Vehicle Shipping Guides (2026): Trucks, SUVs, Classics, Motorcycles & More
Shipping cost depends on the vehicle as much as the route. A pickup truck costs 15–25% more than a sedan on the same lane. A classic car needs enclosed transport. A non-running car needs a winch. This hub links to a dedicated cost guide for every vehicle type we track.
Pick your vehicle type
Pickup Truck
Typical cost: $750–$1,800
Lifted-truck surcharge, dually classification, what NOT to put in the bed.
SUV
Typical cost: $700–$1,700
Compact, mid-size, and full-size SUV premiums explained — 5% to 20% over a sedan.
Classic Car
Typical cost: $1,200–$3,500 (enclosed)
Why enclosed transport is non-negotiable, soft-tie vs hard-tie loading, insurance limits.
Motorcycle
Typical cost: $300–$1,500
Specialty hauler vs crated freight, soft-tie mounting, and Harley-vs-sportbike pricing.
Luxury Car
Typical cost: $1,200–$3,200 (enclosed)
Top-load placement, air-ride suspension, and when enclosed is worth the 50% premium.
Non-Running / Inop Car
Typical cost: +$150–$300 over running rate
Winch-loading surcharge, salvage-title shipping, and what ‘non-running’ means to a carrier.
Oversized / Lifted Vehicle
Typical cost: +25–60% over standard
Flatbed vs step-deck, height permits, RV shipping, and the disclosure rule that saves your deposit.
Multiple Cars
Typical cost: 10–20% per-vehicle discount
Two-car family moves, dealer fleet pricing, and the loading-order rule (LIFO).
How vehicle type changes the quote
The carriers and brokers in our network use a base rate built around a mid-size sedan, then apply multipliers for size, weight, configuration, and special handling. The patterns:
- Size and weight. Larger / heavier vehicles reduce hauler stack capacity. Trucks, full-size SUVs, and oversized vehicles add a 10–60% premium that scales with how much hauler space they occupy.
- Service tier. Enclosed transport is essentially required for classics, luxury vehicles above ~$60K, and any vehicle with a fragile finish. Enclosed runs 35–55% above open.
- Special handling. Non-running vehicles need a winch ($150–$300 surcharge). Lifted trucks and oversized vehicles may need a flatbed or step-deck carrier. Motorcycles use specialty haulers or crated freight.
- Multi-vehicle discounts. Two or more vehicles on the same route get a 10–20% per-vehicle discount because the carrier amortizes fixed costs across the load.
What every quote includes
Regardless of vehicle type, a standard quote in our network includes door-to-door pickup and delivery, cargo insurance (typically $100K–$500K per vehicle depending on service tier), a Bill of Lading at pickup and delivery, and carrier tracking on most loads. It does NOT include personal items left in the vehicle (excluded from cargo insurance on virtually every policy), vehicle prep (washing, draining fluids), or expedited service beyond the standard transit window.
Best carriers by vehicle type
| Vehicle type | Best carrier |
|---|---|
| Standard car or SUV | Sherpa (locked price) or RoadRunner (fast dispatch) |
| Classic or luxury car (enclosed) | Sherpa or AutoStar |
| Pickup truck or large SUV | AutoStar (long-haul) or RoadRunner |
| Motorcycle | Easy Auto Ship or specialty motorcycle hauler (ask broker) |
| Non-running car | AmeriFreight (discount stacking) or Easy Auto Ship |
| Oversized / lifted | AutoStar (flatbed network) |
| Multiple cars (family / dealer) | Easy Auto Ship (door-to-door, no surcharge) |
None of these placements are paid. See our ranking methodology for how we score on price, on-time performance, coverage, insurance, and verified feedback.
Related hubs
Routes
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Cost Guide
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