Free tool
Vehicle transport class lookup
Enter a 17-character VIN and this tool reads the vehicle's NHTSA record (body class, weight rating and fuel type) and assigns one of eight shipping classes, from motorcycle (20% less than a sedan) to oversized (45% more than a sedan). In October 2026, Los Angeles to Dallas is estimated at $1,085 to $1,350 for a sedan and $1,575 to $1,960 for a one-ton dually.
Updated October 2026
No VIN handy? Use year, make and model
Checked in your browser first
Decoded by NHTSA
One of eight shipping classes
Worked examples: 8 common vehicles
Body class and gross vehicle weight rating as NHTSA vPIC returned them for a VIN of each model on September 27, 2026. Estimates are for Los Angeles to Dallas (about 1,460 miles) on an open carrier in October 2026; the licensed transport partner confirms the actual price.
| Vehicle | NHTSA body class | GVWR | Shipping class | Vs sedan | Estimate, Los Angeles to Dallas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Toyota Camry LE | Sedan/Saloon | 4,001 to 5,000 lb (Class 1C) | Sedan | 1.00x | $1,085 to $1,350 |
| 2024 Ford Mustang coupe | Coupe | 6,000 lb or less (Class 1) | Compact / coupe | 0.97x | $1,055 to $1,310 |
| 2024 Toyota RAV4 XLE | Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV] | 4,001 to 5,000 lb (Class 1C) | Small SUV / crossover | 1.08x | $1,170 to $1,455 |
| 2024 Tesla Model Y | Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV] | 5,001 to 6,000 lb (Class 1D) | Small SUV / crossover + EV | 1.13x | $1,230 to $1,530 |
| 2024 Chevrolet Suburban LS | Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV] | 7,001 to 8,000 lb (Class 2F) | Full-size SUV | 1.20x | $1,300 to $1,620 |
| 2024 Honda Odyssey Sport | Minivan | 6,001 to 7,000 lb (Class 2E) | Minivan / cargo van | 1.25x | $1,355 to $1,685 |
| 2024 Ford F-150 XL | Pickup | 7,001 to 8,000 lb (Class 2F) | Pickup truck | 1.22x | $1,325 to $1,645 |
| 2023 Ford F-350 Super Duty dually | Pickup | 10,001 to 14,000 lb (Class 3) | Oversized (dually, lifted, long-bed) | 1.45x | $1,575 to $1,960 |
The Tesla Model Y is a small SUV by weight rating and also carries the 5% battery-electric adjustment. The dual-rear-wheel F-350 is rated over 10,000 lb (Class 3), which makes it oversized.
How the class is decided
1. VIN check in your browser
2. NHTSA decode
3. Fixed mapping
| NHTSA record shows | Shipping class | Price factor vs sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Bus, trailer, truck-tractor, motorhome, ambulance, fire apparatus, street sweeper, off-road vehicle, incomplete chassis (other than chassis cab or cutaway) | Custom quote | Quoted individually |
| Any body with GVWR Class 4 or higher (over 14,000 lb) | Custom quote | Quoted individually |
| Motorcycle (any motorcycle body class or vehicle type) | Motorcycle | 0.80x |
| GVWR Class 3 (10,001 to 14,000 lb), dual rear wheels, limousine, step van, chassis cab or cutaway | Oversized (dually, lifted, long-bed) | 1.45x |
| Pickup, sport utility truck, truck | Pickup truck | 1.22x |
| Minivan, van, cargo van | Minivan / cargo van | 1.25x |
| SUV or crossover with GVWR over 6,000 lb (Class 2) | Full-size SUV | 1.20x |
| SUV or crossover with GVWR 6,000 lb or less (Class 1) | Small SUV / crossover | 1.08x |
| Sedan, wagon, or hatchback with GVWR over 5,000 lb | Sedan | 1.00x |
| Coupe, convertible, roadster, hatchback up to 5,000 lb, low-speed vehicle | Compact / coupe | 0.97x |
Electric and hybrid
Limits
Price factor by class, Los Angeles to Dallas, October 2026
| Class | Factor | Vs sedan | Estimated open-carrier range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle | 0.80x | 20% less than a sedan | $870 to $1,080 |
| Compact / coupe | 0.97x | 3% less than a sedan | $1,055 to $1,310 |
| Sedan | 1.00x | Baseline | $1,085 to $1,350 |
| Small SUV / crossover | 1.08x | 8% more than a sedan | $1,170 to $1,455 |
| Full-size SUV | 1.20x | 20% more than a sedan | $1,300 to $1,620 |
| Pickup truck | 1.22x | 22% more than a sedan | $1,325 to $1,645 |
| Minivan / cargo van | 1.25x | 25% more than a sedan | $1,355 to $1,685 |
| Oversized (dually, lifted, long-bed) | 1.45x | 45% more than a sedan | $1,575 to $1,960 |
Vehicle transport class lookup FAQ
What size is my car for shipping?
Car carriers price by the deck space and weight a vehicle takes, so HaulFare sorts vehicles into eight classes. Against a sedan, a motorcycle costs 20% less, a compact or coupe 3% less, a small SUV 8% more, a full-size SUV 20% more, a pickup 22% more, a minivan or van 25% more and an oversized truck 45% more. Enter your VIN above to see which class yours falls in.
Where do I find my VIN?
On cars, SUVs, vans and trucks rated 10,000 lb or less, federal rules (49 CFR 565.13) require the 17-character VIN to be readable from outside through the windshield by someone standing next to the driver-side windshield pillar, so look through the glass at the driver side of the dashboard. It is also printed on your title and registration. A VIN never contains the letters I, O or Q.
How does the tool decide the class?
It reads the body class, gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), series and fuel type the manufacturer reported to NHTSA and applies a fixed rule table: SUVs rated over 6,000 lb are full-size, trucks rated 10,001 to 14,000 lb (Class 3) or with dual rear wheels are oversized, and anything rated over 14,000 lb, plus buses, trailers and motorhomes, needs a custom quote. The full table is on this page.
Does an electric car cost more to ship?
A little. Battery-electric vehicles are heavier than similar gas models (NHTSA vPIC lists a 2024 Tesla Model 3 at a 4,081 lb curb weight against 3,585 lb for a 2024 Toyota Camry LE), so the HaulFare price model adds 5% for a battery-electric car or truck. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids are priced like the gas version, and electric motorcycles like any motorcycle.
Why use the weight rating instead of curb weight?
NHTSA records often have a GVWR class but no curb weight: all eight examples on this page report a GVWR, while the Suburban, Odyssey and F-350 records have no curb weight. GVWR is the maximum loaded weight the manufacturer rates the vehicle for, grouped by the Federal Highway Administration into Classes 1 to 8: Class 1 is 6,000 lb or less, Class 2 is 6,001 to 10,000 lb and Class 3 is 10,001 to 14,000 lb. When NHTSA does hold a curb weight, the result shows it.
What if the class looks wrong or NHTSA has no data?
The data comes from manufacturers, and a blank field means NHTSA has no data, not that the feature is missing. Lift kits, oversized tires, racks and other changes are not in the VIN record either. Choose the class yourself in the calculator, or request a quote and tell the licensed broker about any changes, so the class is confirmed with the carrier before anything is booked.
Is my VIN sent to HaulFare?
No. The VIN check runs in your browser, which then asks the public NHTSA vPIC service directly, so HaulFare servers never receive the VIN. You do not need to give an email or phone number to see the result.
