Car transport is often quoted as a price per kilometre, but that figure is not fixed. It falls as the distance grows, and a short local move works differently again. Here is how the per km idea works, with worked examples, so you can sense-check any quote you receive.

What a price per kilometre actually means

A price per kilometre is simply the total cost of a move divided by the distance travelled. It is a handy way to compare journeys of different lengths, but it is an average, not a meter running on the road. Carriers do not charge a flat rate for every kilometre; they weigh up the whole job and the per km figure comes out at the end.

That is why the same lorry can work out at very different rates per kilometre on different trips. The number is useful for a rough check, not a promise. For your exact price it is always best to request a free quote.

Why the price per kilometre falls as distance grows

Every move has fixed costs that do not change with distance: loading and securing the car, paperwork, the driver’s time at each end, and repositioning the lorry. On a short trip those costs are spread over few kilometres, so the per km rate looks high. On a long trip the same costs are spread over many more kilometres, so the rate per kilometre drops.

Long routes also let carriers plan efficiently, combining several cars heading the same way. A full lorry running a long, popular corridor is the cheapest kind of move per kilometre. You can see common corridors on our routes hub.

There is a limit, though. Beyond a certain point the rate flattens out, because fuel, tolls and the driver’s hours still have to be paid for every kilometre travelled. This is why the longest band settles at roughly 0.60 to 0.85 euros per km rather than falling towards zero.

The pricing bands, with worked examples

As a rough guide for a standard, running car on an open transporter, prices tend to fall into three bands. All figures are ex VAT and rounded to the nearest ten euros. Enclosed transport costs more, and a non-runner may add a winch fee.

• 300 to 800 km: around 1.10 to 1.40 euros per km, with a minimum charge of roughly 300 to 400 euros.
• 800 to 1,300 km: around 0.85 to 1.10 euros per km.
• 1,300 km and above: around 0.60 to 0.85 euros per km.

Worked examples

• A 500 km move: 500 multiplied by 1.10 to 1.40 gives roughly 550 to 700 euros ex VAT.
• A 1,000 km move: 1,000 multiplied by 0.85 to 1.10 gives roughly 850 to 1,100 euros ex VAT.
• An 1,800 km move: 1,800 multiplied by 0.60 to 0.85 gives roughly 1,080 to 1,530 euros ex VAT.

Notice how the per km rate more than halves between the short move and the long one, even though the total rises. That is the fixed-cost effect in action. For more detail on total prices, see our guide on how much car transport costs in Europe.

Why short and local moves have a minimum charge

For very short or local moves, the per km sum can produce a figure that would not cover the real cost of sending a lorry, a driver and the loading work. That is why there is a minimum charge, usually in the region of 300 to 400 euros ex VAT.

It is the same reason a taxi has a minimum fare: the vehicle still has to come to you, load, and do the job whether the trip is two kilometres or twenty. If your move is short, comparing it on a pure per km basis will look expensive, but the minimum charge reflects the actual work involved.

What a per km figure does and does not include

A quoted price generally includes the transport itself: the driver, fuel, tolls, loading and securing your car, and the carrier’s insurance while your vehicle is in transit. You should not expect a pile of hidden extras on a standard move.

A per km figure normally does not include VAT, which is why we quote ex VAT, and it does not automatically cover optional upgrades. Choosing an enclosed trailer, transporting a non-runner that needs a winch, or asking for a fixed delivery day can all add to the base price. Anything extra is set out clearly before you book, so the figure you agree is the figure you pay.

Good to know