Shipping different types of vehicles in the USA requires careful budget planning because the cost can be very high if you don’t know your specific shipping requirements and industry averages for moving that particular vehicle.
We’ve put together this guide to help you give an idea of prices for different types of vehicles in USA, such as regular cars, RVs, motorcycles, motorboats, yachts, golfcarts, and luxury automobiles. Read on to know more:
What Are The Average Costs to Ship Small, Medium-Sized, and Large Vehicles?
Different car shipping services have varying rates for shipping a regular vehicle or any specialty vehicle like SUV, Trucks, etc. Nevertheless, as per the research conducted by CNN, the averages are as follows:
- The average cost to ship a sedan 1,000 miles is $934 or $0.94 per mile.
- Shipping a compact SUV costs an average of $1,063 or $1.06 per mile.
- Moving an SUV will cost $1,188 or $1,19 per mile.
- Moreover, shipping a truck will cost around $1,338 or $1.34 per mile.
If you notice these price trends carefully, you’ll see that as the vehicle size and weight increase, the cost of car transport services increases as well. This is mainly due to the space they take on a carrier and their weight on the hauler’s engine.
Larger space occupation means fewer vehicles onboard, and more weight means more fuel required to haul the load.
Nevertheless, size is one main factor; another is distance. Longer-distance transport solutions cost more in total but decrease in per-mile cost.
For instance, a sedan may cost $0.94 per mile for up to 1,000 miles, but this may be reduced to $0.75 for 2,000 miles.
So, the per-mile cost reduces with distance increases, but the total cost still increases.
Let’s Explore the Costs of Transport Different Types of Vehicles in the USA:
Costs For Shipping a Regular Vehicle
The cost to ship a regular vehicle, such as a sedan or a compact SUV, can significantly vary depending on the distance transported.
On average, the cost to ship a regular vehicle over 500 miles is around $600-$800, while the cost for a 1,000-mile journey is typically $900-$1,000. For longer distances of 2,000 miles, the cost can range from $1,400 to $1,600.
| Distance | Average Cost |
| 500 miles | $600 – $800 |
| 1,000 miles | $900 – $1,000 |
| 2,000 miles | $1,400 – $1,600 |
Costs For Shipping a Luxury Vehicle
Luxury vehicles, such as Lamborghinis, high-end BMWs/Mercedes, sports cars like Ferrari or Bugatti, or premium SUVs like Escalade or Lincoln Navigator, typically cost more to ship than regular vehicles, mainly because of enclosed solutions.
The average cost to transport a luxury vehicle in an enclosed carrier over 500 miles is around $850-$1,000, while the cost for a 1,000-mile journey is typically $1,200-$1,500.
For longer distances of 2,000 miles, luxury vehicle shipping service costs can range from $1,600 to $1,800.
| Distance | Average Cost |
| 500 miles | $850 – $1,000 |
| 1,000 miles | $1,200 – $1,500 |
| 2,000 miles | $1,600 – $1,800 |
Costs For Shipping an RV
RV shipping, or a recreational vehicle, can be much more expensive than moving a regular or luxury automobile. The average RV shipping over 500 miles is around $900-$1,200, while the cost for a 1,000-mile journey is typically $1,300-$1,500.
For longer distances of 2,000 miles, the cost can range from $2,000 to $2,500. Keep in mind that these are just costs to move an RV; the utility dismantling, breakdown, permits, and any other expenses are not included.
| Distance | Average Cost |
| 500 miles | $900 – $1,200 |
| 1,000 miles | $1,300 – $1,500 |
| 2,000 miles | $2,000 – $2,500 |
Costs For Shipping a Truck
Truck shipping, whether for a pickup truck, commercial truck, or heavy-duty vehicle, can be more expensive than shipping a regular or luxury vehicle. The average cost of truck shipping can be closer to RV shipping costs.
For instance, the cost of 500 miles of truck shipping is around $800-$1,000, while the cost for a 1,000-mile journey is typically $1,100-$1,300. For longer distances of 2,000 miles, the cost can range from $1,500 to $1,800.
| Distance | Average Cost |
| 500 miles | $800 – $1,000 |
| 1,000 miles | $1,100 – $1,300 |
| 2,000 miles | $1,500 – $1,800 |
Costs For Motorboat Shipping Services
Shipping a motorboat can be a specialized service requiring different loading/unloading, securement, and transport techniques. Plus, the motorboat shipping cost can change depending on the boat’s dimensions and weight.
The average cost to ship a motorboat over 500 miles distance is usually around $1,000-$1,500, while the cost for a 1,000-mile journey is typically $1,500-$2,000. For longer distances of 2,000 miles, the cost can range from $2,200 to $2,800.
| Distance | Average Cost |
| 500 miles | $1,000 – $1,500 |
| 1,000 miles | $1,500 – $2,000 |
| 2,000 miles | $2,200 – $2,800 |
Costs For Military Vehicle Shipping
Shipping military vehicles, such as trucks or jeeps, is a specialized service that requires specialized equipment and expertise.
