Canada is the second-largest country in the world. It’s a vast land area with cities widely dispersed across the land. In fact, the average distance between its ten most populated cities is 1,711 km. So the prices for automobile shipping in Canada vary greatly from one place to another due to the distance being the biggest cost affecting factor That said, there are some sneaky costs you should know about as well because they can quickly increase your final quote significantly if you’re not aware. We’ve enlisted 5 not-so-apparent costs to save you from the surprise – Car Shipping Cost
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Besides the common factors (like distance, weather fluctuations, and carrier type) that directly impact your final shipping quote, these factors sneakily add up to your auto shipping cost, sometimes boosting the final price to even thousands.
Let’s talk about these hidden costs in detail, so you can make an affordable choice next time.
According to a 2025 Canadian Fuel Price Update report, fuel expenses represent about 20% of the total cost in vehicle operations, reflecting how fuel surcharges can heavily influence the hauling cost truckers pay. However, most car hauling companies do not disclose this upfront, so your detailed quote won’t mention that the final price can exceed the initial estimate if fuel costs rise during this time.
Though this is not always the case, some car shipping companies disclose that fuel cost fluctuations can impact the final quote. But if it’s not written, you can ask your company upfront and then calculate how much your final quote may vary.
Compare different companies and their quotes, focusing on how they manage fuel surcharges and structure their additional fees. For instance, some companies may adjust their extra fees based on the weekly fuel price indices while others may have flat rates.
Terminal storage fee is another potential hidden cost that can impact car owners in Canada. It’s when you pick a terminal-to-terminal service, and choose to drop off your vehicle yourself at the carrier’s designated terminal location and then pick it up from another terminal in your destination city. This typically saves 5-10% compared to a door-to-door delivery.
However, a terminal storage fee may add up when you do not understand the pickup terms and conditions you’re agreeing to, or if there’s a delay in your scheduled delivery or vehicle collection. In that case, most terminals can hold up your vehicle for free for around 1-2 days, but beyond this, they’ll start charging at least $10 per day per vehicle.
That’s why, you must make sure to schedule your car pickup and delivery date based on your availability. Or assign someone to receive your vehicle, if an emergency arises and you have to be away. And ask your car moving company as many questions as you can.
They won’t mind clarifying, if you’re unclear about a certain statement in your quote, don’t hesitate. Also, make sure to ask your shipping company about their nearest terminal location in your destination city beforehand, when you choose terminal-to-terminal services, because sometimes companies will have their terminals in remote or hard-to-reach areas, making it difficult for you to receive your vehicle in time.
And to your surprise, that’ll be even pricier than a door-to-door service. So it’s better if you do your research, compare your options, and see which one is best to pick.
The size of your vehicle really does count when moving it across Canada. For instance, an oversized, overweight vehicle will cost more to ship than a compact, mini-sized one. And if you fail to provide your car moving company with specific details about your vehicle regarding its size and dimensions, don’t be surprised when your final quote is higher than the original one.
Well, that is because an oversized vehicle takes up more room on the carrier, and it requires special equipment for handling, ultimately costing you more to ship. However, to save yourself from surprises like these, you should provide your shipping carrier with as many details about your vehicle as you can, especially if you’ve customized your vehicle.
For instance, if you own a customized Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited with oversized tires or a roof rack, inform your carrier about the additions before the pickup time. Or else, you will not only have to deal with oversized vehicle fees but they’ll charge prep fees as well.
Average cross Canada shipping companies offer basic coverage for your vehicle, which might cover theft, accidents, or fire damage to your car. But most car owners don’t know that this standard coverage comes with limitations and deductibles and might cover only a partial value of your vehicle, which is not enough.
Then, you need to buy extra insurance for your vehicle, especially if you own a luxury car or an oversized truck. To get coverage for the unforeseen circumstances and peace of mind that your valuable vehicle is protected. In Canada, the extra insurance will cost you around $100 to $500, depending on the value of your vehicle and the level of coverage you want. And this makes for another hidden cost of automobile transportation services.
But it’s important, especially when you’re shipping a valuable vehicle. So make sure you read your insurance coverage carefully and buy extra insurance, if needed. Also, don’t forget to take loads of pictures and videos of your car before it’s pickup, so you can easily claim your coverage later, in case damage occurs.
