Quick Answer: Shipping a car from a dealership typically costs around $950 on average, with smaller sedans near $1,150 and SUVs or trucks between $1,280 and $1,450. Per-mile rates drop with distance — about $1.00/mile under 500 miles, $0.75/mile for 500–1,000 miles, and $0.50/mile above 2,000 miles. Enclosed transport adds 30–40%, and peak summer adds $150–$250 versus shoulder seasons.
You found the perfect car. The only problem: it sits at a dealership in another state. That's not a problem with the right auto transport partner. Car shipping is a convenient and reliable solution when handled by an experienced logistics company.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car From a Dealership?
The cost to ship a car from a dealership varies based on vehicle type, distance, route, transport method, and season. As a general benchmark, the average U.S. dealer-to-home auto transport rate sits around $950, but actual quotes can move significantly above or below that figure based on the specifics of your shipment.
Here are the typical price bands shippers see today:
- Standard sedan: approximately $1,150
- SUV or truck: approximately $1,280–$1,450
- Enclosed transport: add 30–40% to the open-transport rate
- Peak summer surcharge: $150–$250 above shoulder-season rates
The figures above are industry estimates for personal vehicle transport. Volume shippers — dealerships, fleet operators, and remarketing companies — operate on contract pricing structures that look quite different. We'll cover those further down.
What Influences the Cost?
Five primary factors drive the cost of shipping a car: vehicle size, distance, route demand, transport method, and timing. Understanding each one helps you get an accurate quote and identify where to save.
1. Vehicle Size and Weight
Smaller cars cost less to ship than larger ones because they occupy less trailer space and add less weight to the load. A compact sedan averages around $1,150 nationwide, while a full-size SUV or pickup typically runs $1,280–$1,450. Lifted trucks, vehicles with roof racks, or modifications that increase footprint can push pricing higher because they reduce how many units fit on a carrier.
2. Distance (and Why Longer Trips Cost Less Per Mile)
Most auto transport companies use a tiered per-mile rate that drops as distance increases. Carriers spread fixed costs — fuel, driver hours, equipment wear — across the full route, so longer hauls are more efficient on a per-mile basis.
- Under 500 miles: approximately $1.00 per mile
- 500–1,000 miles: approximately $0.75 per mile
- Over 2,000 miles: approximately $0.50 per mile
A 300-mile move and a 2,500-mile move don't have proportional costs. The long-haul rate is often the better value per mile, which is one reason cross-country shipments compete well against drive-it-yourself math.
3. Route Demand and Location
Carrier pricing follows supply and demand on specific lanes. High-demand metro corridors — Miami to New York, Los Angeles to Chicago, Dallas to Phoenix — typically carry a small premium. Rural origins and destinations can cost more because carriers travel further to position equipment, but they can also cost less when a carrier needs a backhaul. Quotes for the exact same vehicle on the exact same dates can vary by hundreds of dollars depending on whether your route is "hot" or "cold" that week.
4. Transport Type
You have four practical options when shipping from a dealership: open transport, enclosed transport, full-service door-to-door, and terminal-to-terminal economy. We break each down in the next section.
5. Time of Year
Summer is peak season — May through August — driven by relocations, college moves, and snowbird returns. Rates run $150–$250 higher than spring or fall. Winter is generally cheaper, with one exception: the Northern-to-Florida snowbird corridor, where October through December tightens capacity in that direction.
What Shipping Options Can I Choose From?
Four transport options cover most dealership shipments. Each balances cost, speed, and protection differently.
Option 1: Open Transport
Open transport places your vehicle on a multi-level trailer open to the elements. The largest open carriers move 8–10 vehicles at a time, which keeps per-vehicle costs low. It's the most common method for standard daily drivers and accounts for the majority of dealer-to-customer shipments nationwide. Some exposure to weather and road debris is the trade-off for the lower price.
Option 2: Enclosed Transport
Enclosed transport ships your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer. Capacity drops to 2–7 vehicles per trailer, and protection rises sharply. Expect to pay 30–40% more than open transport, with single-car dedicated enclosed transport at the top end.
Enclosed is the standard choice for:
- Luxury and exotic vehicles — Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini, Ferrari, McLaren
- Classic and vintage cars
- Show cars and concours-bound vehicles
- High-value new inventory for dealerships
- OEM press fleets and prototype vehicles
If the vehicle's condition on arrival materially affects its value or presentation, enclosed transport pays for itself.
