The Complete Guide to Comparing Auto Transport Prices
Shipping your car to a new destination, whether that is to a new home state or a vacation home, is much more convenient than driving it there. Auto transport companies make it so much easier to move your vehicle across cities or states if needed.
Of course, with this mode of transportation comes an associated cost. So just how much does it cost to transport your vehicle?
The cost of shipping your vehicle can fluctuate based on several different factors, such as the type of vehicle to the time of the year. If you want to know just how much it will cost to ship your car, you will want to continue reading below. This brief auto transport article will go over all the factors that affect the cost of transport and who you can reach out to for more information.
Car Shipping Cost
If you are looking for a means of auto transport, it is crucial that you compare quotes before committing to any company. Each transport company will have its own rates per mile and vehicle type.
On average, the cost to ship a car is around $1,200. It is essential to note that there are many different variables at play that will determine the overall cost of your auto transport needs.
Factors That Affect Car Shipping Costs
As mentioned above, different factors affect your final car shipping rates. For example, the distance traveled can be one of the most significant factors that affect your transport cost.
Distance Traveled
On average, it can cost around $2.50 per mile to ship a car less than 200 miles. Most companies will charge you approximately $0.78 per mile for longer distances traveled. Of course, it is always best to compare car shipping quotes to ensure that you get the best rate for the distance traveled.
Route Taken
The route factor differs greatly from the distance traveled factor. The distance traveled measures the actual miles traveled to get your vehicle from point A to point B.
The route taken is the road or highways your transporter needs to travel to get to point B. Routes that go through highly populated areas may have a higher amount of congested traffic, impacting the transport time and shipping cost. Other road conditions, such as weather, road construction, and physical road conditions, can also affect the overall cost to transport your vehicle.
Enclosed Trailers vs. Open Trailers
Enclosed trailers provide your vehicle with more protection during the transportation process. With more protection comes a higher price. If you own a luxury vehicle or want to protect your vehicle from the elements during the transport, you may opt for an enclosed trailer.
Have you ever seen those trailers on the highway with vehicles piled behind each other? That is an open trailer. Most car dealerships have their cars transported on open trailers to cut their transportation costs. Although the vehicle is more exposed to the elements of dirt, debris, and other weather, this mode of transportation is much cheaper than an enclosed trailer.
Time of the Year
The seasons play a huge factor when it comes to the cost of your auto transport needs. As you know, most people like to move around during the spring or summer months because the weather is more favorable and most children are on break from school.
In fact, 60% of people move during the summertime because it is more convenient for them. This means during this time; there is a much higher demand.
If you want to save money on your move, you will want to move during the fall or winter months when there is not as much activity. Drivers are also more readily available during that time, which means lower rates.
Door to Door Transport
Having your vehicle delivered to your door is more expensive than having the car delivered to a predetermined transport area. This is because this delivery service is more personalized.
These predetermined transport areas sometimes are hundred of miles away from your home, hence why many people prefer having the vehicle delivered to your door. Some companies specialize in door-to-door transportation that are worth checking out.
Carrier Competition
Auto transportation is a service that more and more customers use to move their vehicles across town. Gone are the days of hooking up your vehicle to the back of an RV or a U-Haul.
With more car carriers coming up, the competition increases to offer customers the best rates possible. Make sure that you compare quotes to ensure that you get the best rate.
Price of Fuel
Auto shipping companies may charge you more per mile if the gas prices are high nationwide. This helps to compensate for the carrier's extra fuel costs.
Vehicle Size
The size of your vehicle dramatically impacts the price of your transport. Larger vehicles take up more space on the trailer, which leaves little room for other vehicles to ride along. Large SUVs, recreational cars, or trucks will cost more than a smaller compact vehicle.
Shipping Location
Not only does the distance traveled affect the price of your transport, but the location of where you take the vehicle can also affect the price. For example, if you need to transport your vehicle to an outlying rural area, it can cost more than shipping to a metropolitan area.
Shipping Speed and Auto Transport Cost
In addition to the other factors that determine the cost of shipping your vehicle, the speed of delivery can also add additional fees. When you partner with reputable auto transport companies, such as Nexus Auto Transport, you have the option to choose how fast you want your vehicle to arrive at its new location.
