What Determines Auto Transport Rates?

With the advent of Internet, getting auto transport rates is not a difficult job today, once you have decided for a move. There are plenty of auto transport companies ready to serve you with a rate for your transport needs. But before you seek for a transport rate, it is important for you to know what actually determines auto transport rates.

Distance

Since fuel consumption and labor charge play a major role in transportation for both car shippers and movers, the distance you have to cover impacts the cost of transportation. Additionally, if your vehicle has to travel between major cities, you need to face lesser rate in comparison to the vehicle that travels between remote cities.

Make and Model and Year of the Car

The year of the car also plays huge impact over the car shipping cost. It’s mainly because of the reason that you need to pay some additional costs as the odometer reading charge when it is older than 10 years or so. In fact, there are certain other rules to follow depending on how old or how new the car is.

Also, the make and model of the car determines what transport facility you are going to obtain. For instance, if you own a regular model, going for open transport for a shorter distance is more than enough. But owning a high-end luxury model, or vintage car or sports car requires you to choose enclosed shipping, which increases the overall auto transport rates in question.

Type of Transportation

As told already, depending on your choice for transportation, the cost is decided. If you go for open transport, it costs you much less. Since 10 vehicles of standard size can be transported at a time, the cost for individual car comes much less. On the other hand, if you choose enclosed shipping with 20ft container, it costs you much higher, as only one vehicle per container can be accommodated at a time.

Again, you may choose between door to door or terminal to terminal transport facilities. If you choose door to door service, your vehicle is delivered to the location you specify. Alternatively, when you go for terminal to terminal service, you need to bring your car to the storage hub of the company from where the car is carried to the hauler. Quite obviously, door to door facility comes at much higher rate if compared to terminal to terminal facility.

Condition of the Car

Auto transport rates depend on the condition of the car as well. The car transport of an operable car is less if compared to a non-operable car. The reason is obvious. A non-operable car needs to employ more labor and equipments, which makes the overall price higher.

Insurance Coverage

Many cheap and unscrupulous transport companies quote for lower auto transport rates, and the same goes for cross country movers. They simply don’t add the necessary value of insurance coverage, and thus the quote looks much appealing and lucrative. But in a standard market scenario, any reputed transport company adds sufficient insurance value and that also impacts the final rate.

Season

During peak summer months, auto transport rates are much higher if compared to the other months of a year.

Rough Estimates of the Cost

If you go for coast to coast transport, the rates for a standard sized sedan will be anywhere between $750 and $1000. As already, told the rates will be higher during busy summer months and lower in winter months.

If you want to move a small-sized van, SUV or any pickup from New York to California, it will cost you around $900-$1400. On the other hand, moving a sedan from New York to Florida costs you around $650-$800, while moving small vans, SUVs will cost you anywhere between $900 and $1000.

If you go for enclosed service, auto shipping rates will vary between $400 and $600, but if you are looking for expedited delivery, be ready to pay an additional $200 to $400 based on the pickup and delivery locations you mention. We recommend using the rates calculator provided by www.a1autotransport.com.

So, I hope that by reading this article now you have a fair idea about what determines auto transport rates and also you get a rough estimate, so that you can bargain with your auto transporter successfully.