How Much Does Mobile Car Detailing Cost?

Last updated August 11, 2026

Mobile car detailing usually costs $50–$150 for a single service like a wash, an exterior detail, or an interior clean, and $150–$300 for a full interior-and-exterior detail on a normal-sized car. Correction and protection work costs more: paint correction runs $300–$800 and ceramic coating $500–$1,500. Detailers on Drip set their own prices, so you see the real number before you book.

Typical prices by service

These are the ranges independent detailers on Drip most commonly charge. Larger vehicles, heavy soiling, and add-ons push a quote toward the top of a range.

Service	Typical price	Typical time
Mobile car wash	$50–$120	45–90 minutes
Interior detail	$50–$150	1.5–3 hours
Exterior detail	$50–$150	1.5–3 hours
Full detail (inside + out)	$150–$300	3–5 hours
Paint correction	$300–$800	4–8 hours
Ceramic coating	$500–$1,500	1–2 days

What actually moves the price

Vehicle size. A three-row SUV or truck has far more glass, carpet, and paint than a coupe, and most detailers price it a tier higher.
Condition. Ground-in dirt, spills, sand, and long-neglected interiors take hours longer than routine upkeep.
Pet hair. Embedded hair is the single most common surcharge, because it has to be lifted before anything else can be cleaned.
Add-ons. Engine bay cleaning, headlight restoration, ozone or odor treatment, and sealant upgrades are usually priced separately.
Protection level. A spray sealant lasts weeks and costs little. A professional ceramic coating lasts years and is priced accordingly.

Why mobile pricing looks different from a shop

A mobile detailer has no building to pay for, so overhead lands in equipment and travel instead of rent. That often means competitive pricing on standard services, with a service-area limit or a small travel fee for jobs far from their base. You also save the trip: no drop-off, no waiting room, no second car.

The trade-off is site conditions. Multi-day work like ceramic coating needs controlled conditions and a place the car can sit, so some detailers only take that work at a fixed location or under a canopy.

How to compare quotes fairly

Match the scope, not the headline. A $90 "detail" that skips carpet extraction is not the same job as a $150 one that includes it.
Ask what happens with add-ons. Confirm up front whether pet hair, heavy stains, or an engine bay are included or extra.
Check reviews for consistency, not just star count. Repeat clients say more than a single five-star review.
Read the service list on the profile. On Drip, each detailer publishes their services and prices, so you can line two of them up side by side before booking.

What you pay on Drip

You pay the price the detailer published — the same number you saw when you booked. Your card is authorized when you book and charged when the detailer marks the job complete, so nothing is collected for work that has not happened. Tips are optional and go 100% to the detailer. Drip's platform fee is 1–2%, which is why the prices you see are the detailer's own, not a marked-up call-center rate.

FAQ

How much does a full car detail cost?

A full interior-and-exterior detail typically costs $150–$300 for a standard car and takes 3–5 hours. Large SUVs, trucks, and heavily soiled vehicles sit at the top of that range or above it.

Is mobile detailing more expensive than a shop?

Not usually for standard services. Mobile detailers carry less overhead than a fixed shop, so prices for washes, interior details, and full details are comparable or lower. Specialty work like multi-day ceramic coating is where a shop setting can cost less.

Do I tip a mobile detailer?

Tipping is optional. On Drip you can add a tip in the app after the job, and 100% of it goes to the detailer.

When am I charged?

Your card is authorized at booking and charged only when the detailer marks the job complete.