Pricing
What car shipping costs — and what actually drives it
Auto transport pricing isn't mysterious, but it also isn't a formula. Here's exactly what changes the number, so you can judge any quote you receive — including ours.
Honest market pricing
Ten inputs that move your price
Every one of these is a real operational cost, not a fee we invented. When a quote ignores them, someone eventually pays the difference — usually the customer, after booking.
Carrier-market conditions
What carriers are actually accepting on your lane right now. This is the single largest input and it moves weekly.
Corridor density
A lane between two major metros generally sees steady carrier traffic. A rural lane may see far less, and price reflects that.
Distance
Total cost rises with mileage while cost per mile falls, because fixed loading and administrative work spreads over more miles.
Vehicle size and weight
A three-row SUV or dually pickup consumes more trailer space and weight capacity than a compact sedan.
Running condition
Winch loading takes time and specific equipment. No-roll and no-brake vehicles narrow the pool of carriers who can take the job.
Equipment type
Enclosed carries fewer vehicles per load and costs more to operate, so it consistently prices above open.
Date flexibility
A firm single-day pickup requires paying a carrier to reroute. A three-to-five-day window lets your vehicle fill a natural gap.
Seasonality
Snowbird corridors, summer relocation season and post-hurricane recovery all swing regional demand.
Accessibility
Narrow streets, gated communities, steep grades and mountain roads may require a smaller truck or a meeting point.
Specialized loading
Lift gates, forklifts, soft-strap-only handling and oversize dimensions all change which carriers can quote.
Our position
Why we refuse bait-and-switch pricing
The bait-and-switch pattern in this industry is well documented and it works like this: a company quotes a price well below market to win the booking, then the vehicle sits because no carrier will accept the load at that rate. A week later comes the call — the price needs to go up "because of market conditions." The customer, now behind schedule, usually pays.
Velocity prices the lane at the front. That means our quote sometimes arrives higher than the cheapest number you've been given, and we would rather explain why than surprise you later.
Shipping in or out of Florida specifically? Our Florida car shipping guide covers how snowbird season and hurricane disruptions move prices on those lanes.
What you'll get from us
- A written quote stating the equipment type and pickup window it assumes
- A clear statement of what's included, with no discovery fees at delivery
- No deposit request before a carrier is assigned to your vehicle
- An honest answer when a competitor's price is already fair for the lane
What you won't get
- An instant per-mile number presented as a final price
- A fabricated dollar amount before a coordinator has reviewed your lane
- A guaranteed date on standard service, which no honest broker can promise
Questions
Cost questions people ask
Get a quote
Get a quote priced for your actual lane
Tell us the route, the vehicle and its condition. We review current carrier-market conditions for that lane and come back with a quote we can actually stand behind.