Whether you’re moving to a new place or have just purchased a vehicle from a distant location, transporting your car can be daunting. We understand that finding a reliable auto transport company and the most cost-effective way to ship a car is crucial and often stressful.
But fear not, and you have come to the right place. In this article, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about cheap car shipping services to help you ship your car within your budget. We’re confident you’ll find the solution to your shipping requirements here.
Cheapest Way To Ship A Car
Are you looking for cheap car shipping methods? The answer is open car transport. Open car transport is the cheap car shipping option because it is the most popular and cost-effective way to ship a car.
- When you ship your car in an open transport, your vehicles will be shipped in an open trailer. It is the affordable car shipping method; your vehicle will be exposed to external elements and come into contact with dust, dirt, rain, snow, etc., but it will be shipped safely to your destination address.
Car Shipping Cost And Its Factors
When it comes to the transportation of a vehicle, the main concern is how much it will cost to ship a car. You need to consider many factors when you are looking to transport your vehicles. The average cost to ship a vehicle is from $300 to $1500 and depends on factors and from company to company. Below are a few major factors that affect the shipping cost,
- Vehicle type
Vehicle type is the most important factor that affects the shipping cost. Large vehicles like SUVs, trucks, etc., will cost more than smaller vehicles. The size and weight of the vehicle also determine the shipping cost. Heavy vehicles will cost more because they occupy a much larger space.
- Distance
Distance and delivery address play major roles in the cost of shipping and pickup. Long-distance shipping will cost more because auto transport companies charge based on the per-mile cost.
- Trailer type
The shipping method you have chosen also affects the cost; open transport will cost less than enclosed transport because enclosed transport offers greater protection to your vehicles.
- Time of shipping
The time of shipping also affects the shipping cost because the demand for shipping increases during the peak season, which is summer. Therefore, it will cost more because of the increase in the demand for shipping.
Open Vs. Enclosed Transport
Open and enclosed transport are the two most common and popular car transport methods. Open transport is cost-effective, while enclosed transport is costly. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages. Let us discuss these two methods.
Open Car Transport
This is the most common and the customer’s favorite car transport method. In this method, your vehicle is loaded onto an open trailer and exposed to external elements. It is the most cost-effective method, but it has pros and cons.
- Cost-effective and easily available.
- The vehicle will be exposed to external elements.
Enclosed Car Transport
Enclosed car transport is the most expensive car shipping method, but in an enclosed transport, your vehicle will be shipped in an enclosed trailer, protecting it from external elements and offering high security.
- High security protects your vehicle from getting damaged.
- They are expensive and have limited availability in the market.
Door to Door Vs. Terminal to Terminal Shipping
When it comes to transporting a vehicle, the two most common shipping options are door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal shipping. Both options are cost-effective, but door-to-door shipping will cost more. Let’s discuss these two car shipping methods to learn more about them.
Door to Door Shipping
When you choose a door to door shipping option, your vehicle will be picked up from your address, and then it will be delivered to your destination address. It is the convenient car shipping option but it will cost more than the terminal to terminal shipping.
Terminal to Terminal Shipping
- Your vehicle will be dropped off and picked up from the terminal points as its name suggests. You must drop off your vehicle at the designated terminal port, and from there, the driver will pick it up for shipment at the time of delivery. The driver will then drop it off at the nearby terminal port; you must pick it up from there.
- In terminal to terminal shipping, you must arrange your own transportation to and from the terminal port for pickups and drops off of your vehicles.
Quick Key Points with Pro Tip
- Choose the reliable and budget-friendly auto transport and choose the cheapest way to ship a car by determining your budget.
- Car shipping cost is affected by several factors such as carrier type, vehicle model size and weight, distance and time, etc.
- Open car transport is an affordable way to ship a car.
- Terminal to terminal shipping is more affordable than door to door car shipping.
- The auto transport company offers various discounts to students, military or armed forces members, and senior citizens.
Pro Tip For Cheap Car Shipping
- When looking for a car transport company, you have to make sure that you have researched the company and get car shipping quotes from different companies. Get quotes for both open and enclosed car transport, compare them, and choose the best and most affordable car shipping quotes that meet your expectations.
Tips To Save On Car Shipping
If you want to save money on shipping costs, consider these tips to save your money,
- When you are planning the shipment, you have to schedule the shipment of your car in advance because late bookings will cost more, and there is a chance that you may not get the right trailer for your vehicle.
- Before you ship your vehicle you have to prepare it for shipment, remove personal belongings from inside the vehicle, and reduce the weight of the vehicle to prevent the additional shipping cost.
- Shipping prices are based on the time of shipping. Peak season shipping will cost more due to the high demand for shipping and the limited availability of carriers. So, if you want to save on shipping costs, ship your vehicle during the off-season.
- Don’t depend on the company you see at the top of the list. You have to look for different car shipping companies, get auto shipping quotes from different car shipping companies, and choose the best one for your budget and vehicle.
- Be flexible with the date and time of the shipping to avoid extra shipping costs.
- Choose open car transport, but if you are looking for the cheapest way to ship a car, choose terminal to terminal car shipping.
- Auto transport companies offer several discounts, so look for them. Many auto transport companies offer discounts to students, senior citizens, and members of the armed forces.
These money-saving tips will help you choose cost-effective shipping services for your vehicle and help you save money.
Conclusion
When it comes to shipping your vehicle, choosing the most economical method doesn’t mean compromising on quality. It’s about being smart with your shipping costs, understanding the factors that influence them, and selecting a safe and affordable car shipping method. These tips are designed to help you make informed decisions, ultimately leading to significant savings on your car shipping expenses. So, let’s get started on finding a budget-friendly car shipping company that won’t strain your finances.
