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Nothing makes us happier than satisfied customers!
We have used Convoy Car Shipping twice now. Whenever we needed to speak with someone they are always quick to answer the phone. They were very accommodating when it came to arranging pick up and drop off. Highly recommended!!!
Convoy kept us informed throughout the entire process, which helped eliminate any concerns I initially had. Their prices are competitive. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who needs car shipping services without hesitation.
Wow, I am truly amazed by the service provided by this auto transport company! They handled my request with professionalism and efficiency. Marc and David were great. I can confidently say that they deserve the top spot on my list!
Their communication via phone, email & text is outstanding. They were attentive to all my needs and special requests. The pricing was fair & reasonable. I felt reassured knowing they securely transported my vehicle in an enclosed trailer. Thanks!
My experience with Convoy Car Shipping was fantastic. Above all what impressed me the most was how polite and courteous all Convoy personnel were through the process. Without a doubt I will choose them again for any future transportation needs.
Convoy will always hold the number 1 position in my book! Their fast and efficient service, to clients is simply amazing and their rates are very competitive. They always keep the lines of communication open and pay close attention to detail.
Car shipping cost explained
If you’re looking for a fast and affordable way to transport your vehicle, shipping may be the best option. Below we provide a cost analysis for car shipping so you can choose the best transport method to meet your needs.
The 4 primary factors that affect car shipping cost
Size & weight
Longer, taller, or heavier vehicles tend to be more expensive to ship as they require special equipment
Transport type
Open transport is the standard and cheaper option, while enclosed transport is more expensive.
Car condition
Cars in working condition (can start, roll, brake, steer) are less expensive to transport
Shipping distance
The farther the shipping distance, the greater the overall cost as more time and fuel are spent to transport
| Distance | Transport Type | Avg. cost per mile | Distance estimate | Price estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 500 miles | Open transport | $1.10 | 500 miles | $550 |
| 500 - 1000 miles | Open transport | $1.00 | 750 miles | $750 |
| 1000 - 1500 miles | Open transport | $0.85 | 1000 miles | $850 |
| 1500 - 2000 miles | Open transport | $0.70 | 1500 miles | $1050 |
| 2000 - 2500+ miles | Open transport | $0.55 | 2000 miles | $1100 |
*The average cost per mile listed in the table above estimates based on current market conditions at the time and are subject to change due to cost of gas, pick-up/drop-off locations, seasonal fluctuations, condition of vehicle, etc.
How much does it cost to ship a car?
The price to ship a vehicle is generally charged by the mile. While the cost differs from company to company, you can expect to pay around $1.10 per mile for up to 500 miles, $0.70 for 1500 to 2000 miles, and $0.55 for 2500+ miles and above. Multiple factors contribute to the overall shipping cost, which is why utilizing Convoy’s Car Shipping calculator is so beneficial. This free tool provides an instant quote, making it easy to plan your vehicle transport. For those who prefer to receive a car transport quote over the phone, our helpful Shipping Advisors are happy to answer any questions you may have.
What is auto or car shipping and what options do I have?
Car shipping is a specialized transport service that hauls your vehicle from one place to another. Professional carriers utilize open or enclosed trailers to safely drive your vehicle to your chosen destination. While open trailer transport is the most common, enclosed trailers are an excellent option for those seeking a more secure shipping experience.
Open trailers are the more budget-friendly option, as they transport multiple vehicles at once in a two-level open-air environment. Enclosed trailers are around 10% to 40% more expensive since the car is fully confined and are most often used for classic and luxury vehicles. Contact us for free car shipping quotes.
Car Shipping Companies Services
Popular Vehicle Shipping Services
Door-to-door
car shipping
Experience the ultimate in convenience with our exclusive door-to-door car shipping service. We pick up your vehicle and deliver it to your drop-off location for the ultimate hassle-free experience.
Open
car shipping
Our most budget-friendly option, open trailer shipping, securely hauls your vehicle for less. Top-loading spots are available for an additional fee for those seeking added protection.
Enclosed
car shipping
Enclosed trailer shipping offers the ultimate in safety and security. Protect your vehicle from inclement weather, dust, dirt, and more. This shipping option is preferred by those with exotic, classic, and luxury vehicles.
Expedited
car shipping
When you need to ship your vehicle quickly, turn to our expedited shipping service. This premium option allows you to ship your car within 24 to 48 hours of booking for superior convenience.
