Breakdown Of What Contributes To The Price Of Shipping A Vehicle
There are many factors that will contribute to the price of shipping a vehicle. Some of the factors are more obvious than others such as vehicle make and model, carrier type and distance. Other factors that people may not realize that contribute to shipping are vehicle weight, the popularity of the location, season and time frame.
Your Vehicle Type Will Affect the Price
From the make and model of your vehicle to even size – all of these factors will affect the shipping price. The smaller size of the vehicle will mean it will cost less since it will take up less space on the carrier. For example, a smaller Honda Civic will cost less on a carrier than a larger sized car such as a Cadillac Sedan.
Carrier Type: Enclosed vs Open Shipping
Different carrier types will affect the price of your shipping. If you have a more valuable car, it is a good idea to use enclosed shipping. This is especially if you have a classic or luxury vehicle, where you do not want to expose it to any weathering. If the vehicle is over 70,000, it is always recommended to use enclosed vehicle shipping.
Distance Your Vehicle Travels
The distance your vehicle will be traveling will all add up to the final price at the end. With everything from fuel prices to traffic jams, this will all affect the price of your shipping. Of course, if you are traveling 1,000 miles, the cost to ship a small car will not be the same as shipping a large truck. All of the factors listed here from carrier type and weight to season and location will add on to the cost of the distance.
Vehicle Weight and Making Your Vehicle Lighter
The weight of your vehicle will factor into your shipping price. If your vehicle weighs more, it adds more stress to the carrier. The carrier has to maintain a certain weight, making sure that vehicles are shipped at the lightest weight they can ship. This may mean taking off any additional custom features to your vehicle that can be removed. You also need to remove any personal items since we are not responsible for missing items, and they can also damage the interior when moved around in the carrier. Finally, we recommend every vehicle fills their tank to no more than ⅓ full, so every vehicle is lighter and ships faster.
The popularity of the Shipping Location
Aside from distance, the location you ship your vehicle to and from will affect the price. If you ship to or from a popular city like NYC, you can guarantee there will be a lot of carriers to ship your vehicle which will make the cost lower. If you are shipping to or from a remote area, the price will be more since the carrier has to go off the main route and it is not a very popular route for carriers. When you ship to remote areas, you may have to wait a while for a carrier that is available to ship your car – so you may not get the exact shipping window that you want.
Shipping Season and Time Frame
The season you ship is another major factor that will affect your rates. For instance, if you ship during snowbird season, your shipping rates will be higher. This is one of the busiest seasons for traffic and for shipping vehicles. Many retirees from the Northern states will escape the cold winter months to live in the warmer states down South for a couple of months.
If you are ready to ship your vehicle, be aware of all the factors that affect shipping cost. If you are looking to save on shipping, consider making changes with all of the above topics listed from changing vehicle shipping location to making your vehicle as light as possible. With Direct Connect Auto Transport, we guarantee that you will have a positive shipping experience with the best auto shipping price around!