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Citadel · Auto Transport

Enclosed Auto Transport Cost — 2026 Guide

Detailed 2026 pricing for enclosed transport across every vehicle category. Per-mile rate bands, seasonal modifiers, and a live calculator. Built from working specialist-operator data.

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2026 enclosed transport — $/mile by vehicle class

Bands include typical seasonal variation. Short-haul = under 500 miles. Mid = 500–1,500. Long = 1,500+.

Vehicle classShort haulMid haulLong haul
Exotic (Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren)$3.40–$5.50$2.10–$3.80$1.85–$3.20
Luxury (Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin)$2.90–$4.60$1.80–$3.20$1.55–$2.70
Classic / antique$3.05–$4.90$1.90–$3.40$1.65–$2.85
Electric (Tesla, Rivian, Lucid)$2.40–$3.50$1.50–$2.40$1.30–$2.05
Standard sedan / coupe$2.10–$3.20$1.30–$2.20$1.10–$1.85

Price ranges reflect typical 2026 broker-to-carrier pay rates plus broker margin. Use the calculator above for a route-specific estimate.

Six factors that drive enclosed pricing

Pricing on the same lane can swing 40% or more based on these six variables. Understanding them lets you book at the bottom of the range.

Distance

Short hauls (under 500 mi) cost $0.40–$1.00/mi more than long hauls because fixed costs (driver hours, fuel runs, insurance pro-rata) don't scale down. Long hauls amortize those costs over more miles.

Vehicle category

Exotic shipments cost 60–100% more per mile than standard sedans. Driver skill, insurance premiums, equipment requirements, and lower vehicles-per-trailer all factor in.

Lane density

LA→Miami runs hundreds of trailers per week. Boise→Charleston runs 1–2. Popular lanes have carrier oversupply and lower prices; uncommon lanes carry a 15–30% scarcity premium.

Season

Snowbird (Oct–Apr Northeast↔FL), auction season (January, May, August), and weather (winter Northeast originations) drive 15–35% premiums on relevant corridors.

Lead time

ASAP pickup (under 48 hours): +20–25%. Standard 1-week window: baseline. Flexible 2-week window: −8–10%. Carriers reward you for letting them optimize their route.

Equipment tier

Single-car enclosed costs 50–80% more than multi-car enclosed. Required for hypercars and ultra-rare classics; optional but reassuring for vehicles over ~$300K.

2026 seasonal pricing

Modifier vs. baseline (June pricing). Real swings depend on origin/destination — these are averages across major corridors.

Monthvs. baselineDriving factor
Jan+25%Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale → all metros; snowbird southbound peak
Feb+20%Snowbird southbound continues; Florida → Northeast still off-peak
Mar+15%Snowbird northbound begins; Florida → Northeast premium starts
Apr+15%Snowbird northbound peak; Amelia Island weekend tightens FL ↔ South
May+10%Mecum Indianapolis (mid-month) → all metros for ~3 weeks
JunBaselineGenerally lowest-cost month for non-Florida origins
JulBaselineStandard demand; flexible pickup windows easy to negotiate
Aug+30%Pebble Beach week → CA, NY, TX premium for 2 weeks; rest standard
Sep−5%Discount season — best value if your timing is flexible
Oct+5%Snowbird southbound restart; Northeast → FL pricing climbs
Nov+15%Snowbird southbound; weather-driven delays add buffer
Dec+20%Snowbird southbound peak; holiday capacity scarcity

How we calculate these numbers

The rate bands above are built from three data sources: (1) Citadel's working carrier-pay rates plus standard broker margin; (2) Central Dispatch and Super Dispatch published lane data for benchmark calibration; (3) public 2026 broker survey data from MoveBuddha, Move.org, and Cars.com aggregated reviews.

Numbers are updated quarterly. Each band represents the 25th-to-75th percentile of observed prices — meaning half of typical shipments land within the range we publish. Outliers (last-minute Bugatti from a remote location during Pebble Beach week) can exceed the upper bound; competitive multi-car shipments on dense lanes can come in below the lower bound.

The cost calculator uses the same model with route-specific distance, your vehicle class, and your pickup window. It produces a directional estimate; a real quote follows shortly with carrier confirmation.

Enclosed transport cost calculator

Live estimate based on industry-standard 2026 rates. Actual quotes vary by carrier availability.

Enter pickup and delivery ZIP codes to see your estimate.

Frequently asked questions about cost

Enclosed trailers carry fewer vehicles per load (4–8 vs 9–10 on open), require more specialized drivers, demand higher insurance premiums, and operate slower for safety. The 30–40% premium reflects real cost differences, not pricing inflation. For high-value vehicles, the math favors enclosed in nearly every scenario.

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