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Learn how to ship a car in the United States and the different factors that determine the cost of transportation
Have you ever seen one of those big semi-trucks hauling cars on the road, like in the image above? We’d bet that you have. If you answered yes, then you have seen vehicle transport in action! The fact of the matter is, car shipping is a common occurrence across the country every single day. Sure, you can always drive to your destination if you’re moving cross-country…but it’s also fairly easy to ship a car. This guide is all about how to do it, and what different factors determine the cost of shipping a vehicle. Let’s get this show on the road, shall we?
First thing’s first. A vehicle is a specialized type of freight shipment, and unfortunately, you won’t be able to use any of the three major shipping carriers for your car shipment. Instead, you’ll need to work with a company that specializes in automobile transport. The good news is, these companies will do everything for you for a fee!
Looking for a place to start? Below is a list of a few auto transport companies that specialize in shipping vehicles. You can click on the links to visit their website and obtain a free quote for shipping your car.
It’s true that distance is the number one factor that affects the cost of shipping a vehicle. However, while most auto transport companies base their quotes purely on distance, a number of additional factors also affect transportation costs. Below we list some of these factors.
An open shipping method means that a car is exposed to the elements during transit (such as the cars in the article's featured image). Enclosed shipping is the more "luxurious" option, so it costs more than open shipping. If you choose enclosed shipping for your vehicle, you will pay at least 40-50% more than if you chose open shipping. Due to limited space, enclosed transport carriers can only accommodate 6 vehicles, while open transport provides enough room for nine or ten. Open transport accounts for nearly 97% of all car shipments, but most auto transport companies will offer both options for customers to choose from.
Another key factor that determines how much shipping costs is the size of the vehicle. Space on freight transports is limited, and its cost is high. A car that takes up more space will cost more to ship, simple as that.
Auto carriers can also only carry a certain amount of weight. Therefore, lighter cars cost less to ship than heavier ones. Make sense?
Besides the above point, the type of vehicle you're transporting is also a factor in shipping costs. Since SUVs, vans, and trucks are bulkier (and usually heavier), they usually cost more than sedans and coupes.
Transportation costs are also influenced by the condition of the vehicle. When your car is working and running properly, auto transport companies won't need to tow it on and off the carrier with a towing winch. It doesn't exactly make an automobile carrier's job easier, so they'll add it to your total bill as a "Non-Running Fee."
In addition, the time of year and region in which the car is being shipped affect the total cost. Shipping a car in the middle of winter in the Midwest will cost more than shipping a car during the spring in California. As you can imagine, snow and cold weather are the worst enemies of cars!
