Transporting your car across the country may seem very intimidating, especially when trying to do it on a limited budget. Regardless of whether you are planning to move, order a car from a different state, or just want to transport your car, it is important to figure out the most affordable option. In this article, we will provide you tips and approaches that will greatly reduce the costs and guarantees that your vehicle is delivered securely and in a timely manner.
Understand the Factors That Affect Car Shipping Costs
Knowing the reason behind the cost of transportation services is necessary before looking for the most economical method of transport because these aspects help in determining the most efficient options available.
Car Shipping Distance
As is normal in transporting goods from one place to another, cost of shipping increases with distance. While this is an important aspect when deciding on which locations to use, most car shipping services operate on a per-mile rate basis which can make longer route tenders more favorable on a cost per mile basis.
Vehicle Type
The cost of shipping a vehicle is influenced by the vehicle’s size and weight. The dimensions and luxury features of a vehicle can increase its shipping costs. Such vehicles often require additional space or special arrangements.
Seasonal Demand
Prices for car shipping change depending on the time of year. There seems to be an increase in prices during peak off seasons like summer, holidays, etc. It’s always economical to ship a car during an off season because there is lesser demand.
Transport Type (Open vs. Enclosed Shipping)
While transporting a car, one can choose between open and enclosed transport. Enclosed transport offers more protection and is therefore considered more reliable; especially for luxury and classic cars. Open transport is the most economical option available but leaves the car vulnerable to the surrounding elements.
Pickup and Delivery Locations
The area where a vehicle is being picked up or delivered can also affect the shipping cost. Costs can increase due to remote or hard to reach areas. Major cities and metropolitan areas have a higher volume of shipments and therefore more competitively priced services.
Open Transport is the Suggested Cheapest Selection
Open transport services are generally the cheapest option as compared to all other services. This is mainly because the method operates by placing your car on an open transport vessel with other cars awaiting shipment. Because your vehicle is placed in open view, car transport companies are able to combine several shipments which in turn reduces shipping costs.
When cost is the primary concern, open transport is the best option, especially when dealing with a non-classic car. It is even possible to obtain rates of transport ranging from $0.50 to $1.00 a mile for greater distances.
Use Terminal-to-Terminal Car Shipping
In comparison to door-to-door service, terminal-to-terminal shipping offers significantly reduced prices while maintaining the same level of efficiency and reliability. Instead of the carrier picking up and dropping the vehicle off at the respective addresses, they transport them to stations close to the required destinations.
Through terminal-to-terminal transportation, you can reduce shipping costs by hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. The savings become particularly evident in long-distance shipments.
Obtain Numerous Estimates and Analyze the Costs
Comparing multiple offers from different car shipping companies is often the most convenient method. Obtaining quotes from multiple sources drastically changes the estimated price, and in regard to shipping cars across the country, it will almost always provide some new insight into what the most inexpensive solution would be.
Comparing quotes can be done easily on a number of websites. For example, ShippingCarQuotes permits users to submit their vehicle details alongside specific shipment parameters, and then receive a slew of multiple offers from certified car transport agencies giving consumers the chance to compare and discern which cross-country shipment offer truly stands out.
Make Your Booking Early
Transporting your car with a service provider well before the planned departure date will let you book at a desired cheaper rate. For heavily travelled routes, car transport companies often increase their prices as the date approaches; with plenty of demand, this occurs sooner. Right now, it’s beneficial to car owners planning ahead for long trips as they can decide well in advance without worrying about sudden price surges just before the trip.
Moreover, choosing an early booking option makes the shipping date less restrictive which subsequently encourages competition and lowered prices among service providers.
Real-World Example: Cross-Country Move and How Planning Saved Money
Let’s take a detailed example to understand how planning and choosing appropriate modes of shipment can save money.
Recently, Sarah needed to ship her car across the country from California to New York. After researching, Sarah found multiple car shipping companies that offered quotes between $1200-$1600 for a door-to-door enclosed transport. Sarah managed to get a quote of $900 by changing to open transport and terminal-to-terminal shipping on ShippingCarQuotes.
Sarah’s proactive planning saved her even more money, as she booked the shipment two months in advance during the summer season. She was also flexible with her pickup and delivery date, which allowed her to save an additional $200. Ultimately, Sarah’s decision to delay her shipment, along with planning, resulted in saved costs that topped $700.
More Suitable Deals might be Offered Through a Broker
Booking directly with car shipping companies is completely fine, but with a shipping broker, you stand a chance to get better deals. A broker has a network of many carriers and will market your needs to find the lowest rate. Often brokers have special discounts and deals that are not available to the common person. They are available to the general customer work, but not the individual customer.
Always check the reputation as well as the reviews of the brokers before you make a selection. Brokers who save you money on cross-country car shipments can be found with the help of websites such as ShippingCarQuotes.
Final thoughts: Car Cross Country Shipping Under a Budget
To save money while ensuring that the car is shipped safely, avoid price-inflating strategies such as enclosed transport, not using terminal transport, not comparing estimates from several services, and not booking well in advance.
So that you can begin to come up with many estimates, go to ShippingCarQuotes. With thorough analysis, it is very possible to identify the most affordable deal for national car shipping from one location to another and know that the vehicle will be securely shipped.
