How much does it cost to ship a car.? Customers ask this question all the time. The cost of transporting a vehicle can vary widely depending on a number of factors. As a result, determining how much a particular car or truck will cost to move can be challenging. Obtaining quotes from a variety of sources is one way to estimate the costs of hauling your car from point A to point B because it will give you the average auto shipping rates.
Main factors affecting the car shipping cost:
- Type of vehicle
- The distance the vehicle is being moved
- The size and/or weight of the vehicle
- The mode of transportation
- The automobile value
- How many vehicles are being moved to the same location
- Whether it is a major route or a rural area
- Whether the vehicle is in running condition
- Whether the vehicle is being shipped internationally
Type of vehicle
Most moving companies will transport passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles and vans for everyday use. Some transport companies also offer transportation services for boats, buses, semi-trucks and other types of vehicles. These typically require special handling and may incur extra costs. Boats vary significantly in size and must be moved on a specialty trailer, which may create significant variances in the quoted moving price. Generally speaking, passenger cars, SUVs’ and pick-up trucks are less expensive to move than comparable boats, buses and panel trucks.
Vehicle Hauling Distance
Steadily increasing fuel prices have forced many companies to raise their prices for moving and transporting vehicles across the country. This expense relates directly to the distance the auto must be moved and, for longer moves, may be a major factor in pricing and not to forget paying toll roads for commercial use. Additionally, increased distance typically requires extra attention from drivers or transporters and added staffing costs for the longer period of time the automobile is in the moving company’s possession.
Size and weight of a car
The size and the weight of the auto have a direct impact on the fuel costs of moving it. A Chevy Cavalier, for instance, will take up far less room and require less fuel to haul than a Hummer H2 or a stretch limousine. This reduced fuel cost will typically be reflected in lower overall costs for transporting smaller cars and trucks and higher rates for heavier, bulkier cars, trucks and SUVs’. Larger cars and trucks may also take up extra space on the auto transporter and limit the number of vehicles that can be loaded onto a trailer or other hauling device. Therefore, size may also be a factor even for automobiles that are not exceptionally heavy.
The more of car transportation service
Depending on the method of transportation chosen, the cost of transporting a specific vehicle can vary to a significant degree. Generally, consumers can choose between open and enclosed car shipping methods. Open methods are, as the name suggests, open to the air, weather and outside elements. These open transport methods are suitable for the vast majority of passenger vehicles and are less expensive when compared to closed-transport shipments. Enclosed transport is usually only employed for expensive or collector’s cars in order to provide additional protection against the elements of sun, wind and rain en route to the destination. Vehicles moved by ship or airplane typically incur a higher price from the mover.
The automobile value
The overall value of the car or truck will affect the insurance the transport company is required to maintain on the vehicle while in transit. Especially for vehicles being hauled across country, the added expense of insuring an expensive sports car, boat or other high-value cars can add hundreds of dollars to the overall price of transporting a car . In some cases, the current insurance policy may cover the vehicle during moving or transport by the mover. By checking into this possibility prior to the move, owners may be able to reduce the cost of moving considerably with little or no additional effort.
Multiple vehicles discounts
Some companies give discounts for moving multiple vehicles to the same location. In most cases these discounts are available due to the reduction in fuel and staffing costs for cars moved at the same time to the same destination. While the savings may be minimal for owners moving only two vehicles at once, the hauling costs for an entire fleet can be reduced significantly by choosing one mover to handle all the vehicles to be moved.
Major route or rural area
Whether the car is being transported to a major city or a rural area plays a big role in the final car shipping price. If the car is going between two major cites it is much easier to find a trucker as there are always drivers going this route. This surely affects the price. More traffic on this route means more competition for the jobs and thus more competitive prices. If you are moving a car to a more rural area this the cost is often higher. It is so because in this case the driver has to get off the major highway and his major destination which reflectively means extra costs. This will then affect the final car shipping price.
Good running condition of the vehicle
The condition of the vehicle does matter when it comes to transport cost. For a car moving company it is much easier to move a car if it is running. Accordingly, it is less expensive because non-running cars may incur charges due to the increased work required to load and unload them.
International car transport cost
Customs and other administrative fees can add up considerably to the cost of moving a vehicle internationally as opposed to domestic hauling and moving. These fees are usually itemized or accounted for in the final bill. Additionally, the cost of shipping a car by airplane or ship container is significantly more than over-the-road standard land transport and will be charged by most companies accordingly.
Care and consideration of the car transport company also plays a role!
The cost of shipping your vehicle is surely very important, but do not ever take it as the single most important determinant when choosing a vehicle transport company. The quality of employees and the care and attention they devote to the car is an important factor that should never be overlooked. Thus, when making a decision on which company to entrust make sure you ask for references and read car shipping reviews. By selecting a car shipping company with a solid reputation for reliability and safe delivery, consumers can enjoy peace of mind knowing that their car will arrive in the condition it was loaded at origin.
By choosing an established vehicle transport company with a solid reputation for reliability and vehicle safety, consumers can be assured that they are getting the best deal possible. Finding a trustworthy and responsible car shipper can mean real security to owners every mile of the way whether you are shipping a classic vehicle or your everyday car.
Read what our customers say about their experience with Montway at Montway Auto Transport reviews.
