Cost to Ship a Car: How Much Dose It Cost When Shipping My Car

Wherever you are planning to ship a car, knowing the cost will be a great help to budget your shipping. The cost to ship a car is hugely based on various factors that are important to understand when finding affordable shipping options. In this article, you will learn about shipping costs, their influential factors, and tips for finding affordable shipping options.

How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Car?

On average, the car shipping within the continental United States can range between $500 and $1,500.  To calculate a better estimate, you can use an online tool named the car shipping cost calculator. You are required to fill out some shipping-related information to calculate the cost. The average estimates based on the distance are mentioned here. https://gossips.blog/how-to-calculate-the-auto-shipping-cost-and-its-benefits/ get exactly cost to ship your car. 

• Short Distance (up to 500 miles): $300 – $800
• Medium Distance (500 to 1,000 miles): $800 – $1,200
• Long Distance (1,000 to 2,500 miles): $1,200 – $2,000

Understand The Cost Influential Factors 

The shipping cost depends on various factors and conditions, which is important to understand. Knowing these factors will provide you with better knowledge of what you are paying for. Some of the major factors are mentioned below.

1. Shipping Methods

First, you need to understand the shipping methods because what you choose is reflected in the cost. There are two main types of shipping methods used in car transportation: open car transport and enclosed car transport. The explanation is mentioned here.

• Open Car Transport: Open car transport is the most budget-friendly shipping method, where your car is transported on an open-air trailer. This type of trailer is capable of transporting multiple vehicles at once but does not have any kind of covered protection. Shipping an ordinary car is suitable for this method.
• Enclosed Car Transport: If you are transporting your luxury vehicle, then enclosed car shipping is the best option for you. Your vehicle will be transported on a completely closed trailer to provide maximum protection. With professional operators, your vehicle will be delivered unharmed, but with all this, costs will be higher.

2. Routes and Distance

The carrier will transport the vehicle from your pickup location to your delivery location, and the greater the distance, the costlier shipping gets. Shipping a car to a further location requires more fuel, labor, toll, and time, significantly increasing the shipping cost. 

3. Vehicle’s Weight and Size

Shipping a bigger vehicle like an SUV or limousine will cost you more than a smaller or average-sized vehicle like a sedan. Bigger vehicles require more space and load capacity, which will cost more to arrange such a trailer.

4. Vehicle’s Condition

Shipping an operational vehicle is cheaper, but shipping a non-operational vehicle is costlier. Non-operational vehicles require additional shipping equipment and handling that can influence the cost.

5. Seasonal Cost

The demand for shipping a car is higher in the summer and holiday seasons, and shipping a car at this time is costlier. Off-season, like winter and fall, it can be cheaper to ship a car from one location to another.

6. Additional Costs

• Fuel Price: The current fuel price is calculated using cost. Higher file prices directly affect the running cost of trailer trucks.
• Insurance: Adding insurance to your shipment to secure the value of your premium car also increases the shipping cost.
• Additional Services: Shipping your car with door to door shipping and expedited shipping costs more.

Tips To Find Way Of Shipping

Shipping your car over longer routes may cost much, which may not fit into your budget. In addition, the choice of transport company that would safely ship your car to its destination is quite a serious task. Some useful tips that will help you reduce the cost are mentioned below.

1. Get Multiple Quotes

The best possible option would be to shop around, gathering quotes from different car shipping companies. This will compare prices and services. It is important to give the same details to every company so you can do a correct comparison. It can be streamlined using online platforms in order to get multiple quotes within a short period of time if possible.

2. Terminal to Terminal Shipping

In case you want to save money, you can opt for terminal to terminal shipping. In this service, you get to drop your car at a shipping terminal and pick it up at another terminal instead of having door to door service. Although this might be less convenient in most cases, it will cost less.

3. Early Booking 

If you know that you are going to ship a car, ensure you book your transportation much before time. Last-minute reservations come with a looming cost increase due to less travel available for on-time completion. Advancing gives you all the flexibility and the opportunity to get better rates.

4. Search Discounts

Many companies shipping cars are willing to offer discounts based on a set of criteria. These may be military, seasonal, or even bulk, where you will be shipping several vehicles. Always ask about discount opportunities when getting a quote.

5. Check on the Reputation of the Carrier

Secondly, it is just as important to choose a reputable carrier, and the price should not be a compromise. Check reviews and ratings of former customers to ensure they are working with a reputable company. Sometimes, picking the cheapest service can mean there might be hidden costs or poor service in the future.

6. Flexibility of Date

If you are flexible with your shipping dates, then you are likely to get better prices. Car shipping prices fluctuate very greatly based on demand. So, if you change your date by several days or weeks, it might be a way to get the best rate.