Cheapest Way to Ship a Car
Quick answer: The cheapest way to ship a car is open transport with flexible dates during off-peak season (spring or fall). This combination can save you 20–30% compared to peak-season enclosed transport. The average open carrier shipment costs $1,150. With the right timing and strategy, you can push that number lower.
Everyone wants the lowest price. The problem is that chasing the absolute cheapest quote can lead you straight into a scam — or a broker who quotes low and raises the price after booking. This guide shows you how to actually pay less without cutting corners on reliability.
We ship thousands of vehicles a year at Bold Auto Transport. These savings strategies are based on real pricing patterns from actual shipments.
10 Ways to Lower Your Car Shipping Cost
Each of these strategies saves real money. Stack several together and you can cut your total shipping cost by 20–30%.
1. Choose Open Transport (Save 30–40% vs. Enclosed)
This is the single biggest cost lever. Open transport costs $0.50–$1.50 per mile. Enclosed transport adds 30–40% to that price. On a $1,135 cross-country shipment, that's a $400+ difference.
Open carriers handle 90% of all vehicle shipments in the U.S., including brand-new cars from factories to dealerships. Unless your vehicle is worth $50,000+, is a classic, or has collector value, open is the right call. The "risk" of weather exposure is mostly cosmetic — a car wash at delivery handles it.
2. Be Flexible on Pickup Dates (Save 5–15%)
A 3–5 day pickup window gives carriers more flexibility to route your vehicle efficiently. When a carrier can slot your car into an existing run, they don't need to make a special trip — and they pass those savings on to you. Demanding a specific pickup day limits your options to carriers already running that exact route on that exact date, which means fewer bids and higher prices.
3. Ship During Off-Season (Save 10–20%)
Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) are the sweet spots. Demand drops below summer peaks, but weather is still cooperative on most routes. January and February also offer low rates on non-snowbird routes. Avoid June through August if your schedule allows it — that's when prices peak due to relocation season, college moves, and summer vacations.
4. Book 2–3 Weeks in Advance (Save 10–20%)
Last-minute bookings within 1 week cost 10–20% more. Why? Fewer carriers are available on short notice, which means less competition for your load. Booking 2–3 weeks out opens the largest pool of carriers. More carriers bidding on your route = lower prices. Planning a move or relocation? Book car shipping as soon as you know your dates.
5. Ship To/From Metro Areas (Save $50–$150)
Carriers pass through Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, and other major metros every day. Picking up or delivering in a metro area is part of a carrier's normal route. Rural locations 50+ miles off the highway require a dedicated detour, and carriers charge $50–$150 extra for that. If you live in a rural area, consider meeting the driver at a truck stop or commercial lot near a major highway to save that fee.
6. Consolidate Vehicles (Save 5–15% Per Car)
Shipping two or more vehicles on the same route? Multi-car discounts are standard. The carrier makes one stop instead of two, which saves them time and fuel. Those savings get passed to you. If you're a dealer, fleet manager, or relocating a household with multiple vehicles, always ask about bulk pricing.
7. Remove Unnecessary Items From Your Car
Carriers can refuse vehicles loaded with personal items, or they may charge extra. Extra weight means higher fuel costs for the driver. Remove everything that isn't bolted to the car. Most carriers allow up to one small bag (under 100 lbs) in the trunk, but anything visible through the windows or piled in the backseat creates problems — and potential liability issues.
8. Skip Expedited Unless You Need It (Save $200–$400)
Expedited service guarantees 24–48 hour pickup. That speed costs $200–$400 extra. Standard service with a 3–5 day pickup window works fine for the vast majority of shipments. Only use expedited when you have a hard deadline — like a lease turn-in date, a closed sale, or a job relocation start.
9. Compare Quotes (But Watch for Lowball Scams)
Getting 2–3 quotes is smart. It gives you a feel for the market rate on your route. But here's the catch: if one quote is 20–30% below the others, it's almost certainly a bait-and-switch. The broker quotes low to get your deposit, then calls before pickup to say the carrier wants more money. Compare quotes, but compare them against realistic market rates, not fairy tales. More on this in the scam section below.
10. Use Terminal Pickup/Delivery If Available (Save $50–$150)
Some carriers offer terminal-to-terminal service where you drop off your vehicle at a depot and pick it up at another depot near the destination. This eliminates the driver's door-to-door detour. The savings are $50–$150 per end. The trade-off is convenience — you need to drive to and from the terminals yourself. For most people, door-to-door is worth the small premium. But if you live near a terminal and want to save every dollar, it's an option.
What's the Cheapest Transport Method?
There are three main ways to ship a vehicle: open carrier, enclosed carrier, and terminal-to-terminal. Here is how they stack up on cost for a typical 1,200-mile shipment:
| Method | Cost (1,200 mi) | Savings vs. Enclosed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Carrier (Door-to-Door) | $950 | Save ~$400 (30%) | Most vehicles, daily drivers |
| Open Carrier (Terminal) | $800 | Save ~$550 (41%) | Budget-first, near terminals |
| Enclosed Carrier (Door-to-Door) | $1,350 | — | Luxury, classic, exotic cars |
Open carrier door-to-door is the sweet spot for most people. You save 30–40% versus enclosed without sacrificing the convenience of pickup and delivery at your address. Terminal service saves another $100–$150 but requires you to drive to and from depot locations.
Enclosed transport only makes financial sense when your vehicle's value justifies the premium. If you're shipping a $80,000 sports car, paying an extra $400 for full protection is a no-brainer. If you're shipping a $15,000 sedan, open transport is the clear winner. For a full breakdown, see our open vs. enclosed comparison.
