Car shipping can be either short, medium, or long distances. Shorter routes are more expensive, at $1.96/mile or $588 for a 300-mile trip, while longer distances generally cost less, at $.58/mile or $870 for a 1500-mile trip
When it comes to your auto-shipment, you need to know the facts. Different factors will impact the cost of your auto shipment. To get an idea of what it will cost, we recommend getting a quote from a carrier or broker.
About Car Shipping
Shipping a car is a process that is used to move cars from one destination to another. You can either ship by open transport or enclosed transport. Typically, enclosed auto transport will cost 30-40% more than open transport.
There are three types of companies that help car owners ship their vehicles: carriers, brokers, and lead providers.
Lead provider
When vehicle owners need a vehicle carrier, they can search for their “ideal” lead provider. Lead providers supply a list of potential carriers based on the customer’s criteria. The owner is then responsible to take it from there and further research or contacting as many as necessary until they find the best option for their budget and needs.
Carriers
When you want to transport your vehicle, it’s essential to know who to turn to. Carriers do the actual transportation of cars, picking them up and dropping them off at designated locations. You can work with carriers directly, from getting quotes to coordinating specifics. Brokers are another option you might want to consider, as they offer many advantages over the other two options.
Broker
With a broker, you have a host of choices. They’re able to find the right carrier for your vehicle and your needs. You don’t need to waste time explaining what you need to a few different
people or wasting time looking through websites. A broker does all the hard work for you so you can have peace of mind and focus on other parts of your life.
Auto transport insurance
If your car is getting shipped, you need to make sure the shipping company has liability insurance. While many carriers don’t offer cargo insurance because it isn’t required by law, it would be wise for you to contact an auto shipping broker. They can tell you what kind of coverage you need and help you find the best policy for your needs.
When you’re picking an insurance plan, don’t forget to ask these questions:
- What kind of damage is covered?
- Are there any out-of-pocket costs?
- How much coverage do I have?
- Are specialty items or accessories covered?
Factors affect the cost of car shipping
Distance
Total distance is the main component used to calculate the cost of ground vehicle transport. The price may be higher for longer distances, but there is a discounted cost per mile. If you’re shipping internationally, the price will be different than with ground vehicle transport.
Route
There are a number of factors that can influence route selection for a shipment. For example, if the roads are not in excellent condition, the driver may need to take a longer route. In some locations, bad weather can also impact a good delivery plan. Keep in mind that some areas may have more congested roads or construction zones.
Additional considerations that can factor into shipping costs include:
- Physical road conditions
- Adverse weather
Car Shipping date
When you’re deciding when to ship your car, factors such as the date and location can affect cost. Always book your car transport service as soon as possible to get the best price. Be sure to research a good car shipping company when you know you’ll be shipping your vehicle in order to get the most accurate quote.
Car make & model
When shipping cars, it’s important to specify all necessary specifications to guarantee safety. For example, the driver needs sufficient space, proper height, and enough side clearance for your car to fit without b
Car Shipping type
The most popular way to ship a car is open car transport. It’s the standard and it’s also the cheapest. You can add protection for your car when you use enclosed car transportation services, which shield vehicles from weather and debris. These services, though, can increase the cost of auto shipping. But they’re worth the peace of mind for precious or luxurious vehicle transportation.
Car condition
If you need to ship your car, it will be cheaper to do so if your car is running. If your car does not work anymore, but can still roll, steer and brake, it will require a winch and other accommodations on the carrier trailer to be loaded, which will increase the cost to ship a car.
Location
You can use online car transportation services in your metropolitan area. This saves you the hassle and cost of renting a truck and gas. Major highways usually have trucks available for carrying out car shipping orders, which lowers the price. Car transport services are always finding the best deals for residents of small towns. If you live near a small town, you can meet the trucker at a designated location, which is cheaper for you and faster for your car transport services.
Seasonality
Car shipping costs can be hard to predict. If you’re shipping a car during snowbird season, the rate will be higher. Since there are so many factors involved, it can be hard to predict costs. Our auto transport calculator can help. You’ll need to know the carrier, the pickup date, and the delivery date. Try different combinations of these three factors to see the best price.
