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Auto Transport Rates Per Mile: Average Cost to Ship a Car

Published by Joe Webster.

What's in this article?
  1. What’s the Average Cost to Ship a Car as Per Mile(PM)?
  2. Good Examples of Car Shipping Price Per Mile - Shorter Distance Average Auto Cost
  3. Good Examples of Car Transport Cost Per Mile - Longer Distances Auto Cost
  4. Factors that Influence Car Shipping Cost Per Mile in Auto Transport?
  5. SEASONAL CAR SHIPPING AND CAR TRANSPORT COST PER MILE
  6. YOUR GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION TO SHIP A CAR
  7. ROADWAY ACCESS TO MOVE A CAR
  8. CAR SIZE PRICES PER MILE-SHIPPING PRICES PER MILE
  9. IMMEDIACY
  10. Understanding Auto Transport Quotes for Car Shipping Cost Per Mile in Auto Transport
  11. TYPE OF TRANSPORT TO SHIP A CAR
  12. DISTANCE
  13. GAS RATES
  14. Most Affordable Means of Auto Transport
  15. Car Shipping Discounts to Look for in Auto Transport
  16. Discounts and Savings in Auto Transport Costs
  17. How to Calculate the Average Cost To Ship a Car?
  18. Bottom Line
  19. Relevant Statistics
  20. General Facts
Auto Transport Rates Per Mile: Average Cost to Ship a Car

Auto transport rates per mile indicate the cost of transporting a vehicle over a certain distance. The average rate for auto transport per mile in the United States is $1.84. However, these rates may vary based on different factors such as the type of vehicle being transported, carrier type, the distance of transportation, and the transportation agency. This also applies to Canada and other countries. There are different ways to transport a vehicle, such as using trailers. The reason why the rates vary is due to these factors.

Any auto shipping company that gives you a flat-rate quote over the phone is doing you a dis-service, plain and simple. There are just too many factors that can influence the overall cost of shipping an automobile for there to be any accuracy in a one-size-fits-all quote. What is possible is a base quote per mile, i.e. a generic expression of cost on a particular type of transfer, but this doesn’t take into account any situational factors that could drive the cost up or down.

If you're planning to transport your car, you should know that a flat-rate quote over the phone from any car transport service is not accurate, as there are various factors that can influence the overall cost of the car transportation process. These factors include the route, vehicle condition, gas prices, vehicle type, carshipping option, and more. To get an accurate quote, you must convey all the details of your specific case to the car transportation team. This way, they can give you a precise estimate that takes into account any situational variables that could influence the cost. For example, if you have a breakdown during the car transportation process, it could increase the cost. To avoid unexpected expenses, it's essential to consider some tips for car transportation, such as vehicle preparation, flexibility, and breakdown services. By following these tips, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free car transportation experience. In summary, it's crucial to choose a reliable car transportation service that takes into account all the factors that could affect the cost of car transportation. With the right team of auto transporters, you can rest assured that your car will be transported safely and efficiently to its destination.

What’s the Average Cost to Ship a Car as Per Mile(PM)?

No matter whether you are across the country or to a new city, a long-distance move is an event that needs elaborate and careful planning. One of the most overwhelming elements of moving to a new city is getting your car to your new location. However, things can start to get a little tricky when it comes to the average per-mile cost of shipping your car.

Sure, you can drive your car to your new location all by yourself and enjoy a nice road trip. But it is always better to have a car shipped by a transport company. When you choose a car shipping company, the more miles you travel, the cheaper the per-mile car transfer costs. It is primarily because your car travels for a longer distance on the carrier, so the average vehicle shipping costs less. The larger truck will have more space for vehicles, distributing the cost per mile to shipa car. So, the more miles the carrier truck travels, the lesser the per-mile cost. However, there are factors that can influence car shipping costs.

As per the latest statistics, shipping a car 100–200 miles costs $2/mile. To ship a car 200–300 miles is going to cost $1.5/mile. In case you want to move a car over 500 miles, you might only have to pay $0.90/mile.

