Knowing which factors go into an auto transport quote instantly, though, is a first step in understanding auto transport costs. The easiest way to find lower car transportation costs, though, is by comparing instant quotes from several car moving companies side-by-side. Car transportation costs are calculated based on supply and demand, and your car transportation broker will solicit shipping quotes from transport companies on your behalf. Your final transportation costs will be determined by your vehicles size, mode of transportation, and total distance for the journey.
Shipping costs are higher if you require an expedited delivery for your car, but transportation companies will often provide a good deal for unclaimed carrier space when your departure is near. The best way to reduce car transportation costs is by choosing open-jaw car transport, keeping your delivery timeline flexible. If you are not flexible about your delivery times, and need to get your family’s vehicle across the country quickly, there are strict time limits in the auto transportation industry, but expect to pay a premium. If you are moving from or to an area that has severe weather, you may want to ship your vehicle across the country on a closed-loop transport, but that will always cost extra.
If you are shipping your car to a town a long way off of the major freeway, the price you pay could take a hit. As a general rule, if you are looking to get a vehicle transported in a local area, you should pay slightly less than what you would for long-distance transportation. A vehicle that needs to be transported long distances is going to cost you more for transportation. The cost of shipping your car on open-top haulers is lower than shipping your car on enclosed haulers, as open-top trailers have more room for your vehicle.
When the car is not running, this increases the cost to transport a vehicle, as a hauler needs special equipment or tow trucks to move it onto and off an automotive transport trailer. If your vehicle is inoperable, then the transportation company has to use equipment and manpower to load and unload your car. As far as the cost of a door-to-door shipment goes, a moving company comes to your location to pick up your vehicle and bring it to the destination of your choice. Door to door transportation is more convenient, as a driver will arrive right at your house or business to collect and deliver your car.
If you opt for this type of service, a driver would arrive at the location that is more convenient to you, to collect the car, and then drop it right off at the chosen destination. Once you have decided to send your vehicle, it may be difficult to navigate fluctuating prices, costs for various transportation services, and many providers in the market. If you have to move your vehicle cross-country, there are a number of methods that are available, along with factors that are specific to the vehicle that will impact cost. The final cost to ship your vehicle abroad depends on a number of factors, such as distance from your destination, timeline, vehicle type, and its condition.
Things such as delivery time, insurance, and what kind of vehicle you are looking to ship are some of the biggest factors in determining the real cost of shipping your vehicle. The type of car being transported, the route from your pick-up location to your shipping location, and the exact type of transportation you select have all a bearing on cost. Many people asking How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Car get 3 or 4 quotes for car transportation from different auto shipping companies. The average cost to ship a car using an auto transportation company is over $2.00 per mile for trips under 200 miles.
The average cost of shipping a car internationally may vary between $1,000 to $5,000 for ocean shipping, and between $5,000 too $40,000 for air shipping, depending on the distance and type of vehicle. You will pay more for shipping a car over long distances, but you will have lower average costs per mile. Cars are the least expensive kind of vehicles to ship, while trucks will cost you around $150-300 extra. Open-carrier transportation for short hauls (less than 500 miles) will cost just over $600, while enclosed transport for cross-country trips will run you around $1,800.
Some estimates of vehicle shipping costs reflect the potential costs of using open carrier transportation for the transport of a drivable car. At the very least, you should expect a refund for any difference in the amount paid, as opposed to a base rate of standard auto transportation, of which a transportation broker should inform you when making your reservation as well. You may also wish to ask whether prices are negotiable, or, since many families have often multiple vehicles, whether discounts are available if you are moving more than one car. If your broker has confirmed vehicle transportation for an order that includes more than one car, and then you need to add or remove one vehicle, for whatever reason, that affects your vehicle transportation costs.
Unless you are planning on spending additional fees, it is best to ask companies for their auto transportation costs for every season of the year, and have it transported during the timeframe that is best for your budget and timeline. Car transportation rates differ, so research prices from multiple companies so that you can compare, and be sure you know exactly what is included in the price — you do not want to get hit with extra fees that you were not aware of. Your transport costs are going to vary greatly, but you should expect to budget about $1,080-$1,200 for surface transport.
When you factor in the additional hours a trucker needs to travel to reach it, you can understand why car transportation costs from a rural area are typically higher. A single vehicle hauler can carry up to nine vehicles, resulting in savings over private drive-through services. With the maximum weight limit for cargo being 80,000 pounds according to the US Department of Transportation, commercial vehicle carriers carry five to nine vehicles on average.