The average cost to ship a military vehicle 500 miles is around $500-$1,000, while the cost for a 1,000-mile journey is typically $800-$1,300.
For longer distances of 2,000 miles, the cost can range from $1,300 to $1,500. The lower costs are for POVs for PCS moves, while the higher ends are for military trucks and jeeps.
| Distance | Average Cost |
| 500 miles | $500 – $1,000 |
| 1,000 miles | $800 – $1,300 |
| 2,000 miles | $1,300 – $1,500 |
Costs For Motorcycle Shipping Services
Motorcycle shipping is usually less expensive than shipping a vehicle, truck, or motorboat. The average cost for motorcycle shipping over 500 miles is around $400-$600, while the cost for a 1,000-mile journey is typically $600-$800. For longer distances of 2,000 miles, the motorcycle shipping cost can range from $900 to $1,200.
| Distance | Average Cost |
| 500 miles | $400 – $600 |
| 1,000 miles | $600 – $800 |
| 2,000 miles | $900 – $1,200 |
Costs For Yacht Transport Services
Yacht transport is a highly specialized service that requires specialized equipment and expertise. The price also fluctuates greatly due to the sizes of boats, ranging from 9 to 12+ feet.
Nevertheless, the average yacht shipping cost for a journey over 500 miles is around $2,500-$3,500, while the cost for a 1,000-mile journey is typically $3,500-$4,500. For longer distances of 2,000 miles, the yacht transport cost can range from $5,000 to $6,500.
| Distance | Average Cost |
| 500 miles | $2,500 – $3,500 |
| 1,000 miles | $3,500 – $4,500 |
| 2,000 miles | $5,000 – $6,500 |
Costs For Golfcart Transport Solutions
Golfcart transport solutions require specialized service and equipment, and the cost can vary depending on the dimensions and weight of the cart.
The average Golfcart transport cost over 500 miles distance is around $500-$700, while the cost for a 1,000-mile journey is typically $700-$900. For longer distances of 2,000 miles, the cost can range from $900 to $1,200.
| Distance | Average Cost |
| 500 miles | $500 – $700 |
| 1,000 miles | $700 – $900 |
| 2,000 miles | $900 – $1,200 |
What Other Factors Affect The Costs Of Shipping Different Vehicles in the USA?
- Enclosed vs. open transport: The type of auto shipping solutions you choose from also significantly affects the car shipping costs. Open carriers are cheaper but also offer less protection. Enclosed shipping, on the other hand, has better security but costs 30-40% more.
- Delivery timeframe: If you go for expedited auto shipping solutions, your vehicle will get under 24-hour pickup, which will add a few hundred bucks to the overall cost.
- Destination accessibility: Hard-to-reach areas with rough terrain, such as rural areas, will use more fuel and take more time to navigate, which will add some amount to the final quote.
- Fuel costs: An increase in gas prices means the overall traveling cost to the carrier will increase, which is passed on to the end customer.
- Load type: Specialty vehicles like motorboats and golfcarts, or oversized automobiles such as RVs and yachts will require specialized hauling equipment and driver experience. This will increase the shipping cost.
- Time of year: Busy seasons like summer and winter holidays show a sharp increase in demand for car shipping solutions, increasing prices. Fall and spring usually have lower prices.
- Vehicle condition: If your vehicle is nonrunning, you’ll need a forklift to load and unload it on the hauler. A forklift with a lifting capability of up to 6,000 lbs on rent for a day ranges from $140 to $450 per day. Overweight vehicles like RVs and Yachts may need more powerful forklifts with 8,000 to 10,000 lbs lifting capacity, which will cost even more.
Do Vehicle Shipping Cost Calculators Give Accurate Pricing For Hauling Different Vehicles?
Many people use online car shipping cost calculators when transporting automobiles across the USA for a quick estimate, which is a good starting point. However, these tools can only offer you a ballpark figure.
One of the primary challenges with car shipping cost calculators is that they often oversimplify the process. These tools have pre-programmed algorithms that may only consider a few factors, such as the vehicle’s size, carrier type, and transport distance, without accounting for the full scope of variables that can impact the final cost. This can lead to significant differences between the estimated and final vehicle shipping prices.
Best Practices for Using Car Shipping Cost Calculators
- Understand the limitations of the calculator and the factors it considers.
- Provide detailed information about your vehicle, such as make, model, and condition.
- Input the exact origin and destination zip codes, not just the city or state.
- Consider additional services like door-to-door delivery or expedited shipping that may impact the final cost.
- Compare quotes from multiple shipping providers to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Always Get Direct Quotes By Contacting The Shipping Company For Higher Accuracy:
The best way to get close-accurate estimates for moving a regular car, RV, motorcycle, Yacht, golfcart, motorboat or any other vehicle is to directly talk to the auto shipping company’s representatives.
They will consider many more factors, along with your specific moving needs, to calculate prices for you. The final quote can still vary, but the difference will be much less than what an online calculator may quote you.
