Tips For Finding The Cheapest Car Shipping Company
Are you looking for the cheapest car shipping option? If you need to ship your car the costs can get expensive, so finding the most affordable car transport service could be very important.
The cheapest way to ship a car will depend on many different factors, including your location, how far you need your vehicle transported, and the type of transportation you require.
There is much to know about car shipping, so it will be worth the education if you have never transported a vehicle before.
We’ll look at the cheapest car shipping companies and things you can do to cut your costs. Finding one of the cheap shipping car companies could be worth it, especially after spending on a full-service moving company for the rest of your belongings.
Let’s take an in-depth look at what you need to know about car shipping services. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll know the least expensive ways to ship a car to another state.
Cheapest Car Shipping Company Near Me
Even though you are looking to transport cars cheap, you’ll still want to find a reliable company that will care for your vehicle.
It can be challenging to know where to begin to find a company that provides good value for money while at the same time being reliable.
Some folks will head to Google and do an online search. Common search phrases include cheapest car shipping company near me or cheap shipping car companies.
You are bound to see a few results with these searches. Doing an online search, however, might not be the best way to find cheap car shipping.
Let’s review the things you can do to ensure you get the best price when shipping your car but more importantly, contact one of the best auto transport companies.
What is The Average Cost of Shipping a Car?
Many different factors contribute to the overall price you will pay, but the average cost to ship a car is more than $700.
The lowest you can expect to pay is around $300 if you don’t need to transport your vehicle very far. The upper limit for car shipping will be above $2,000, but that will only be for cross-country distances and if you have special requirements.
Things You Should Know About The Cost of Shipping a Car
Before you begin getting quotes to ship your car, you need to understand a bit more about how the business works. The shipping price will change from day to day as well as between companies. Also, the quote that the car shipper gives you might not be the amount you end up paying.
What’s more, the car transport company you get the quote from might not be the same company that ends up shipping your vehicle. What typically happens is when you get a quote, carriers will bid on your car shipment.
The process can seem chaotic to someone unfamiliar with car shipping and the bidding process. The stages of getting a quote and finding a carrier work like this:
- You ask for a quote
- The broker gives you an estimate of the cost
- Carriers put in bids to ship your car
- The lowest bid wins
- The carrier that won will arrange to pick up
Go With Open Carrier For The Cheapest Car Shipping
The type of transport you choose will have a significant bearing on the overall cost. Auto carriers will charge you based on open vs. closed vehicles.
If you want to save the most money, you should choose an open carrier or open trailer service. Open auto transport will be a much less expensive option vs. enclosed transport. However, there are some situations where an enclosed trailer will be worth paying more for.
An enclosed carrier should be reserved for a classic car, luxury car, exotic car, sports car, or other types of expensive vehicles.
Enclosed auto transport should be reserved for these types of vehicles when you don’t want to take any chances of getting a nick or two. The best option for most people who have average car models is to go with an open carrier.
While you might have more peace of mind with an enclosed truck, it won’t be the cheapest option. The chances of getting any significant damage to your vehicle on an open carrier are relatively rare.
Taking a chance with exotic vehicles or other expensive cars may not be worth the risk of damage. Only you can decide if it will be worth the savings.
How Much Do You Save on Open Carrier vs. Enclosed Carrier
You can expect the savings of going with an open carrier to be around 40% less vs. enclosed transport. The pricing could be a difference of over $500 on a cross-country journey.
When traveling long distances, there may be an increased sense of urgency to keep a luxury car safe not only from weather conditions but also from the potential of theft.
The most common method of shipping a car is open transport. Only about 10 percent of folks choose to go with enclosed transport.
The best deal for moving a vehicle across the country will be open shipping when you are most concerned with the overall cost.
Other Things You Can do Find the Cheapest Car Transport
There are some strategies you can use to increase your chances of finding the cheapest car shipping company. A little bit of research will go a long way when you want cheap car shipping.
Planning Ahead With Moving a Car
When you have different carriers bid on your car shipment, you want to give them more than a few days to submit their bids. With a more limited amount of time for companies to bid on your shipment, you’ll find you get fewer bids, and therefore the prices will be less competitive. To get the best prices, you’ll want to allow for more time.
Since the carriers will bid against each other to win your business, you want this bidding process to work in your favor as much as possible. However, you don’t need to give these companies months to bid on your shipment. A couple of weeks should be long enough.
If you are lucky, the car shipping quote process could see the price you pay dropping by several hundred dollars.
