How Much Will It Cost To Ship A Car?
Shipping your car from one location to another may seem like the best solution for your needs. However, you need to consider how much this will actually cost and if the costs are worthwhile. It is important to note that there are a number of factors which affect the cost of shipping your car and you need to know what they are.
The National Averages
When it comes to shipping costs there are national averages that you should be aware of. Shipping a 4-door compact sedan from one coast to the other will cost an average of $600 to $1000. The lower amount will be for shipping in the winter months when there is a lower demand for the service and the higher amount is for the summer when more people look at shipping their vehicles.
If you have a pick-up truck, SUV or small van, you will pay more on average. The national average shipping costs for these cars coast to coast will be between $800 and $1070. Again, the lower amount will be the off-peak costs for winter shipping and the higher costs will be for peak season summer shipping.
The Impact Of Shipping Options
One of the primary factors in the cost of your shipping will be the shipping option that you choose. Some shipping options will be more expensive than others and you need to consider this. Door-to-door shipping is considered the most convenient because the transport company will collect the car from your home and deliver it to your new home. However, the additional work that this requires will increase the cost which makes it one of the more expensive options.
Terminal-to-terminal shipping is not as convenient, but will be more cost-effective. When choosing this shipping option, you will be responsible for getting the car to a vehicle storage location. The transport company will then take the car from this location and deliver it to another storage location where you can collect it.
Open transport is also another cheaper option and the most commonly used. This type of transport will leave the car open to the elements. If you want additional security and protection for your car, you need to look at enclosed shipping, but this will cost more. Most people will be charged around 60% more for enclosed shipping than for open shipping.
The Distance
It should not come as a surprise that the distance you are shipping the car will affect the price. The further your car has to travel, the more the shipping is going to cost. It is important to note that shipping rates will vary depending on the company so researching a number of companies could save you money.
When looking at the companies, you will need to ensure that they are licensed to transport vehicle across state lines. If a company is not licensed, you could have a problem if there are any issues with the shipping. Insurance companies may not pay out damages if you are using a company that is not properly licensed.