The shipping carrier sets the cost of shipping. So, it will vary from one shipping company to the other.

Good Examples of Car Shipping Price Per Mile - Shorter Distance Average Auto Cost

Here are a few good examples of shipping your car per mile -

If your car covers a distance of 100 miles, you have to pay $1.50/mile. So, the car shipping costs $150.

When you are shipping a car 300 miles, the cost per mile is going to drop to $1.20. This means that the total shipping cost will be $360.

If you are transporting your car 600 miles, it is $0.90 per mile. Thus, you are paying $540 as your average vehicle shipping cost.

You will notice that the cost of a car shipping 600 miles will cost only $180 more than a 300-mile trip. It implies that the more the distance, the lesser the car transfer cost charged by the American auto shipping company.

Good Examples of Car Transport Cost Per Mile - Longer Distances Auto Cost

If you want to move your car across the country, it means it will cover a longer distance. However, longer distances mean larger discounts on the average cost to ship your vehicle. For instance, if you are shipping your car from one coast to the other, and it covers 2500–3000 miles, it might cost you $0.70/pm.

If the distance between the pickup and delivery locations is 2000 miles, the cost will be $1400 for door-to-door service.

Let’s take a look at the average cost to ship a car-

  • 500 miles with $1 pm - $500
  • 1000 miles with $0.90 p.m. - $900
  • 2000 miles with $0.70 per mile - $1400

Thus, when you are shipping your car across the country, you can enjoy the best car shipping price. Most reputable car shipping industries will charge you an average of $0.70 per mile for cross-country shipping.

Factors that Influence Car Shipping Cost Per Mile in Auto Transport?

The figures we have mentioned above only give a rough estimate of shipping your car per mile. There are many factors that can influence the actual automobile shipping rates.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the things that can affect car transport costs, so you don’t have any nasty surprises for your shipping project:

SEASONAL CAR SHIPPING AND CAR TRANSPORT COST PER MILE

This is especially important when the weather conditions make driving difficult. For instance, if you live in the northeast, and you’re looking to ship sometime between November and March, there’s a pretty good likelihood of winter weather causing complications. Even if there is no actual bad weather at shipping time, car shipping charges are likely to be higher during this period because fewer means of transport even risk making trips into wintry locations. It is advisable to ask for the shipping quotes first to make sure.

Supply and demand have an impact on the average cost of shipping a car per mile. Demand is higher in the peak months as the car transport companies get lots of shipping requests during this time. In the summer months, with an increase in demand, there is less space on the car carriers. So, it affects vehicle shipping fees and can increase to $200-$300 per trip.

But that doesn’t mean that the shipping fee during the winter months could be less. The average car shipment rate can increase due to inclement weather. A car shipping company determines the price after taking into consideration the risk of snowstorms or other elements.

If you want to save money on shipping prices, then plan your vehicle transport early. You can inquire about the car shipping rates and learn if the broker or carrier provides any offer or discount at any time that you can take advantage of. Most autotransport industries offer free car shipping quotes so that you can decide on the autotransport provider you want to work with.

Demand for car shipments tend to be much higher during the peak car shipping season, such as before Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Year. Make sure you don’t transport your car during such times to avoid paying more to the auto shipping providers.

Try to be flexible with your car shipping dates, as it will help you find the best auto transport company.

Auto Transport Rates Car Size - Seasonal Auto Ship Cost/Car Transport Cost

Auto Transport Rates Car Size - Seasonal Auto Ship Cost/Car Transport Cost

YOUR GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION TO SHIP A CAR

Where are you located in the country? Remember that a transport vehicle will have to make the trip to wherever you are to pick up your vehicle, and if you happen to live somewhere that’s difficult or impossible for a movement to get to, special considerations come into play. If the open-car transport carriers simply cannot reach the mountain top you live on, you may have to drive the vehicle to a lower elevation for pickup at an agreed-upon point. Difficult locations like relatively remote areas with meager road access will add time to the pickup and drive-up auto transport rates.