Get Multiple Quotes From Auto Transport Companies
Don’t just call one auto transport company! If you contact at least three companies with your shipping requirements, it will help you tell a great price from something that is far too expensive.
Doing research will give you a better understanding of the costs involved and something you wouldn’t know if you just went with the first quote you got.
You will get a free quote outlining the car shipping costs, so it makes sense to put in a little extra effort.
The more quotes you get, the easier it is to understand when a carrier is trying to lowball you. A company might offer you an excellent price to entice you, only for them to turn around later and raise the costs.
You could be in a situation where you have already paid a deposit to a company that offered you a perfect price, then find you can’t get out of the deal when the final bill increases.
If you get more quotes, the unrealistic prices will be more apparent, and you’ll be able to avoid that company. With multiple bids for your car shipment, you can avoid both the most expensive and the lowest quote.
Other Factors Affecting The Cost of Car Shipping
Many things can push the price of your car shipment in your favor or add to your costs. Things like demand and even the weather could alter the price you end up paying.
But along with whether you choose an open or enclosed trailer, the most significant factors in shipping costs are the following:
Door to Door Service vs. Terminal Shipping
The final destination of your car will matter when it comes to cost. For the lowest price, you should opt for in-terminal pick-up.
As you might expect, door-to-door service is going to be more expensive than bringing your vehicle to a terminal shipping location. Terminal service is more convenient for a car shipping company, as they will not have to drop off cars in multiple locations.
A more affordable way for them and you is to have your car be sent to the delivery location where the bulk of the vehicles are shipped.
The Distance Traveled Affects Car Shipping Prices
Car shipping prices will vary depending on how far you’re moving a vehicle.
As you might imagine, it costs a lot more to transport your car further. Moving a short distance is less on fuel prices and human resources.
If you need to ship your car 300 miles, it might cost you $600 or $700, but transporting your vehicle to the other side of the country could cost twice that amount.
Going from the East coast to the West coast will undoubtedly be more money than moving a car one state away. A shorter distance from a major city will be less costly than a transport company traveling a longer distance to rural areas.
The Size of The Vehicle Matters For Moving Costs
The size and type of vehicle will have some bearing on the pricing for shipping a car.
You will be charged more to transport larger vehicles. The difference between an average-sized car and a large truck could be hundreds of dollars for the same journey.
Advance Notice Can Potentially Help Save on Shipping Costs
Short notice on moving a car across the country will hit you in your wallet. Cheap car shipping is not synonymous with giving auto transport brokers no notice.
If you need to have your car shipped without much advance notice, it might be possible, but it will cost you a lot more. Some companies might be able to send a car with just a day’s notice, but they will charge you a lot extra for the privilege.
The Time of Year Matters For Car Shipping Pricing
As you might expect, the time of year can influence the cost of shipping a car. You will get the best prices in the winter months. The auto transport industry is just like the general moving business. The spring and summer months tend to be the busiest. You can expect to pay more for transporting a car then.
Getting Your Delivery Date When You Want it Affects The Price
Having the exact delivery window to receive your car at your new home might cost extra. If you can be more flexible with your vehicle’s arrival time, you could find this a cheap way to save. As you can see, several factors will influence car shipping costs.
How to Get Car Shipping Quotes
Some companies will let you get an online estimate on their website, but with others, you’ll need to call them. You need to provide them with the answers to a few simple questions, including:
- Make and model of your car
- The car’s year
- When you want to ship the vehicle
- Your location
When you agree to a bid, you’ll often need to pay a deposit to the broker. This charge is separate from the payment you’ll give to the driver when your vehicle is delivered.
Choosing The Right Car Shipping Company
Finding the cheapest car transport service shouldn’t be your only consideration, because if you choose poorly, it could end up costing a lot more. Customer service should still be at the top of your list of concerns even though you’re trying to save money.
If the carrier isn’t reliable, your vehicle could get damaged, or your car could be delivered a lot later than planned. If damage has been done to your car, it could cost you if the carrier’s insurance doesn’t fully cover it. Even a delay to the shipment could add an expense if you need to rent a car.
It would be best if you tried to find a company with a good reputation and good customer feedback. Let’s look at a few companies that have a good track record. When you want cheap car shipping companies, this is where I would start.
For other excellent auto transport services, refer to the resource at the top of this article that provides information on the best car shipping companies.
Bargain Auto Transport
If you are looking to transport your vehicle across the country, Bargain Auto Transport could be the cheapest way to ship a car for you. The average price for shipping coast to coast works out at about $300 below the industry average.
