There are many factors that can affect the cost of auto transportation. The most obvious factor is the distance between the pickup and delivery locations. However, other factors such as the size of the vehicle, type of shipping service, and availability of carriers can also affect the cost. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at some of these factors and explore how they can impact transportation rates.
Shipping Distance
As mentioned above, the most significant factor in determining auto transportation costs is shipping distance. The further the vehicle has to travel, the higher the cost will be.
This is because carriers must account for fuel, wear and tear on their equipment, and other operating expenses when pricing their services.
In addition, longer shipping distances often require more time to complete, which can also add to the cost.
For example, if you are shipping a car from Los Angeles to New York, you can expect to pay more than if you were shipping the same car from Los Angeles to San Diego.
This is because the journey from LA to NY is nearly twice as long as the journey from LA to SD.
As a result, carriers will either charge more for longer distances or they may need to use more than one truck to complete the shipment, which will also add to the cost.
Size of Vehicle
Another factor that can impact auto transportation costs is the size of the vehicle. Larger vehicles, such as SUVs and trucks, generally cost more to ship than smaller cars.
This is because they take up more space on the carrier’s truck and they may weigh more, which can impact fuel consumption.
In addition, some carriers may charge a higher rate for shipping oversized vehicles.
Looking for additional information on the costs of auto shipping? Check out Shipping Factors to learn more.
Type of Shipping Service
The type of shipping service you choose can also affect the cost of auto transportation.
There are two main types of shipping services: door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal.
Door-to-door service:
Door-to-door shipping is the most expensive type of auto transport, but it is also the most convenient.
With door-to-door shipping, the carrier will pick up your vehicle at your home or office and deliver it to your destination.
This is a great option for those who cannot transport their vehicle to a terminal.
However, door-to-door car shipping service is not always available.
Some areas are simply too difficult for the carrier to access, so you may have to use terminal-to-terminal shipping instead.
Terminal-to-terminal service :
When you use a terminal-to-terminal service, the car transport company will pick up your vehicle at a designated location and then transport it to another terminal for delivery. This means that the auto transport company doesn’t have to deal with the hassle and expense of picking up and delivering your car to your home or office.
As a result, terminal-to-terminal services are typically much cheaper than door-to-door services. In fact, you can often save hundreds of dollars by using a terminal-to-terminal service instead of a door-to-door service. So, if you’re looking to save money on your car shipping costs, a terminal-to-terminal service is definitely the way to go.
Availability of Carriers
Another factor that can impact transportation rates is the availability of carriers.
If you are shipping your vehicle during peak times, such as summer or winter holidays, you may find that rates are higher. During these peak periods, carriers often raise their rates to meet the increased demand. This is similar to how airlines and hotels raise their prices during busy travel periods.
Conversely, if you are shipping during off-peak times, you may be able to find discounts or special rates.
The snowbird season is one of the busiest times for auto transport. This is when people in the northern states move down to Florida and other southern states for the winter. The summer is another busy season, as families take their cars on vacation.
If you are shipping your vehicle during the snow season, it is important to book your shipment as early as possible to ensure that you get a spot on the carrier’s truck.
Method of Shipping
One of the most important decisions you will make when shipping your vehicle is whether to ship it open or enclosed. Let’s discuss both options:
Open shipping:
As the name implies, open shipping is when your vehicle is shipped on an open carrier.
This is the most common and economical method of shipping, as it allows carriers to transport multiple vehicles at once.
However, there are some drawbacks to shipping your vehicle on an open carrier.
The main disadvantage is that your vehicle will be exposed to the elements, which can increase the risk of damage.
In addition, your vehicle may be more susceptible to theft when shipped on an open carrier.
If you are shipping a high-value vehicle or a vehicle that is particularly susceptible to weather damage, you may want to consider enclosed shipping.
Enclosed shipping:
Enclosed shipping is when your vehicle is shipped on an enclosed carrier.
This shipping method offers several advantages over open shipping, the most important of which is increased protection for your vehicle.
Your vehicle will be protected from the elements and from potential theft when shipped on an enclosed carrier.
In addition, enclosed carriers typically have fewer vehicles on board, which means your vehicle will not be subject to the same amount of wear and tear as it would on an open carrier.
However, these advantages come at a cost.
Enclosed transport is generally more expensive than open shipping, as carriers must use specialized equipment to transport your vehicle.
In addition, enclosed shipping typically takes longer than open shipping, as carriers have to make fewer stops to pick up and drop off vehicles.
