If you’re planning a big move, you’re probably interested in finding cheap car shipping rates. Whether relocating across the country or purchasing a vehicle from out of state, understanding how to secure cheap car shipping rates can save time and money.
While auto transport costs can fluctuate due to various factors like distance, vehicle size, and transport method, there are practical strategies to ensure you’re getting the best deal. In this guide, we’ll break down the key elements that influence car shipping prices and share expert tips on how to lower your shipping costs without sacrificing quality or safety.
Key Takeaways:
- The primary factors affecting the price of your vehicle shipment are pickup and delivery locations, trailer type, vehicle size and condition, and time of year.
- The estimated price range for cross-country shipments is $1,100 to $1,650. We recommend getting an instant online quote to see the price based on your specific needs.
- To reduce the cost of your shipment, we recommend booking ahead of time, opting for an open trailer, and having flexibility.
- With Sherpa’s exclusive Price Lock Promise, the quote you receive is the all-in price for your shipment.
Shipping your car can be a straightforward experience when you understand the steps involved. The process typically begins with obtaining quotes from reputable auto transport companies. Once you’ve selected a provider, you’ll schedule your shipment, choosing a pickup window that fits your timeline.
Before the pickup, it’s essential to prepare your vehicle by limiting personal items and documenting its current condition with a thorough inspection.
The contracted carrier will load your vehicle onto the transport truck on the scheduled day. Depending on the type of service you select, your car will be shipped on an open or enclosed carrier. During transit, your vehicle will be safely transported to the destination of your choice.
You’ll be kept informed with updates on your shipment’s progress. Upon arrival, you’ll inspect your car for any damage, sign the bill of lading, and complete the payment process, ensuring your vehicle is delivered securely and on time.
Car Shipping Options
The two primary methods for shipping your vehicle are open transport and enclosed transport. Open vs. enclosed transport relates to the type of trailer used to transport your vehicle.
- Open transport: Open car transport is the cheapest and most common car shipping method. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air trailer with several other cars. Open car shipping typically moves about ten vehicles at a time. Over 90% of Sherpa customers select open trailer transport for their shipment.
- Enclosed transport: The more expensive option is to send your vehicle in an enclosed carrier. Enclosed auto transport offers protection against road debris and bad weather conditions. It is the best option for luxury, classic, and high-end vehicles but not necessary for the majority of shipments, especially for those seeking the cheapest rate.
You also have choices to make in terms of the pickup window for your shipment.
- Standard pickup window: Sherpa’s most cost-effective option is a five-business-day pickup window. When requesting a quote, select your first available pickup date, and we will provide the expected five-day window.
- Expedited pickup window: An expedited pickup window may be worth the additional cost for those in a hurry. Sherpa offers two-business-day and three-business-day expedited pickup windows.
Factors that Affect Car Shipping Costs
Understanding the factors influencing car shipping costs can help you make informed decisions and save money on your shipment.
Below are the primary factors that play a significant role in determining the final price:
- Distance: The farther your vehicle needs to be transported, the higher the cost. Long-distance shipments require more fuel, time, and resources, increasing expenses.
- Vehicle Size and Weight: Larger and heavier vehicles, such as trucks and SUVs, cost more to ship due to the additional space they occupy on the carrier and the extra weight they add.
- Transport Type: An enclosed carrier offers more protection but is more expensive than an open carrier. Open carriers are more common and cost-effective, saving you about 50% of your shipment cost.
- Seasonality: Shipping during peak seasons, like summer or around holidays, can increase costs due to higher carrier demand. Booking during off-peak times may help reduce your rate.
- Pickup and Delivery Locations: Transporting your car to or from remote or rural areas can be more expensive due to the lack of nearby carriers. Urban locations or major transportation hubs typically offer lower rates.
- Vehicle Condition: If your car is inoperable, special equipment and handling are required, increasing the shipment cost. Running and operable vehicles are easier and cheaper to load and unload.
