Methodology
Visible assumptions, replaceable evidence.
The estimator applies current 2026 open-carrier per-mile bands by road distance, then itemizes enclosed service, vehicle size, inoperable handling, off-corridor access and expedited pickup. It makes no claim to live lane capacity and requests no identity or contact details.
How the model works
- Short moves carry higher per-mile bands because loading and dispatch work do not scale down with distance.
- Enclosed service is shown as a separate 40%–60% addition rather than a hidden multiplier.
- Larger and inoperable vehicles expose separate trailer-space and handling allowances.
- Rural and expedited allowances are dated provider observations, not guaranteed market fees.
- The live price still depends on the exact lane, dates, carrier availability and accepted terms.
What the result means
The low and high values are planning bounds. The midpoint is simple arithmetic, not a prediction of the most likely contractor or carrier price. The calculator cannot inspect a property, verify a shipment, choose a legally suitable system, reserve capacity or issue a quotation.
Review date: 14 September 2026. We change a model only when the source, calculation and reason for the change can be recorded.
Current evidence snapshot
These dated national and route observations bound a continental-US planning model. They are not live load-board prices, a carrier commitment or additive when a quoted total already includes the selected service.
- Open transport under 500 miles: $300–$700
Extra Space Storage's March 2026 total range, with a $1.25–$2.25 per-mile observation.
- Open transport 500–1,200 miles: $650–$1,200
Extra Space Storage's current distance band, with a $0.85–$1.25 per-mile observation.
- Open transport 1,200–2,000 miles: $900–$1,500
Extra Space Storage's current distance band, with a $0.70–$0.85 per-mile observation.
- Open transport over 2,000 miles: $1,200–$2,500
Extra Space Storage's cross-country range, with a $0.40–$0.70 per-mile observation.
- 600-mile open quote sample: $736–$1,500
Forbes' 2026 Brooklyn-to-Charlotte sample, average $1,053.
- 600-mile enclosed quote sample: $1,020–$2,500
Forbes' matching enclosed sample, average $1,590.
- Enclosed-carrier premium: 40%–60%
Forbes' 2026 observation relative to open transport for the same route.
- Inoperable-vehicle addition: $150–$300
Extra Space Storage's current winch and special-handling observation.
- Full-size truck premium: about 35%–40%
Extra Space Storage and Move.org observations for added trailer space and weight.
- Move.org local route example: $404 open / $612 enclosed
A 94-mile Greensboro-to-Charlotte example in the nearly 800-quote analysis.
- Move.org long route example: $976 open / $1,510 enclosed
A 1,241-mile Portland-to-Denver example.
- Move.org cross-country example: $1,403 open / $1,992 enclosed
A 3,038-mile San-Diego-to-Boston example.
- Expedited pickup observation: $150–$500
Current provider observation; the model conservatively uses $200–$500 and does not promise a date.
- Rural endpoint observation: $75–$200
Current provider observation for a hard-to-reach pickup or delivery; exact lane impact may instead appear as delay or a meeting-point request.
Source register
- Forbes Advisor 2026 car-shipping cost study
August 2026 quote sample, distance examples and open-versus-enclosed observations; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- Extra Space Storage 2026 car-shipping guide
March 2026 distance, vehicle, inoperable, enclosed and route observations; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- Move.org 2026 vehicle-transport cost study
March 2026 analysis of nearly 800 quotes, route examples and vehicle-size findings; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- Rapid Auto Shipping 2026 cost guide
Current provider observations for rural, expedited and non-running additions; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- FMCSA automobile-transporter advisory
Official broker, carrier, MC/USDOT registration, payment-monitoring and complaint guidance; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- FMCSA company safety records
Official description of free SAFER Company Snapshot data and search identifiers; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- FMCSA insurance filing requirements
Official authority and insurance-filing context by entity and operation; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Database
Official complaint-history search and non-endorsement boundary; reviewed 14 September 2026.
Error corrections
If a source is outdated or a calculation does not behave as described, email [email protected] and identify the URL, input and expected result. Do not include private customer or property information.