Most and Least Expensive Car Destination Charges

Many shoppers may find that the car they were targeting, based on prices advertised by the automaker, can be thousands of dollars away from the actual transaction price by the time destination charges, taxes, and fees are factored in. And that cost difference is compounded over time when financing.

To help combat this, Consumer Reports is calling for rules requiring automakers to include destination charges in their advertised and online prices—and not just buried in footnotes.

Manufacturers describe destination charges as covering the cost of transporting the vehicle, averaged across all corners of the country. This is to ensure that consumers see the same charge wherever they shop in the contiguous states, rather than penalizing those who buy farthest from the factory. But a 2021 investigation by CR found that these charges often far exceed the actual cost for transporting a vehicle.

We have seen destination charges soar in recent years, with a notable increase from the 2024 to 2026 model years. In 2024, the range of destination charges spanned from $995 to $2,095. Now it starts at $1,150 (Mercedes-Benz) and climbs to $3,250 (Alfa Romeo).

Below, we present the most expensive destination charges, listing the brands and models with destination charges over $2,500, followed by the least expensive in ascending order.

The key takeaway: Destination charges are now a major cost when buying a car. Be sure to look past the sticker price to understand average transaction prices in your area, destination charges, and taxes for budgeting. 

To help members, the destination price is prominently listed on each new-car model page, and transaction prices are available on each Pricing tab.