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ROADWAY ACCESS TO MOVE A CAR

Speaking of road access, this also plays a significant role in the overall cost of transporting a car. Not only is the pickup point important here, but the kind of highway routes leading to the drop-off point also matter a great deal. Ideally, the truck driver would be able to drive most of the distance between these two points on multiple-lane interstate highways. This kind of scenario could actually reduce your final fee because it makes travel easy for the auto transport industry.

CAR SIZE PRICES PER MILE-SHIPPING PRICES PER MILE

The size and weight of the car being shipped matter a great deal because of the space it takes up on a transfer and because of the overall allowable weight a transport can accommodate. You can expect a larger, heavier car to price more to move than a smaller, more compact car. Auto shipping industries offer voyaging quotes P.M. based on the car size.

IMMEDIACY

If you can provide a relatively broad window of time for the vehicle shipment, it will be much easier to match your request to a convenient pickup time for transport that is scheduled to be in your area. On the other hand, if you are really pressed for time and can only give a few days’ notice, this is more likely to cause a shipper to schedule transport to handle your request especially, and of course, this will result in a higher cost, to move a car per mile.

Auto Transport Rates Your Geographic Location - Car Shipping Costs Per Mile
Understanding Auto Transport Quotes for Car Shipping Cost Per Mile in Auto Transport

Vehicle transport quotes for car shipping often include a cost-per-mile component. This metric calculates the price based on the distance your vehicle needs to travel. Typically, longer distances result in higher overall costs. Auto transport companies consider factors like fuel prices, driver compensation, and vehicle size when determining the price per mile. It's crucial to review these car shipping quotes carefully, ensuring they also account for any additional car shipping services or insurance. Comparing car shipping quotes from different auto transport providers can help you find the best deal for safe and reliable vehicle transport while understanding the cost aspect of the pricing structure.

TYPE OF TRANSPORT TO SHIP A CAR

The kind of transport your vehicle is shipped on is another factor that has a pretty big impact on the cost of moving a vehicle per mile. If your vehicle is shipped on an open, unprotected, this will price significantly less than if you require shipping on a covered, fully enclosed mode of transportation.

Open transport will cost you less because the car shippers won’t have to take measures to protect the vehicle. They will only provide basic auto transport services.

If you are shipping high-end cars or sports cars, you need to make sure that the vehicle is protected during transport. Hence, you should go for an enclosed auto transport. Enclosed transport will cost you a little more than open transport, but it is worth it.

Let’s take a look at the two types of car hauler options.

  • Open Transport: More often than not, people choose open auto transport service as it is the cheapest way to get their car picked up and shipped. It also ensures more flexible shipping dates as more trucks are available for transport services. However, you need to keep in mind that open-car shipping leaves your car open to damage from debris and other elements. So, dents and paint chips can occur during the car transport service. Usually, most car transport services cover this under their insurance.
  • Enclosed Transport: In case you are shipping a classic or sports car, an enclosed carrier is a better choice as it will protect your car from elements, such as debris, dust, and rain. Nevertheless, enclosed car trucks can carry just a few vehicles at a time. Enclosed transport can raise the average cost to transport a vehicle by up to 50% in comparison to open shipping services.

The transport type you choose depends on the car, budget, and car type or model being shipped.

DISTANCE

When calculating the cost of shipping your vehicle, it's important to consider the distance involved. For example, shipping a car from Hawaii to New York will likely be more expensive than shipping it from Seattle to New Jersey. Additionally, factors such as the type of vehicle, time of year, and shipping method may also impact the price. To get a better idea of how much it will cost to ship your car, you can use a car shipping calculator. This tool takes into account the distance and other relevant factors to provide you with an estimated cost for shipping your vehicle from one location to another. There are many car shipping calculators available online that you can use to get an idea of what to expect when shipping your car from places like Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, California, and beyond.

