Are you planning to ship your car across the country but not sure how much the service will cost?
You’re not alone! The U.S. vehicle shipping industry is on a growth trend, meaning more and more people are shipping their cars.
There are a couple of reasons a person might want to ship a car. Perhaps you’re relocating to a faraway state for work or you just bought a car from an out-of-state dealership and looking for a way to bring it home.
Regardless of your specific situation, you need to figure out the cost to transport a car across the country. Let’s crunch the numbers!
What’s the Cost to Ship Your Car?
In a nutshell, there isn’t a standard fee for shipping your car across the country. Although you can expect the service to set you back about $1,500, there are several factors that go into calculating the exact cost.
Here are those factors:
Shipping Distance
In most cases, shipping a car across the country means moving it from one coast to another. However, depending on your exact location, distances can vary widely.
For instance, if you’re shipping your car from Alaska (the most western point in the U.S.) to Maine (the most eastern point), the shipping truck will cover about 5,000 miles. As such, you will pay a lot more money than if you were shipping the car from Alaska to, say, Florida, which, albeit being on the East Coast, is nearer to Alaska than Maine.
Don’t let the miles worry you, though. Most vehicle shipping companies have calculators that will give you an estimate based on shipping distance.
Type of Vehicle
It will cost you more to ship a small truck/SUV than a sedan or saloon car, and it’s easy to see why.
Small trucks and SUVs are bigger vehicles, meaning they occupy more space than saloons and sedans. You have to pay for the extra feet!
Type of Car Transport Truck You Need
There are two types of car transport trucks: open car transport trucks and enclosed car transport trucks.
In an open truck, vehicles are exposed to debris and weather elements.
If your vehicle is a shiny sports car, do you really want its delicate paint job exposed to a scorching sun? You’ll likely opt for an enclosed car transport truck, which will cost a couple hundred dollars more than the open alternative.
Delivery Preference
Do you want your car delivered right to your doorstep or you prefer picking it up from shipping company’s designated delivery terminal?
If you opt for doorstep delivery, you’ll have to dig deeper into your pocket to afford the convenience.
Your Choice of Shipping Company
Vehicle shipping companies aren’t created equal. Some have built a solid reputation over the years, and others are known for their unreliability.
If you choose the best auto transport company in your region, expect to pay a premium price.
The Cost to Transport a Car Across the Country Varies
While it’s difficult to place an exact figure on the cost to transport a car across the country, we’ve fleshed out the various factors that will influence the price. Now you’re in a better position to make choices that will either lower or increase the amount of money you’ll pay.
What’s next? Prep your car for the big move!