The Cost of Auto Transport
It’s not easy to discuss the cost of auto transport, because it’s hard to pinpoint where to start. We could discuss quotes and how they work, or we could discuss pricing methods that carriers use. We could talk about route conditions and how they play a role in your shipment. We could talk about estimates versus guaranteed prices, of enclosed versus open shipping. In truth, the cost of auto transport includes all these things and more, and they all work together to get to your final price. So we are going to discuss how they interact and how agents from different companies approach the cost of auto transport and how to get you the right prices for your needs.
So what is the cost of auto transport?
Like we said, it depends on a number of things. But any good quote always looks at where you’re shipping from and to first. This is a huge part of the cost of auto transport – just how far your car has to go. Shorter shipments tend to cost less because carriers don’t have to travel near as far. It’s also because they often have other cars they pick up once yours is off the truck. In this way they end up saving money, which saves you money. But on longer shipments, it tends to cost more because your vehicle is on the truck longer. Coast-to-coast rarely breaks a thousand dollars unless it’s from one corner of the country to the other. Multiple vehicles will also up your price.
Then there’s rural routes and inclement weather. Rural routes are not popular; they have low demand from customers and they’re often away from interstate highways. This results in higher prices because one has to convince a carrier to take a load from or to a rural area. More than that, it costs the carrier more in fuel and time, which are both incredibly valuable to them. The cost of auto transport also takes into account inclement weather, but usually only severe weather. For instance, flooding in Texas or hurricanes in Florida can cut off some routes for a time. It’s best to speak to an agent about areas that are under duress from Mother Nature, though, as they can give you good advice that pertains to your shipment.
Can I get free quotes to ship my car, though?
You most certainly can. The best way to get your quotes is to fill out our free quote request form. You’ll get free quotes from top-rated companies within about an hour. Your quotes will show up in your email inbox within about an hour, with the first showing up within minutes. You can compare prices and services and also speak to an agent over the phone. More importantly, they can also help explain the cost of auto transport and why it can be so expensive. Those companies are cleared by us ahead of time, so you can rest easy knowing you’ll be in good hands. If you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact one of our agents any time at 800-930-7417.
Since 2007 Dave has written all the content and blogs for American Auto Shipping and during this time added the duties of customer support and transport logistics.
He currently resides in Washington with his three kids and their mom and cat. A fan of Marvel movies and good stories, when not shipping cars Dave can be found working on his novel, enjoying a good book or playing some tournament HALO.
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