logo
  • Home
  • FAQs
  • User Videos
  • Quote Calculator
866-221-1664
Get Your Free Quote
logo
866-221-1664
  • Home
  • FAQs
  • User Videos
  • Quote Calculator
Get Your Free Quote
Get Your Free Quote

What’s the Cheapest Way to Ship My Car?

50,000+ Reviews
1,000,000+ Customers Helped
Home  |  Car Transport   |   What’s the Cheapest Way to Ship My Car?

Whether you are moving to another state or you have purchased a car from another state, you may find yourself in need of auto shipping. Since this is not something people do very often, auto shipping can be a bit confusing to the average person. Not to mention the fact that there are several variables that can affect pricing. Car shipping prices fluctuate often and there are companies out there that offer a low initial quote but tack on loads of fees at the end. This can make it tricky to know how much you should be paying for auto shipping and finding a company that offers competitive prices. As you shop around for rates, consider the following tips for finding the most affordable way to ship your car. 

Do Your Research and Get Multiple Quotes

One of the best ways to get a low price for auto shipping is to get multiple quotes. It is recommended that you get at least 3-4 quotes so you can get an idea of the fair market price to ship your vehicle. Do beware of the lowest quote, however, as this can often be a red flag.  It’s important to ask the right questions to ensure the company will not be adding additional fees and charges to your final bill. Furthermore, you want to make sure the company is reputable so be sure and check reviews. 

Choose Open Transport

Some companies will offer the option of either shipping your car on an open carrier or an enclosed carrier. While an enclosed carrier certainly offers additional protection for your vehicle, it also comes at a higher price. Enclosed transport is recommended for luxury, antique, or classic cars that require additional protection. If you are looking for the cheapest option, your best bet is to select open transport. 

Be Flexible with Timing

Another great way to save money on auto shipment is to have flexibility with delivery dates. If you require a quick delivery, you can expect to pay a premium price. On the other hand, you can save money if you are willing to wait as long as it takes for the carrier to get your vehicle from one location to another. 

Choose Terminal to Terminal Shipping

While door to door shipping is undoubtedly convenient, it also increases the price. The cheapest way to ship a car is between terminals of two larger cities. If you live in a remote area that is far from a major city interstate, you will pay a premium price for delivery. You can generally save hundreds of dollars by choosing the nearest terminal to your location. 

Ship During the Off Season

Just like many other industries, auto shipment has a busy season as well. The busiest months for auto shipment are June-August so you can expect to pay higher prices during these months. You can save money by shipping your car during the slowest months which are December-February. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Honest Answers to Your Car Shipping Questions

Yes, we always ask for your specific pickup and delivery addresses, if the carrier can get right to the addresses you provide, they will. If the addresses that you give us are not safely accessible for a Multi-car carrier, however, you will need to make arrangements with the driver to meet at a nearby location where the carrier can safely get in and out.

People do it all the time (rarely for free) but the official answer is no.

Not what you wanted to hear, we know, but that is the honest answer.

We are not licensed to broker the shipment of household goods and, likewise, no car carrier that operates in the USA is licensed to transport them from state to state either. Despite what you might be being told by other car shipping companies you may speak with.

Remember, at the end of the day we're all salespeople, and the true answer to this question is not a great selling point.

You will hear a lot of companies tell you that you can put up to 100 pounds of items in the trunk, but that is not entirely true. That fact is that items of that amount are fairly common and the department of transportation is probably not going to split hairs and fine the trucker over items of that amount, provided they are not over their weight limit. They could fine them, however, if they see a vehicle stuffed full of personal items so the car carrier will most likely try to negotiate something with you to cover themselves against any costs they could incur. It's not something we can build into your contract though.

We have a short and helpful video on this topic in our user videos.

Only in rare cases and car carriers will usually charge a premium to make it happen.

All dates given by car carriers are typically estimates and projections.

For this reason (and to keep your cost down) we ask that you build in some flexibility and give us the earliest possible date you would be WILLING to release the vehicle, even though it may not be your preferred date.

We'll put you in direct contact with your car carrier and the driver will also typically call you the afternoon or evening before your pick up and delivery (they won't just show up unannounced, and if they do we want to hear about it). However, car carriers are out on the road battling traffic, weather and any number of other factors that can and do throw them off of their pickup and delivery projections from time to time.

If the projected dates we give you come and you are unable to make contact with your carrier, please call our office immediately so that we may help resolve the situation.

The average transit time from pick up to delivery on any vehicle going coast to coast will average 7 to 10 days. From there you can figure your transit time based on how far your vehicle is traveling, i.e. from either coast to the Midwest might average 3-7 days.

Yes!

Even better, we do not even ask for payment until we have you confirmed for pickup by a safe, reliable, fully insured, direct car carrier. If for any reason you do not ship your car with the carrier that we arrange for you, there is no fee.

The fees paid directly to the carrier however, (in most cases, their fees are not paid until your vehicle is delivered) are not directly controlled by us, so any requests for a refund of the carrier's portion would need to be addressed with the carrier directly.

Of course! And you are always backed by our Damage Free Guarantee policy.

Part of what you pay us for is to verify that the car carrier that we put you on is covered by the proper amount of insurance and that everything is up to date.

There is never any additional cost to you for this coverage, and their insurance is always primary.

View All FAQs
Toyoto Subaru porsche bmw honda ford audi bmw

We’re Loved by Customers

See Reviews by Our Verified Buyers!

shipacardirect.com widget logo
Get Your Free Car Shipping Quote
Get Your Free Quote
  • About Ship a Car Direct
  • Quote Calculator
  • User Videos
  • FAQs
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
MC-632461
logo
© 2023 Ship a Car Direct. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Site Map