How much is car shipping?
Find your car shipping cost in seconds with Capstone‘s Auto Trans calculator.
How much does car shipping cost?
To figure out how much it will cost to transport your car, you can request a quote from a carrier or broker. Short distance trips (1-500 miles) could cost around $1.96 per mile, while prices for medium distances (500-1500 miles) are approximately $.93 per mile and long distances (1500+ miles) usually average around $.58 per mile. If you have any questions, our car shipping advisors can be reached at (888) 666-8929 or you can get an instant quote by clicking here.
What is car transport?
Vehicle transport is a service that transports automobiles from one place to another. Open transport, which is typically more economical, and enclosed transport, which offers more protection for vehicles, are the two main options available. Generally speaking, enclosed auto transport costs around 30-40% more than open transportation.
How do I get a car transport quote?
The cost of car transport can be figured out in various ways. It is possible to determine the price online through the transport firm’s website or by simply phoning them. To arrange a fast pick up for your vehicle, make sure you let the company know ahead of time.
For the most precise and up-to-date estimates of car shipping costs, it is important to have the following information available:
- Vehicle pick up and delivery destination (zip codes are preferred for increased quoting accuracy)
- Car transport preference (open or enclosed trailer)
- Vehicle year, make, and model (ensures availability of required transport trailer size)
- Operational status (can be driven forward and in reverse, with basic steering for truck loading and unloading)
- Earliest available car pick-up date
Overview of the auto transport industry
You might work with carriers, brokers, or lead providers when shipping your vehicle.
Lead providers give car owners a selection of “leads,” which are possible carriers, that matches their specifications. To find the best choice for their need and spending plan, the owner must do more research or contact the carriers on the list.
By using a broker, you can benefit from having access to thousands of carriers and finding the best option that meets your needs and budget. You don’t need to make multiple calls or search different websites; brokers handle the communication with the carrier and do the legwork for you. This allows you to save time and energy while still ensuring your car is transported safely.
Calculating my car shipping estimate and auto shipper math
The cost of auto transport is based on several considerations specific to each customer. These factors, such as the distance of the trip, type and size of vehicle, condition of vehicle (working or not working), type of transport (open or enclosed) and location (city/rural) as well as seasonality can be taken into account when calculating auto transport quotations. With Capstone’s car shipping calculator you can enter all necessary details about your car for a tailored price estimate without any hidden fees.
What factors are used to calculate cost of car shipping?
Distance
Total distance is the main component used in calculating a quote for car shipping. Longer distances generally lead to a higher overall car shipping price, but also include a discounted cost per mile.
Route
Different from distance, route refers to what highways and other roads will be traveled to transport the vehicle. Routes in highly populated areas may have increased traffic congestion, which could impact transport time and shipping costs.
Shipping date
When you book a car transport service, shipment date often plays a huge role in the cost. It’s best to book your car shipment as far in advance as possible. As soon as you know you’ll need to ship your vehicle
Vehicle make & model
When planning your auto transport, we ask for the exact vehicle specifications, because the truck driver must know how much space is required to safely secure your automobile and ensure proper trailer height and side clearance.
Auto transport type
Most people shipping a car select open car transport, as it is the industry standard and cheapest way for car shippers to move your vehicle. For extra car shipment protection, we recommend using enclosed car transportation services that shield vehicles from weather and debris.
Vehicle condition
If your car is running, you will get a better auto shipping price from car shippers for the allotted distance. If your car is inoperable, but maintains the ability to roll, steer, and brake, it will require a winch and other accommodations to be loaded onto the carrier trailer.
Vehicle details
Certain characteristics of your car will have an impact on the quote and final cost of your car shipment, including the following:
Height, length & curb weight
Ground clearance
Location
Metropolitan areas usually have plenty of trucks available to carry out car shipping orders for auto shippers, which lowers the car transport price. When transporting cars, we strive to find the best deal for residents of small towns.
Seasonality
Car shipping costs vary greatly based on the time of year. For example, auto transport services to warmer states are very popular during the snowbird season, so the cost for transporting a car to those destinations will be higher.
Auto transport insurance
Carriers of auto transport are obligated to have liability insurance. Getting extra cargo insurance is not mandatory, so many carriers do not provide it. An auto shipping broker can help you get the cargo insurance you need and select the right coverage. Make sure to ask them these questions when deciding on an insurance plan:
- What type of damage is covered?
- Does insurance cover the entire vehicle, or only specific parts?
- Is there a deductible?
- What is the limit of coverage?
- Are specialty items or accessories covered?
- Is there an option to purchase additional coverage?
Ready to get a car shipping quote with Capstone?
Use the calculator below or call us at (832) 521-7324 today!