There’s a difference in quality when getting car transport cheap vs regular prices because the carrier has to cut corners to accommodate lower pricing. Therefore, knowing when to stop finding cheaper quotes than a set range will help avoid disasters when moving your car.
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There are already 7,800+ businesses in the US vehicle shipping space and hundreds of thousands of carriers, so they are always fighting for your business, which means there’s always space for negotiation. But knowing when and at which rates to stop and what value trade-off you’ll get is important. So let’s see that below:
Flatbed carriers’ rates per mile are not cheap, and brokers like Easy Auto Ship hire these hauling carriers and negotiate bulk shipment rates to get more affordable auto shipping prices ranging from $0.5 to $1.2 per mile for you. We do this by consolidating multiple vehicles under a single carrier.
Since we offer them larger loads at once, they are more willing to decrease costs for us, which allows us to pass on these savings to our customers without compromising quality. To give you an idea of what the spot and contract rates for flatbed trucks across the whole logistics industry are, here is some flatbed rate data from DAT:
Some observations from the chart:
Seeing these costs, you can get an idea that the logistics market costs are going up. The reasons for this are the fluctuation in fuel prices and the shortage of truckers, which is projected to reach 160,000 drivers by . So, if somebody offers you dirt cheap prices that are below the auto shipping industry average baseline costs we’ve mentioned in the next section, run the other way because they’ll likely scam you or cut corners.
Looking for car transportation services from state to state doesn’t have to be confusing. Let’s break down what you should expect to pay so you don’t overpay or fall for suspiciously cheap car transport quotes.
When searching for “car transportation services near me,” you’ll want to know the baseline costs first. Nationwide, most people spend around $1,200-$1,500 to ship their cars. But here’s the thing—distance changes everything.
Before you jump into using a car transport cost calculator, keep in mind that big cities bump up prices significantly. Places like NYC, LA, or Chicago? You’re looking at paying 15-20% more. It’s not just about the traffic - getting trucks in and out of these areas is trickier than you’d think.
Getting a car transportation quote isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your final price depends on how fancy you want to get with the service. Want enclosed transport? That will add 30% to your bill, but you’re getting better insurance and handling in return.
Vehicle size matters, too. Moving from a regular car to an SUV adds about $150 to your car transport estimate. Got a big truck? That’s another $200 on top. If you need it there ASAP, express delivery (1-3 day pickup) will set you back an extra 25-35%.
Summer moves (June through August) cost 15-20% more because everyone’s doing it. December holidays aren’t much better - expect a 10-15% markup. Got a car that doesn’t run? That’ll be an extra $150-200 for special equipment such as forklifts or hydraulic gates. Modified vehicles? Add $100-200 because they need special handling.
Location and timing can shake up your costs. Northeast routes in winter? Add 10-15% because snow isn’t trucker-friendly. Florida-bound during snowbird season (October-April)? That’s a 20% premium right there.
If you’re out in the sticks (more than 50 miles from major highways), carriers charge an extra $100+ to reach you.
But here’s a pro tip: popular routes like LA to NYC often run cheaper because trucks always make those trips.
The kicker? These prices aren’t set in stone. They change based on fuel costs, carrier availability, and even which way the wind’s blowing (kidding about that last one). Your best bet is getting multiple quotes and watching out for anything that seems too good to be true.
Super-low prices can be tempting when looking for car transportation services from state to state. But those cheap quotes might be hiding some nasty surprises. Before handing over your keys, let’s explore what you need to watch out for.
Getting a car transportation quote shouldn’t feel like a shell game. Yet some companies play fast and loose with their numbers. Legit carriers rarely ask for deposits over $150. If someone’s demanding more upfront, that’s your first red flag.
Your car transport estimate might look great at first glance. But sneaky companies love hiding extra charges in the fine print. Fuel surcharges should be clear from the start - not sprung on you later.
Terminal fees can add up quickly. Some places charge $25 per day if you’re late for pickup. Weekend pickups? That can be an extra $50. And don’t get us started on those last-minute “expedited service” fees that magically appear.
Before using any car transport cost calculator, read that contract carefully. Vague delivery windows are a huge no-no.
Good car shipping companies give you specific dates, not “sometime next month.” Watch out for damage claim procedures that make you jump through hoops.
A company’s website can tell you a lot.
If it looks like it hasn’t been updated since , run.
No USDOT number displayed? That’s a major red flag.
Check for these basics, too:
Remember, if someone offers prices that seem too good to believe, they probably are. A trustworthy car service won’t try hiding its real costs. Take time to verify everything—your vehicle’s worth it.
