There are multiple factors at play when it comes to getting the “best” price when shipping your vehicle. For example, when are you planning on shipping it? Where to? And what kind of vehicle are you shipping? But some easy ways to minimize cost, are simple to address.

First off, get multiple quotes. Don’t just settle on one company. Compare rates from 5-6 companies. If they are all in the same ballpark then you know the price is going to be, on average, the same no matter who you use.

Next up, choose open carriers versus enclosed carriers. Enclosed carriers are more expensive and are more commonly used to transport classic and expensive vehicles during the winter months when they may be exposed to harsher elements.

Move your car in the off-season. If you plan to ship your car from a major city in the summer, expect to pay more. Many transport companies charge more during the hottest months when vehicles are being picked up or delivered to city centers. As you may have experienced this yourself, roads between major destinations are more congested with travelers, during these months, which leads to vehicle transport carriers on the road longer, using more fuel.
While the winter months tend to be the slower season, make sure you do your homework on, which carriers have drivers and routes available if you plan to ship your car to any of the northern states. Doing this will avoid any delayed shipments and longer ship times.

Make sure your vehicle runs. Shipping a non-running vehicle can be difficult and not every vehicle transport company will transport your car. The transport company will require special equipment and it is crucial the company knows this information upfront. Any mechanical issues, repairs, or if the car cannot be driven safely is considered a non-running vehicle. The cost of shipping a non-running vehicle is dramatically more expensive than if you were shipping a vehicle that runs, this is due to the equipment needed during the process of loading the vehicle. If the repairs are minor, we suggest getting the repairs done prior to shipping the vehicle.