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Did you know that the average American will move 11.7 times in their life? How many moves have you made?
Maybe you’ve got an upcoming move and you need to bring your car with you. But you’re going far and/or you don’t have the time to personally drive your vehicle to your new city.
Don’t worry, as car shipping can be a huge lifesaver! These are professional companies that can hook you up with a reputable driver to get your car where you need it.
How much does it cost to ship your car though? Read on to find out!
How Much Does It Cost to Ship Your Car?
As you might’ve guessed, we’re not able to give you a specific number here. We’re not mindreaders, after all!
However, we can tell you that the average rates can range from $500 to over $1,700. If you want to narrow it down a bit, then check out what will affect the price you pay.
The Distance
Generally, the bigger the distance, the higher the price. This is to cover the cost of time and fuel for the driver.
However, the good news here is that higher mileages are discounted. This is because 1 long trip with 1 vehicle the entire way is more cost-efficient than 1 long trip with multiple vehicle pickups/dropoffs. So the savings are passed onto you!
Here are some rough ideas of how much certain distances will cost (per mile):
- Up to 500 miles: $1.25
- 500 to 1,000 miles: $0.75
- 1,000 to 2,000 miles: $0.55
- Over 2,000 miles: $0.50
The Type of Hauler
You can choose between an open or enclosed hauler for auto transport services. They both have their pros and cons, mainly it being cheaper for the former and more protection for the latter.
Most drivers have open haulers, which keeps prices competitive. Not only that, but it’ll be much easier to find someone who can accommodate your timeline. However, open haulers are exposed to the elements, so if you’ve got a nice car, it might not be a good idea.
Enclosed haulers will safeguard your vehicle from not just inclement weather, but also thieves. But because there are significantly fewer drivers and these haulers carry fewer vehicles, this drives the price up. But it can be worth it to pay extra and protect your precious car.
The Time of Year
There are times during the year when truckers will be busier than usual. And because of this, they’ll charge more for their services, simply because they can.
Generally, you’ll want to avoid car shipping in the summer. Everyone’s out of school, so it’s the perfect time to move.
Not only will prices be way more expensive, but it’ll be difficult finding anyone. Not only that, but even if you do find someone, it’s very likely they can’t accommodate either your pickup or dropoff dates, or both. So you’ll have to compromise in that case.
Winter’s another bad season because there are fewer drivers around, as they’ll want to take time off to spend the holidays with their families. Also, weather (and road) conditions aren’t great, and there are fewer hours of sunlight. Altogether, this means truckers can’t drive as long each day, which prolongs their trips.
On the other hand, the best times to ship are spring and fall. The exceptions to these seasons are the spring break and back-to-school periods.
The Route and Starting/Ending Locations
Cars that depart from and are dropped off at major metropolitan areas will be cheaper to transport. This is because most (if not all) other vehicles the trucker’s transporting will be on the way, so they don’t have to make any detours that’ll eat up time.
If you’re out in the boondocks and need the driver to go somewhere rural, this will increase your auto shipping price. So to save some money, think about driving out to the pickup and dropoff locations. In most cases, you can save hundreds of dollars!
Your Car
The bigger your car, the more space it’ll take. It’ll also take more fuel to transport since it’s heavier. As a result, larger vehicles cost more to ship.
Not only that, but the condition your car’s in will matter as well. If it’s inoperable, then the driver has to source equipment to get your vehicle on and off their hauler. Because this will take extra time to do, you’ll be charged accordingly.
The Company Itself
Lastly, the auto shipper itself will set its rates, which will differ from company to company. More reputable ones can be on the higher end of the scale, but shouldn’t be absurdly expensive.
But how can you tell? This is why it’s a good idea to get multiple quotes, as you’ll be able to get an overall picture of how much each place is charging.
In general, you’ll want to avoid the outliers. Unscrupulous businesses will give you insanely low quotes to reel you in, only to overcharge you in the end. Going with those that fall in the middle is always a good idea.
If you’re ready to get auto transport services, check out this page: https://geyerstowing.com/auto-transport-services/.
Know What to Expect for Car Shipping Costs
So how much does it cost to ship your car? It’ll depend on several factors, including how far you’re going and what your preferences are for car shipping.
While we’ve explored the different things that can affect pricing, the best thing you can do is request quotes from not just one, but several companies. That way, you’ll be able to get a good idea of what a fair price is and pick the right auto shipper for both your budget and needs.
For more car shipping tips, make sure you explore our blog page!
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