The price of auto transport services from a reputable relocation company can depend on many factors, such as – the size and weight of your vehicle, the distance it needs to be transported, and the time of the year when you book this type of relocation service. Of course, the route of a shipment can have an impact on the price, and if you book some extra services (such as vehicle insurance), the overall cost will be higher. The average cost of shipping a car across the country is $1,650, but it can be as low as $1,200 or as high as $2,100.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car Across the Country?
Are you moving across the country and dreading the thought of having to transport your car? Or maybe you’re in the process of downsizing and need to get rid of your vehicle. Regardless of your reason, you’re likely wondering – how much does it cost to ship a car? In this blog post, we’ll discuss the price range for shipping a car across the country. Keep reading to learn more!
Why Should You Ship a Car Across the Country?
Relocating to a new state can be an exciting adventure, even though it comes with a bit of relocation stress. There are so many things to think about when you’re moving cross country, and one of the most important things on your to-do list should be finding a reputable long-distance moving company that can take care of shipping your automobile across the country. Here are just a few benefits of car shipping that can persuade you this is a great idea when you’re relocating to a new home in another state.
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The Main Benefits of Vehicle Shipping to Keep in Mind When Booking a Cross-Country Moving Service
If you’re planning to drive to your new home, that means you won’t have a lot of time to do anything else. Hiring long-distance movers to take care of shipping your vehicle will give you the freedom to fly or take the train so that you can arrive at your new home with plenty of time to spare. You won’t have to worry about making the long drive yourself, which can be tiring and stressful.
Another advantage of shipping your vehicle is that it’s usually cheaper than driving it yourself. When you factor in the cost of gas, food, lodging, and other expenses associated with a cross-country road trip, it’s often more cost-effective to simply ship the vehicle – even though it doesn’t seem like it at first glance. If you’re planning to drive it to your new city, you could end up spending a lot of money on gas. Depending on how far you’re relocating, gas costs could end up setting your relocation budget back hundreds of dollars.
Driving long distances can put a lot of wear and tear on any automobile. If you’re not planning to keep yours for very much longer, it doesn’t make sense to put unnecessary stress on it by driving it across the country. Shipping your automobile will ensure that it arrives at your new home in the same condition it was in when you left. Finally, shipping is often safer than driving it yourself. Your vehicle will be shipped on a carrier with years of experience and a proven track record of safety. Plus, it will be insured against any damage that might occur during transit.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car on Average?
So, how much does shipping a car cost? The price will vary depending on a number of factors, including the type of vehicle. The average cost to ship a sedan from New York City to Los Angeles, for example, is $1,000 – $1,500.
Shipping an SUV or truck will cost more, typically between $1,500 and $2,000. If you’re shipping your vehicle coast-to-coast (say, from New York to San Francisco), you can expect to pay closer to $2,000. As you can see, there are many things to consider when booking cross-country moving services with packing assistance and auto transport.
Obviously, shipping is a popular option – but there’s no denying that it can be expensive. How much does it cost to ship a car across the country on average? Let’s take a look – the numbers are in the table below.
| Expenses | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| The average cost to ship a car | $1,650 |
| The highest cost | $2,100 |
| The lowest cost | $1,200 |
What Does Affect the Overall Price of Shipping?
One of the main factors that will affect the cost of shipping is the distance your automobile needs to travel. The further away your destination is, the more it will cost to have it shipped. This is because long-distance shipments require more fuel and more time. You can expect to pay more for a shipment from coast to coast than you would for a shipment within the same state.
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Another factor that affects the cost of shipping an automobile is its size and weight. Larger and heavier vehicles will cost more to ship than smaller and lighter ones. This is because they require more fuel and take up more space on the truck. If you have a large SUV, you can expect to pay more to have it shipped than if you have a small sedan or coupe.
The time of the year can also affect the cost. Summer is typically the busiest time for relocation and auto transport companies since many people are relocating in the summer – for school or work. As a result, prices tend to be higher during the relocation season. You can often get a better deal if you ship your vehicle during the winter or fall months when demand is lower. There are a few other things that can have an impact on the price:
- Extra insurance,
- Shipping route,
- Expedited transport,
- Transporting to or from rural areas,
- Shipping more than one vehicle,
- Fuel prices,
- The provider of long-distance moving services.
The Type of Trailer You Choose for Your Vehicle Will Greatly Affect the Overall Cost of This Relocation Service
There are two main methods of auto transport – open transport and enclosed transport. Open transport is the most common and most affordable option – as the name implies, your vehicle will be transported on an open trailer along with other vehicles.
Enclosed transport is more expensive but provides greater protection for your vehicle – this means it will be shipped in its own container or trailer. Which one should you choose? It depends on whether you want the cheapest way to move or you’re ready to spend a few extra bucks to ensure your vehicle is moved safely.
About Shipping a Car
Is it worth it to ship my car?
Transporting a car across the country is something that may cost a bit, but it’s ultimately worth it. While you can hardly pull off a 100% stress-free move, you can help yourself by letting professionals take care of your beloved vehicle. Driving across the country on your relocation day is exhausting, and it’s rarely worth the trouble. It’s almost always better to book vehicle shipping as a part of your cross-country moving service.
Can you put stuff in a car when you ship it?
Although it is legal to ship belongings in your vehicle or trunk, almost every cross-country moving company would prefer that you don’t pack an auto for relocating as there is always a chance of theft or damage to the stuff during auto transport. The majority of businesses advise that you empty the car of all personal belongings before shipping.
Because each shipping trailer has a weight limit depending on the make and model of the vehicle, shipping your automobile with various stuff within it may cost more. If you go over these limits, the carrier may charge you more or refuse to transport your vehicle.
Putting stuff or boxes for relocating to be shipped in your automobile can be unsafe. To prevent the chance of theft, several relocation and auto transport firms demand that the things inside the car be packed underneath the window lines. When your vehicle is loaded with goods, persons on the street can consider the carrier’s frequent stops at rest stops and gas stations as an opportunity for theft. Unfortunately, you would be responsible if your window was broken and things were stolen. Additionally, goods in your vehicle are vulnerable to damage due to movement while being transported.
What should I look for when shipping a car?
Prior to scheduling an automobile shipment, you need to do detailed research on the cross-country moving company that you’re considering for auto transport services. You have to be sure the company is legitimate – you don’t want to become a victim of a relocation scam. Ask those who have shipped vehicles before for advice and what red flags to look out for. Review websites online – this is always one of the relocation essentials.
Check out the Better Business Bureau’s ratings and complaints on the company you’re considering. Also, be sure to obtain confirmation from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regarding licenses and insurance. Before choosing the relocation company, get at least 3 different estimates, and make sure each one includes detailed information on costs, rates, insurance coverage, and deductibles. You’ll be happy you set aside time to do this – it’s the most important thing when it comes to organizing an efficient move.
Car Shipping Cost Is an Essential Part of Every Relocation Budget – But It’s Money Well Spent
When planning a budget for your upcoming relocation, don’t forget to factor in the cost of car shipping. Understandably, you won’t be happy about spending the money on this, but it’s something that can make your relocation way easier and ensure you keep the relocation stress under control.
By hiring cross-country movers, you can ensure your automobile arrives at your new home safely and on time, with no stress for you – knowing your beloved vehicle is in the hands of professionals will make your relocation a lot easier. Now that you know what to expect when it comes to the average cost of shipping a car, you can start getting quotes from cross-country moving companies. Good luck with your move!