While hunting for car transportation services from state to state, you might wonder why some quotes are higher than others. Sometimes, those premium prices save you money and headaches in the long run. Let’s break down when spending more makes sense.
Skip those car transport cheap options when you need real peace of mind. A solid car transportation quote might cost more because it includes services that actually matter. Think about getting your car picked up exactly when promised, not “sometime next week.”
Your car transport estimate might jump significantly in certain situations. Use a car transport cost calculator as a starting point, but remember these exceptional cases need extra care.
Got a sweet ride worth more than a house? Regular transport won’t cut it. You’ll need enclosed carriers with air-ride suspension. That Ferrari deserves climate control and extra insurance coverage.
Living off the beaten path means paying more for service. Carriers burn extra fuel reaching you, and fewer companies serve remote areas. But good companies make it worth the cost.
Need that car by a specific date? Premium services guarantee delivery windows. You’re paying for priority treatment and dedicated transport options that won’t leave you hanging.
Dead cars require special equipment to load and unload, such as winches, forklifts, and extra labor. These services cost more because they require specialized skills and tools.
Moving multiple cars? Premium services often make sense here. You’ll get better fleet rates, coordinated pickups, and package deals on insurance. Plus, they’ll handle all the scheduling headaches.
Remember, “premium” doesn’t always mean “overpriced.” When you need specialized handling or guaranteed service, paying more often means getting exactly what you need. The key is knowing when these extras actually matter for your situation.
Looking to get car transport cheap without sacrificing quality? Smart planning can slash your costs significantly. Here’s how savvy customers save big when shipping their rides.
Your car transport estimate can drop just by planning ahead. Book 2-3 weeks early, and you’re looking at saving 5-10% right off the bat. A car transportation quote during winter months could save you another 25% compared to peak summer rates.
Before you hit that car transport cost calculator, consider your location. Living near major highways? That’s an easy $100-200 saved. Terminal-to-terminal shipping might feel less convenient, but it’ll knock 15-20% off your bill.
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Regular open car carriers offer the best baseline rates. Want extra protection? Top-load placement costs just $50-100 more but keeps your ride safe from drips. Multi-car carriers often cut better deals, too.
Here’s an insider tip: carriers hate empty return trips. If you’re flexible with dates, you could save 10-20% by catching a truck heading back to its home base.
Social media’s your friend here. Local Facebook groups and forums often have people shipping to the same places. Team up, and you could both save serious cash by sharing a carrier.
Remember, the key to saving isn’t just finding the lowest quote—it’s being smart about when and how you ship. A little planning goes a long way toward keeping more money in your pocket.
You’ll probably use a car transport cost calculator when searching for car transportation services from state to state. But here’s the deal - these tools aren’t perfect, and that’s totally okay.
Think of your car transport estimate like checking the weather forecast a month ahead - it gives you a good idea, but don’t bet your house on it. These calculators provide solid baseline numbers to start your planning.
The calculator might show you one price, but real-world factors could swing it either way. Maybe there’s a major storm coming through your route, or gas prices just jumped. These things happen.
When you get a car transportation quote from actual companies’ agents, you’ll notice some differences from the calculator. That’s because they’re factoring in current conditions - like whether it’s peak moving season or if there’s high demand on your route.
The good news? These real-world adjustments are usually not deal-breakers. In most cases, we’re talking about variations of 5-15%, not double or triple the calculator’s estimate. That’s totally manageable if you plan ahead and are budget-savvy.
Pro tip: Use the calculator as your starting point, then add a 15-20% buffer to your budget. That way, you won’t get caught off guard if prices are running high when you’re ready to book.
After being in the auto shipping industry for over a decade (since ), Easy Auto Ship has learned that the key to offering customers top value is not cutting corners. Therefore, our price is a combination of the best possible service and the lowest possible quote for the value.
Searching for cheap car shipping? Look no further. In this post, we’re going to show you how to affordably get your vehicle transported anywhere in the country so you can feel confident you made the smart, budget-friendly choice.
After 14 years in the auto transport industry and helping successfully deliver over 492,000 vehicles, we’ve learned where you can safely cut costs and still get your vehicle to the desired destination.
So whether you have a cross country move on the horizon, are headed to Hawaii (or back to the mainland), or just bought or sold a vehicle, these cheap auto transport tips could potentially save you thousands in unnecessary fees and costly expenses.
But before we get into the cost-saving tips, let’s first discuss the factors that affect the price you pay when you ship your vehicle. It’s important to understand these factors so you can fairly judge the price you’re quoted.