They also have a lot of excellent customer feedback, showing that the service they offer is reliable.
American Auto Shipping
If you only need your car shipped a short distance, American Auto Shipping is worth considering. They typically offer more competitive prices for journeys below 500 miles. You could receive a saving of several hundred dollars compared to average quotes.
Other Reliable Shipping Companies
Certain other car carriers stand out as reliable. These companies have spent years building up a good reputation for reliable service with excellent customer feedback.
Easy Auto-Ship
With low prices and quick delivery, this is a shipping company that should be on your list. They also have good customer feedback and are another reliable option.
You can reach Easy Auto-Ship at their website.
Sherpa Auto Transport
Sherpa offers customers guaranteed quotes, something that will bypass some of the uncertainty you might otherwise experience when shipping your car. They will cover any additional expenses that would be charged to you, up to $300. They will also wash your car for free, and since the vehicle will need a clean after being on the back of the trailer, this is a valuable bonus.
You can reach Sherpa Auto Transport at their website.
AmeriFreight
AmeriFreight has been in business for more than 15 years and offers guaranteed shipping quotes. Their customer feedback is also very positive and should prove a good reliable choice.
You will be able to reach Amerifreight at their website.
Montway Auto Transport
With low prices and guaranteed pickup dates, Montway is another option you should think about when getting quotes. The guaranteed pickup will make sure you don’t have to rearrange your plans at the last moment if your driver has changed their route to collect another vehicle.
To contact Montway Auto Transport visit their car shipping website.
Nationwide Auto Transportation
Also, with low prices, Nationwide boasts positive customer feedback too. You can quickly and easily get a quote on their website to find out if they offer you a better deal. To make contact with Nationwide Auto Transportation go onto their website for contact info and car shipping costs.
Common Car Shipping FAQ’s
1. Does car shipping take longer with enclosed carrier transport?
Yes, it usually does. There are far fewer cars shipped via enclosed transport, so there is less demand for the service.
2. Will my car get dirty when shipped on an open carrier?
Yes, it will. All the vehicles on an open transport will be exposed to the elements, including rain, wind, snow. You can expect that your car will need to be washed when you get it.
3. Can road debris damage my car on an open carrier?
Yes, it can. Since the car is open to the elements, many things could damage the vehicle, including things flying up from the road.
4. Who is the cheapest car shipping company for enclosed transport?
The auto transport company with the lowest prices for enclosed carrier services is Ship a Car Direct. They are a couple of hundred dollars cheaper than the average of the other enclosed trailer companies.
You can reach Ship a Car Direct at their car moving website.
Other Valuable Moving Resources
Do you want more sound advice to help with your moving experience? Take a look at these helpful resources.
- Rent a UHaul truck – When you are interested in saving money with your move going with U-Haul to rent a moving truck can be a great benefit. You will save thousands of dollars vs. choosing a full-service mover.
- Rent a Home Depot truck – Home Depot also offers those folks looking to make a DIY move with their fleet of trucks. It is a popular option when the goal is to save money. Get a complete overview of what to know about renting a Home Depot truck.
- Storage options when you’re moving – there are a few methods for storing your belongings, including full-service storage, portable storage, and self-storage. See what you need to know about each of these moving options.
- Best junk removal services – one common task when moving is getting rid of all of your junk. It is always a good idea to do so when your home needs to be de-cluttered. Take a look at some of the best junk removal companies, so you make the best choice.
Final Thoughts on Finding The Cheapest Car Shipping
When you are interested in saving money shipping a car, you will find the options discussed as the best methods to make it happen. Keep in mind that you still need to perform due diligence to make the best choice when looking for cheap car shipping.
The moving industry is filled with fly-by-night companies looking to make a quick buck. Doing your homework is essential.
About the author: The above Real Estate information on the cheapest car shipping was provided by Bill Gassett, a Nationally recognized leader in his field. Bill can be reached via email at billgassett@remaxexec.com or by phone at 508-625-0191. Bill has helped people move in and out of many Metrowest towns for the last 34+ Years.
Are you thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for Real Estate and would love to share my marketing expertise!
I service Real Estate Sales in the following Metrowest MA towns: Ashland, Bellingham, Douglas, Framingham, Franklin, Grafton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Natick, Northborough, Northbridge, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Sutton, Wayland, Westborough, Whitinsville, Worcester, Upton, and Uxbridge MA.
