothing to manage.
Want the number to stay exactly what you're quoted?
Full Service means we book the right broker, lock the price in writing, and take responsibility if anything changes. The $280 average overpayment is not something Full Service customers experience.
- Written price lock — no pickup-day surprises
- We choose the broker based on your route and priorities
- We handle any price dispute on your behalf
- We call you within 2 hours of your request