How much does exterior detailing cost?
Exterior Detailing costs $125–$265 per vehicle, median $189. That is 1,714 prices published by 655 detailers on their own websites, of 3,830 that offer the service. Advertised rates, not quotes. Last read September 2026.
Compare exterior detailing quotes
Compare what remains after the wash: contamination treatment, finish improvement and protection.
| Part of the job | Confirm the scope | Possible difference |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | Paint, wheels and exterior glass | Check wheel barrels, jambs and trim exclusions. |
| Decontamination | Treat bonded deposits when needed | Do not assume every wash includes iron or tar removal. |
| Finish and protection | Wax, sealant or separately priced correction | Polishing and ceramic coating are different work. |
Questions to ask before booking
- What protection product is included?
- Are bonded contamination and water spots covered?
- Is paint correction a separate estimate?
Send each provider the same vehicle details and photos. Ask for approval before extra work begins, and keep a written copy of the agreed package.
By vehicle size
| Vehicle | Typical range | Median | Published by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan / coupe | $120–$245 | $175 | 253 detailers |
| SUV / crossover | $140–$275 | $200 | 228 detailers |
| Truck / large SUV | $160–$325 | $225 | 213 detailers |
Exterior detailing prices by state
Only states where at least 5 separate businesses publish a price. The rest are not shown rather than estimated.
| State | Typical range | Median | Published by |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $149–$275 | $200 | 127 detailers |
| Florida | $99–$210 | $150 | 88 detailers |
| Texas | $110–$240 | $175 | 75 detailers |
| Washington | $169–$300 | $230 | 54 detailers |
| Colorado | $125–$250 | $195 | 30 detailers |
| Virginia | $160–$395 | $245 | 30 detailers |
| Arizona | $115–$215 | $150 | 25 detailers |
| Georgia | $100–$213 | $149 | 24 detailers |
| North Carolina | $105–$249 | $159 | 24 detailers |
| Illinois | $140–$299 | $199 | 22 detailers |
| Ohio | $125–$250 | $175 | 21 detailers |
| Wisconsin | $120–$250 | $179 | 19 detailers |
Exterior detailing cost near me
A national median is the wrong answer to a local question. These open each city's detailer list, with the local range where enough local shops publish a rate.
Or tell us your vehicle and get quoted by shops near you →
Exterior detailing cost: the questions people actually ask
How much does exterior detailing cost?
How does vehicle size affect exterior detailing prices?
Is exterior detailing worth paying for?
Why do exterior detailing prices differ by location?
What this number is, and is not
It is what 655 detailing businesses advertise for exterior detailing on their own websites, read at build time and recomputed on every deploy. It is not a quote: your price depends on your vehicle's size and condition, and on what each shop includes.