How To Reduce Your Auto Shipping Prices

Money makes the world go round. But there's another saying that money can't buy happiness. While both are true, happiness doesn't reduce auto shipping costs. Understanding the costs of items and how they are priced is a great way for you to get the best bang for your buck.

There is not much you can do to change the price that you pay. The prices are what they really are, regardless of whether you are comparing auto shipping costs or new vehicle costs.

However, it is important to understand why they exist so that you can ensure you get a fair deal. You can tell when a mechanic is trying to overcharge you, just like you would at a car shop.

We'll be breaking down auto shipping costs and explaining why they are so high.

Auto-shipping costs affected by distance

It is impossible to talk about auto shipping costs without discussing the distance that affects the price.

The vast majority of money spent to ship a car is due to distance - mileage. Operating an auto transport truck is expensive. Carriers can make money by charging per-mile rates.

The rates for shorter trips are higher than those for longer trips. Cross-country shipments have the lowest prices per mile. For example, anything less than 500 miles will cost you around $1 per mile. The price per mile will drop the further your delivery location is away from your pickup location. Long-distance shipments can be as low as 25c per mile.

This pricing structure has been set up for several reasons. Short-distance trips are more expensive because the carriers don't make much on these routes. Long-distance shipments have many stops for pickups or deliveries, especially the latter. This allows them to earn more, which reduces costs. These short trips are often without them.

It would also cost thousands more to ship across America if the price per mile were fixed. In an effort to keep carriers competitive and keep their trucks full, the price per mile falls as you travel further.

Why ship matters

You'll likely have shipped cars before. People need transport services more in summer than they do in winter. This can have an impact on the price you pay, particularly along popular routes.

Most people move their cars during the summer months. There are many reasons why people move, but extra load comes from people moving. Snowbirds are people who move to Florida for winter and then return north after winter is over.

It is a market for carriers, especially on routes that connect major cities. Loads go up, which means that prices go up. Carriers can choose the loads they want and take the highest paying ones first. If you need your vehicle to be moved quickly, the prices will go up in summer.

Winter is a time when demand falls, even for the most popular routes. This makes it more of a shipper’s market. Carriers will take fewer loads, which means they can only get as much as possible. Some may even move at rock bottom prices if they are desperate enough to make a profit.

This means that the time you ship your vehicle is a factor in determining the price. If you are willing to wait, autumn and winter may offer better prices than summer and spring. It all depends on the route you choose to talk to one of our auto transportation specialists before making any final decisions.

Let's discuss vehicle size

Two other factors can also impact your vehicle's price: its weight and its size.

It is no surprise that transporters find it easiest to ship a car. It's their bread, their butter, what they use most frequently, and what their trucks are built to haul. You can fit many other types of vehicles into their trucks, such as SUVs, pickup trucks, and microbuses. This is not a problem.

The problem with larger vehicles is the additional weight and size. It's not unusual for larger pickup trucks to take up more space than a ten-car hauler. The carrier is now able to haul eight pickup trucks instead of ten. Because they cannot fit the ninth vehicle, the pickup truck will be more expensive to transport.

This is true for any vehicle that has a lot of weight. Many people add aftermarket parts to their vehicles, which can make them heavier. Carriers will need to work harder in order to balance their truck and keep it below the federal weight limit. This means that they will need to determine how many vehicles they can take. A heavy vehicle, like a pickup truck, will eventually take up more space than it needs, which can lead to higher prices.

The weight and size factors of your vehicle are usually included in the final price. This is also true for most of what we have discussed and will discuss in this article. It is important to consider how your vehicle's size and weight affect the price of your purchase and plan accordingly.

This is the problem with household items

Customers often have personal items they wish to ship with their cars. We understand. It's already been shipped. There's enough room for household items.

The problem with household items is that carriers can't ship household goods. Only vehicles are licensed. And, second, household items can add weight to the vehicle.

Let's start by addressing the first: carriers aren’t licensed to transport household items. This is why household items cannot be carried in your vehicle. However, most carriers will not care if you have some personal items, such as clothes, in your trunk.

Extra weight is the real problem when it comes to household items. As long as blankets and clothes are not too heavy, they're fine. You'll have problems if you pack your car full of furniture, electronics, or just moving boxes.

These issues are similar to the ones discussed above. Carriers have weight limits that they must adhere to. If you have to place things in your car, ensure they are between 50-100 lbs., out of sight, and that we are aware.

You may have to pay a little more for household items, as they can be difficult to transport with your vehicle. It is important that you inform your concierge about the items so they can help you find the right carrier.

Miscellaneous expenses

The total price of your purchase will cover all miscellaneous costs. These are however expenses you may not think about. One example is fuel prices, especially diesel fuel.

Prices rise when fuel prices rise, which is what happens in summer. It's a natural result of carriers having to ensure their trucks are full. Carriers can spend hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars to fill up their tanks.

General overhead is another major expense. Carriers must pay license fees, maintenance costs, and other costs. These costs force them to maintain their prices below a certain level. The drivers and dispatchers, along with other office workers, must also be paid.

There are costs for owner-operators as well. Right? Rent is one example. Rent comes with other bills like electricity, water, and power.

All of these costs are included in the price that you see. so you won't be surprised at any. They won't usually be an issue. They are extras that will be added to the cost of shipping your vehicle. These should not be overlooked.

Move Car is your best choice for your next shipment

If you are looking for an affordable auto transport rate, give us a shout! We can help you ship any vehicle anywhere in the United States. We are the only auto transportation company that has a dedicated transportation concierge. Give us a call today and we will help you.