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A sedan being driven up the ramp of an open car carrier in early morning light

Car shipping costs, 2026

What it costs to ship a car when you move

$0.59/mi
Open transport, trips over 1,500 miles
$0.84/mi
Enclosed, same distance

Montway's published 2026 averages, read Oct 2, 2026. See source

Estimate your trip

Shorter trips cost more per mile: $1.85 a mile up to 500 miles.

On this page
  1. Key facts
  2. Where to start
  3. What moves the price
  4. Published per-mile rates (2026)
  5. Estimate a long trip
  6. Where to get a real price
  7. Car shipping questions
  8. Sources

Key facts

  • The longer the trip, the less you pay per mile: about $555 for 300 miles but $1,180 for 2,000 on an open carrier1.
  • Enclosed trailers cost about 10-40% more and keep off rain and road debris3.
  • Montway takes no payment until a carrier is assigned to your order4.
  • The bill of lading records the car's condition at pickup and delivery: any damage claim starts there5.

Where to start

Where to start
If you are askingStart withLink
Moving across the country?Open transport, about $0.59 a mileEstimate it
Classic, luxury or low car?Enclosed transport, 10-40% moreSee rates
Going to Hawaii or Alaska?Port service, not door-to-doorRead more
Worried about damage?Check the bill of lading at both endsRead more

What moves the price

Montway publishes 2026 estimates for open transport of about $1.85 a mile for trips up to 500 miles, $0.91 a mile from 501 to 1,500 miles and $0.59 a mile beyond that. Its own examples: about $555 for 300 miles, $910 for 1,000 miles and $1,180 for 2,000 miles1.

The same page lists what moves a quote: distance and route, how far ahead you book, the vehicle's size and condition (a car that does not run costs more), ground clearance, metro or rural pickup, and the season1.

Open or enclosed. Open carriers hold an average of 8-10 cars, exposed to weather the way they would be on the road2. Enclosed trailers protect against rain and debris and are often chosen for classic, luxury or low-clearance cars3.

Paying and the paperwork. Montway says it takes no payment until a carrier is assigned4. At pickup and delivery the driver records the car's condition on the bill of lading. Read it before you sign5.

Published per-mile rates (2026)

Trip distanceOpen transportEnclosed transport
1-500 miles1$1.85 per mile$2.53 per mile
501-1,500 miles1$0.91 per mile$1.25 per mile
1,500+ miles1$0.59 per mile$0.84 per mile
SourceMontway cost pageRead Oct 2, 2026Montway cost pageRead Oct 2, 2026

Averages for standard vehicles, not quotes. Your price depends on route, date and vehicle.

Estimate a long trip

Uses Montway's 2026 averages for trips over 1,500 miles.

  • $0.59 a mile (open) and $0.84 a mile (enclosed) are Montway's 2026 averages for 1,500+ miles.
  • Route, season, vehicle size and condition change the real quote.

Open transport, about

$1,180

Open transport, about$1,180
Enclosed transport, about$1,680

Source: Montway Auto Transport, read Oct 2, 2026.

Where to get a real price

How these links work: each button opens the partner's own site. We are not paid for these links today; we may earn a referral fee in the future.

Good for door-to-door car shipping within the lower 48 states

Montway Auto Transport

Open, 1,500+ miles
About $0.59 a mile
Enclosed
About 10-40% more per trip
Payment
Not until a carrier is assigned
See prices on MontwayOpens Montway Auto Transport's site. Not a referral link.

Also on Montway Auto Transport's site

What to check first
  • Condition notes on the bill of lading, at pickup and delivery
  • Pickup window and how you get around without the car
  • Open or enclosed: only pay for enclosed if the car needs it

Car shipping questions

Can I ship a car to Hawaii or Alaska door to door?

Montway says door-to-door service is not available for Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and international shipments4. Its Hawaii service is door-to-port or port-to-port.

Who covers damage in transit?

Montway says the car is covered by the carrier's cargo insurance, and that its own contingent cargo insurance covers up to $250,000 if the trucker's policy does not fully cover a valid claim5. Check the condition notes on the bill of lading at both ends.

Is it cheaper to drive?

Price the drive honestly: fuel, nights on the road, meals and days off work. Then compare with a written quote for your dates. Our car shipping guide works through common distances.

Sources

  1. How much does it cost to ship a car?Montway Auto Transport, read Oct 2, 2026
  2. Open car transportMontway Auto Transport, read Oct 2, 2026
  3. Enclosed auto transportMontway Auto Transport, read Oct 2, 2026
  4. Door-to-door auto transportMontway Auto Transport, read Oct 2, 2026
  5. How auto transport worksMontway Auto Transport, read Oct 2, 2026

About this page

We do not earn anything from your quotes or sign-ups today. Every partner link is a plain link to the partner's own site, without a referral code. We may join partners' referral programs in the future, and this notice will say so before that changes.

Prices, plan terms and service areas belong to each company and can change. The company's own page is the final word on price, availability and terms.

MoveMate Local is not a mover, broker, carrier or insurer, and does not pass your details to anyone.