In the first quarter of 2025, new motor vehicle registrations in Canada surged to 426,872 vehicles, a 2.9% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024. This puts load on car carriers as well because now the already small industry has nearly half a million more vehicles as potential loads to move, especially when a significant number of Canadians are relocating each year either within Canada or across the border – Seasonal Car Transport. Depending on when the demand is high, pisces go up. Use this guide to learn how much a car transport service in Canada costs, how prices fluctuate, and when is the right time to book car shipping in Canada.
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Based on the market data, Canadian car transport shows clear seasonal pricing patterns driven by capacity constraints. Winter months see the tightest capacity as truck-to-load ratios drop significantly (like the 2.24 ratio in December vs 3.68 in July), pushing specialized freight prices up 4% above baseline while general freight declined 2%. Plus, the 46% reduction in available drivers since 2021, combined with 13% wage increases, means carriers are more selective about challenging winter routes.
Summer demand peaks coincide with better truck availability, creating more competitive pricing. The data suggests booking winter shipments early when capacity is constrained. While spring and fall offer the best value as demand moderates and weather conditions improve carrier availability.
Specialized transport consistently commands premium pricing regardless of season, reflecting the specialized equipment and expertise required for vehicle transport.
On average, transporting your car within Canada will cost around $500-$1,500. And if you want international car shipping services that’ll be around $900-$1,600. However, that’s just an estimated price based on what most transport companies within Canada charge. The final quote will depend on your distance, vehicle type, transport choice, route, weather, provincial rules, fuel prices, tax duties, and other factors.
So, to say the least, the car transport prices in Canada vary depending on many different factors. And to get an estimate for yourself you need to consider all those factors.
The best time to ship a car in Canada is spring (April–June) and fall (September–November). These months offer lower rates, safer driving conditions, and fewer delays. Avoid winter (December–March) due to snow, ice, and road closures, and avoid summer (July–August) when demand and prices peak.
That said, the best season for car shipping in Canada also depends on what you’re looking for. Whether the safety of your vehicle is your priority or you want cost-effective car shipping services in Canada.
If you want your car to be shipped across the country or border safely. Choose to ship in the summer season. Otherwise, the harsh Canadian winter can pose potential risks to your valuable vehicle. Such as paint and exterior damage, cracked windows, frozen brake lines, interior damage, and increased risk of road accidents. This is not a common occurrence, but the risk is still there sometimes.
However, summer is a peak season for car shipping in Canada. And prices are mostly high with frequent unavailability of transportation vehicles due to overbooking. That’s why, it is advisable to do your research for a better price and book at least 2-4 weeks ahead to find a suitable time slot.
If your budget is tight and you want a cost-effective shipping service, the best season for you to ship a car in Canada is Fall. It is usually the off-peak season with more transport vehicles available and slots as per your requirements. In fact, in the winter, if you want to ship your vehicle on an emergency basis on a specific date, chances are you’ll find a slot as per your requirements and within your budget.
Planning ahead during the spring or fall ensures cost-effective and timely vehicle transport across Canada.
| Season | Shipping Conditions | Rates | Delays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Apr–Jun) | Mild weather, low demand, fewer road issues | Lower | Minimal |
| Summer (Jul–Aug) | High demand, limited carrier availability | Higher | Moderate |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Stable conditions, less competition | Lower | Minimal |
| Winter (Dec–Mar) | Severe weather, potential road closures, safety risks | Moderate–High | High |
Car transport prices in Canada mainly fluctuate due to the following factors:
Let’s discuss these factors one by one in detail.
Weather conditions are the main reason for car transport prices to fluctuate in Canada. The country experiences snow from October to April, and December, January, and February are the coldest, snowiest months in most of Canada. This impacts car moving services in Canada. Ice roads, blizzards, and limited visibility delay scheduled deliveries, and special equipment may be needed for a successful vehicle transport.
Moreover, if the driver has to take a longer route due to a closed road. The additional fuel charges can add to car transport services. However, it is still considered cost-effective to transport your vehicle in Canada or across the border in the winter season, as winter is the off-peak season for car transport industry.
Otherwise, in summer (peak season) the prices are high and you also won’t be able to find many auto shipping services in Canada, as most are booked already. That’s why, booking at least 2-4 weeks in advance for summer transport is advisable.
Another factor that affects your car transport pricing in Canada is the make and model of your vehicle. If you own a car that’s huge, luxury, or antique, it’ll take up more space, cost more in insurance, require more protection, and will eventually cost more to ship, whether across the country or internationally.
On the other hand, if you own a light-duty, passenger car like a Honda Civic, shipping that might not cost much. But, if you’re importing a vehicle from the U.S. to Canada that’s not Canadian-made, you might have to pay a 25% surcharge on top of existing taxes and duties as per the recent Government of Canada Tariff Announcement.