How can I receive a car shipping quote?
Getting car shipping quotes is fast and easy through Convoy’s Car Shipping calculator or over the phone. If you are unsure of the exact pickup and drop-off locations, you can input the city or zip code and still receive an accurate auto shipping quotes. Please note that you will need exact addresses to complete the booking.
When seeking car shipping quotes, be sure to have the following information on hand:
Step 1
Your vehicle's pickup and drop-off location including zip codes. You have options of choosing a meeting point or door-to-door service
Step 2
Your preferred trailer type (open or enclosed carrier) for transport. Open transport is cheaper, whereas enclosed offers best protection
Step 3
The vehicle's year, make, and model so we an confirm the availability for the necessary transport trailer size
Step 4
The vehicle's operational status. Confirmation if your vehicle is able to start, roll, steer, and brake
Step 5
The pickup and drop-off dates. An accurate date (or range) when your vehicle will be available to picked up and dropped off
Top 9 factors that affect car transport costs
So how much is it to ship a car? There are 9 main factors that influence the cost to ship a car. Our goal is always to secure the most favorable deals for residents of both large cities and small towns when booking your auto shipment.
1. Distance
The primary factor impacting the cost of shipping a car is the distance traveled. The farther the distance, the greater the time and fuel cost. However, shippers for ground transport commonly provide a discounted cost per mile for longer trips. Our car shipping calculator helps you to find the best automobile shipping quotes to ship a car to another state or even the cost to ship a car across country.
2. Your Pickup and Drop-off Locations
Pickup and drop-off locations is another common factor affecting the cost as well. Opting for door-to-door delivery will be a higher cost when compared to picking up and dropping your car off at a terminal. Also, major cities tend to have more trucks available to fulfill car shipping orders which help to lower overall auto shipping cost. Rural areas tend to have less options and cost more to get to.
3. Date flexibility
The month you schedule your auto transport can influence the cost, especially if you are choosing a high demand season. When possible, we always recommend booking in advance. This allows proper time to find and book the best rate. Also, if you have some flexibility with your vehicle pick-up date that can often can help save on your overall car transport cost. You can use our calculator to obtain free vehicle shipping quotes.
4. Seasonality
The cost of shipping a car can fluctuate significantly depending on the time of year. Generally, the auto transport industry experiences increased demand during the summer and January, resulting in higher than average costs. During the winter season we see a high demand of people moving to warmer states. Depending on your date flexibility, we suggest checking various shipping dates to check the rate impact and choose the most cost-effective option.
5. Transport type
The majority of people looking for cheap car shipping typically choose open car transport because it is the industry norm and the most cheap way to ship your car. If you need more protection for your car during shipment, the next step up would be an enclosed car transport carrier. By transporting your car in an enclosed carrier, it will be better protected and is typically used for the secure transportation of exotic, luxury, or classic cars. You can obtain an enclosed vehicle transport quote using our calculator.
6. Type of vehicle
When booking your auto transport, we request exact vehicle specifications to ensure the truck driver has the necessary space and equipment to securely ship your car. The dimensions are helpful to determine the required trailer height, and side clearance to ensure safe transportation. Longer and taller cars may require special vehicle transport carriers, which can increase car shipping costs. Special accommodations, such as specific placement within the trailer, may also be needed for certain vehicles.
7. Vehicle modifications
Modifications such as lifts, large tires, and roof racks can increase costs because special adjustments or carriers will often be required to transport them. Trucks and RVs, being larger vehicles, incur higher shipping expenses compared to sedans. If your vehicle has modifications, please give us a call at (717) 227-7447 to confirm if your vehicle has modifications so we can determine what will be required to ship your car safely.
8. Vehicle condition
Shippers prefer your vehicle to be fully operational because it makes loading/unloading your vehicle far easier. If your vehicle is fully operational, you’ll receive a lower auto shipping rate from car shippers for your booking. In cases where the car is semi-inoperable (ie. can roll, steer, and brake) additional equipment such as a winch and special tools are needed for loading it onto the carrier trailer which increases the shipping cost. Completely inoperable vehicles tend to be more expensive to ship as they require additional tools and work to load and unload them compared to vehicles in working order. We provide car shipping quotes only for cars that can roll, brake, steer, and be loaded and unloaded by a forklift or wrecker.
