The question of a single-mile national average rate is what clients tend to ask most, in the situation of a continuously changing automobile transport sector. Aware of such a rate, car owners will be able to plan their finances, properly compare the proposals, and not fall victims to price-gouging or unrealistic offers. In fact, it is the national rate that is like a lifesaver to you if you are going to transport a car across the country or just move your vehicle a few hundred miles out of town.
Car shipping costs vary from year to year due to changes in fuel, driver availability, and insurance costs, the state of the economy, and demand cycles. The industry in 2025 is still making gradual changes; however, the overall trends are still predictable for most customers. The present material performing the function of a handbook acquaints a customer with the average national rate per mile in 2025, the causes of its changing, and the factors influencing the price.
What Is the Average National Rate Per Mile in 2025?
The average national per mile rate for car shipping in 2025 comes close to:
✔ $0.65 to $1.15 per mile
This range is representative of the whole industry pricing of locally automobile transportation services. However, the exact dollar amount per mile can differ substantially with the distance:
Typical 2025 Rate Breakdown
- Short trips of 0–500 miles are almost always priced at $1.00 to $1.50 per mile,
- Medium runs from 500–1500 miles are mostly around $0.75 to $1.00 per mile,
- Long hauls of 1500+ miles are basically the lowest ones per mile.
The reason why the cost per mile is decreasing with a longer trip is that the mileage is being spread out over a more extended route.
ShippingCarQuotes.com is collecting the pricing of the most reliable carriers at the moment, and with that, customers are given the opportunity to figure out what the cost-per-mile rate will be considering that the current market is volatile.
Factors That Shape the National Rate Per Mile in 2025
Auto transport prices depend on various factors that exist outside the virtual world. Knowing these factors will give you an idea of how rates change from time to time.
1. Fuel Prices
The cost of fuel is the main factor that affects the per-mile rate. Even though fuel prices in 2025 have been more stable than in the previous years, any change in the price still has a direct impact on transport pricing.
- Increase in fuel → Increase in rate per mile
- Decrease in fuel → Decrease in rate per mile
As carriers are quick to make adjustments to their pricing, ShippingCarQuotes.com is able to offer the most up-to-date quotes fuel-wise.
2. Driver Availability
The trucking industry can no longer recruit new drivers easily. When the number of available drivers decreases, the following happens:
- Prices increase during peak periods
- Routes with less carriers become more expensive
- Fast or last-minute orders lead to higher per-mile pricing
- When the demand is low, the prices become more attractive.
3. Seasonal Demand
The cost of shipping is very much dependent on the various seasons. Seasonal trends were still the biggest factors that influenced the per-mile averages in 2025.
Peak pricing is most of the time associated with the periods when demand is at a maximum like the snowbird season from October to December and again from March to April, the summer moving season from May through August, and the holiday shipping rush. At these times of the year, more people are relocating or traveling, thus carrier availability becomes tight and per-mile rates increase.
4. Vehicle Size and Weight
Larger vehicles are not only bigger in size but also they use up more of the transport capacity.
For instance, there are usually higher per-mile rates associated with larger vehicle categories like pickup trucks, SUVs, vans, and any other kinds of oversized vehicles. As these vehicles occupy more space and contribute additional weight to the carrier, transport companies generally charge higher rates for the transportation of such vehicles as compared to the standard sedan.
5. Type of Transport: Open vs. Enclosed
What mode of transportation you choose has a great impact on the per-mile rate.
Open Transport (Most Common):
- On average $0.65–$1.00 per mile in 2025
- More affordable
- More carriers to choose from
- Faster pick-up or delivery
Enclosed Transport:
- $1.00–$1.80 per mile
- The most suitable transport for a luxury, exotic, or classic car.
- Offers maximum protection
- Limited supply of carriers causes the price to go up
ShippingCarQuotes.com gives you the freedom to compare both options side-by-side.
How to Get the Best Rate Per Mile in 2025
Although the national average is a good reference, customers can still do some things to get the cheapest rate possible.
✔ 1. Compare Quotes Using a Reliable Tool
The quickest method of finding competitive per-mile prices is by using a trusted comparison platform such as ShippingCarQuotes.com that delivers:
- Transparent cost comparisons
- Accurate real-time pricing
- Access to vetted carriers
- No lowball estimates
Hence, you must be ensured that only legitimate numbers are shown to you.
✔ 2. Be Flexible With Pickup Dates
Carriers are capable of giving lower per-mile rates if they have the opportunity to combine shipments in an efficient manner.
✔ 3. Choose Open Transport When Possible
Open carriers are more available, thus, price is going down.
✔ 4. Avoid Peak Seasons
Making a reservation during the off-peak season enables one to get cheaper rates.
✔ 5. Ship To and From Major Cities
If you are meeting your driver in a metropolitan location, it will help you get rid of the mileage-related surcharges that are increasing your car transport cost.
✔ 6. Book in Advance
Per-mile costs are increased by last-minute transport due to priority scheduling.
Why Use ShippingCarQuotes.com to Compare 2025 Rates?
ShippingCarQuotes.com is a platform developed in such a way that customers are completely aware of the actual rates and also help them to stay away from misleading pricing.
They offer:
- Trusted comparison tools
- Accurate per-mile estimates
- Nationwide transport partners
- Easy side-by-side quote evaluation
- Safe, verified carrier options
The platform is designed to give users pricing that is always dependable and reflective of the market.
Final Thoughts: Understanding the Average National Rate Per Mile in 2025
On most days in 2025, the national average cost to ship a car will be somewhere between $0.65 and $1.15 a mile. Your price will be closer to one end of that range or the other depending on several factors, such as the distance the car is going, the time of the year when the shipment is made. By knowing how these factors affect the price, customers can take wise steps to prevent getting a higher price that is not justified or a quote that is not realistic.
Using a trustworthy comparison instrument like ShippingCarQuotes.com is beneficial for you to get the most accurate rate that is based on the real carrier availability and not on the inflated or misleading pricing. The knowledge of the per-mile average is what gives you the leverage to be able to transport your goods to the mutual benefit of both the carrier and yourself either at a local level or interstate, thus you will be doing quality work without any doubts that the price is fair.
