The cost to ship a vehicle depends on the type of vehicle you are shipping, the shipping distance, whether the origin and destination are along main shipping routes, and the time of year. See last week’s post for examples of the average cost of auto transport between different regions of the US.
To find out what it would cost to ship your vehicle, you can request a quote from several auto transport companies . They will provide a quote based on your specific vehicle, shipping locations, and timing. To get comparable quotes from different auto transport companies, make sure you request the same options. The following three options are the most common you need to choose from:
For door-to-door shipping, the auto hauler picks-up your vehicle at your home or workplace and delivers your vehicle to your final destination. For terminal-to-terminal shipping, you deliver your vehicle to a vehicle storage location where the auto hauler picks up your vehicle. The auto hauler delivers it to a terminal near your final destination. You can also choose terminal-to-door or door-to-terminal, depending on your needs.
Learn more about this option with our post: Will the Auto Hauler Pick Up My Car at My House?
Open auto transport is the most common way to ship a vehicle and is typically cheaper. Your vehicle ships on open carriers like the ones you may have seen deliver vehicles to car dealerships. Enclosed auto transport is typically priced higher, because your vehicle is protected from dust, rain, snow and other elements by walls and a roof. High-end vehicles and antiques are sometimes shipped via enclosed auto transport.
Learn more about the costs with our post: Is Enclosed Auto Transport Worth the Extra Money?
Operable vehicles can be driven onto the truck under their own power. Inoperable or non-running vehicles require the auto hauler to have special equipment to pull the vehicle onto the truck.
Not all auto haulers have the equipment to load and unload inoperable vehicles. So, if your vehicle is inoperable, be sure your auto transport company knows that when you are get a quote.
By understanding your auto transport options, you ensure you get an accurate quote and can compare quotes between companies.