Cost is the biggest concern for most people when shipping a car. And some car shipping companies do not provide a clear explanation of how price is determined. So, here are the main factors in determining the cost of shipping a car .
Distance – The biggest component of your price is how far you are shipping your car. Many companies quote on a per mile basis. So, you need to provide the origin city and destination city (and preferably the zip codes) to the car shipping company to get a quote.
Type of car carrier – Most cars ship on open carriers — the kind you see delivering vehicles to car dealerships. If you ship your car in an enclosed carrier, it is typically 25-50% more expensive.
Condition of vehicle – If your car cannot be driven onto the car carrier, then you need a carrier that can handle inoperable (non-running) vehicles.
Size of vehicle – Larger, heavier vehicles typically cost more to ship. If you provide the year, make and model of your vehicle, the car shipping company can estimate its weight.
Pick-up and drop-off locations – While total shipping distance is a key component of the cost of shipping, there may be a surcharge if either your pick-up or drop-off location is in a remote area.
Use of a terminal – If you need to use a terminal for pick-up or drop-off, there may be a charge for each day it is stored at the terminal facility. Learn more about using a terminal for car shipping .
When you provide the car shipping company with complete information about your planned car shipment, they can provide you with an accurate quote that includes all expenses for shipping your car.
MoveCars.com is a directory of car shipping companies . Since 1997, MoveCars.com has been providing a comprehensive directory of car shipping companies, including international car shipping companies and enclosed car transporters, as well as car shipping tips for first-time car shippers.