Often, car shipping companies charge less money to shift a car over a longer distance. This is mainly due to the open highways. For example, if you are shipping your car from Miami to Boston, the carrier has to incur heavy traffic in certain areas. Thus, it can lead to delays in shipping cars.

However, if the car is being shipped from Boston to Los Angeles, most of the roads are free of traffic. Hence, the distance can be covered within a shorter time. Therefore, distance is one of the big factors that determine vehicle shipping prices.

GAS RATES

To ship an item to a far-off destination during different seasons, you should keep in mind that the cost of gas is an expense that the shipper has to bear. This means that if the destination requires high mileage, the fuel cost will be high and will be included in the shipping rates. You can check out this link from fueleconomy.gov for current fuel costs.

Most Affordable Means of Auto Transport

When you want to transport a car, you tend to look for the cheapest way to save money. Open car transport with terminal-to-terminal service is one of the most affordable and cost-saving options you have at hand. With an open car carrier, you can accommodate up to 10 vehicles, which lets operators save a great deal of money on oil, fuel, and car shipping prices.

As the driver doesn’t have to transport your car to your office or home, terminal-to-terminal transport costs you less. But there are times when the final price of door-to-door service might cost you more than terminal-to-terminal voyaging.

If you're considering transporting your car, specifically an SUV, you may want to consider open car transport with terminal-to-terminal service. This is one of the most affordable and cost-effective options available, especially when you're transporting a variety of vehicles. An open car carrier can accommodate up to 10 vehicles, which helps to reduce the cost of oil, fuel, and shipping prices. Our review team can provide you with a list of options and their fuel consumption rates, allowing you to choose the most cost-effective option for your needs. We offer a variety of categories, including economy and luxury cars, on a pickup date basis, so you can choose the option that's right for you. In addition to our variety of options, we also have an A+ rating with several advance booking options available. If you need to transport your car on a specific pickup date, we can help you find the most cost-effective option available. If you're interested in getting a free shipping quote, please call us at the phone number provided at the top of this page.

Car Shipping Discounts to Look for in Auto Transport

Car shipping firms offer discounts to attract more customers. In case you are searching for affordable vehicle voyaging, don’t forget to check the discounts offered by a professional transport company.

The types of discounts offered by SGT auto transport companies are given below-

  • Military Discount Price: Often, car shipping industries offer discounts to military personnel to help them with their unprecedented move. It is a way of recognizing their service.
  • Senior Discount: All old people survive on a fixed income and have to make sure their expenses are within a specific budget. So, many transport companies provide senior discounts.
  • Multi-car Shipping Costs Discount: If you are shipping multiple vehicles at once, you can get a certain discount.
  • Student Costs Discounts: Some car transport companies provide student discounts to help students move in the fall or summer to their college.
  • Early Bird: There are some auto shipping companies that offer discounts when you sign up for your vehicle transport within 48 hours of receiving your car shipping quote.
  • First-Time Shippers Quotes: If it is your first time shipping a vehicle to a car transport company, you can get a first-time shipper discount.

Discounts and Savings in Auto Transport Costs

Discounts and savings on shipping fees refer to the reduced expenses incurred when transporting goods for both local and national businesses. These price-cutting measures can result from various factors, such as bulk hauling, negotiated contracts, or utilizing efficient shipping routes. Carriers may also offer discounts for loyalty or early payments. Companies can optimize savings by using cost-effective packaging, minimizing transit times, and exploring eco-friendly shipping options. By employing these strategies, businesses can reduce shipping expenses and increase their competitiveness in the state. It's also important for businesses to read carrier reviews to ensure they're working with a reputable shipping company.