Typical Auto Transport Costs
Although the cost of your vehicle shipment will be based on your specific needs, here are some rate ranges to show what you might pay per mile. These estimates are for operable sedans and SUVs shipped on open trailers. Remember that prices can be influenced by any of the factors above, so your price could differ.
| Shipment Mileage | Price per Mile |
|---|---|
| 0 to 500 miles | $1.55 to $2.50 |
| 501 to 1,000 miles | $1.00 to $1.45 |
| 1,001 to 1,500 miles | $0.80 to $1.10 |
| 1,501 to 2,000 miles | $0.65 to $0.90 |
| 2,001 to 2,500 miles | $0.55 to $0.75 |
| 2,500+ miles | $0.50 to $0.65 |
Popular Auto Transport Routes
Seeing the price ranges of popular transport routes can also help you visualize your potential shipping cost. Just like above, these ranges are influenced by shipment details and market conditions, so your actual price could be different.
| Route | Est. Price |
|---|---|
| New York City to Miami | $1,100 to $1,400 |
| New York City to Los Angeles | $1,325 to $1,625 |
| Los Angeles to New York City | $1,350 to $1,925 |
| Miami to New York City | $1,000 to $1,525 |
| Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles | $1,225 to $1,475 |
| Los Angeles to Dallas | $1,025 to $1,375 |
| San Francisco to New York City | $1,425 to $1,875 |
| Chicago to Phoenix | $1,050 to $1,225 |
| Atlanta to Los Angeles | $1,100 to $1,475 |
| San Francisco to Washington, D.C. | $1,225 to $1,650 |
Remember that shipping a larger and/or inoperable vehicle, choosing enclosed auto transport, or opting for an expedited pickup will cost more than the rates shown here.
How to Reduce Auto Shipping Costs
There are several strategies you can use to lower your car shipping costs without compromising on service quality.
Here are the top methods to consider:
- Book in Advance: Scheduling your shipment ahead of time can help you secure better rates. Last-minute bookings often come with higher prices due to limited carrier availability.
- Be Flexible: If your schedule allows, providing a range of pickup and delivery dates can help you take advantage of lower rates when carriers have more availability. In addition, the more flexible you are with drop-off and pickup dates, the better your options will be.
- Choose Open Transport: Open auto transport is the cheapest way to ship your vehicle and is trusted by over 90% of Sherpa customers. Unless you’re shipping a high-end car, open trailer transport is the best choice to save on your shipment.
- Ship During Off-Peak Seasons: Shipping during less busy times of the year, such as late fall or winter, can reduce costs as demand for carriers is lower.
Why You Should Choose Sherpa Auto Transport
Here are a few reasons why Sherpa Auto Transport is the best choice for cheap car shipping:
- Transparent Pricing: With our exclusive Price Lock Promise, you don’t have to worry about price changes throughout your car’s shipping journey. The initial quote you receive from Sherpa is the price you’ll pay when your vehicle reaches its destination. If the original quote isn’t enough to complete the job, we’ll provide up to $300 to keep your price the same.
- Customer-Centric Approach: When you save with Sherpa, you don’t skimp on quality. We’re driven to provide a top-notch auto transport experience for every customer. We evaluate our success based on their feedback. We’re proud to have a Total Review Score of 4.9 out of 5 stars and thousands of five-star customer reviews across the leading platforms.
- Industry Accolades and Reputation: We have a solid reputation in the auto shipping industry, shown by our A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We’re also proud of our numerous industry accolades from US News, Forbes, Move.org and many others.
Cheap Car Shipping FAQs
How can I save money on car shipping?
You can save money on car shipping by booking early and choosing an open trailer for transport.
How long does it take to ship a car?
The shipping route and distance will play a significant role in the timeline, but shipping a car typically takes at least three or four days. A cross-country car shipment could take 10 days or more. Weather conditions and road work could also extend your shipping timeline.