Shipping a car is more cost-effective than driving it yourself over longer routes. Knowing a basic idea of the cost to ship a car and what factors fluctuate it will give a better understanding of your shipping and will help you save some money on it.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car?
Calculating the cost to ship a car involves looking over various factors and considerations. Also, most transport companies offer an online tool named Cost Calculator where most of the factors are preset and require shipping details like pickup and delivery location, vehicle model and its condition (moving or non-moving), and shipping method.
Some estimates are mentioned here to give you a general idea of average shipping cost.
- Short Distance (e.g., 200-500 miles)
- Open Transport: $300 – $700
- Enclosed Transport: $600 – $1,200
- Medium Distance (e.g., 500-1,000 miles)
- Open Transport: $700 – $1,200
- Enclosed Transport: $1,200 – $1,800
- Long Distance (e.g., 1,000-2,000 miles)
- Open Transport: $1,200 – $1,800
- Enclosed Transport: $1,800 – $2,500
These estimates are based on distance and current market prices. Although the actual cost of the car shipping can be fluctuated by various factors,.
Factors Influensing Car Shipping Cost
There are various factors influencing the cost, such as distance, vehicle’s make and model, condition, shipping method, season, and many more. Understanding these factors may help you get better shipping cost estimates. Some of the major factors are mentioned here.
Distance
Shipping a car over a longer distance costs more due to fuel consumption and required labor. Which significantly increases the shipping cost. Its fortunates in shipping; further the car needs to be shipped, more costlier the cost will be.
Shipping Methods
Shipping a car requires a trailer, and their are two types of trailers that are used most commonly. Open-air trailer and enclosed trailer, both methods have different characteristics, which are mentioned here.
- Open Trailer: By using an open-air trailer, your vehicle is transported exposed to the environmental elements. Its also known as open car shipping, which is cheaper than the enclosed trailer.
- Enclosed Trailer: in this method, your vehicles will be transported on a closed trailer covered with solid walls and ceilings. This method is also known as enclosed car transport, which provides the highest level of protection from weather and other external elements. The cost is higher than open transport but offers secure shipping.
Vehicle’s Dimensions
Shipping a small or normal sized vehicle costs less because of the less space requirement. Heavier and bigger vehicles need more space and load capacity, which also effects the mileage of the truck and increases the shipping cost .
Vehicle’s Condition
Movable vehicles are easy to operate while shipping from one location to another, but non-movable vehicles that do not operate or move on their own power require additional equipment and handling to ship, which costs more.
Seasonality
Shipping costs get higher during peak seasons and lower in off peak seasons. Shipping costs fluctuate throughout the year, and in different seasons you may find different prices of the shipping.
Additional Cost
While transporting a vehicle, some additional factors can increase the cost. Some of them are mentioned here.
- Fuel Price: Higher fuel prices directly affect the running cost of the trailer truck, which is why the transport company increases the cost of the shipment.
- Insurance: General insurance can be a part of the shipment, but for ensuring extra safety of the high value vehicles, additional insurance also can increase the cost.
- Special Requirements: Sometimes, customers demand any specific demands or services, like door to door, which also increases the shipping cost.
Tips for Reducing Car Shipping Cost
Shipping a car over longer routes may cost high, which may not fit into your budget. Also, choosing the transport company that would safely ship your car to its destination is a really challenging task. Here are some useful tips to help you in this kind of trouble.
Obtain Multiple Quotes
In order to find out about the price as well as services, acquire multiple quotations from different auto shipping companies. Comparing these quotations would help in finding the best deals that would be fitting for you according to your requirements.
Check Ratings
Check the customer reviews and ratings of the companies so that you find a reliable auto shipping company for better security and services for your vehicle.
Early Booking
When you plan for car shipping, make sure to book your shipment a week or two in advance so that you will be able to get a good price for car shipping. Sometimes, urgent shipments do not give you time to look into the available shipping options and may also land up with fewer options to choose from.
Choose an Open Trailer
If you want to ship your daily commuter vehicle or a non-expensive car, then consider choosing an open trailer to transport. Transporting your vehicle through an open car shipping method is the most common and affordable method that allows you to transport your vehicle cheaper and quicker.