Tables and data are a crucial part of any business decision, especially when it comes to assessing the competition and market range. It's important to take everything into consideration, including wear and tear on equipment, availability of items, and timing. When making an order, individuals should ensure that the name and value of the items are clear and that any offers or discounts are taken into account. It's also a good idea to read customer reviews and conduct an inspection to protect the data and ensure the quality of the items. In some cases, businesses may need to explore eco-friendly options to reduce their impact on the environment. When it comes to transporting goods, companies can optimize savings by using cost-effective packaging, minimizing transit times, and exploring eco-friendly shipping options. Carriers may also offer discounts for loyalty or early payments.

By employing these steps, businesses can reduce shipping expenses and increase their competitiveness in the market. For those looking to purchase cars, it's important to consider the value and wear and tear of the vehicle. Doing research on the market range, timing, and availability of cars is crucial. It's also recommended to read customer reviews and conduct an inspection before making a decision. In many cities, individuals may need to take a journey using public transportation. It's important to ensure the safety and protection of oneself and others when using these services. This may involve wearing a mask, using hand sanitizer, and keeping a safe distance from others. In conclusion, whether it's for business or personal use, taking the time to research and consider all factors can make a big difference in making informed decisions and optimizing savings.

How to Calculate the Average Cost To Ship a Car?

Before you place your motorcycle on the trailer to haul it, you need to have an idea about how much it is going to cost you. To calculate the amount, you just have to multiply the total distance by the rate per mile. This helps you have peace of mind and a budget in mind to haul your motorcycle cross-country or within the U.S.

Bottom Line

So – what can you expect to pay for an automobile shipping rate p.m.? A generic rule-of-thumb kind of calculation would start like this:

(Mileage) x (Cost for size of car) + Shipper Fee= Base Cost

It should be pointed outthat the customer service team and research team are available to help you obtain accurate estimates for transporting your belongings. Keep in mind that the resulting base price will almost certainly be driven higher or lower when some of the factors discussed above are added in. To find out just which ones apply to your customized scenario, it's best to have this information in hand when you are negotiating with a shipper to have your belongings transported.

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Relevant Statistics

  • The average auto transport rate per mile in the United States is $1.84.
  • Nearly 78% of auto transport companies charge between $1.60 and $2.00 per mile.
  • Auto transport rates for luxury cars are approximately 15% higher than average rates.
  • Only 4% of auto transport companies offer rates below $1.50 per mile.
  • Auto transport rates for distances over 1,000 miles tend to be discounted by 10-15%.

General Facts

  • Auto transport rates per mile refer to the cost of transporting a vehicle over a certain distance.
  • The rates can vary depending on factors such as the type of vehicle, the distance traveled, and the transportation company.
  • Rates are typically calculated based on the total mileage covered during transportation.
  • Additional factors that can affect auto transport rates per mile include the time of year, fuel prices, and any extra services requested.
  • It is advisable to compare rates from different auto transport companies and consider their reputation and insurance coverage before making a decision.
Auto Transport Rates Per Mile/Auto Ship Cost

Frequently Asked Questions

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Joe Webster always knew the auto transport industry would be a great career option. And with decades of experience, Joe is now an established consultant for A1 Auto Transport.

Joe was born in Santa Cruz, California. During high school, Joe worked as a mechanic; a job continued to work part-time during his bachelor's degree.

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A-1 Auto Transport is a disclosed agent for the following shipping companies:

CSI Logistics
435 Division Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
FMC 22206
Intl Cargo
45 Campus Drive
Edison, NJ 08837
NO. 17858N
Trans Global Auto Logistics, Inc.
3401 E Randol Mill Rd,
Arlington, TX 76011
NO. 018191NF
CFR Rinkens
15501 Texaco Avenue
Paramount, CA 90723
NO. 013055NF
ABC Worldwide LLC
2840 NW 2nd Ave #105
Boca Raton, FL 33431
NO. 025472F
ShipYourCarNow LLC
1160 South Rogers Circle Suite 1
Boca Raton, FL 33487
NO. 025646
Merco Air & Ocean Cargo, Inc.
6 Fir Way
Cooper City, FL 33026
NO. 021869F
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