When you need a mint car delivered somewhere, just driving it there might seem sensible. But that option carries more risks than you think, from wear and tear to, worse, accidents. As much as you may hate to admit it, California is among the top 10 states with the worst drivers (according to LendingTree), and crashing a mint car is pretty bad.
The safer option is car transport, delivering cars via truck to anywhere in the U.S. or across the border. They don’t ply the roads, which reduces early wear and tear and even saves on fuel costs because only the carrier is running. A single car transport run can deliver several units, further reducing costs and wear and tear.
That said, paying for the carrier and the journey, among other things, won’t come cheap. If you plan on going down this road (no pun intended), allow this guide to teach you tips and tricks on minimizing your car transport cost.
Get Into The Nitty-Gritty
Like any investment, a lot goes into calculating the cost of car shipping. Averages don’t paint a full picture because your car transport needs won’t always be average. There are too many factors for the industry to set a price in stone.
The good news is that reliable car transport services maintain an online calculator tool for generating car shipping cost quotes. Using this tool is as easy as entering the necessary details and clicking “Calculate” (or something to that effect). As for those details:
- Trip distance: Naturally, the price increases with the length of the trip. The route also matters; traversing a mountain pass is harder than a road on the plains.
- Vehicle condition: Working vehicles cost less to transport than inoperable vehicles, as the former don’t need heavy equipment like cranes or winches to load them.
- Number of cars: Each loaded vehicle adds weight and drag, which increases the carrier’s fuel consumption and the time to complete the trip.
- Date of transport: Road conditions change with the seasons. Transporting a car during the winter will be harder due to the risk of icy roads.
Some factors may not be included in the calculator but are just as important in planning.
- Current fuel prices: A car shipping service factors in the fuel price at the time of the transport. A difference of few cents up or down may look minor, but they add up quickly.
- Open or enclosed: The service may provide an open or enclosed car carrier. Enclosed carriers offer better protection but cost more and carry fewer units.
- Expedited delivery: Some services offer priority delivery but come at a higher cost. Even then, it doesn’t guarantee availability on the date you want.
Understanding the details of the transport job helps set everything else in place. It involves much work, but not as much as the teams hauling the car while ensuring it gets to where it needs to be undamaged.
Arrange Terminal-to-Terminal Shipping
Most car transport companies may tell you that they offer door-to-door auto transportation, meaning pickup and drop-off at the exact address provided. While convenient, it comes at a higher cost depending on the location’s accessibility. Car haulers would want to stick as close to locations with support facilities (e.g., gas stations, repair shops) as possible.
A cost-effective option is to set the pickup and delivery locations at shipping terminals. These local or regional hubs are usually located in areas with convenient access to local thoroughfares, making car transportation easier. If you’re unable to pick up the vehicle on the day, the terminal will keep it safe until you’re ready to do so.
The downside is that it adds a couple of steps to the car shipping process. Both terminals have to perform checks before releasing the car. Consider reviewing the terminal’s rules and procedures and preparing any necessary documents before the day of the transport.
Nevertheless, terminal-to-terminal transport may be your only viable option depending on the state. The carriers may be limited by the routes they can take, making door-to-door auto shipping not worth the extra effort or impossible.
Choose the Trailer Based on the Car
As mentioned earlier, car transport services offer two kinds of transport methods: open and enclosed. Open car shipping is more common in the industry, as the open carriers cost less to operate and can carry up to several cars in a single journey.
However, when carrying luxury or restored cars, exposure to the elements may pose a risk. You’d want your Tesla or classic Mustang to reach its destination clean and in one piece. Enclosed transport exists for this, though they cost more and can’t carry as many cars.
As such, it pays to pick the right trailer for the job. Open transport is more than enough for common cars, pickups, or SUVs that don’t need to do anything other than be driven later. This also works for fleet vehicles that need to be transferred en masse to another location.
Meanwhile, enclosed transport is ideal for safely bringing luxury cars or supercars to their destination. Classic car restorers also use such enclosed trailers to deliver their works of automotive art to a car show or special events.
Car Transport Need Not Be Costly
Whether to drive elsewhere or flex your wheels before an audience, reliable car transport is essential in protecting your car. Even if costing hundreds, if not thousands, the car shipping quote doesn’t have to break the bank. Plan your car’s shipping journey by getting important details and making sound decisions.
