Cheapest Way to Ship a Car: Smart Tips to Save Big

Shipping a car doesn’t have to break your bank account. Whether you’re relocating across the country, sending a car to your kid in college to convince him to come home over the weekend, or buying a car from out of state, finding the most affordable way to get it from Point A to Point B can be a harder process than you would think.

You’ll hear about quite a few options such as open carriers, enclosed transport, brokers who find you the deals, terminals, insurance, expedited rates, and other terms that sound more complicated than necessary. We’re going to cut through the random terms and break it down into practical steps. Let’s hit the road.

Before diving into cost-saving theories, it helps to understand how car shipping works as a whole. Most cars are transported by professional carriers using open or enclosed trailers. You can choose to ship directly from your home (door-to-door as it’s known) or from a centralized location (terminal-to-terminal).

If you opt for the latter you are responsible for getting your car to the terminal and back. You may book directly with a carrier or through a broker who connects you with one.

All of these options come with different price points and pluses and minuses. Some offer more convenience while others offer more savings. Depending on your needs you should choose what makes the most sense for you.

Prices change by distance travelled, vehicle type, shipping method, and season. Here are some price estimates for shipping a standard Toyota Yaris:

• Short distance (under 500 miles): $300 to $650
• Medium distance (500 to 1,000 miles): $650 to $900
• Long distance (1,000 to 2,000 miles): $900 to $1,400
• Coast-to-coast (over 2,000 miles): $1,200 to $1,800

These are typical price ranges but you can shave hundreds off those numbers by making a few strategic choices. We will dive into the savings strategies:

This is by far the cheapest way to ship a car as everyone wins. Open carriers are the long, double-decker trailers you see on highways loaded with up to ten vehicles. Since this is the most common form of car transport, it’s highly competitive and prices are lower.

Open carrier shipping is safe for most cars and is used by manufacturers and dealerships. Unless your vehicle is a high-end car, there’s no need to pay extra for an enclosed trailer.

Open shipping does expose your vehicle to weather and road rocks and dirt, but for most standard cars, that’s a small price to pay for saving several hundred dollars. Anyways cars are exposed to these things when you drive them.

Door-to-door delivery is super convenient as you aren’t stranded at some random port, but it adds cost because the carrier has to go out of their way to pick up and drop off your car. Terminal-to-terminal shipping means you drop off your car at a regional hub and pick it up from another hub near your destination.

If you live in or near a large city, terminal shipping can save you anywhere from $100 to $300. Keep in mind that storage fees can apply if you don’t pick up your car quickly, so make sure your schedule allows for pickup times that work for you.

Also, terminals aren’t available in all areas, so check first before locking this in as your go-to budget move. Understand the distance and rates.

Car shipping prices are not one size fits all- they are adjusted quite often as they depend on supply and demand. If you can be flexible with your pickup and delivery windows, you’ll have a better chance of getting a low-cost booking that works for the carrier well.

Let’s say you need your car shipped from Florida to California. If you insist on pickup on a specific day, the broker may have to pay a premium to find a truck available that day.

But if you can give them a 3 to 5-day window, they can pair you with a carrier who already has other cars heading that way. The more flexible you are, the cheaper your shipping will be. Ubering around will save big on shipping charges.

Like most things in the world, car shipping prices spike during high-demand seasons. Summer is the busiest season, thanks to families moving before school starts, students relocating, and the nice weather. Prices rise as demand increases obviously.

Winter can be more affordable if you avoid holiday weeks. Fall and early spring are considered the sweet spots for budget-friendly shipping. You’ll also save money by avoiding last-minute bookings during these times. Planning your shipment during the off-season and booking 2 to 4 weeks in advance can save you hundreds of dollars.

All car transport companies should offer free online quotes based on your route and car details.

Get at least 3 to 6 quotes and don’t automatically go with the lowest price- make sure you are comparing similar services. Look for a good price combined with solid reviews from many clients.

Some sketchy carriers will give you a very cheap quote to get your business and then ghost you or jump up the price at the last minute and nickel and dime you on everything.

While it may seem like going directly to a carrier would be cheaper, that’s not always true. Brokers have access to a wide network of carriers and can get you a better deal, especially if you’re shipping on a major route as they have more client access.

Brokers handle the logistics and paperwork and negotiate on your behalf. Just be sure the broker is licensed and has good customer reviews. A good broker can be the difference between a smooth budget shipment and an absolute headache. They handle the hard back so you sit back and cruise.

Many people think they can save money by stuffing their car full of boxes and personal items. Don’t do it. Most carriers charge extra for personal items due to weight and liability issues.

If you overload your car, you will be fined or refused service. Some carriers allow up to 100 pounds in the trunk, but always ask first. Stick to shipping your car and ship your stuff separately. In most cases, it's cheaper and avoids any later issues.

Some transport companies offer a discount if you pay with cash or debit instead of a credit card. This saves them processing fees and they pass those savings on to you. Most card companies take 2.5% on top of the fee so you can use this to negotiate.

Only agree to pay cash on delivery if you're confident the company is reputable. Never send a wire transfer to someone you've never met and play it safe - never pay in full from the start.

Some shipping companies offer upgrades like expedited service, tracking, and additional insurance. While these may be useful and nice to have, they’re unnecessary for standard car shipments.

Check your current auto insurance and the carrier’s included coverage before agreeing to pay more. You might already be covered for damages and might not need an extra policy.

If you're moving cross-country and already working with a relocation company, ask if they offer car shipping as part of a package deal. Packaging multiple services can reduce overall costs, especially when everything’s coordinated through one point of contact.

See if they will offer you a discount for using their service. With iMoving when you book everything through our platform you get extra deals.

Whether you’re sending a car across the country or just across the state, being smart about timing, method, and carrier can help you save tons of money. The cheapest way to ship a car is all about balancing convenience with cost and understanding your personal capabilities. By staying flexible on dates, informed on services, and avoiding unnecessary extras, you’ll keep more money in your pocket for your favorite foods instead of throwing it to waste on moving.