Car Destination Cost: Cheapest & Most Expensive

You’re not imagining it: destination fees have skyrocketed in recent years. What was once an extra few hundred dollars on the price of a new car has turned into a mandatory cost of $1,000, $2,000, or even $3,000, depending on the car manufacturer.

A recent study by Consumer Reports shows how much these costs have increased. Some brands now charge as much as $3,250, while more than a dozen automakers charge destination fees of more than $2,000. Even the lowest destination charge now tops $1,000, meaning buyers are paying much more just to get the car from the factory to the dealer.

Photo by: Alfa Romeo

At the top of the list is Alfa Romeo, which charges a fee $3,250 destination charge for models like the Giulia, Stelvio, and Tonale. The Tonale, for example, starts at $36,535 before destination. Add a $3,250 fee, and the effective starting price jumps to $39,785 before taxes and fees.

Second on the list is Cadillac, which is asking $2,895 for the Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade IQ. The Escalade already has a hefty starting MSRP of $91,100, so once destination charges are added, the price rises to $93,995 before taxes and dealer fees.

Chevrolet and GMC tied for third with a $2,795 destination charge for many of their body-on-frame trucks and SUVs, including the Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon. GMC is also at the bottom of the list with a $2,695 destination charge specifically for the GMC Hummer EV.

Here’s a look at the top 10 (destination costs may vary by model):

1. Alfa Romeo — $3,250 (Giulia, Stelvio, Tonale)
2. Cadillac — $2,895 (Escalade, Escalade IQ)
3. Chevrolet — $2,795 (Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500HD, 3500HD, Suburban, Tahoe)
4. GMC — $2,795 (Sierra 1500, 2500HD, 3500HD, Yukon, Yukon XL)
5. GMC — $2,695 (Hummer EV)
6. Ram — $2,595 (1500, 2500HD, 3500HD)
7. Jeep — $2,595 (Big Wagon)
8. Lincoln — $2,595 (Navigator)
9. GMC — $2,595 (Sierra EV)
10. Ford — $2,595 (F-150, F-250, F-350)

Fortunately, there is at least some relief at the lower end of the destination cost spectrum.

Believe it or not, Mercedes-Benz still has the lowest destination fees in the US, charging $1,150 for its entire lineup of cars and SUVs. Toyota lags behind at $1,160, while brands like BMW, Acura, and Honda aren’t far behind. Here’s the low end of the price spectrum:

1. Mercedes-Benz — $1,150 (All Models)
2. Toyota — $1,160 (Most Models)
3. BMW — $1,175 (All Cars & SUVs)
4. Acura — $1,195 (Integration)
5. Honda — $1,195 (Civic, Preliminary)
6. Kia — $1,195 (K4, K5)
7. Nissan — $1,195 (Z)
8. Subaru — $1,195 (BRZ, Impreza)
9. Volvo — $1,195 (V60)
10. Mazda — $1,235 (3)

What is a Destination Fee?

Destination fees cover the cost of transporting the vehicle from the factory or port to the dealer. That includes shipping by truck, train, or boat, along with basic handling once the vehicle arrives at the dealer.

Automakers are required to disclose destination charges when selling new cars, and those charges are listed on the window sticker. However, the cost is almost never is included in the base MSRP you see advertised online or in showrooms—and it’s non-negotiable.

So, next time you’re pricing a new car, be sure to factor in destination charges—they can add up to a lot more to the total than you expect.

Motorcycle Pickup1: Destination fees are more expensive than before. Companies like Toyota and BMW usually only charge a few hundred dollars extra for shipping; now some automakers are asking more than $3,000. This makes an already expensive new car even more expensive.