how much is a car wash

A basic car wash in the U.S. typically costs around 8–15 dollars for an exterior-only automatic wash, while more premium or full-service options often range from about 30 to 70 dollars or more depending on what’s included.

Quick Scoop on Prices

• Self-service bay: about 2–5 dollars for a few minutes of use; you do the work yourself with the provided sprayer and brush.

• Basic automatic (drive-through) wash: usually 8–15 dollars for exterior only.

• Premium automatic with extras (wax, tire shine, undercarriage): roughly 12–25 dollars.

• Hand wash (by attendants): commonly 20–50 dollars depending on size of vehicle and location.

• Full-service (inside + outside cleaning): about 30–70 dollars and can go higher in big cities or for larger SUVs/vans.

• Mobile detailing: often starts around 50 dollars and can reach 200+ dollars for full detail jobs.

What Affects “How Much Is a Car Wash”?

• Type of wash: self-service and basic automatic are cheapest; hand wash, full-service, and detailing cost more because they use more labor and time.

• Location: big metro areas (like New York or Los Angeles) tend to be more expensive than small towns or suburbs.

• Vehicle size: SUVs and vans usually cost more than compact cars or sedans for the same level of service.

• Extras and add‑ons: waxing, ceramic sealants, interior shampoo, or pet-hair removal can quickly push a wash into detail-level pricing.

Simple Rule of Thumb

• Just need the salt and dust off? Plan on around 10–15 dollars for a basic automatic wash in most places.

• Want your car looking “for sale” clean inside and out? Expect something in the 40–100+ dollar range depending on how fancy you go and your market.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.