One of the essential elements that make up the final cost when you are shipping your car abroad is a mileage fee. For a vehicle transporter, knowing the calculation of this fee, what are the factors that influence it, and will they be able to answer any questions regarding vehicle transport are only some of the benefits an agent can provide.
In our how-to guide, you will learn step by step how mileage fees are factored in car shipping quotes and what factors you need to consider to get the most accurate prices. Besides that, we will show you the ways that ShippingCarQuotes.com can make your journey through these charges easier and allow you to get an instant, trustworthy vehicle shipment quote.
How Aren’t Mileage Fees?
Mileage fees are the money that covers the distance that your car has to be shipped. In car shipping, mileage fees are calculated by the car shipping companies based on the total distance from the pickup location to the destination. The longer the distance, the higher the mileage fee will be.
- Factors that Affect Mileage Fees
Total Distance: The major factor that influences the mileage fee is the distance the car has to be driven. For example, if your car is shipped from New York to California, the mileage fee will be worked out based on the distance between the two places.
Type of Transport: The shipping method is the main reason for changes in the mileage fees other than the transport. You can either choose an open transport that is more popular or a closed one that is more expensive. The variation in the means of transport might be the cause for the total cost, but the distance will remain the same.
Route and Accessibility: The transport carrier's exact route can lead to higher mileage. More difficult or less accessible routes (like remote or hard-to-get-to areas) might also have extra mileage fees.
Fuel Surcharges: Fuel prices go up and down and therefore your total mileage charges also vary. The longer the trip, the more fuel is needed, and so the price rises.
Step 2: How Are Mileage Fees Calculated?
Just as the core idea of mileage fees is quite simple, the companies that offer transportation might have a slightly different process for calculating the fees. Nevertheless, the fundamental equation is always the same: more miles, bigger fees.
Here’s the gist of the process:
- Base Mileage Rate
Usually, auto transport firms set a base mileage rate that indicates the usual cost per mile. This rate will vary depending various factors such as:
Company policy
Fuel prices at the moment
The relationship between the supply of and demand for transport services
So the cost per mile may be anywhere from $0.50 to $1.50 or even higher, depending on these factors.
- Distance
What is the distance between the place of pick-up and the place of delivery is another element that affects the total amount of the mileage fees you will be charged. Essentially, the transportation company takes your location, destination, calculates the distance, and then uses the base mileage rate to get the final freight rate.
Example: Supposing it is $1 per mile for the base rate and you require your car to be shipped for 500 miles, then the mileage fee will be $500.
- Additional Expenses for Isolated Places
In case a vehicle is to be transported to a less accessible place like an off-the-beaten-path or isolated area, the shipping company may ask for extra money to cover the additional miles they need to get there. This is generally referred to as a detour fee or remote location surcharge.
Example: It is quite possible that shipping to a large city like Los Angeles will only incur the regular mileage fee; on the other hand, a shipment to a remote area in the desert may have to take a detour, thus making the cost go up.
- Fuel Surcharges
There is a possibility that transport companies may only give a base quote without fuel surcharges, but these fuel surcharges can have an impact on the total mileage fee. In other words, fuel surcharges are additional costs that are calculated based on the changing fuel prices.
Example: If the price of gas were to skyrocket, then a transport company could raise their fuel surcharge which is the cause of the increase of the cost of shipping per mile.
Step 3: What Else Could Change Car Shipping Rates?
Normally, the mileage cost makes a big part of the total, however, the shipping of a car can be influenced by a) several other
factors besides mileage fees such as:
- Vehicle Type
The car you are shipping is to be considered as the price factor of the vehicle is the meaning of the sentence without adding the words. It is because more oversized or complicated vehicles will need more space or will require special handling. Shipping of such cars will require taking a luxury car apart, and if the vehicle is already inoperable or it is an oversized vehicle, then the price will increase to a great extent due to the need for special transport equipment or services.
- Time of Year
Part of the shipping cost can change depending on the time of the year. The higher the demand for shipping during the peak seasons such as summer or holidays, the higher the prices will be, including the mileage fees.
Example: In summers, people moving to other places or buying new cars cause the number of car shipments to rise which is the reason for the increasing demand for the transport and prices that follow it.
- Transport Method
Open Transport: Just about every time a car gets shipped overseas, this is the way it is done. Basically, this means the cheapest option of all. Your car will be driven on an open carrier into which other cars were also loaded.
Enclosed Transport: The price is higher for this method, but it provides a guarantee of the complete safety of the car, especially if it is an expensive, old, or a luxury car. There may be an increase due to the mileage part if the transport is enclosed because of the requirement for a specialized carrier.
- Expedited Shipping
In case you are in a hurry to get your vehicle, you might have to opt for expedited shipping. This service can not directly impact mileage fees, but the necessity of priority transport can make a higher overall shipping cost.
Step 4: How ShippingCarQuotes.com Can Help
On ShippingCarQuotes.com, we offer you the convenience of obtaining a precise estimate for the transport of your vehicle. Our platform considers each and every factor—mileage, vehicle type, shipping method, and location details—to provide you with a shipping quote tailored to your needs.
- Instant Quotes for Your Vehicle
Just typing in your vehicle details, pickup address, and destination enables you to get an instant and accurate quote that illustrates the length of the trip along with all other factors affecting the price.
- Customized Options
We realize that no two shipments are the same. Whether you have a bunch of cars to ship or a luxury vehicle, we have dedicated solutions that can guarantee that your shipment will be delivered safely and at a reasonable price.
- Real-Time Pricing Updates
It is our pleasure to inform you about price changes as they occur. Hence the offer you get is not only current but it also reflects the whole market situation (including any changes in fuel price or availability of transportation).
- Transparent Fees
We at ShippingCarQuotes.com are committed to complete openness with our clients. Along with the total cost, there is a detailed list of every charge (including the mileage fee) to help customers fully understand what they are paying for.
Step 5: How to Obtain a Car Shipping Quote
If you want a vehicle shipment quote tailored to your needs, just do the following simple things:
Go to ShippingCarQuotes.com.
Describe Your Vehicle: Fill out a form with the data of your vehicle: what kind of car it is, its size, and whether it is working or not.
Location of Pickup and Delivery: To find out the distance and the mileage, enter the addresses for both the pickup and delivery.
Select Your Transport Method: Choose between open transport and enclosed transport based on what you want and what you have.
Access Your Quote: Your personalized and on-the-spot quote will be emailed to you directly from your provided details.
Conclusion
One of the most important things that you will have to do when planning and budgeting is to know exactly how the mileage fees will be included in your shipping quote. In order to get a proper estimate that will take into account all the needed factors, you will need to provide the correct distance, vehicle, and special requirement details.
We, at ShippingCarQuotes.com, offer the most comprehensive and transparent quotes that account for all the variables, hence, the best price for your shipment can be made possible. Want to go on a trip with us? Come and get a quick and reliable car shipment quote by visiting our site right now!
