Car shipping and driveaway costs in 2026: a transparent price guide
Last updated: June 2026
A cross-country driveaway runs about $0.75 per mile, so a 2,800 mile coast-to-coast move is roughly $2,100 to $2,400 before the driver's travel to your pickup. Below is exactly how SelectDrive prices a move, line by line, with worked examples by distance. No flat markup, no surprise fees, no quote-bait.
How driveaway pricing works
SelectDrive charges a base rate of $0.75 per mile with a $500 minimum per trip, calculated on the actual driving distance between pickup and delivery. On top of the base rate, every quote breaks out the real operating costs so you can see where each dollar goes.
| Line item | How it is calculated |
|---|---|
| Base rate | $0.75 per driving mile ($500 minimum) |
| Fuel | About $0.18 per mile, from real route distance |
| Tolls | About $0.02 per mile on average, route specific |
| Lodging | $120 per night on multi-day routes (one stop per ~500 miles) |
| Insurance | 8% of the base rate |
| Driver travel | Dan's flight or drive to your pickup and home after delivery, shown as its own line |
| Express | +5% for bookings under 3 days notice (optional) |
What it costs by distance
These ranges cover the drive itself plus typical fuel, tolls, lodging, and insurance. The driver's travel to your specific pickup is added on your real quote, which is why each band is a range.
| Distance | Transit | Typical estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Short, under 500 miles | 1 day | $500 to $900 |
| Regional, 500 to 1,200 miles | 1 to 2 days | $900 to $1,600 |
| Long, 1,200 to 2,500 miles | 3 to 5 days | $1,700 to $3,200 |
| Cross-country, 2,500+ miles | 5 to 6 days | $3,200 to $4,400 |
Use the cost calculator to estimate your specific route, or chat with Pilot for an exact itemized quote.
Sample routes
- Des Moines to Denver, about 680 miles, roughly $1,050 to $1,350
- Des Moines to Phoenix, about 1,450 miles, roughly $2,000 to $2,450
- Iowa to Florida, about 1,500 miles, roughly $2,000 to $2,500
- Coast to coast, about 2,800 miles, roughly $3,200 to $4,400
Driveaway vs trailer shipping on cost
Trailer-based auto transport and driveaway are priced differently. Open-carrier shipping can look cheaper per mile on long hauls because the carrier splits the trip across several cars, but the headline quote often grows after pickup, and you are handing your car to a load-board carrier you did not choose. Driveaway is one transparent number with one accountable driver, no trailer transfers, and the option to send pets or belongings. For a full comparison, see driveaway vs auto transport.
How to lower your cost
- Book 3 or more days ahead to avoid the 5% express surcharge
- Be flexible on pickup timing so the route can be planned efficiently
- Combine a vehicle move with pets or belongings that fit, rather than shipping separately
See the real number on your route
Estimate it yourself, or get an exact itemized quote from Pilot in under a minute.