Standard Delivery
Standard delivery is the most common delivery option most customers opt for. This option is best if you aren't in a particular hurry to have your vehicle delivered.
Although this option is considered "standard," it does not mean it is anything less than excellent. With standard delivery, you will still receive your vehicle within a timely manner.
Expedited Delivery
Expedited delivery gets your vehicle to where it needs to go as quickly as possible. Not all auto shipping companies can offer you this type of service because it means that they will need to have a driver readily available. Nexus Auto Transport has an extensive fleet of trailers and experienced drivers who can pick up and deliver your vehicle at any time of the year.
Enclosed Delivery
As mentioned earlier, enclosed trailers are closed containers that protect your vehicle from any rain, debris, or other elements that may damage your vehicle. You have the option to select this option with your choice of shipping speed. This option is best for those who need to transport luxury vehicles or those who want their vehicle to have the most protection possible.
Auto Transport Process
The process to transport your vehicle is relatively simple, and it only takes a few steps. Once you find the transport company you wish to work with, you will most likely need to submit your information for a quote.
1. Request a Quote
To obtain your quote, you will need to either call or submit an online request. You will then need to enter your car pick-up location and the designated delivery location information.
You will also need to input information about your vehicle's make, model, year, and size of the vehicle. Once you input your personal information and the vehicle you wish to transport, you will need to select whether you want an open or enclosed trailer.
The website, or the representative you speak with if you call in, will also need to know which shipping speed you prefer. As mentioned earlier, you can either choose standard or expedited shipping. Regardless of which speed you choose, you are sure to have a fair rate for either option still.
Auto Transport Delivery Deposit
It is not uncommon for auto transport companies to request a deposit to hold your spot for transport. With Nexus Auto Transport, you only need to pay $75 as a reservation fee. Other companies may ask for the entire amount upfront, if not a few hundred dollars, to secure your spot.
2. Schedule Vehicle Pick Up
A representative will work with you to schedule the best day and time to come to pick up your vehicle. Before your pick update, you will want to make sure you clean out your car.
Remove any valuable items and make sure the vehicle at least has a quarter of gas. This will ensure that there is enough gas for your transporter to move the vehicle on and off the hauler.
On the day of pick up, you, or someone you authorize, will need to inspect your vehicle to notate any preexisting damages and the vehicle's current state. Your car will head out to its new destination once the landing and inspection report bill is signed.
3. Finalize the Delivery
While your vehicle is in transit, you have the option to communicate with your transporter at any time. They can answer any questions about their arrival time or anything you may want or need to know.
Nexus Auto Transport drivers undergo thorough and rigorous safety training to ensure that your vehicle arrives safely at its destination. Your transporter will do their best to get their vehicle as close as they can to your house.
If you owe any balance by the time your vehicle reaches its destination, you can pay that amount to the driver. You will need to inspect the vehicle and sign off on the Bill of Landing. If there are any issues, you can let them know, and they will do their best to remedy the situation.
How to Choose the Best Auto Transport Company?
As mentioned earlier, it is best to compare multiple quotes before you settle on an auto transport company. Make sure also to take a look at their reviews on their website and through the Better Business Bureau.
If any company tries to give you any pushback about any concerns or questions you have about their process, you may want to reach out to a different company. The last thing you want to do is partner with a company that does not answer any of your concerns, and you receive your vehicle damaged or not at all.
Auto Transport Insurance
Many customers wonder if they need to purchase additional insurance when transporting their vehicle. The answer to that question depends on who you choose to partner with to transport your vehicle.
Some companies offer you the option to purchase additional insurance, whereas there are other companies, like Nexus Auto Transport, who already have their fleet insured. Your personal auto insurance company may not cover any damages done to your vehicle while it is in transit, so make sure that you work with a company that already has the proper insurance needed to keep your vehicle safe.
Schedule Your Delivery Today
Nothing is worse than partnering with an auto transport company that does not want to answer any questions or concerns or who falls through on their end of the bargain. It is always best to reach out to a few different companies to receive quotes about the cost of their service.
If you are ready to skip the process of reaching out to several other companies to ship your vehicle, contact us now. We have a large fleet of trailers readily available to accommodate your auto shipping need. There is no obligation when you request a shipping quote with Nexus Auto Transport, and it is completely free.
