How Much Does It Cost to Transport a Car Interstate in Australia?
Interstate car transport in Australia typically costs between $350 and $2,800, depending on the distance, your vehicle's size and the service level you choose. Short east-coast runs like Sydney to Melbourne start from around $550, while long hauls across the Nullarbor such as Sydney to Perth generally range from $1,150 to $2,800. As a rough guide, expect to pay roughly $0.45–$0.70 per kilometre for a standard running sedan, with the per-km rate falling on longer routes.
Every move is different, so the figures below are indicative "from" prices for a standard running sedan, depot-to-depot. For an exact price on your route and vehicle, get an instant online quote.
Interstate car transport price guide (2026)
Indicative "from" prices and typical transit windows for a running sedan, depot-to-depot:
| Route | Distance | From price | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney ↔ Melbourne | 880 km | $550 | 3–8 days |
| Sydney ↔ Brisbane | 920 km | $580 | 3–8 days |
| Melbourne ↔ Brisbane | 1,680 km | $750 | 3–8 days |
| Sydney ↔ Adelaide | 1,370 km | $700 | 8–15 days |
| Melbourne ↔ Adelaide | 730 km | $480 | 5–10 days |
| Sydney ↔ Perth | 3,930 km | $1,150 | 10–18 days |
| Melbourne ↔ Perth | 3,420 km | $1,050 | 10–18 days |
| Brisbane ↔ Perth | 4,300 km | $1,400 | 10–18 days |
| Adelaide ↔ Darwin | 3,030 km | $1,100 | 14–28 days |
| Brisbane ↔ Darwin | 3,420 km | $1,200 | 14–28 days |
Prices exclude any door-to-door surcharge and GST, and move with the fuel levy. Confirm your exact price with a live quote.
What affects the price of moving a car interstate?
- Distance and route. The biggest single factor. Longer routes cost more in total but less per kilometre.
- Vehicle size and weight. A sedan takes less deck space than a 4WD, ute or van, so it costs less to carry.
- Service level. Depot-to-depot (you drop off and collect at our yards) is the cheapest option; door-to-door adds a collection and delivery surcharge for the convenience.
- Running or non-running. Vehicles that don't start, steer or roll need winching and special handling, which adds to the price.
- Open vs enclosed transport. Open carriers suit almost every vehicle; enclosed transport costs more but adds weather and road protection for prestige and classic cars.
- Timing and the fuel levy. Peak relocation periods get busy, and a fuel levy tracks pump prices up and down.
How to pay less for interstate car transport
- Choose depot-to-depot instead of door-to-door where you can get to our yards.
- Book early and stay flexible on dates — consolidated loads are cheaper than urgent single moves.
- Move more than one vehicle together for a better combined rate.
- Make sure the car is running and empty to avoid non-running and goods-in-vehicle fees.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transport a car interstate?
Most interstate car moves cost between $350 and $2,800. Short east-coast routes start from around $550, and long cross-country hauls like Sydney to Perth range from about $1,150 to $2,800, depending on vehicle size and service level.
How is interstate car transport priced?
Price is driven mainly by distance, then vehicle size, service level (door-to-door vs depot-to-depot), whether the car runs, and the current fuel levy. As a guide it works out to roughly $0.45–$0.70 per kilometre for a sedan.
How long does interstate car transport take?
Transit times range from 3–8 business days on short east-coast routes to 10–28 days for long hauls to Perth or Darwin. Booking early gives you the best choice of dates.
Is my car insured during transport?
Yes — every vehicle we carry is covered by marine transit insurance while in our care, door to door.
Is door-to-door or depot-to-depot cheaper?
Depot-to-depot is cheaper because you drop the car at our yard and collect it at the other end. Door-to-door adds a surcharge for collecting and delivering to your address.
Get an instant car transport quote
Auto Mover Australia moves cars, 4WDs, vans, trucks, boats, caravans and motorbikes between every state — door-to-door and depot-to-depot, fully insured, for 10,000+ customers. See our car transport service or transit times.