There are a few ways to ship your vehicle. Click HERE to view convenient options for shipping your vehicle with Scott’s Auto Carrier.
Which option should you choose?
If you are shipping a high-value vehicle or one that is particularly susceptible to weather damage, then enclosed shipping may be the best option.
However, if you are shipping a standard passenger car and cost is your main concern, then open shipping is the way to go.
Condition of Vehicle
Another factor that can impact the cost of auto transportation is the condition of the vehicle.
If your vehicle is not operational, then it will likely need to be transported on a flatbed truck, which is more expensive than standard open or enclosed shipping.
In addition, if your vehicle is not roadworthy, you may need to pay for additional insurance coverage to cover any damage that may occur during transport.
Ultimately, the cost of shipping an inoperable vehicle will be higher than shipping a vehicle that is in good condition and operational.
Insurance Costs
One of the final factors to consider when shipping your vehicle is insurance coverage. All vehicles transported via auto transport must be insured against damage or loss.
If you have comprehensive and collision coverage on your personal auto insurance policy, then your vehicle will likely be covered during transport.
However, it is important to check with your insurer to verify that your policy provides coverage for auto transport.
If you do not have comprehensive and collision coverage, or if your policy does not cover auto transport, then you will need to purchase insurance from the auto transport companies.
The cost of this insurance will be added to your total cost to ship a car.
Saving money on auto transportation
There are many ways to save money when working with even the best auto transport companies:
Off-peak season shipping:
One way to save money on auto transportation is to ship your car during the off-peak season.
The rates are generally lower during this time as the demand for shipping services is lower.
You can save even more money if you are able to ship your car during the weekdays as opposed to the weekends.
Auto Transportation method:
Another way to save money is to choose an open-air shipping method over an enclosed one.
Enclosed shipping methods provide more protection for your car from the elements and road debris, but they also come with a higher price tag.
If you are shipping a standard passenger car, then open-air shipping should suffice and be more budget-friendly.
Make sure to check out if you qualify for an additional discount. Click HERE to see what discounts are offered by Scott’s Auto Carrier.
Keep your vehicle in working condition:
If your vehicle is not operational, you may have to pay for additional insurance or have it transported on a flatbed truck, which can both drive up the cost of shipping.
If your vehicle is in good working condition, however, it will be easier and more affordable to ship.
Get quotes from different auto transportation companies:
Another way to save money on auto transportation is to research different car shipping companies to find the one that best suits your needs.
Make sure you compare prices and services before selecting the best car shipping company.
You can also ask for recommendations from friends or family members who have had experience with shipping their own vehicles.
Negotiate with the car shipping company:
Once you have chosen an auto transport broker, try to negotiate with them in order to get the best possible price.
Let them know that you are shopping around and see if they are willing to give you a discount.
Check for discounts on auto transport:
Before you book auto transportation services, be sure to ask the company if they offer any discounts.
Some auto shipping companies like Scott’s Auto Carrier and Montway Auto Transport offer discounts for students, seniors, military personnel, and more.
Even the best car shipping companies in the auto transport industry have to offer discounts to lure more customers.
You may be able to save a significant amount of money by taking advantage of these discounts offered by car transport companies.
Get a quote now
If you’re looking to ship a car, you’ve come to the right place! At Scotts Auto Carrier, we offer quotes for all kinds of custom vehicle shipping needs. Whether you need to transport a standard passenger car or an inoperable vehicle, we can help you get the best possible price.
To get started with the car shipping process, simply give us a call or fill out our online form. We’ll need to know some basic information about your vehicle, such as its make, model, and year. Once we have this information, we’ll be able to provide you with a custom quote.
If you’re looking for ways to save money on auto transportation, we can help with that too. We offer discounts for students, seniors, military personnel, and more. We also offer off-peak season shipping and open-air shipping methods to help you save even more.
About Scott’s Auto Carrier
Scott’s Auto Carrier is a leading Owner/Operator auto transport company with 20 years of service and counting! Dispatching regionally and nationwide to our network of 20,000+ carriers. Scott’s Auto Carrier offers customized service, 24/7 availability, and owner/operator commitment to quality, giving you competitive, reliable moving trucks, cars, RVs, boats or motorcycles, industrial units, non-operational vehicles, and more, moving quotes and peace-of-mind auto transport service. Get your quote today at: ScottsAutoCarrier.com/Request-a-Quote/
