6 Factors That Affect the Cost of Auto Shipping

The cost to ship a car can vary greatly, depending on several different factors. These things can mean the difference of several hundred to a thousand dollars between shipping companies. The most significant factors are listed here as a few things to keep in mind before shipping your car.

Shipping Options

You can ship your vehicle in one of several methods. You’ll also have to decide which carrier you want based on the shipping options available from each carrier. The car shipping cost relies heavily on the option you choose.

The two basic types of car shipping are open and closed carrier transports. The open carrier is the one you’re probably most familiar with. It’s the one you’ve probably seen while driving before: a truck hauling a bunch of cars loaded onto some racks.

Closen carriers, on the other hand, offer more protection to your car. It costs more than an open carrier, but the cost may be worth it for your situation. If you’re shipping during the winter and need to protect your car from the elements like snow and ice, a closed carrier is an excellent choice.

Type of Vehicle

Any quote you receive from a car carrier will depend on the type of car you’re shipping. Different vehicles cost different amounts to ship, so a small sedan will cost significantly less than a larger SUV because of the space the latter takes up.

You may also want to consider the value of your car. A more expensive vehicle is typically a significant investment, so you don’t want to leave external conditions to chance. If that’s the case, shipping your car will be more expensive. Read reviews to help you decide which car shipping company is best for your type of car.

Vehicle Condition

The condition of your car will make a difference in the cost of shipping, too. If your vehicle runs without any problems, you won’t have to pay any extra fees. On the other hand, if your car doesn’t operate, you can expect to pay more.

Inoperable vehicles cost more to ship because of the extra work that goes into loading them. If a car doesn’t run, the company will probably need a crane to place the vehicle on the carrier. When you ship an inoperable vehicle, expect to pay more, and be honest about pickup needs, because if you’re not, you’ll end up paying even more later.

Pickup and Drop-off Location

Where your car gets picked up and dropped off makes a difference in the cost of shipping. If you’re willing to pick your vehicle up in a major city, your costs will be lower.

Alternatively, if you want a door-to-door pickup and delivery, you need to expect to pay a bit more. If you’re also rural, you’re going to pay a higher price to have your vehicle picked up and dropped off from your town. It’s something to consider if you’re trying to keep costs down.

Delivery Distance

The distance to ship also factors into determining how much you can expect to pay. In some cases, shorter distances are more expensive per mile compared to longer distances. It’s something to think about as you compare shipping quotes.

You can keep some of those costs down with various discounts that may be available to you. Ask the companies if they have discounts that you can apply to your shipping quote to bring down the cost.

Delivery Preferences

Your pricing will also hinge on your level of flexibility. If you have a strict pickup and delivery deadline, you’re going to pay more, especially at certain times of the year. Peak seasons tend to be in the spring and summer as more people move across the country.

To lower your costs, consider increasing your flexibility if possible. If you can ship your car in the off-season, you’ll pay less in fees. Give enough notice to the company of your choice to make sure they can give you the best rate for your time frame, so at minimum a couple of weeks.

The Bottom Line

Plenty of factors affect the cost of shipping your car. With multiple shipping options, you have to figure out what works for you and your vehicle. Keep in mind the type of car you’re shipping to make sure your expectations are realistic—you won’t pay the same for two vehicles of different sizes. Your vehicle should be running, but if it’s not, be ready to pay more. Think about where you’ll be dropping off and picking up your car and how far it has to go. Finally, be flexible if you can to keep your costs down.