Cheapest Time of Year to Ship a Car
Auto transport pricing follows a predictable seasonal cycle. Demand drives prices up in summer and pushes them down in spring and fall. Here is a month-by-month pricing index showing how rates compare to the annual average:
| Month | Demand | Price vs. Average | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | High (snowbird) | +10–15% | Snowbird returns inflate FL–Northeast rates |
| February | Moderate | +0–5% | Demand eases after January peak |
| March | Low | –5–10% | Great rates, good weather |
| April | Low | –5–15% | One of the best months to ship |
| May | Low–Moderate | –5–10% | Last cheap month before summer |
| June | High | +10–20% | Relocation season begins |
| July | Peak | +15–25% | Highest demand month of the year |
| August | High | +10–20% | College moves, end-of-summer relocations |
| September | Low | –10–15% | Sharp drop after summer — best deals |
| October | Low–Moderate | –5–10% | Good rates, snowbird season starts ramping |
| November | Low–Moderate | –5–10% | Pre-holiday window, still affordable |
| December | Moderate | +5–10% | Holiday shipping + snowbird peak on FL routes |
Best months to ship: September, October, March, April, May. These months give you the lowest prices with good road conditions and fast carrier availability.
Most expensive months: June, July, August. If you can shift your shipping date by even 2–3 weeks into September, you'll likely save 15–20% on the exact same route. For full pricing data, see our car shipping cost guide.
Cheapest Routes to Ship a Car
High-volume corridors have the best per-mile rates because carriers are always running them. More carrier competition on a route = lower prices for you. Here are the most cost-effective shipping lanes in the U.S.:
| Route | Distance | Open Transport | Per Mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida to New York | 1,280 mi | $850 | $0.66/mi |
| California to Texas | 1,400 mi | $900 | $0.64/mi |
| Texas to Florida | 1,100 mi | $770 | $0.70/mi |
| California to Florida | 2,750 mi | $1,300 | $0.47/mi |
| Chicago to Atlanta | 720 mi | $620 | $0.86/mi |
| New York to Chicago | 790 mi | $650 | $0.82/mi |
| Los Angeles to Phoenix | 370 mi | $450 | $1.22/mi |
| Los Angeles to New York | 2,790 mi | $1,250 | $0.45/mi |
Notice the per-mile pattern: longer routes have lower per-mile costs because fixed expenses (loading, unloading, driver time) get spread across more miles. The LA-to-NY corridor at $0.45/mi is one of the cheapest per-mile rates in the country.
Shipping between two smaller cities not on this list? Your rate depends on how close each city is to a major carrier corridor. The farther off the beaten path, the higher the per-mile cost. Use our free calculator to see your exact route price.
Warning: Why the Cheapest Quote Isn't Always the Best Deal
This is the section most "cheapest car shipping" articles skip. But it's the most important part.
The auto transport industry has a well-known problem: lowball quotes. Some brokers intentionally quote 20–30% below market rate to capture your deposit. Then, a few days before pickup, they call with bad news: the carrier wants more money, or they "can't find a carrier at that price." You're stuck either paying more or starting over with a new company — and you've already lost a week.
Red Flags That a Quote Is Too Good to Be True:
- Quote is 20–30% below other companies for the same route and service
- No USDOT number — every legal auto transport company must be registered with the FMCSA
- Large deposit required upfront — reputable companies collect at delivery or charge a small booking fee
- Vague insurance details — they can't tell you the deductible amount, coverage limits, or carrier's insurance info
- No real customer reviews — fake reviews or no online presence at all
- Pressure to book immediately — "this price expires today" or "only one spot left"
- They won't put the quote in writing — a verbal quote is worthless in auto transport
Here's a good rule of thumb: if three companies quote you $900–$1,100 and one company quotes $600, that $600 company is not more efficient. They're either planning to raise the price later, or they won't ship your car at all.
Before booking with any company, verify their USDOT number on the FMCSA website, read actual customer reviews on Google and the BBB, and get the full quote in writing with insurance details included.
How Bold Auto Transport Keeps Prices Low
We're not the cheapest quote you'll find. We're the best value. Here's the difference:
- Large carrier network = competitive rates. We work with thousands of vetted carriers nationwide. More carriers bidding on your route means lower transport costs, and we pass those savings to you.
- No hidden fees. Period. The quoted price includes pickup, transport, delivery, and insurance. No fuel surcharges. No terminal fees. No surprise increases after booking. What we quote is what you pay.
- $0 deductible insurance included. Most competitors either charge $100–$500 extra for full coverage or include a deductible of $250–$500. At Bold, full coverage cargo insurance with a $0 deductible is included on every shipment at no extra charge. That alone saves you $100–$500 compared to competitors who charge separately.
- Price match guarantee. Find a lower rate from a licensed, insured competitor for the same route, vehicle, and service type? We'll match it. Call (469) 942-5444 with the competing quote.
- No bait-and-switch. We quote honest, market-rate prices from day one. We'd rather lose a booking to a lowball competitor than raise the price on you later. Our customers come back because they know the number we give is the number they pay.
- Dedicated coordinator. One person manages your shipment from booking to delivery. No call center. No getting transferred to three different people. Your coordinator handles carrier communication, scheduling, and updates. That efficiency keeps our overhead low, which keeps your price low.
See the Lowest Price for Your Route
Enter your details for an instant quote. No obligation.
Instant Car Shipping Cost Calculator
Select your vehicle, adjust size, pick a route — see your estimate instantly
Popular Car Shipping Locations
We ship vehicles door-to-door across all 50 states.
Cheap Car Shipping FAQs
Get the Lowest Price for Your Route
Instant quote. $0 deductible insurance included. No hidden fees. Price match guarantee.
Use Our Free Calculator →Or Get a Personalized Quote →
Prefer to talk? Call (469) 942-5444