In 2023, the insurance claims in Canada for auto theft alone were nearly 50,000, with Ontario the most affected province in this period (with an increase of 75% of auto theft insurance claims).
So you see it’s good getting extra insurance for a vehicle that’s worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, but don’t be surprised when it raises your final price, as an initial quote only includes standard cargo insurance.
Most car owners have this misconception that if they pick a terminal-to-terminal service, it’ll be cheaper than the door-to-door one. And even if it’s true to some extent, that’s not always the case, because sometimes when a car shipping company has its terminal in some remote area, it’ll cost you more fuel and time to reach, eventually costing more than a door-to-door service.
However, if you think that you’ll just let the moving company pick up and drop off your vehicle at your doorstep and it’ll save you time and terminal storage fees, that’s not 100% true as well. Let’s say you move a car from Toronto to Vancouver, in a hilly or remote area. Getting there for your carrier to ship your vehicle will be hard due to accessibility issues, and you will end up paying more.
So you’re not supposed to follow just any option blindly. Instead, it’s better if you do your research and analyse which method is more cost-effective for you. Or you can ask your car shipping company to help you figure out how much each option will add to your final quote.
Most reputable cross canada shipping companies offer a transparent quote with a detailed breakdown of all components. However, if they’re just offering a lump sum as an initial quote, ask them for a detailed breakdown that mentions everything from a base shipping cost to fuel surcharge structure and terminal storage fees.
Secondly, ask smart questions and offer custom details of your vehicle. For instance, ask:
Always prefer value over price and go for a mid-range quote with transparency in the process. Make sure your quote does not mention any fees that will be disclosed later. And always get at least 3 quotes to compare.
Besides these common hidden costs in car shipping, there are some other pricing scams as well that are just straight up unacceptable and you should be aware of them.
For instance, some shady shipping companies charge per mile for the pickup and drop off if the address is a remote area, even when the quote says it’s a door-to-door service. Just so you know, companies often tack on extra fees when they’re moving your car. It’s okay if they tell you about remote pickup and drop-off costs from the start. But if they add those fees later without a good reason (like you giving them the wrong address), that’s not cool. If you messed up the address, though, then yeah, it’s on you.
Also, some companies lure customers with a lower initial quote. Only to surprise them later with additional fees, saying it’s the ‘processing fee.’
Canadian Car Shipping operates on the What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get model. Meaning the quote you get is likely what you’ll pay unless any situation beyond anyone’s control. Like weather delays, snowbird season, fuel price hikes, reroutes due to road construction etc. All of these things can happen when you ship with any other company. Because the route to and from your destination will be the same.
But what you get with Canadian Car Shipping is a dedicated team trying its best to ensure the shipment is delivered on time. The final quote is close to what you were provided with. Sounds good? Call (888) 370-1041 to receive your free estimate. Use our free car shipping quote calculator for a quick, no-obligation quote right now!
The cheapest way to ship a car across country is by using open carrier transport with terminal-to-terminal service. This option reduces costs by 5–10% compared to door-to-door delivery. Booking during off-peak seasons like fall or winter also lowers prices when demand is lower.
Shipping a car from Toronto to Calgary costs between CA$1,750 and CA$2,200 for a standard vehicle using open carrier transport. Prices vary based on vehicle size, carrier type, and timing. SUVs and pickups cost CA$200–CA$600 more, and enclosed transport adds a 40% premium.
Mandatory fees after booking include storage fees if you miss delivery. Reposting fees (CA$25), rescheduling fees (CA$75), and rural delivery surcharges (5–15%). All pricing is disclosed upfront. Insurance and delivery are included unless special conditions apply.
Yes. Basic carrier insurance covers physical damage during loading, transit, and unloading, with a standard minimum of $100,000 for open carriers. It does not cover personal items, unresolved mechanical issues, or natural disasters. Request a Certificate of Insurance and document your vehicle before shipping.
Yes. If you reschedule after a carrier is assigned. You may be charged a CA$25 reposting fee and a CA$75 rescheduling fee. If a car owner misses delivery. They are responsible for any resulting storage and logistics costs because carriers are on a tight schedule. They have a route to follow so we’ll either have to reroute him for you. Find another carrier for the pickup or delivery.
Storage fees apply if your car arrives early or if you miss the delivery window. Most terminals offer 24 hours of free storage. After that, the customer pays all storage and third-party facility charges. These costs are not covered by the carrier.
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