The first and biggest factor that impacts the price you pay to ship your vehicle is how far you need to move it. If you’re moving it one state over, that’s obviously going to be a lot cheaper than moving it from New York to Nevada. Of course, the reason for this price isn’t just the distance. You’re paying more because an expert driver is dedicating more time and manpower to transporting your vehicle safely from one place to another.
Even still, auto transport is more affordable than many people think. With prices as low as $1.96 per mile for short distance trips (1-500 miles), you could move a vehicle 300 miles for as little as $588. It’s no drop in the bucket. But it’s often more affordable than people think, especially if you plan ahead (more details below). To see how much your trip would cost based on the distance you need to move it, use our free, no-pressure quote generator.
Another factor that impacts the price you pay is the size of your vehicle. Bigger vehicles like trucks cost a little more to ship than smaller vehicles like compact cars.
This has to do with the amount of room the vehicle takes up on the freight and the type of cars the company you’re working with specializes in hauling.
But prices don’t just double when the size of your vehicle doubles. And you should be highly skeptical of any company that makes this claim.
That’s why we at Montway work with networks of thousands of fully vetted and insured transporters. Some smaller or local companies operating smaller car haulers — or single vehicle flatbed carriers — can get your vehicle from Point A to Point B, but might not move your specific vehicle type, and delivery times could be slower. Look for transparent pricing around vehicle size.
When you transport your vehicle, a key decision you have to make is whether you will ship it open or enclosed.
Open shipping simply means that the car will be exposed to the elements as it’s taken from point A to B.
Enclosed shipping is the opposite. The vehicle is put inside a sealed auto hauler.
Open is the most common shipping method and generally recommended for most auto transport, especially if you’re looking to ship on a budget.
But if you have an expensive car, a classic or a vehicle that’s in pristine condition that needs to be preserved, enclosed is an option for you. Warning: Enclosed shipping comes with a 40-50% price jump, but can make sense if you’re moving an expensive vehicle.
The time of year can also impact your vehicle shipping costs. Even if you’re not experiencing rain or snow, the driver may face these elements on his way to your vehicle’s end destination.
These seasonal changes in the weather can impact the time on the road, come with added risk, and therefore impact your ability to ship your vehicle cheaply. Just be aware of seasonality when you’re considering cheap car shipping options and know that if you can move your shipping date, you could save money. Get in touch with one of our chat agents to figure out the best time to ship your vehicle.
When you ship a vehicle across state lines or the country, it’s most likely going on the bed of a big truck. And those big trucks can’t easily get down small roads and tight spaces. Choose your pick up and drop off points carefully. Sticking to major metropolitan areas and big parking lots makes it easy for trucks to onload and offload the vehicle. That may mean a bit of driving for you but it could result in several hundred dollars back in your pocket just by choosing your pick up and drop off spots carefully.
All these factors contribute to the price you pay and how much you save. That said, here are some of our best car shipping tips proven to help you save money.
Sometimes you need to ship your vehicle ASAP and there’s no way around it. That’s why we have a network of thousands of fully vetted and insured transporters ready to help you ship your vehicle cheaply today.
But much like the difference you pay for a last-minute airplane ticket and one booked months in advance, booking your vehicle shipment earlier often results in savings.
If you need any help, get in touch with one of our no-pressure booking agents via live chat in the bottom right hand corner. They’ll make sure you’re trip is set no matter when you need it scheduled for.
Over 90% of all vehicles are shipped via open transport. Even new vehicles going to car dealerships often travel via open transport.
Why’s that? For starters, insurance mitigates a lot of the risks you face by hauling your vehicle. So the chances of you going out of pocket for damages drops dramatically just by working with insured carriers. Secondly, there are covers and special tapes you can add to your vehicle as added insurance to protect you from potential damage.
That’s why we recommend open transport for the vast majority of customers. It’s an instant savings of 40-50%.
When you’re looking for cheap car shipping, it’s tempting to go with the cheapest vendor. But in our experience of helping haul over 492,000 vehicles and working with 382,000+ customers, we’ve learned that there’s a difference between cost and value. Cost is what you pay. Value is what you get. And sometimes those are two totally different things. For example, if you choose a cheap auto transport quote, but the company didn’t securely attach your vehicle or carry the proper insurance, you could end up with a damaged or totally lost car and be on the hook for the bill. On the other hand, if you choose a top-rated auto transport company, like Montway, your car will get from point A to point B without breaking a sweat. It’ll get where you want it to go — totally protected.
If want to ensure you get the best price possible, let our expert team guide you through every step of your car or truck’s move. We require $0 upfront and are always a call or click away.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Transport Vehicle Covers.