Having to relocate to a new location can be quite stressful. This could be a great way for car owners to enjoy a good old road trip. However, many opt against this because of the mileage they would have to put on their vehicle.
The alternative to driving yourself is to hire the services of a car shipping company that would move your vehicle to the new location. Since relocating other items from your former home is already a huge expense, it makes sense that you’d want to know how much this additional expense would cost. So, if you’re wondering how to calculate car shipping costs, this article is just what you need. The information we’ll share will help you effectively plan your relocation budget.
How Much Does Car Shipping Costs?
As far as car shipping cost is concerned, there is no fixed price. Instead, the final cost is dependent on several factors. Some of these factors you can control which means you can effectively cut down the cost.
You can use a car shipping calculator online to determine the final amount. However, you’ll need to input certain details to enable you to get an estimated price. You can also ask the company you’re considering to send you a free quote. When you do this, ensure that you give them all the specific details to enable them to give you the most precise estimate.
You’re traveling cross-country, you might have to spend about $1,600. If you own a regular-sized sedan, and you decide to transport it via an open trailer, the price ranges between $400 to $3,000. If you’re traveling about 1,000 miles, $900 is the average price for this distance.
Bear in mind that the above prices are estimates and other factors can increase or reduce the overall cost. For instance, if your vehicle is larger, you’ll pay more. Also, if you choose to use an enclosed transport, you’ll pay more.
Factors That Determine Car Shipping Costs
So far, we’ve said that there are factors that determine the overall cost. In this section, we’ll delve into these factors. Here they are:
Vehicle Size
Usually, your vehicle is transported alongside others on a trailer. You can check here to discover different types of trailers. If you don’t like this, you can pay for private transportation but as you might have guessed, it’s more expensive.
When you use public transport, your vehicle’s size affects the space on the trailer. So, if your vehicle takes up more space, it prevents more vehicles from being shipped at that time. This is why larger vehicles cost more to ship compared to smaller ones.
Distance
Just like any type of transportation, longer distances cost more. Most shipping companies charge per mile. So, expect to pay more if you’re moving to a far place.
Delivery Location
Where you choose to have your vehicle delivered also affects the price. You can choose to have it delivered to your door or the terminal. The door pickup and delivery option is easy and popular but is more expensive. The terminal pickup and delivery option, on the other hand, is budget-friendly.
Carrier Type
You have two options regarding the carrier used for transporting your vehicle. You can choose the open carrier or enclosed carrier option. In the former, the trailer has no cover around it which means your car is exposed to weather elements. The enclosed carrier protects your car since it’s covered.
The added advantage of the enclosed carrier makes it more expensive than the open carrier option. Using the open carrier option is not a big deal. However, for collectors’ or luxury cars, it’s best you choose the enclosed carrier option. This will ensure the vehicle’s car is not reduced.
Other factors that determine the price include:
- Fuel prices
- The condition of your vehicle
- Vehicle clearance
- Time of the year
- Competition from other companies
Calculating Your Car Shipping Cost
When you receive an estimate or quote from a transport company, that isn’t the final price You can visit https://timesofmalta.com/ to learn why it is important to get a quote before paying for a service. The final price is determined when the car is shipped.
Some companies have calculators on their websites to help customers calculate how much they have to pay. All you need to do is input all the necessary details. You can also contact an auto broker to help you calculate how much you have to pay.
The details you need to input include your pickup and delivery locations, and the movement date. Furthermore, you might be required to input the manufacturer and model of your car, the current condition, and the carrier you want to use.
Conclusion
Calculating the cost of shipping your car requires that you consider the factors that affect shipping costs. In the article above, we’ve discussed these factors in detail. We’ve also provided a guide on how to calculate the final price once you have all the necessary details.