Option 3: Full-Service Door-to-Door
Door-to-door auto transport sends the carrier directly to your specified pickup and delivery addresses — home, dealership, office, storage facility, or event venue. Convenience is the value, with a modest premium over terminal-to-terminal. This is what most personal-vehicle shippers want.
Option 4: Terminal-to-Terminal Economy
Terminal-to-terminal transport requires you to drop off and pick up at carrier terminals, which are typically located near major cities and airports. It's the cheapest option, but if you live more than 30 minutes from a terminal the time and fuel cost can offset the savings. Best for budget-conscious shippers near major metros.
Buying Out of State? Title and Registration Logistics Matter
One cost shippers underestimate: handling the paperwork after delivery. When you buy a vehicle in one state and register it in another, you face a process that varies by state — temporary tags, title transfers, sales tax credits or differentials, and emissions testing rules.
For an individual buying a single vehicle, this is a few hours at the DMV. For dealerships, fleet operators, and remarketing companies moving vehicles across state lines at volume, it's a logistical bottleneck. RPM's title and registration services handle initial licensing, state-to-state transfers, registration renewals, and in-transit permits across all 50 states and Canada — keeping vehicles legal and on the road without paperwork delays.
If you're shipping a single vehicle from a dealership, the dealer typically handles initial paperwork. If you're moving multiple vehicles or operating across multiple states, integrated title and registration support is often the difference between a clean delivery and a vehicle that sits unregistered for weeks.
For Dealerships: Wholesale, Auction, and Inventory Transport
Most articles about shipping cars from a dealership focus on the consumer side. But dealerships themselves are the largest vehicle shippers in the country, moving inventory between locations, sourcing from out-of-state auctions, fulfilling customer purchases nationwide, and repositioning new and pre-owned units across dealer networks.
Dealer-to-dealer and dealer-to-customer transport breaks into three operational categories:
Dealer-to-Dealer Inventory Transfers
Multi-location dealer groups regularly move inventory to match regional demand — sending convertibles south for winter, 4WD trucks to mountain states, or moving high-demand SKUs to where customers are buying. RPM's dealer transport service handles both single-vehicle and multi-vehicle loads on open or enclosed equipment, with carrier matching tuned to dealer timing requirements.
Auction Acquisition and Wholesale Transport
Vehicles bought at Manheim, ADESA, and independent auctions need to arrive at the buying dealer's lot in the condition described. Enclosed transport with carrier vetting and digital condition inspections — at pickup and delivery — protects margins by preventing condition disputes after sale.
OEM-to-Dealer Delivery
Manufacturers and OEMs rely on finished vehicle logistics to move new inventory from assembly plants, ports, and rail yards to dealers nationwide. For luxury brands and press fleets, enclosed and specialized transport handles the last mile from port to dealer with full chain-of-custody documentation.
Dealers shipping 10+ vehicles per month often see better economics on contract pricing than on per-shipment quotes — which is the volume threshold where dedicated fleet logistics starts to make sense.
Why Should I Ship My Car Instead of Driving It?
Based on the cost numbers above, you might consider driving the car home yourself. There are good reasons not to.
1. Avoid Putting Miles on the Vehicle
Buying a vehicle with low miles and then driving thousands of miles home erodes its value immediately. Limiting mileage helps the vehicle hold resale value, which matters more on premium and luxury cars where depreciation per mile is steepest.
2. Avoid Trip Maintenance Costs
Long-distance driving brings predictable costs — oil changes, fluid top-offs, accelerated tire wear, and the possibility of mechanical issues on a vehicle you haven't yet broken in. These can quickly add up to more than the cost of professional transport.
3. Avoid Damage Risk in Transit
Driving thousands of miles on highways increases exposure to rock chips, weather, and the unpredictability of other drivers. Transported vehicles ride on secured trailers with documented condition inspections at pickup and delivery.
4. Save on Fuel, Lodging, and Meals
A cross-country drive isn't just gas. Hotels, meals, and the productive time you give up usually push the real cost of driving above the price of shipping. Run the math both ways before deciding.
5. Save Time
A professional driver or carrier handles the move while you keep working. Most shippers underestimate the value of two to five days back on their calendar.
How Does Dealership Car Shipping Work?
The advantages of shipping outweigh the disadvantages for most buyers. Here's how the process works.
Step 1: Choose an Auto Transport Company
Start by verifying registration and insurance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Check for active operating authority, valid insurance certificates, and complaint history. Read customer reviews on independent platforms and check the company's standing with the Better Business Bureau. Once you've narrowed the list, request quotes based on your vehicle type, route, and timing.
