More people want to preserve their auto’s mileage, prevent wear and tear, and reduce the likelihood of an accident or incident when relocating a long distance. Most want to avoid the extra expenses that go with such a move, like accommodations for rest breaks and meals, not to mention the hike in gas prices.

Auto transport boasts of being the most cost-efficient, safest, and simplest method of getting a car from one point to the next. Considering the asset’s value and rise in fuel costs, the demand for car shipping is growing exponentially.

While saving time, effort, and money is an attractive component of this choice, many variables still contribute to the overall costs. Becoming familiar with these factors will help a car owner negotiate more favorable rates. Car owners can use a car shipping calculator to get an idea of the cost before committing.

With these tools, the relevant details are input, including the vehicle type, shipping location, transport method, and distance, to get as accurate a quote as possible. This allows easier budgeting and planning when preparing for the move. 

Find out estimated costs to ship a car at https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/moving-services/cost-to-ship-a-car/, and then let’s look at a generalized idea of the costs, keeping in mind these estimates range based on services used.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car

Most people nowadays consider auto transport to move vehicles when traveling a long distance. The option can save time, effort, and costs depending on the services used with shipping. Learning the variables that affect the price point is wise to make budgeting and planning for the trip easier.

When you have many of the details, you can utilize a shipping calculator to get an estimate of the final expense. This tool is available on most auto transport websites, with different criteria to input for your quote to make it as accurate as possible. 

As a general rule, the cost to transport a car to another state ranges from roughly “$600 upwards to $2500+” with rates, again, tailored to an individual’s specific needs and based on the shipping provider.

One of the primary factors when estimating cost is the distance between transport locations. When shipping a car across the country, the overall price will be higher than a shorter distance, but the price per mile is much lower comparably. You’ll also need to decide on a transport method.

Open car transport is the least expensive method between an open carrier and an enclosed trailer. This price point will, again, range, depending on the company, between roughly “0.64 upwards to $1.62 per mile.” Enclosed can be as low as “0.72” in comparison. 

Another factor that a shipping calculator will factor is the vehicle type, but these are not the only variables that could impact the final price. Things like time of year, vehicle condition, where the car will be picked up and dropped off, gas prices, and on will also play a part.

What Are Some Methods for Keeping Car Shipping Costs Low

Car owners who want to get the best quote for their auto transport will need to compare carriers. You can access each website’s shipping calculator and input the necessary criteria. 

Each is unique from the next, meaning you’ll need to consider some of the variables presented here to gauge the final cost. The calculator might not request the vehicle condition, time of year, or how you want the car picked up and delivered. 

These will have a bearing on the final cost. Go here for guidance on saving on car shipping costs, and then follow here for a few tips on keeping your auto transport price point within a reasonable budget.

• Book ahead: Auto transport companies prefer that clients book roughly four weeks ahead of scheduled departure. This allows plenty of time to make space on the trailer and avoid possible cost fluctuations, considering things like seasonal periods.
• Open transport: Open transport is the transport method most people prefer. It’s the default transport. Unless you have a classic or antique vehicle or one with a high value that requires extra protection, this is the option to use for the lowest rate.
• Terminal-to-terminal: Shipping door-to-door comes with a higher price point than if you choose to pick up and drop off at the central location. The terminal delivery is the fastest and most affordable method.

Final Thought

Car shipping costs can vary drastically depending on your services and from one company to the next. A priority is to research different providers to get their quotes. You can find a shipping calculator on most auto transport company websites.

The final cost will depend on the services you take advantage of. Premium services will come at a higher rate than basic. For instance, open transport carriers are more cost-efficient than enclosed ones. 

Each calculator will have specific criteria to input, not all the same, and you’ll need to keep in mind the possible differences in the quote and the final price point based on the services you choose.