If you have decided to relocate to a new city on the other side of the country, you will have plenty of details to tend to during your move. While you may be focused on your furniture and other household possessions getting to your new destination in one piece, don’t forget about your car. Rather than drive it yourself, have it shipped by a professional transporter. When doing so, here are some important cost factors to keep in mind.
An Open or Enclosed Trailer?
If you do ship your car across the country, one of the first decisions you will need to make is whether you want your car shipped on an open or enclosed trailer. Should you have a classic car or a luxury model, using an enclosed trailer may be worth the extra cost since it will offer greater protection against your car getting damaged or being exposed to harsh weather during its cross-country journey. On average, you can expect to pay between $900-$1000 more for an enclosed trailer than an open trailer, so factor this into your budget beforehand.
The Size of Your Vehicle
While you may not think the size of your vehicle will be a factor in determining the cost of shipping it across the country, the fact is it can be a much bigger factor than you expect. Remember that on a car transporter, space is limited to only a certain number of vehicles. On most transporters, no more than 10 vehicles can be transported at any one time. Should you need to ship a car across country that is bigger, such as a full-size pickup truck or an SUV, your shipping costs may be up to $500 more than if you were shipping a smaller car across the country.
Cost Per Mile
When cars are shipped across the country, there is often a very wide range in terms of the price per mile. For example, if you live in Florida or Georgia and want your car shipped to California, the trip will be just over 2,000 miles. However, if you are going in the opposite direction and are shipping your car from California to a northeastern part of the U.S., such as Maine, this trip will be over 3,000 miles.
Since car shipping companies naturally need to make a profit, the cost per mile to ship a vehicle is often higher for shorter trips. When you begin to compare shipping rates, you may find that trips of 500 miles or less may cost close to $2.00 per mile. If you need to have your car transported to a destination that is between 500-1500 miles away, the cost per mile may be about $1.00, give or take a few cents. As for long trips of 1500 miles or more, your cost per mile may be as low as 50 cents, which may help you save a few bucks along the way.
Discounts are Usually Available
One of the best ways you can save money when having your car transported across country is by taking advantage of discounts offered by car shipping companies. These discounts are often available for active members of the military or veterans and their immediate family members, first responders, and even senior citizens or college students. When you are shopping around for an auto transport company, always ask about any discounts that may benefit you and your wallet.
Book Your Car Shipping Well in Advance
Always try to book your car shipping as far in advance as possible, which usually means at least two weeks ahead of when you will actually need your car to be at your new destination. By doing so, you can avoid fees for expedited shipping. Also, try to pay for your vehicle’s transport with cash rather than credit since companies often give cash-paying customers lower overall costs for their services. Finally, booking your car’s trip in the fall or spring may also result in lower costs since these are slower times for most auto transport companies.
By being a smart shopper and starting well ahead of time, you can reduce your shipping costs and ensure your car arrives on time and in great shape at your new destination.
