How Much Does It Cost to Transport A Car By Truck

How Much Does It Cost to Transport A Car by Truck?

You're probably thinking about how much does it cost to transport a car by truck. The cost of truck shipping a car might vary based on various factors, including distance, mode of transportation, vehicle type, and season. It's critical to understand these variables and how they affect the cost of automobile transportation by truck.

The per-mile rates for auto transport vary dependent on total mileage. For trips of less than 200 miles, the average cost to dispatch a vehicle with an auto transport company exceeds $2.00 per mile. For long-distance transfers exceeding 1,500 miles, the price per mile drops to an average of $0.58.

An enclosed carrier provides greater security and protection than an exposed carrier. This is approximately 40% more expensive than an open carrier.

Rates Per Mile For Moving Cars By Truck

The total distance is the main thing that affects how much it costs to ship a car across the country. Shipping an average sedan on an open carrier will cost much less than shipping a large SUV in a covered carrier. Some other things to think about are:

Size: Shipping a heavy truck may cost almost twice as much as shipping a small light car.

Location: If you live in a country area and want door-to-door service, you must pay for it. On the other hand, you can save money if you drop off the car at a central hub and pick it up from another hub.

Season: Shippers who want to save money can find more savings in the winter when shipping services are less in demand. Just be aware that bad weather can cause delivery times to be longer than usual.

Timeline: With a shipping service, it can take weeks to ship a car across the country. If time is of the essence, you can pay for fast services.

Car Shipping Rates by Size

For two reasons, the scale of the vehicle being shipped is one of the most significant price-influencing factors. First, larger vehicles occupy more space on a transporter, leaving less room for other automobiles. Second, larger vehicles' weight restricts the carrier's total capacity.

Following the U.S. Department of Transportation's maximum freight weight limit of 80,000 pounds, commercial car carriers transport an average of five to nine vehicles simultaneously.

Our advisor collected quotations for shipping a 2020 Honda Civic, a midsize sedan, from Los Angeles to New York City and quotes for shipping a 2020 GMC Yukon, a large SUV, the same distance to illustrate the impact of size on total costs.

Cost of Car Transport by Freight

Although transporting a vehicle across the country with a car transporter is the most common method, it is not the only one. A vehicle can also be transported via freight train, cargo container, ship, or aircraft.

Each alternative transportation method has certain restrictions.

Logistics Train

Although this is a cost-effective option, commercial carriers do not deal with individuals transporting a single vehicle. Even with the assistance of a transportation company, space may be limited. You are also limited by the terminals and must figure out how to transport the vehicle to and from the terminals.

Passenger Train

Amtrak provides the only direct-to-consumer freight train shipping option, enabling you to ship a standard-sized vehicle from Virginia to Florida for less than $300 one-way. The trap? The Amtrak Auto Train operates exclusively on the East Coast.

You must also travel the train with your vehicle, which requires an additional passenger ticket that can cost up to $89 one-way.

Port-to-Port Transport

If you need to transport a vehicle across or around a large body of water, port-to-port transport may be a viable option. The average cost to transfer a vehicle to Hawaii, according to an auto transport company, is between $1,500 and $2,000. The cost of traveling west to Hawaii is greater than traveling east to the mainland.

Air Transport

For international transfers, it may occur to you to transport your vehicle using the same method you use for yourself: aircraft. However, the cost to fly an automobile is significantly higher. In reality, the cost of air freight can easily exceed the value of the automobile.

Factors That Affect the Cost to Transport A Car by Truck 

When choosing a company to ship your car for you, it's important to think about the many things that affect how much it will cost.

Providers

Prices are set by the haulers, not by car dealers. Car traders must keep in mind the costs thousands of car drivers have set for the market.

Size and Weight

The price will depend a lot on how big and heavy your car is. Have your car's size and weight on hand for the most exact price when you look at quotes.

Transport Type

Most people choose open car travel because it costs the least. But this doesn't keep dirt and other things from getting on their cars. Enclosed shipping costs more, but it keeps your car safe from the weather.

Fuel Type

The price of gas and motor fuel is a big part of how much it costs to ship your car. When the fuel price goes up, so does the price of moving a car.

Fuel Price

The price of gas and motor fuel is a big part of how much it costs to ship your car. When the fuel price goes up, so does the price of moving a car.

Time of Year

The cost of moving your car could change based on when you plan to move. May to August, a popular time to move, is also a popular time to ship a car. This means that the demand for these services is higher during this time. Prepare for it.

Selecting the Best Car Shipping Company

Choosing the best auto shipping company is a critical choice. You want to be sure that your vehicle is delivered securely and affordably. When selecting a car shipping business, there are various variables to consider, which we will go over in depth in this part.

Considerations for Choosing a Car Shipping Industry:

The reputation of a car shipping business is one of the most significant elements to consider when selecting one. Reading reviews on their website or other review websites might help you determine their reputation. Choose a firm with a high dependability, safety, and customer service reputation.

Automobile Shipping Cost: Shipping your automobile is another important item. Because different automobile shipping firms charge varying rates, shopping around and comparing pricing is critical.

However, you should pick a firm based on something other than pricing. Make sure to weigh the price against the level of service provided.

Expertise: You should select a car shipping company with years of expertise. Experienced businesses are likelier to have the appropriate equipment and skills to safely and effectively transfer your vehicle.

Insurance: Select a vehicle shipping company that is insured to cover any damages that may occur during transit. You want to ensure that you are covered in an accident or damage to your car.

Sort of Transportation: You should also consider the transportation you desire for your car. Some firms provide open transit, which is less expensive but subjected to the elements. Enclosed transport is more costly, but it protects your vehicle better.

Auto shipping and auto transport businesses offer a crucial service to customers who need to relocate their vehicles. By selecting the correct firm, you can guarantee that your automobile is delivered securely and affordably. When selecting a vehicle shipping firm, keep the points above in mind.

Car Shipping Quotes Explained

Understanding auto shipping quotes is critical when shipping your vehicle. Car shipping rates assess how much does it cost to transport a car by truck from one area to another. These rates can vary depending on several factors, including distance, automobile type, and time of year.

The distance between the pick-up and delivery sites is essential to automobile shipping quotes. The larger the distance, the higher the shipping cost. It's important to remember that certain vehicle transport firms may charge extra for added services like door to door delivery.

To obtain how much does it cost to transport a car by truck, give the auto transport business as much information as possible. This comprises the brand and model of your vehicle, as well as the pick-up and delivery locations and preferred delivery date.

Some auto shipping businesses provide an online auto shipping quote calculator to assist you in how much does it cost to transport a car by truck.

When comparing how much does it cost to transport a car by truck, looking at variables other than pricing is critical. It is critical to select a reputed car shipping company that can give excellent service while ensuring your vehicle's safe arrival.

Before making a final selection, it is also critical to read reviews and investigate the company's qualifications.

In conclusion, comprehending automobile shipping rates is critical for locating the greatest and most dependable price. Distance, vehicle type, and time of year can influence car transportation charges. You may make an informed selection by using an online auto shipping quote calculator and researching car shipping firms.