9. Necessary route
In this case the term “route” is different than “distance”. The term “route” refers to the specific highways and roads necessary for transporting the vehicle. Routes through densely populated areas may have increased traffic, which can increase the transport time and overall shipping costs. Other route-related factors that can potentially increase shipping costs include poor roads conditions, poor weather conditions, and road construction.
Does my car transport quote include insurance?
By law, every auto transport carrier must carry liability insurance and be fully licensed. However, additional cargo insurance isn’t required, so we recommend speaking with our expert shipping advisors to determine whether you should obtain additional insurance during shipment.
Be sure to ask if your insurance covers the entire vehicle or only certain components, your deductible, the coverage limits, and if any items are not covered. You may choose to obtain supplementary insurance to cover any accidents or incidentals.
What Our Clients Say
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Frequently asked questions
What month is the cheapest to ship a car?
The cheapest time to ship a car is typically the auto transport industry’s slow season between December and February. During those winter months, there’s a decrease in demand for car shipping services, resulting in more competitive pricing. This opens a window of opportunity for budget-conscious customers to transport their vehicles at a lower cost.
What is the cheapest service to ship a car?
Open carrier shipping is the most affordable and widely used method for auto transport. When it comes to shipping a car to another state it can be a significant task with factors involved. However, that doesn’t mean it has to be excessively expensive. Convoy Car Shipping has a network of licensed, insured and carefully selected car transporters with open carriers. This allows us to offer high quality auto transport services at affordable rates.
How much does shipping cost for a car?
The cost to ship a car is based on 5 primary factors:
- The locations where the vehicle needs to be picked up and dropped off.
- The type of transport needed (open or enclosed trailer).
- Specific details, about the vehicle, such as its year, make and model which helps determine the required trailer size.
- Whether the vehicle is operational including its ability to drive forward and reverse with functioning steering.
- The earliest possible date for picking up the car.
Because these factors will vary for each individual, we provide a free car shipping quotes calculator here.
How do you calculate shipping for a car?
Many car transport companies use a per mile calculation method to determine the car shipping cost. To calculate an estimate shipping cost you’ll need to multiply the projected cost, per mile by the distance of your shipment. However, it’s important to note that this calculation offers only a general range to provide car shipping quotes. For a more accurate car shipping cost you should consider various factors. These include the locations, for pickup and delivery the type of transportation needed the size of your vehicle whether it’s operational or not and when you want it to be picked up.
Because these factors will vary for each individual, we provide a free car shipping calculator here to generate an estimate and determine how much you will pay to ship a car.
What is the most cost effective way to transport a car?
Choosing an open carrier is the most common and cost effective way to transport a car. Open car carriers are more widely available and the car shippers can fit more cars on them which reduces the overall costs for you.
Is it cheaper to ship a car or drive?
Shipping a car is typically more expensive compared to driving it. However, you must factor in how much time, money, and energy you are going to spend to transport your car from point A to point B. These factors include the cost of fuel, wear and tear on your vehicle, cost of meals along the way, cost of lodging, encountering dangerous weather conditions, and taking breaks to avoid fatigue on a long trip.
How do I pay for my auto shipping delivery service?
Convoy Car Shipping provides two payment choices for our car shipping services – the Discounted Price and the Regular Price to ship cars.
- Discounted Price: We secure a small partial payment from your credit or debit card upon assigning a carrier to pick up your vehicle. The remaining balance is settled directly with the driver upon your car’s delivery. Payment options include cash, a cashier’s check, or a money order.
- Regular Price: With this option, you pay the full amount when we allocate a carrier to pick up your vehicle. Upon delivery of your car, there will not be any balance left to pay.
Is it possible to receive a car shipping quote if I don't have the exact pick-up address?
Yes, you can receive instant no-cost auto transport quotes by using our car shipping cost calculator. However, it’s important to confirm the cities/ZIP codes for both pickup and delivery locations. Alternatively, you can contact our car transporters advisor via phone. While having the exact address isn’t necessary for obtaining a car shipping quote it will be required when booking your vehicle transport services.
How long is my auto transport quote valid for?
Regardless of whether you obtain a car shipping quote online or through one of our auto transport shipping advisors, your auto transport quote will typically remain valid for seven calendar days. This timeframe is established due to the dynamic nature of the car transport industry, where rates can see weekly changes. Please be assured that we are committed to fair pricing and strive to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date automobile shipping quotes possible.
