Free tool
Car shipping cost calculator
Enter two ZIP codes and your vehicle to get a car shipping price range in seconds, with every adjustment itemised: distance band, vehicle class, open or enclosed, running or not, ship month, snowbird direction, rural endpoints and the diesel index. No email, no phone, no gated quote. The same model powers every HaulFare estimate.
Updated October 2026
Example results (sedan, October 2026)
| Route | Miles | Open carrier | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles → Dallas | 1,460 | $1,085–$1,350 | $1,540–$1,915 |
| New York → Miami | 1,289 | $1,185–$1,475 | $1,685–$2,095 |
| Chicago → Phoenix | 1,713 | $1,345–$1,675 | $1,915–$2,380 |
| Seattle → Boston | 2,933 | $1,510–$1,880 | $2,150–$2,675 |
Computed by this calculator, model 2026.09-seed. Ranges, not quotes.
How the calculator works
Distance
Straight-line distance between the two ZIP centroids (US Census ZCTA data) times a road-circuity factor of 1.18–1.35 depending on trip length.
Base rate
A per-mile curve interpolated between calibration points (50 mi $3.40, 100 mi $2.60, 250 mi $1.80, 500 mi $1.36, 750 mi $1.12, 1000 mi $0.98, 1500 mi $0.80, 2000 mi $0.68, 2500 mi $0.60, 3000 mi $0.56, 3500 mi $0.53), with a $325 minimum.
Multipliers
Vehicle class (0.8×–1.45×), enclosed 1.42×, EV 1.05×, expedited 1.25×, month index (−5% to +10%), snowbird direction (±15%/−7%), diesel pass-through (10% of the change from the $5.60 May 2026 calibration baseline; $6.38/gal in the current edition).
Flat fees
Winch loading $150, rural pickup or delivery up to $175 per end beyond 50 miles from a carrier hub, Hawaii or Alaska ocean leg.
Range
A fixed band of −10% / +12% around the model midpoint, because carriers on the same lane price differently; it is set by the model, not measured from bookings.
The model is calibrated to published 2025–2026 rate cards and refreshed each month with the national diesel average; the calibration and version history are published in the Cost Index.
Car shipping cost calculator FAQ
How accurate is this car shipping calculator?
It returns a range built from a published per-mile curve, vehicle class, carrier type, season, snowbird direction, rural endpoints and the weekly diesel index. It is calibrated to published 2025–2026 industry rate cards and not yet checked against booked prices; unusual vehicles, tight dates and remote addresses can fall outside it, which is why the licensed broker confirms one price before anything is booked.
Why does the calculator not ask for my email?
Because you should be able to size a budget without being sold to. The math runs in your browser. Each run also logs an anonymous row (ZIP3s, states, distance, vehicle, trailer, month and the estimate midpoint; no contact details) so we can see which routes people price. These rows are never used as prices in the HaulFare Cost Index, which is model-derived.
Does the estimate include all fees?
The range models a typical all-in price, carrier pay plus the broker’s fee, which is how car shipping is usually quoted. Fuel is built in through the diesel index rather than added as a separate surcharge. Some shipments are priced individually: vehicles that cannot roll or steer, oversized trucks, and Hawaii or Alaska ocean legs. Ask for an itemized, all-in price in writing before you book.
What does “per mile” mean if the rate keeps changing?
On the model’s base curve, before the month’s seasonal index, diesel and the $325 minimum, the rate falls as distance rises: about $2.60 at 100 miles, $1.36 at 500, $0.98 at 1,000, $0.68 at 2,000 and $0.56 at 3,000 miles for an open-carrier sedan, because loading and unloading cost the same regardless of distance. The car shipping cost page lists this month’s all-in figures, which include those adjustments.
Is the estimate a binding quote, and how long is it good for?
No. It is an estimate from the HaulFare price model, not a quote or an offer, so it binds no one. The figures follow the October 2026 edition and change when the next monthly edition is published on the 1st, or when you move your ship date into a different month. Only the licensed transport partner can confirm an actual price, and it does so for your exact dates.
How do I get the exact price?
Request a quote with the same ZIPs. Your request goes to our licensed transport partner, an FMCSA-licensed auto transport broker, who checks carrier availability on your dates and confirms the actual price. HaulFare takes no payment; ask the broker about deposit and payment terms before you book.
