2026 Exotic, Luxury & Classic Car Shipping Cost Report
What it costs to ship a high-value vehicle by enclosed carrier in 2026, across exotic, luxury, classic, and electric vehicle classes. Per-mile rate bands, real cross-country lane totals, and the factors that move the price.
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Key findings
Enclosed transport for an exotic (Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren) runs $2.10–$3.80 per mile on mid-distance routes in 2026.
A coast-to-coast enclosed exotic move (Los Angeles to Miami, ~2,740 miles) costs about $5,060–$9,160.
Classic and antique enclosed transport runs $1.90–$3.40 per mile mid-distance, with concours-grade single-car service at the top of that band.
Short hauls under 500 miles cost 40%–75% more per mile than cross-country routes, because fixed pickup and loading costs are spread over fewer miles.
Enclosed transport carries a 50%–70% premium over open transport for exotics.
Timing moves the price: a rush (ASAP) pickup adds about 20%, while a flexible window saves about 8%.
2026 enclosed transport cost by vehicle class
Per-mile bands including typical seasonal variation. Short haul is under 500 miles, mid is 500 to 1,500, long is 1,500-plus.
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 class | Short haul | Mid haul | Long 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.
Sample enclosed-transport lane costs
Estimated total cost, enclosed carrier, standard (roughly one-week) pickup window.
| Route | Distance | Class | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA → Miami, FL | ~2,740 mi | Exotic | $5,060–$9,160 |
| Los Angeles, CA → Miami, FL | ~2,740 mi | Classic | $4,580–$8,200 |
| New York, NY → Miami, FL | ~1,280 mi | Luxury | $2,300–$4,100 |
| Dallas, TX → Los Angeles, CA | ~1,430 mi | Exotic | $3,000–$5,430 |
| Boston, MA → Naples, FL (snowbird) | ~1,530 mi | Exotic | $2,960–$5,350 |
Want a number for your exact route? Use the cost calculator or request a firm quote.
What drives the price
Distance shoulder
Per-mile cost falls as distance rises. Under 250 miles, expect roughly a 45% per-mile premium over a cross-country move, because the carrier's fixed costs are spread across fewer miles.
Vehicle class and value
Higher-value, lower-clearance vehicles need enclosed carriers, liftgates or low-angle ramps, soft tie-downs, and higher cargo insurance. That handling premium is built into the exotic and classic bands.
Enclosed vs. open
Open is cheaper, but exotics, classics, and concours vehicles almost always ship enclosed for climate control and protection from road debris and weather. The premium is roughly 50%–70%.
Timing and season
An ASAP pickup adds about 20%; a flexible window saves about 8%. Snowbird lanes (Northeast to Florida, Oct–Apr) and auction and concours weeks tighten capacity and push prices to the top of each band.
For the full six-factor breakdown and a month-by-month seasonal pricing table, see the 2026 cost guide.
Methodology
Figures are 2026 enclosed-transport rates modeled from per-mile pay bands by vehicle class, adjusted by a distance shoulder (short hauls cost more per mile), a pickup-urgency multiplier, and typical seasonal variation. Ranges reflect broker-to-carrier pay plus broker margin.
Route totals use representative city-to-city distances. Actual quotes vary by exact origin and destination, vehicle specifics, carrier availability, and declared value. The numbers are refreshed as market rates move and as Citadel books additional volume across these lanes.
Cite this report
You may reference or republish these figures with attribution to Citadel Auto Transport and a link to this page. Suggested citation: Citadel Auto Transport, 2026 Exotic, Luxury & Classic Car Shipping Cost Report, https://citadelautotransport.com/2026-car-shipping-cost-report/.
Journalists and editors: for the underlying data or a custom figure on a specific route, contact [email protected].
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