Looking to move? One thing you should consider for long-distance moving is shipping your car to your destination. Based on your vehicle and travel times, car transport may save you money in the long run. Check out these Montway Auto Transport reviews to see all the variables that make shipping your car a good idea.
Several factors affect the cost of shipping your car. Read more to find out what most affects the cost of auto shipping.
Contents
1. Distance
How far are you moving? Chances are, if you’re considering car shipping, it’s quite a journey. The miles your car must travel will be the biggest determining factor in your car shipping cost.
For example, if you are moving from California to Florida, your car shipping costs will likely be higher than if you were moving to Idaho. You do, however, get a lower rate for more miles. In other words, the farther you travel, the less you pay per mile, but the overall total will still be more than a short trip.
Think of the savings on your odometer, especially if you have an older or less reliable car. If you drive a classic or luxury car, the risks of traveling cross-country are too many to name. Do the math before you decide.
2. Transport
Most carriers offer an option of both open and enclosed transport. Open transport pulls multiple cars on an open trailer. Your car will be loaded onto the back of a transport trailer and taken to your new destination, ready for delivery.
Unless you have a sports or luxury car, you should go with open transport. This is the cheaper option, and it’s usually just as safe. The only dangers posed are the road dirt and elements.
Closed transport is more expensive, but it keeps your car’s paint job out of the rain and sun. This is the ultimate safety for your car. It is not exposed to the elements, road dirt, or flying debris. If you’re trying to save money, consider closed transport only for luxury cars, sports cars, and supercars.
To determine whether you need open or closed transport, consider the type of car you have, its value, and the likelihood of anything going wrong on the road. Don’t forget these auto shipping carriers are heavily insured, but that doesn’t protect against damage.
3. Fuel
Fuel prices will also be affected by the distance you’re traveling as well as the carrier’s rate. This you have little control over, as gas prices skyrocket and plummet all through the year. You may be able to track the trends of fuel prices but remember this is not the only factor in your quote.
It may be better to leave this as one of the variable expenses. In other words, do your best to estimate. Ask the transport company for its estimate as well and make your best guess as to what the fuel will cost.
4. Season
When are you planning to ship your car? The summer months and right after Christmas are the busiest times of the year for car shipping companies. Keep in mind you may be paying more during these times. If you have the luxury of choosing when to move to a new home, wait for February or October.
5. Competition
Car shipping companies work with a variety of carriers to serve your shipping needs. The more carriers are competing for your bid, the better your price will be. This is not something can count on or control. Like fuel costs, these trends can be measured but not predicted.
You should know that competition between carriers and companies can ultimately save you a lot of money. Be sure to compare quotes from at least three transport companies before making your decision.
6. Car Operability
Whether or not your car is functional also impacts how expensive it is to move. Working cars pose no extra work for the car carriers, so all you do is hand over the keys and wave your car goodbye.
If your vehicle is inoperable, it may take more labor or resources to load and move your car. You may wish to take the time to get your vehicle running before you opt to transport it. If that’s not an option, make a comparison between companies to see who has the lowest inoperable vehicle quote.
7. Vehicle Size
Be sure to take into account the size of your vehicle as well. Small cars and trucks do not take as much room and therefore are cheaper to move. Big trucks and SUVs, not to mention classic or luxury cars, need more TLC and will be more expensive to haul.
Conclusion: How to Get Lower Car Shipping Rates
There are many factors for you to consider when it comes to shipping your car and its costs. While you have no control over fuel prices and your vehicle’s size, what you can do is to carefully choose between car shipping companies.
You can start by collecting quotes from three or more car auto transport companies. By doing your research, you can make sure you’re getting the best rates on the market.
