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Auto Shipping Overview
Auto shipping companies help car owners move their vehicles both domestically and internationally. There are two main types of auto transport companies: brokers and car carriers.
Auto transport brokers connect customers with a network of carriers rather than shipping the vehicles themselves. When someone requests a vehicle shipment, a broker acts as the middleman to find a carrier that’s best suited for the job. In contrast, car carriers actually transport vehicles.
Carriers are legally required to carry auto shipping insurance with minimum liability limits set by the government. While it’s not legally mandated, many companies also offer add-on insurance coverage for protection against damage or loss.
What Are Your Car Shipping Options?
There are several ways to ship a vehicle, including by train, airplane, or standard carrier truck. Our research found that the most popular transport method is by open carrier. In our car shipping survey, over 42 percent of the 1,000 respondents said they chose to transport their vehicles this way, followed by about 20 percent who opted for enclosed carrier shipping.
Here are some of the most popular types of transport in the car shipping industry:
| Open vehicle transport | The most common type of transport, this shipping process is best for budget-conscious car owners. It leaves your vehicle exposed to the elements on an open trailer. |
| Enclosed auto transport | Your car is placed in an enclosed trailer or shipping container to prevent damage. This tends to cost more than open transport and is a good option for luxury and classic car owners who want peace of mind. |
| Door-to-door delivery | This transport service picks up and drops off a vehicle as close to the customer’s home as possible. |
| Terminal-to-terminal delivery | Your vehicle pickup and drop-off occur at predetermined locations along with other shipments. Not all major providers offer this shipping option. |
| Expedited shipping | Customers with time constraints can choose expedited shipping for an additional cost. Vehicles usually ship within a few days rather than weeks. |
| Single-car shipping | If you don’t want your car shipped with other vehicles, you can choose to have it shipped by itself. |
How Much Does Car Shipping Cost?
Car shipping costs vary widely depending on the transport carrier you choose. According to Easy Auto Ship and Montway Auto Transport, you can expect to pay between 40 cents and $2 per mile when moving your vehicle. You’ll pay higher costs per mile if you’re transporting your vehicle 500 miles or less. While cross-country shipments have lower per-mile rates, they cost more overall.
Here are some car shipping estimates for open trailer transport provided by Easy Auto Ship and Montway Auto Transport:
- 500 miles or less: $1 to $1.96 per mile
- 500 to 1,500 miles: 60 to 93 cents per mile
- 1,500 miles or more: 40 to 60 cents per mile
In our car shipping survey, about 41 percent of respondents reported paying between $1,000 and $1,999 for vehicle transport services.
What Affects Car Shipping Costs?
Car shipping costs are highly variable and are influenced by several factors. These include:
| Miles traveled | Long-distance shipments have lower rates per mile than shorter-distance trips but cost more overall. |
| Type ot transport | Enclosed carrier transport costs more than open transport since it protects your vehicle more. |
| Type of delivery | Door-to-door shipping is more costly than terminal-to-terminal shipping because the service is more personalized. |
| Time of year | Demand for shipping services is higher in January and the summer. |
| Carrier competition | Higher competition between car carrier bids means lower auto shipping costs. |
| Price of fuel | Car shipping companies may charge more to compensate for carriers’ fuel costs. |
| Vehicle operability | Inoperable vehicles are more expensive to ship because they take more effort and resources to move. |
Latest Articles
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Best Car Shipping Companies In Virginia
While the best Virginia car shipping company is Montway Auto Transport, we’d also recommend Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and American Auto Shipping.
April 24, 2024 -
Best Car Shipping Companies In Indiana
While the best Indiana car shipping company is Montway Auto Transport, we’d also recommend Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and American Auto Shipping.
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Best Car Shipping Companies In Nebraska
While the best Nebraska car shipping company is Montway Auto Transport, we’d also recommend Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and American Auto Shipping.
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Best Car Shipping Companies In Oregon
While the best Oregon car shipping company is Montway Auto Transport, we’d also recommend Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and American Auto Shipping.
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Best Car Shipping Companies In Pennsylvania
While the best Pennsylvania car shipping company is Montway Auto Transport, we’d also recommend Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and American Auto Shipping.
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Best Car Shipping Companies In Rhode Island
While the best Rhode Island car shipping company is Montway Auto Transport, we’d also recommend Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and American Auto Shipping.
April 22, 2024 -
Best Car Shipping Companies In South Carolina
While the best South Carolina car shipping company is Montway Auto Transport, we’d also recommend Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and American Auto Shipping.
April 22, 2024 -
Best Car Shipping Companies In Wyoming
While the best Wyoming car shipping company is Montway Auto Transport, we’d also recommend Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and American Auto Shipping.
April 22, 2024 -
Best Car Shipping Companies In Wisconsin
While the best Wisconsin car shipping company is Montway Auto Transport, we’d also recommend Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and American Auto Shipping.
April 22, 2024 -
Best Car Shipping Companies In West Virginia
While the best West Virginia car shipping company is Montway Auto Transport, we’d also recommend Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and American Auto Shipping.
April 22, 2024
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