Ship a Car Without Getting Nailed On Price
Car shipping costs have hit thousands of vehicle owners with sticker shock each year. The prices just don’t seem to match up with anywhere they shop for their first auto transport estimate.
The reasons are pretty straightforward.
The auto transport industry is confusing by nature and nobody likes to pay too much.
How do you keep from overpaying for hauling a car? Get familiar with the things that affect car transport prices the most.
That way you’ll know what to look for when you shop for your own estimates.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what you need to know.
What’s inside:
Why Do Car Haulage Costs Differ?
Car hauling isn’t a commodity service. There’s no standard rate.
Prices change based on a combination of different factors coming together to determine the actual cost of transport.
According to recent industry data, the average price for hauling a vehicle is $1 per mile for shipping destinations about 1,000 miles away on average.
But the reality is that real-world specifics can drive the price per mile up or down significantly.
Locating trustworthy car haulage assistance from local providers matters. You can trust anyone who explains exactly how they price their services.
The problem comes when auto transporters charge hidden fees without being upfront about them. It’s easy to see why consumers struggle with trusting haulage quotes.
Transparency is key because nobody wants to pay more just to cover a carrier’s hidden costs.
Why Do Prices Vary?
Car hauling and transport is a supply and demand business.
When more people need cars shipped and there aren’t enough carriers, the prices go up.
When there are more vehicles to move and carriers are starved for business, then the prices go down.
End of story.
Demand fluctuates seasonally and unexpected events like a natural disaster sometimes cause prices to skyrocket for a time.
Drivers impact rates, too.
A carrier’s fuel surcharge jumps when oil prices climb and they struggle with rising diesel costs.
Those extra per mile charges eventually make their way to customers.
Carrying Capacity Cost Factors
The key things that determine how much it will cost to ship a vehicle are predictable. Learning about each of these areas makes it easier to budget and get the best prices.
Distance Traveled
The first and most obvious cost driver for shipping cars is mileage.
Expect to pay more for more miles.
On the other hand, the cost per mile decreases with the distance of the haul.
The standard industry rate of $1 per mile applies to hauls less than about 500 miles.
Shipping distances over 1,000 miles average about $0.60 to $0.70 per mile.
Why? Carriers want to fill long haul routes because they are the most efficient and economical for the trucks.
Vehicle Size/Weight
Bigger, heavier cars cost more to ship.
Anything from a full-size sedan to a truck, SUV, or minivan will add on to the bottom line.
Compare shipping costs between a standard two door sports car and a heavy duty pickup truck and the difference is easy to see.
Car carriers use more fuel carrying heavier loads.
Transportation Type
Vehicle haulage breaks down into two options.
Open transport is the most common, affordable type of shipping. Cars travel on trailers without weather protection.
Enclosed transport carriers vehicles on trailers with doors, keeping them out of the elements and safer from road debris.
Prices for open transport are $100 to $300 cheaper than enclosed transport.
The type of car makes a difference, too. Open carriers work fine for everyday vehicles but classics and luxury or high-value cars need the protection enclosed transport provides.
Pick Up & Delivery Locations
Location, location, location!
The city or town where the transport starts and where it’s scheduled to arrive matter in the pricing formula.
Drivers prefer to load up and drop off vehicles at terminals with direct highway access in major metro areas.
Sites that aren’t close to highways or far out in rural locations can add $100 to $300 more to the haul.
Compare the price to ship a car from a major destination like downtown Miami to an inland town an hour or more away from the highway.
Seasonal Price Changes
Timing matters more than most people realize.
Seasonality is a significant factor in the auto transport industry.
Prices typically peak during April through September for a simple reason. Warm weather months are when more people relocate, either for a job or personal reasons.
More cars moving increases the demand, and shipping costs go up during the summer season.
Conversely, November through January can bring higher rates, too. Snowbird migration from the north to the Sunbelt heats up the routes along corridors like New York to Florida.
The auto transport industry sees seasonal ebbs and flows in demand. It’s important for consumers to understand these trends to shop smart.
Shipping your car during the late fall, winter, or early spring, which are the so-called shoulder seasons, often produces the best deals.
Cost Factors Hidden in Plain Sight
The average cost to ship a car can vary widely depending on multiple factors working in tandem.
Distance, vehicle size and type, transport type, start and end locations, and the time of year all influence total auto transport costs.
Distance is the biggest cost driver, but the per-mile charge decreases with increased mileage.
Vehicle size and weight also have a direct impact on the pricing. Open transport carriers are far cheaper than enclosed shipping but the second type is a safer choice for luxury and classic cars.
Urban pickups, drop offs in direct highway access areas cost less than more rural locations.
The seasonal nature of the auto transport business brings unique cost dynamics throughout the year.
Wrapping Things Up
Locating a specific haulage cost for shipping a car from point A to point B isn’t easy. The average price to ship a vehicle typically falls somewhere between $600 to $1,800.
The reason prices vary by such a wide range is that the top cost factors are different for every vehicle.
Add in things like seasonal demand spikes and location-related challenges with pickup/drop off and shipping cars is never a simple equation.
Comparing quotes from at least three to five car hauling companies can help find the best pricing.
Reputable and trustworthy haulage businesses are transparent about their pricing factors before asking for a down payment.
Asking smart questions and knowing what to look for in estimates is the real key to never getting nailed on price when you shop for auto transport.
