River Valley Auto Transport is the Midwest division of Enterprise Auto Transport - owner operated, federally licensed & bonded, and registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State (USDOT #2273104 / MC #774106). All logistics are managed via our central dispatch at (239) 273-4649 - this is our only phone number.

Pricing

How much does it cost to get a car delivered to you?

Nationwide, the average cost to ship a standard car is roughly $1,215, with most standard deliveries ranging between $500 and $1,700 — not including the broker fee. The exact price depends on distance, vehicle size, open or enclosed transport, season, fuel prices, and how quickly you need pickup. Our broker fee is a flat $299 per car, disclosed up front; the balance goes to the carrier at delivery.

Ready to ship your car?

Request a no-obligation quote from River Valley Auto Transport. Owner-operated, U.S.-based, and licensed with the FMCSA.

Share this article

Verify before you book

Two minutes on the FMCSA website tells you who you're really dealing with

You do not have to take any company's word for it. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration keeps free public records on every licensed broker and carrier in the country. Here is exactly what to ask for and where to verify it:

  1. 1.Ask for the MC and USDOT numbers

    Every legitimate broker and carrier must provide both on request. Our numbers: USDOT #2273104 and MC #774106. If a company hesitates or deflects, stop.

  2. 2.Look them up on the FMCSA SAFER system

    Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and use the Company Snapshot search. Enter the MC or USDOT number and confirm the legal name, operating status and “Authorized” broker or carrier authority match what you were told.

  3. 3.Confirm the $75,000 broker bond

    In the FMCSA Licensing & Insurance portal (li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov), verify the broker's BMC-84 bond or BMC-85 trust fund is active. No active bond means no legal authority to broker your shipment.

  4. 4.Demand the carrier's information and payment breakdown

    If a company says they have a carrier for you but never sends you the carrier's name, DOT/MC number, driver contact and truck details, or you never get to see how much of your payment is going to the carrier, that is a red flag. A legitimate broker discloses the assigned carrier and explains the broker fee before you book.

When you check our records you'll find River Valley Auto Transport, USDOT #2273104, MC #774106; an owner-operated, federally licensed and bonded broker based in Rosemount, Minnesota, working by phone and email with no walk-in office. You can also read our full carrier vetting process.

Average car delivery costs by distance

Short regional moves under 500 miles often cost $500–$900. A 1,000-mile move for a standard sedan on an open carrier typically falls between $650 and $1,300. Cross-country moves of 2,000+ miles can range from $1,000 to $1,800 or more for open transport, depending on the lane and season.

Per-mile rates drop as distance increases. A 300-mile move might average $2.00+ per mile, while a 2,500-mile move can drop to $0.50–$0.80 per mile.

  • Under 500 miles: roughly $500–$900
  • 500–1,000 miles: roughly $650–$1,300
  • 1,000–2,000 miles: roughly $900–$1,600
  • 2,000+ miles: roughly $1,100–$1,800+
  • Enclosed transport adds about 40–60% to open-carrier pricing

What moves the price up or down

Distance is the biggest factor, but it is not the only one. A large SUV or truck costs more than a sedan. Enclosed transport costs more than open. Rural pickup or delivery ZIPs cost more than major metro areas because carriers have fewer loads to fill the return trip.

Season matters, too. October through December sees heavy southbound snowbird demand, which raises prices on north-to-south lanes. March through May does the opposite. Fuel prices and severe weather can also shift costs quickly.

Why an instant estimate is only a starting point

Online calculators are useful for planning, but the final carrier price is set by live supply on your specific lane. A broker's job is to negotiate with carriers and present the best available rate, not to invent a low number that no driver will accept.

The best way to get an accurate number is to request a quote with your exact pickup and delivery ZIP codes, vehicle year/make/model, and preferred timing.

Get a real delivery quote

River Valley Auto Transport provides real, negotiated quotes based on current carrier availability. Quotes cover the carrier's transport price; our flat $299 broker fee is disclosed separately and is paid as your booking deposit, with the balance going to the driver at delivery. We are owner-operated, licensed with the FMCSA as USDOT #2273104 / MC #774106, and operate as the Midwest division of Enterprise Auto Transport. Enterprise Auto Transport—not the River Valley office—is BBB Accredited with an A+ Rating. We never sell your information.

Call (239) 273-4649 or request a quote online for a price tied to your actual move.

Key takeaways

  • Average U.S. car delivery cost is roughly $1,215; most moves fall between $500 and $1,700 — not including the broker fee
  • Our flat $299 broker fee is separate from the carrier's transport price
  • Price depends on distance, vehicle, transport type, season, and route density
  • Online estimates are planning tools; final carrier pricing is live and lane-specific
  • Request a real quote from River Valley Auto Transport at (239) 273-4649
Share this article

Keep reading

More answers

Ready to Ship your car?

Open and enclosed semi-truck carriers, door-to-door delivery and a coordinator who answers the phone.