Understand What Determines the Cost of Auto Transport
It doesn’t need to be complicated or uncertain to ship a car across the country. At AmeriStar Car Shipping, we prevent you from incurring unnecessary mileage, wear and tear, and the exhaustive work of driving your vehicle far and wide. But one major question remains: What impacts the car shipping rates?
Let’s simplify the key influences on your car shipping quote—and you can start planning your relocation with less chance of surprises.
1. Demand Season
Seasonal shipping rates of cars tend to shift. Spring and summer months find more individuals traveling—college kids, snowbirds, and vacationers—fueling demand (and prices) upward. Conversely, fall and winter tend to mean lower shipping costs unless shipping around a big holiday or bad weather, which could raise shipping costs due to delays or exposure.
2. Weather Conditions
Bad weather isn’t only a nuisance—it’s a cost factor. Snowstorms, hurricanes, or rainstorms can slow carriers, increase route risk, and require extra equipment like snow chains. It all adds up, and those extra precautions and delays often are factored into your quote.
3. Pickup & Drop-Off Location
The path your vehicle takes contributes significantly to the cost. Your pickup or delivery site in an area of high traffic or on a main highway will yield a lower rate. But rural neighborhoods, mountainous terrain, or densely populated city areas might need to take drivers out of their way—ending in more fees.
Pro tip: AmeriStar does the extra mile to find you the most economical routes to get your car so that you save money.
4. Shipping Method
Open transport is the most prevalent and affordable option. It’s best for most cars but leaves your vehicle open to the elements. If you have a luxury, vintage, or exotic car, enclosed auto transport is the better choice—albeit at a higher price. Likewise, door-to-door delivery is more convenient but tends to be more expensive than terminal-to-terminal shipping.
5. Carrier Capacity
Carriers seek to maximize the number of vehicles per haul. When there’s empty space on a trailer, costs per vehicle increase to offset operating costs. Booking in advance and being flexible ensures your car gets loaded in an efficient manner—usually at a better rate.
6. Vehicle Size & Weight
Your vehicle’s size and weight influence your shipping rate directly. A smaller sedan will be less expensive to ship than a full-size van, SUV, or pickup truck. Large vehicles consume more space and allow fewer cars to be shipped in a single load. Additional changes such as large tires or roof racks may influence the rate.
7. Running Condition
If your vehicle runs, it’s easier for carriers to load and unload it. If not, special equipment like winches or forklifts may be required. Non-operational vehicles (inop) typically cost more to ship. AmeriStar can still help—you just need to let us know upfront.
8. Flexibility With Dates
Strict deadlines are usually more expensive. If you can provide a flexible pickup time, carriers can insert your vehicle into their pre-scheduled routes. This is usually a cost-saving measure. Emergency or rush requests involve route changes and additional coordination, which increases the quote.
9. Fuel Prices & Market Conditions
Auto transport prices increase when diesel fuel prices surge. Economic factors—driver shortages or regulatory changes—also affect pricing. Although these factors are beyond your control, AmeriStar keeps a close eye on the market to ensure your rates remain competitive and fair.
10. Personal Items in the Vehicle
It may be tempting to fill up your car with items during transit. But extra weight could increase the cost—or even make your car ineligible for loading. Carriers are subject to rigid weight rules, and most are not licensed to haul household furnishings. Always consult your AmeriStar representative prior to loading any additional items.
11. Top Load Preference
Requesting your vehicle to be loaded on the top deck of an open carrier can cost a bit more—typically around $100 extra—but provides added protection. It avoids leaks from vehicles above and shields your car from more road debris. If you’re shipping a classic, luxury, or collector’s vehicle, it may be worth the upgrade.
FAQs – AmeriStar Car Shipping
Rates change based on seasonal demand, fuel costs, and carrier supply. At AmeriFreight, we constantly try to provide you with the best available rate when you book.
Yes, shipping in the fall or winter is frequently less expensive than summer months when demand is greater.
Absolutely. Vehicles loading or unloading in rural situations might be higher because of poorer carrier access vs. metro markets on busy corridors.
Open transport is less costly and most used, whereas enclosed transport provides a little extra insurance but at additional cost.
Absolutely! Flexibility in scheduling enables us to secure the cheapest carriers for your route.
Trucks and SUVs are often more expensive to freight than smaller cars due to their weight and trailer space requirements.
We highly recommend against it. Carriers usually charge more for heavy or loaded cars based on weight restrictions and insurance limitations.
Estimate Your Auto Shipping Cost
Now that you’re aware of the factors that impact car shipping costs, you can get a clearer sense of your own expense according to your car and route. The easiest way to receive a reliable quote? Take advantage of our FREE online car shipping estimator. In only a few seconds, you can receive a personalized estimate—no strings attached.
AmeriStar Car Shipping guarantees safe, affordable, and convenient vehicle shipping. Our goal is to give you complete assurance by offering transparent pricing and top-notch service. Let us get started.