Due to Canada’s vast geographical area, the distance between cities is larger compared to other countries (often exceeding 4,000 km). So, auto carriers in Canada have to travel long distances to ship a car, boat, or motorbike across the country at higher costs. This is mainly due to longer travel time and more fuel usage.
For instance, the distance from Toronto to Vancouver is 4,206 km, which is one of the longest distances between two Canadian cities so naturally, it will cost you more to ship a car from Toronto to Vancouver. Above that, if your shipping route is a mountainous terrain (like areas in British Columbia), that’ll require specialized equipment, eventually costing more for the shipping.
As already covered in the above point, a complex route will cost you more to ship a car compared to an easy, short distance, like a flatland area (for instance, Southern Ontario and Quebec). But in addition to that, your route optimization depends on your shipping company as well. For instance, if your carriers are experienced and reliable, they’ll carefully plan a shipping route for you that’ll help you avoid unnecessary shipping costs.
And this also counts for international car shipping. A reputable shipping company will map out the most efficient route possible across borders by carefully planning established trade lanes, using cost-effective ports of entry, and making sure compliance with all international customs and regulations to avoid any delays and extra charges.
The choice of your carrier type also impacts the final shipping cost, especially when shipping internationally. But it equally impacts domestic shipping as well. For instance, if you choose to ship your car via road, the most common choices you’ll have will be:
But when shipping internationally, sea freight is the most common and cost-effective option for you. As per Forbes, shipping your car from the U.S. to another country in sea containers will cost you around $1,600 to $4,000. Or otherwise, you could also go for air shipping, which is the fastest yet most expensive overseas car shipping method (expect to pay from $5,000 to $50,000).
Your final shipping cost is directly tied to the fuel price as well. The higher the fuel price, the higher a car transport service will cost. And car moving services constantly adjust their quotes based on these rising and falling fuel costs. Also, some areas in Canada typically have higher energy costs, and shipping charges to or from these areas will be naturally higher.
Plus, as per the Canadian regulations encouraging environmentally friendly practices, transport companies have to use fuel-efficient transport options in order to meet specific emission standards, often leading to more costly shipping choices.
There are different car shipping rules for each province in Canada, which complicates the process, impacting the final shipping cost. And this is especially true when you import a car in Canada. For instance, in the province of Quebec, there are specific document requirements (Bill of Lading must be available in French or English) which add to the administrative work, costing you more for shipping your car in this province.
And if you’re shipping to Ontario province, it enforces strict weight regulations on trailers, making your shipping company use specialized trailers or multiple trucks for the heavier shipment, eventually costing you more.
Confirm with your auto carriers Canada when shipping a car outside the country or importing it from the U.S. whether their shipping quote includes tax duties. Or otherwise, you’ll have an expensive surprise awaiting, because you have to pay import duty, GST, provincial sales tax, excise tax, and surtax when you import your car to Canada.
On the other hand, you might not have to pay all this in case of export, but your destination country may charge its import fees. For instance, when you ship a car from Canada to the U.S., you may have to pay its import duty, ensure compliance with EPA and DOT, and pay state-specific registration charges. All of this directly impacts your final shipping cost.
Tight budget or safety concerns won’t be a problem when you’re dealing with Canadian Car Shipping. We’ve got vetted carriers with past working experiences and established routes. If you need something affordable, we can find open carriers to haul your vehicle no matter the time of year.
If you need higher security for your vehicles, we’ve got your back with enclosed carriers to safely haul your automobile inside of covered carriers made with steel and aluminum walls and roof. So call (888) 370-1041 to get a free, no obligation car shipping quote today and we’ll take things from there!
Car transport costs the most in Canada during summer (June to early September) and late winter to early spring (March–April) due to peak demand. Higher prices result from school breaks, relocations, and snowbirds moving seasonally. These months create booking spikes that increase shipping rates.
The lowest prices for shipping a vehicle nationally in Canada are found in September, October, and November. Rates also drop in late February to April, but harsh weather and limited truck availability may affect scheduling and service consistency.
Book 2–4 weeks in advance during off-peak months to lock in the best vehicle shipping rates. For high-demand periods like summer or major moves, book 4–6 weeks ahead to ensure availability and secure pricing.
Winter road conditions can delay car transport by 1–3 days for minor weather and over a week during major storms. Snow, ice, and road closures often force carriers to reroute or stop until safe. Delays are more frequent in mountain and northern regions.
You can receive a firm quote, but guaranteed pricing during high-demand seasons is not always possible. CanadianCarShipping.com locks in rates at booking unless changes are made. Fuel surcharges and volatile demand may affect the final price until the contract is confirmed and paid.
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