Step 2: Select Your Shipping Method
Open transport is fine for mainstream brands — Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevy, Nissan. Enclosed transport is the standard for Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Tesla high-end trims, classic cars, and any vehicle where appearance and condition meaningfully affect value.
Step 3: Coordinate Pickup Between Dealership and Carrier
Once the carrier is assigned, your shipping coordinator works with the dealership to schedule pickup. Most dealerships are familiar with the process. Confirm who at the dealership will release the vehicle, what paperwork the driver needs (bill of sale, temporary tag, keys, owner's manual), and what condition documentation the dealer will provide.
Step 4: Schedule Drop-Off and Plan for Transit Time
Transit time depends on distance and lane density. Coast-to-coast typically runs 7–10 days. Regional moves under 1,000 miles often complete in 3–5 days. Expedited options shorten the window for time-sensitive shipments.
How Do I Make Sure My Car Arrives On Time?
Three practical steps reduce delivery uncertainty.
Tip 1: Book Two to Three Weeks Out
Carriers need time to position equipment on your route. Booking two to three weeks ahead gives the dispatcher room to assign the right truck. Summer requires earlier booking — capacity tightens fast in peak months.
Tip 2: Build Buffer for Weather and Road Closures
Even well-planned shipments can be delayed by weather events, road closures, or driver-hours regulations. Don't plan critical activities for the exact estimated delivery day. Build a one- to two-day buffer.
Tip 3: Have a Backup Plan If You're Without a Vehicle
If you're trading in your current car or relying on the new one for daily use, plan a rental for the window between trade-in and delivery. A short-term rental is cheaper than the stress of an unexpected delay.
What to Do When Your Car Arrives
Five steps protect you at delivery.
Step 1: Inspect the Vehicle Thoroughly
Walk the entire vehicle in good light. Look for scratches, dents, cracked or chipped glass, paint damage, scuffed wheels, and tire condition. Check the interior for any damage, missing items, or unexpected mileage. Don't sign anything until the inspection is complete.
Step 2: Document Condition with Photos and Video
Take time-stamped photos and video of the vehicle from all angles, plus close-ups of any flaws you find. Document the odometer reading. This is your record if you need to file a claim.
Step 3: Check the Bill of Lading
The driver carries the bill of lading from pickup. Compare current condition against the pickup documentation. Any new damage that wasn't noted at pickup is a discrepancy worth flagging immediately.
Step 4: Address Discrepancies Through the Right Party
If damage occurred during transit, work with the carrier and their insurance — RPM Moves offers a streamlined claims process for documented in-transit damage. If the damage existed before pickup and wasn't disclosed, it's a dealership issue. Documentation determines which.
Step 5: Clean the Vehicle and Enjoy
Vehicles often arrive dusty from open transport or with light residue from the trailer. A wash and detail puts it back to delivery condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship a car from a dealership?
The average cost to ship a car from a dealership is around $950, with sedans typically near $1,150 and SUVs or trucks between $1,280 and $1,450. Per-mile rates drop with distance — around $1.00/mile under 500 miles and $0.50/mile over 2,000 miles. Enclosed transport adds 30–40%.
How long does it take to ship a car from a dealership?
Transit time depends on distance. Coast-to-coast typically runs 7–10 days. Regional shipments under 1,000 miles often complete in 3–5 days. Expedited service shortens delivery windows for time-sensitive moves.
Should dealerships use open or enclosed transport for inventory?
Open transport is standard for mainstream new and pre-owned inventory. Enclosed transport is the standard for luxury, exotic, classic, and high-value vehicles where appearance, fraud protection, and condition preservation affect resale value.
Can I ship a non-running car from a dealership?
Yes. Non-running vehicles require winch-equipped open carriers or liftgate-equipped enclosed trailers. Disclose the non-running status when booking to ensure the right equipment is assigned.
Who handles registration when I buy a car from an out-of-state dealership?
For individual purchases, the dealership typically issues a temporary tag and the buyer registers in their home state. For dealerships and fleet operators moving vehicles across state lines at volume, integrated title and registration services handle filings, transfers, and compliance across all 50 states.
The Bottom Line
Shipping a car from a dealership is straightforward when you understand the cost drivers and pick the right transport method. For a personal vehicle, focus on choosing between open and enclosed transport, booking early enough to lock in capacity, and documenting condition at delivery.
For dealerships, fleet operators, and remarketing companies, the conversation shifts from per-shipment pricing to integrated logistics — transport, title and registration, storage, and reconditioning under one platform.
Request a quote for personal vehicle shipping, or talk to our fleet team if you're moving vehicles at volume.
