Two car shipping quotes for the same trip can differ by hundreds of dollars, and the cheaper one is often the one that falls apart. A quote is only useful if you can tell what it includes, who stands behind it, and whether a carrier will really haul your car for that price. Start with our guide to what car shipping costs for the typical ranges. This guide shows you how to get quotes, line them up so they are comparable, and spot a lowball before you pay a deposit.
Car Shipping Quotes: The Short Version
| Question | Short Answer |
|---|---|
| How many quotes should I get? | Three is plenty. More than that mostly adds phone calls and follow-up emails. |
| What must match across quotes? | Route, vehicle, trailer type (open or enclosed), pickup type (door-to-door or terminal), and pickup dates. |
| Is the lowest quote the best deal? | Usually not. A price far under the market range is the most common sign of a quote that cannot be filled. |
| Is a quote a guaranteed price? | Not automatically. Ask whether the price is fixed once booked and what could change it. |
| When should I pay? | A small deposit at booking with the balance at delivery is common. Paying the full amount upfront is a red flag. |
How to Get Car Shipping Quotes
You can request a quote online, by phone, or through a quote form that asks for your route and vehicle. Any of them works. What matters is giving every company the same details, because a quote built on different assumptions cannot be compared. Have these ready:
- Pickup and delivery locations, at least the city and ZIP code for each.
- Vehicle year, make, and model, plus any modifications such as a lift kit or oversized tires.
- Whether the car runs. A non-running vehicle needs equipment to load and usually costs more.
- Trailer type. Open transport is the standard, lower-cost option. Enclosed transport shields the car from weather and road debris.
- Your first available pickup date and how flexible you are.
Online forms usually ask for a phone number and email so the company can send the quote. That is normal, but you are entitled to know how your details will be used. If you would rather not receive follow-up calls from several companies, say so on the first call, or request quotes from just the few you have already vetted.
At Freedom Auto Transport you can get a car shipping quote online in a few steps, or call 888-509-1102.
What Goes Into the Price You Are Quoted
Quotes differ because the inputs differ. Our car shipping cost guide covers these factors in detail. The ones that move a quote most are:
- Distance. The largest single driver, though the per-mile rate drops on longer routes.
- Vehicle size and weight. A larger vehicle takes more of the truck and costs more.
- Open or enclosed. Enclosed typically runs 40 to 60 percent more. See what enclosed auto transport costs.
- Pickup flexibility. Flexible dates and terminal pickup can lower a quote.
- Season. Peak season, roughly November through February with snowbird traffic, can run 20 to 30 percent higher.
- Vehicle condition. A car that does not run can add $100 to $300 for loading equipment.
For reference, the typical open-transport ranges on our cost guide are $500 to $900 under 500 miles, $700 to $1,200 for 500 to 1,000 miles, $900 to $1,500 for 1,000 to 2,000 miles, and $1,000 to $1,800 beyond 2,000 miles. Enclosed ranges are higher. These are typical ranges, not promises, and your actual quote depends on the factors above. Our guide to the cheapest way to ship a car covers how to bring a quote down without cutting corners.
How to Compare Quotes Side by Side
Put each quote in the same grid before you decide. If a company cannot or will not fill in a row, that is information too.
| Compare | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Total price | Is it the all-in number, or a base price with extras to come? |
| Trailer type | Open or enclosed, and whether it is stated in writing |
| Pickup type | Door-to-door or terminal. See door-to-door service |
| Pickup window | A date range, and how it compares to the dates you gave |
| Deposit and balance | How much, when, and by what method |
| Price guarantee | Whether the price is fixed once booked, and what could change it |
| Insurance | The carrier’s cargo coverage, with documentation on request |
| Company type and registration | Broker or carrier, with an MC number you can look up |
Be careful with one trap in particular: a lower quote that quietly assumes a different pickup window, a different trailer, or a pickup at a terminal is not a cheaper version of the same service. It is a different service. Compare like with like, or ask the company to requote on your terms.
How to Spot a Lowball Quote
A lowball quote wins the booking with a price that carriers will not accept. Then one of two things happens: the company comes back asking for more money, or your car sits unassigned while no driver takes the job. Warning signs include:
- The price is far below every other quote and below typical market ranges. If three companies land within a band and one is much lower, ask why before you celebrate.
- A hard push to pay a deposit immediately, before you have seen terms in writing.
- A large payment demanded before any carrier is assigned. Our guide to auto transport scams explains why this pattern is worth walking away from.
- Vague answers about who the carrier is, when you will know, or what happens if the price changes.
- No clear statement of whether the company is a broker or a carrier, and no registration number you can verify.
The deposit rule is simple. Most reputable companies collect a small deposit at booking and the balance at delivery. At Freedom Auto Transport, no payment is required until your vehicle is assigned to a carrier. Whatever company you choose, never pay the full amount upfront.
Questions to Ask Before You Accept a Quote
- Is this the total price, and can it change? Ask what would cause an increase and in what circumstances.
- Is the pickup window a range or a single day? A wider window usually helps the price.
- Who is the carrier, and when will I be told? Ask whether you will get the carrier’s name and contact details before pickup.
- What does the cargo insurance cover? Ask for documentation. Our car shipping insurance guide explains how carrier coverage and your own policy fit together.
- When do I pay, and how? Get the deposit and balance terms in writing.
- What happens if my car is damaged? Ask how a claim works, and make sure the bill of lading is filled out carefully at pickup and delivery.
For the full vetting process, including how to verify a company’s registration, read our guide to choosing an auto transport company. If you are not sure whether you are talking to a broker or a carrier, see auto transport broker vs. carrier.
What a Quote Does Not Tell You
A quote is a price, not a delivery date. Your pickup window and the transit time are separate questions, and our guide to how long it takes to ship a car separates the two. A quote also does not tell you which trailer is the right choice for your car. If you are weighing the extra cost of enclosed, the open vs. enclosed comparison will help you decide before you collect quotes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a car shipping quote?
Give the company your pickup and delivery locations, your vehicle’s year, make, and model, whether it runs, the trailer type you want, and your first available pickup date. You can do that through an online form or by phone. Give every company the same details so the quotes are comparable.
How many car shipping quotes should I get?
Three is usually enough. Make sure each is for the same route, vehicle, trailer type, pickup type, and dates. More than three tends to add follow-up calls without adding useful information.
Why do car shipping quotes vary so much?
Distance, vehicle size, trailer type, pickup flexibility, season, and vehicle condition all change the price, and companies may price the same job differently. A very low quote can also mean the price is too low for a carrier to accept.
Is the cheapest car shipping quote the best one?
Not usually. A quote far below the rest can mean the company will ask for more money later or cannot find a driver at that price. Compare what is included, how and when you pay, and who the carrier is, not just the total.
Are car shipping quotes free?
Most companies provide quotes at no charge, but confirm that before you share payment details. You should never have to pay anything to receive a quote. At Freedom Auto Transport, no payment is required until your vehicle is assigned to a carrier.
Is a car shipping quote a guaranteed price?
Not automatically. Ask whether the price is fixed once you book and what could change it, such as a vehicle that does not run or a change in pickup location. Get the answer in writing.
Have a question this didn’t cover? Check our full auto transport FAQ or call 888-509-1102.
Get a Quote You Can Actually Rely On
Tell us your vehicle, pickup, and delivery locations, and we will give you a written estimate. Get a free estimate or call 888-509-1102. No payment is required until your vehicle is assigned to a carrier.