The Factors That Influence the Cost of Car Shipping

[Nelia Holley]

If you need to ship your car from one place to another, whether it’s from California to New York or

from Los Angeles to Orlando, then you’ll want to make sure that you do so as cheaply and efficiently

as possible. Since the expense of shipping your vehicle can vary significantly based on several

factors, we’ve put together this guide to explain how car transport works and what factors affect the

cost of shipping a vehicle. It should help you determine how much shipping costs will be and also

give you an idea of where you might find the best deal possible on your vehicle transportation

needs.

Vehicle Size

The size of your vehicle will be one of the biggest factors that influence its price. Larger vehicles, like

SUVs and trucks, cost more to ship because they take up more space on a flatbed trailer. You should

expect to pay a premium for shipping bigger vehicles long distances. The greater distance you have

to travel, too, affects how much you’ll pay; if you are traveling from Tennessee to California, for

example, you can probably guess that it is going to cost more than if you were traveling just over an

hour away.

Distance Travelled

The more distance your vehicle will have to travel, the higher it will cost to ship. This is because

transporting a vehicle is an extremely labour-intensive process, and shipping companies charge per

kilometre travelled. When shipping by plane, there are significant additional charges for airfare and

airport fees. Although you can save money on ground transportation if you transport your car

yourself, most people hire professional movers who specialise in shipping vehicles. If you do use a

moving company, make sure they have experience handling motor vehicles (they should be licensed

and insured) as well as insurance for any potential damages that may occur during transit.

Additional Services

Many auto transport companies provide add-on services at an additional cost. If you’re shipping a

vehicle that has been customized or made to order, it may require more preparation time and extra

care to ensure it arrives undamaged. In addition, some cars have hidden spots where damage can

occur that are difficult to see without an inspection. Choose an auto transport company with

experience in transporting vehicles similar to yours so they know what precautions to take before

pickup and during transit. You may also want to request insurance coverage for glass breakage prior

to your shipment. Most auto transport companies will allow you to select options such as pick up

and delivery times, drop off locations and even alternate transportation options at an additional

charge. A variety of customer service features are available through 24/7 live customer support lines

and toll-free numbers which make getting information quick and easy whether you need assistance

booking a shipment or details about specific charges on your bill after it is received.

Weather Conditions

The type of weather, temperature and humidity that you experience during a car transport can

affect how much your shipment will cost. For example, if you are shipping a vehicle to Florida during

hurricane season, you could be looking at hundreds or even thousands more than usual in costs due

to inclement weather. To ensure you get accurate quotes for your car transport, give at least 2-3

weeks’ notice before your vehicle is expected to arrive at its destination. This will ensure there is no

rush on any part of your move. If it does have to happen quickly, however, make sure you provide an

ample amount of time so that there aren’t any delays caused by adverse weather conditions.

Insurance Requirements

It’s critical to know whether your car has insurance and what kind. Most states require that you buy

insurance for your vehicle, and if you don’t, it may be taken away by law enforcement or impounded

(at your expense). It's a good idea to have at least liability coverage, which helps pay for other

people's medical expenses in case they're injured in an accident. This is usually required by state law

and doesn't cost too much. Collision and comprehensive are optional add-ons, but both are worth

considering because they can help protect against major losses if something happens to your car.

Collision pays out only after you've had an accident; comprehensive pays out even when there's no

fault attached to you—think fire, theft, floods—anything not related to driving. Both will help cover

things like rental cars while yours is being repaired. If you find yourself asking how much does it cost

to ship a vehicle cross country? consider all these factors first.

Type of Transport

The cost to ship a car varies significantly depending on how you choose to get it from one location to

another. Truck shipping is generally more expensive than container shipping, for example, and long-

distance trucking can be substantially more costly than local or regional freight. The type of

transportation also affects insurance coverage and timing issues, so if you’re looking for flexibility in

your shipping schedule, using a flatbed carrier might not be ideal. If you need to transport multiple

vehicles at once, consider renting a trailer. Alternatively, if you have multiple cars that are low value

and low weight car shipping quotes (such as vintage cars), they may be able to fit inside a standard 20-foot container;

just note that these shipments will require extra space in addition to shipping costs, which are based

off dimensional size rather than weight.

Schedule Risks

The time it takes to transport a vehicle is influenced by several factors, including how far you’re

shipping and how long it takes to load and unload your vehicle. You may also need to plan around

delays if you choose an airline or other transit method, so be sure to leave plenty of extra time in

your schedule for unexpected events. If you want to ensure your vehicle reaches its destination on

time—or if budget is a major concern—you can request priority scheduling when arranging car

transport with a qualified service provider. This process involves providing details about your

vehicle, such as make and model, so that appropriate equipment can be scheduled ahead of time.

This service often costs more than regular reservation fees but ensures that your vehicle travels with

shorter transit times and fewer interruptions.