Several factors can affect the cost of shipping your car. Check out the following factors to adjust your calculations for the most accurate price estimate.
Distance
Again, how far you ship your car is a top factor in the price, with prices ranging from $0.60 to $1.70 per mile. If you’re shipping your car around 500 miles, anticipate spending between $550 and $850 in total. For a transport of 2,500 miles, your cost will fall somewhere between $1,400 to $1,750. The longer the distance, the lower the price per mile.
Below is a chart that breaks down the average total cost and the average cost per mile by distance:
Vehicle Size
The size of your vehicle can increase the weight of the transportation truck, potentially increasing your costs by $15 to $250 for every noticeable weight increase. For example, a small Toyota Prius will take up far less room than a Ford F-150. Likewise, you may need a specialty truck for transporting very large vehicles, which will mean paying more for the cost of transportation.
Transportation Type
Choosing open transport as your method of transportation will cost you between $550 and $1,400 to transport your vehicle, while choosing enclosed transportation will cost between $850 and $1,750. Choosing freight shipping may also lower your costs, but this is not always the case.
With open transport, your car sits on top of an open trailer, leaving your vehicle open to the elements. It’s a less-secure option, but you’ll save money using this type of shipping truck, which can carry up to ten vehicles per trip. Enclosed transport offers your car protection from the elements, which may be the best choice if you have a rare or high-end vehicle and don’t want to risk damage to your car.
Time of Year
Summer is the most popular time to ship cars, meaning you may have to dish out more to ship your vehicle during this time of the year. You can circumvent some of these additional costs by avoiding peak transportation seasons and shipping your vehicle during off-peak seasons, like in the fall or winter. This could save you up to 15% off your total shipping expenses, or around $80 to $275.
With kids back in school and family vacations complete, your carrier will likely have an easier time driving your car from point A to point B due to less traffic.
Delivery Type
It’s more economical to choose a terminal-to-terminal transportation delivery instead of door-to-door shipping. You won’t end up paying extra to have someone customize the drop-off location. However, this option could be less secure, as your vehicle may end up sitting at the drop-off location.
Fuel Price
Though out of your control, the cost of fuel to transport your vehicle can inflate the cost of shipping the car. If possible, keep an eye out for lower gas prices before you invest in auto transport costs, and avoid transporting your car when fuel prices are high.
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