How Much Does It Cost to Transport a Car in South Africa?

Right Now Logix Guides

There's no single "per kilometre" rate that fairly prices vehicle transport in South Africa — anyone quoting one number without asking what you're moving and where is guessing. The real cost is built from a handful of factors, and understanding them makes it much easier to compare quotes properly.

1. Distance and route

Distance is the obvious one — a Durban-to-Johannesburg run costs less than Cape Town-to-Polokwane simply on fuel and driver time. But route matters as much as distance: a well-travelled corridor between major centres is cheaper to service than a one-off trip to a remote town, because the carrier can often combine it with other loads heading the same way.

2. What you're actually moving

A compact sedan takes up less deck space and weighs less than a bakkie, SUV, or piece of plant machinery — all of which affects how many vehicles fit on one transporter and what it costs to run. Non-runners (vehicles that don't start or can't be driven on and off a ramp under their own power) usually cost more too, since they need winching or lifting equipment.

3. Open vs enclosed transport

Most vehicles travel on open carriers — safe, well-insured, and the most cost-effective option for everyday cars, bakkies and SUVs. Enclosed or covered-trailer transport costs more because it uses specialised equipment and carries far fewer vehicles per trip, but it's worth it for supercars, classics, and anything where paintwork and undertray clearance are a real concern.

4. Depot-to-depot vs door-to-door

Depot-to-depot (dropping off and collecting from a fixed point) is the most affordable option, since the carrier isn't detouring into residential areas or industrial parks for a single vehicle. Door-to-door costs more but saves you the trip to a depot — worth it for convenience, less so if you're moving on a tight budget.

5. Insurance and documentation

A properly run transport company carries Goods-in-Transit insurance and documents the vehicle's condition before it's loaded. This isn't just paperwork — it's what protects you if something goes wrong in transit, and it's a fair question to ask any provider you're comparing quotes from.

What this means for getting a fair quote

• Be specific about pickup and drop-off points — depot or a home/business address
• Describe the vehicle accurately, including whether it runs
• Ask whether the quote is open or enclosed transport
• Confirm what insurance is included
• Get the quote in writing before you commit

At Right Now Logix we move cars, bakkies, SUVs, trucks and machinery across KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Limpopo, Western Cape, Mpumalanga and Free State for dealerships, corporates and individuals — with Goods-in-Transit cover in place and a real, fixed quote instead of a guessing game.

This guide is general information based on industry-standard pricing factors, not a quote. Actual pricing depends on your specific route, vehicle and requirements — request a quote for an exact price.