When it comes to finding a car shipping quote, the fact is that the car shipping calculators online are rarely accurate and can vary greatly — and it’s not entirely about the car carrier. When it comes to a car shipping calculator, proceed with caution.
If you’re thinking of shipping a car, you must know the factors involved that contribute to the auto shipping price. Each car transport service option is different, and that affects the overall costs as well.
In this article, we’ll cover the most common factors that affect auto shipping quotes so that you can get an idea of your own costs. In the end, your own decision has to come down to more than car shipping prices, because cheap auto transport doesn’t always mean the most reliable or trustworthy.
Types of Car Shipping
Auto transport rates depend on what type of transport option you choose. When car movers transport your car across the country or anywhere, you can choose from three methods of vehicle transport:
- Open-Air Transport – This transport type is where the cars are loaded on an open trailer. It is most commonly used for short distances. Car shippers charge an average of $700 per vehicle, per 1000 miles for this vehicle shipment type.
- Enclosed Transport – This transport type is arguably the safest among auto shipping methods. It’s used to move vehicles that are too large or heavy for open carriers. Enclosed transport also happens to be the most expensive, but it does offer various levels of protection. The cost averages out to about $1100 for every 1,000 miles.
- Expedited Transport – This way of vehicle shipping is used if you’re in a rush to move out from your current home to a new one or if your previous car hauling service did a poor job with moving your vehicle. The car delivery service will prioritize your request so you can relocate faster.
Vehicle Type and Condition
Any auto shipping quote will also factor in distance between pick-up and arrival location. The greater the distance, the more the auto transport company will need to charge for your car transport service.
On the other hand, the average cost to ship domestically, especially across small distances, can run you around $500 for 150 miles.
Included in the price for car shipment domestically are costs associated with loading, unloading, transportation, and storage of vehicles while awaiting delivery by another means at the final destination.
Distance and Location for Vehicle Shipments
The cost to ship an automobile is affected by the distance it will travel. For more information on cross country car shipping, visit our state to state car transport page.
On the other hand, the average car shipping cost domestically is $500 for 150 miles. *Car shipping rates / car transport costs vary by time of year, distance, and type.
Included in the price for car shipment domestically are costs associated with loading, unloading, transportation, and storage of vehicles while awaiting delivery by another means at the final destination. This is, again, why we highly recommend not taking a car shipping cost calculator quote at face value. Instead, opt for accurate car shipping quotes directly from the open transport or enclosed car shipping company. It’s also recommended to consider pickup and delivery locations. Will your car shipping quote include the pick up and drop off location that you desire?
Time of the Year and Delivery Preferences When You Ship Your Car
The costs for shipping a car increase during peak travel seasons. It’s because more people are traveling and they need to transport their vehicles. This again can be an area where a car shipping calculator can come up short because it doesn’t take into consideration supply & demand. We suggest speaking to an auto transport industry expert directly so you get an accurate car shipping quote.
The cost of transporting your car varies depending on when it is being shipped, and where it will be going. For example, a customer wants to ship a car from Florida to California in the summer (between June to August).
The demand for shipping a car is higher during this period because it’s the easiest, i.e., summer means a low risk of rainfall and storms and less hazardous roads. Therefore, expect the prices to be higher as well.
Choosing the Right Vehicle Shipping Company
There are lots of car transport companies with services that meet your needs.
Since you already have your work cut out for you, you must be diligent when choosing the right car transport company for you by following the steps below.
First, check out customer reviews of auto transport services that offer the features you’re looking for. The experiences of people with these car shipping companies will help you decide the ones you must reach out to.
Next, get car shipping quotes from each one to get an idea of how much you have to pay.
Finally, talk to the customer service of the remaining auto transport companies to learn more about their respective auto shipping methods.
From here, decide which among the auto transport carriers is the best for you.
Tips to Reduce Auto Transport Costs
At this point, you should be aware that the costs of an auto transport service depend on which of the auto shipment factors matters most to you.
However, that doesn’t mean that you have to compromise your vehicle’s safety or reliable customer service. Instead, look to strike a balance between getting the best car shipping services from needlessly expensive ones.
Here are a few things to help you get the most out of your car shipping costs:
- Decide on open-air or enclosed transport — If you’re shipping an economical car during low seasons like summer and the distance isn’t far away, open-air transport is the most logical choice. For transporting brand-new luxury cars from another country, enclosed auto transport is your best and safest bet.
- Plan ahead of time — If possible, book the car transport during low seasons to reduce costs. Or if you plan to ship a car during peak seasons, schedule the auto transport months before the expected date to potentially lower the car shipping rate.
- Reduce car weight — The heavier your car is, the more expensive the auto shipping is. Therefore, take out your personal belongings from the car and don’t fill the gas tank to the brim to make your car lighter.
Conclusion
When it comes to car shipping costs, you have two options:
- Choose to skip the online car shipping calculator and speak with an expert to get your car transport quotes.
- Pay for the best car transport company available to ensure the safety of your car and skip dealing with the headache caused by your frugality.
Keep in mind that you’re paying for comfort and convenience. By being prudent in paying for auto transportation services, you run the risk of getting your car damaged during shipping. You may also receive your vehicle beyond the agreed-upon date and deal with issues with customs for cars coming from abroad.
You get what you pay for in your car transporter. So, consider your budget and the potential risks you’ll subject your car to before making a decision. Did we mention we will also ship your classic car? Take a look at classic car shipping here.
