Shipping your vehicle will save you both time and money, whether you just purchased the dream car you’ve been saving for or you’re shifting around Texas. At GetmoversTX, we link you with the best names in the vehicle transport industry all in one place. Provide some basic information about your car, such as its year, model, and make, as well as the origin and destination cities of your shipment. You’ll begin getting competitive bids from America’s most trusted auto transport companies within minutes. Choose the most convenient choice and get your car delivered without the hassle or stress of doing it yourself. There are so many things to think about if you want to hire an auto transport carrier, but don’t worry – we’re here to help!

What Is the Cost of Shipping a Car?

The average cost of auto transport ranges between $500 and $1,000. A recent Consumer Affairs study uses data from thousands of businesses to measure the average cost of a coast-to-coast car shipment. According to Consumer Affairs, shipping a compact four-door sedan costs between $600-$1,000, while sending a small van, pickup truck, or SUV costs between $800-$1,070.

There are so many things to consider when looking shipping your car from state to state or even coast to coast.

Vehicle Weight First and foremost, how heavy is your car? Shipping a Dodge Dart is not the same as sending a Range Rover or conversion van. It is essential to accept vehicle weight because the auto insurer would almost certainly do so.

Vehicle Dimensions

Your vehicle’s dimensions will affect your quote because they will decide how many other cars will fit in each shipment. If your car is shorter than the average, it makes more space for other vehicles. Taller or longer vehicles would necessitate special accommodations, which will come at a higher cost.

The Location and the Destination

Pricing is determined by both your pickup and destination. Shipping becomes more costly as one’s location becomes more distant. Furthermore, the distance between your pickup and drop-off points influences the final rate.

The Season

High demand can also influence the price, so keep this in mind when deciding when to ship your car. Because many customers relocate during the summer, the need for auto shipping skyrockets during this time. If possible, send your vehicle during the off-season when prices are lower. When planning a transfer, try to give as much notice as possible. Since most people travel simultaneously, being flexible on dates could be a considerable cost-saving and time-saving measure.

Transport Mode

Is it necessary to transport your car in an enclosed or open carrier? Your final bill will be affected by the mode of transportation you choose for your vehicle. Owners of foreign sports cars or collector vehicles typically opt for enclosed trailer transport, protecting their vehicles from the elements and theft. Since enclosed trailers have less space than open-air trailers, they are the more costly shipping choice. If you’re on a tight budget, you should probably go for an open truck.

The industry norm for auto transportation is 500 miles a day. Auto-shipping companies can charge more if they have to deliver on a tight deadline. Typical delivery time is 14 days or more; faster delivery may be necessary, but expect to pay a premium for expedited service.

With these factors in mind, conduct your due diligence to ensure that you have thoroughly investigated all options before signing a contract. Consumers often base their decisions solely on price, but this should not be the case. An auto shipper is well worth it when you consider the time and resources saved (as well as the thousands of miles saved on your odometer!), but it is an expense that should be thoroughly researched.

Are you ready to ship your car?

Check out our step-by-step auto transport guide to get started with shipping your car:

1. Create a Budget and a Timetable

If you’re transporting your car because you’re moving to a new location, make sure to include the cost of auto transport in your total moving budget. Keep in mind that whether you are moving as part of a corporate transfer or as part of a military PCS order, you could be reimbursed for any, if not all, of your moving-related costs, including the cost of transporting your car.

When planning your car shipping budget, keep in mind how much it will cost to drive your vehicle to its destination. The IRS, for example, has a regular mileage reimbursement of more than 50 cents per mile. This figure is based on studies that show the total fixed and variable costs of operating a vehicle per mile driven. The IRS considers expenses such as depreciation, general maintenance, fuel, and repairs when estimating this amount. If you use this rate to evaluate the amount of fuel cost plus wear and tear from driving your vehicle across Texas, you could save money by shipping your car instead. Consider one of the most common transportation routes, which stretches over 1100 miles from Florida to New York. Using the IRS mileage rate, this drive will cost you around $594 in depreciation and petrol. Also, you’d have to put in about 17 hours behind the wheel. If, on the other hand, you ship the car through a vehicle transport company, you could spend less and save time driving.

Another thing to think about is the timeline. When do you want your car delivered? Keep in mind that most carriers need 7-14 days to transport a vehicle across the country. Make sure you give yourself enough time!

Once you’ve determined your budget and the timeline for your shipment, you should start looking for bids.

2. Look for bids and reserve your transportation

GetmoversTX makes it simple to find a reliable car transport firm. You can request simple details about your auto shipment once using our free online form, and within minutes, you’ll start getting several quotes from the most reputable names in the car shipping industry. Compare the competitive prices quickly and efficiently to save hundreds on your car transport service!

Here are some pointers to help you get an accurate quote:

• When dealing with a transportation company, don’t forget to note any changes or special features that can impact shipment. Lift kits, special tires, low ground clearance, bumpers, spoilers, and a tow hitch are examples.
• Does the car start? If your vehicle is inoperable, it can cause problems when loading and unloading. It can also affect the type of trailer that a company may use to transport it. Make sure you are upfront about your car’s operability so that your carrier can make the necessary arrangements.

3. Verify Licensing and Insurance

GetmoversTX thoroughly vets all vehicle transport companies in our network to ensure they are entirely licensed, insured, and have the necessary experience to assist you with your cross-country car transport. However, before signing off on documents, it is always a good idea to double-check reports to ensure that everything is in order.

Assurance

The FMCSA requires the insurer to provide the consumer with a copy of its insurance policy. Be sure to carefully study and discuss the policies of your vendor. A lot can happen over thousands of miles, and movers can only have partial coverage to keep costs down. Insurance coverage for a truckload is typically about $250,000 per truckload.

Additional coverage is not needed by law, but considering the distance and logistics of the move. Often coverage will not cover all problems that arise when your vehicle is in transit, so check with your insurance agent and shipper to ensure no holes in coverage. The declared value would determine additional coverage costs.

Examine the Feedback

Examine feedback on platforms such as the Better Business Bureau or Trustpilot to ensure that carriers and trailers are adequately maintained and serviced. When it comes to selecting an auto shipper, previous client reviews can be invaluable.

4. Have Your Car Ready for Transport

If you’re buying a car and having it delivered to your house, you’ll need to talk to the seller about the logistics of preparing your new vehicle for transport. However, if you are planning to ship your current vehicle, there are many measures you should take to ensure that it is transport-ready.