Need to transport a car interstate?
Wondering if it is cheaper and faster to use a full-service auto transport company or drive the vehicle yourself?
You’re not alone — thousands of people have this question.
If you are shipping your car across the country, it’s important to know the cost to transport a car interstate as this could help you make that decision.
Several factors determine the cost to move a vehicle, and each company has its own method of calculating this. But most of all, customers are pretty much in the dark about the factors that go into arriving at this figure.
So, we’ve put together a post detailing five key factors you need to consider when looking for cheap car shipping quotes.
5 Factors That Influence the Cost of Your Car Transport
1. Transporting Time & Distance
The time it takes for your vehicle to reach its destination is a factor in determining the cost of transporting a car interstate. The longer the trip takes, the more time-sensitive delivery methods become, driving up costs.
Sometimes, even when the distance is shorter, it can take longer due to the weather conditions and the ease of driving on the route. So, you need to factor those additional circumstances in when considering the cost of car transport.
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2. Type of Vehicle
When you want to transport a car interstate, the type of vehicle you are shipping will determine whether or not it can fit on a standard transport truck. “If your vehicle is larger than normal, it will take up more space, cost more to insure, and therefore cost more to transport.
An SUV or pickup truck would be larger than a sedan or compact car and you’ll need to pay more if you have such a car.
3. Size & Weight of the Car
The other factor that affects the price is the size and weight of your particular vehicle. Different cars and trucks can have dramatically different weights and sizes, which will affect their shipping costs.
For example, a small Mini Cooper will weigh around 1,200 kilograms, while a full-size van can weigh more than 2,500 kilograms. If you’re transporting a full-size van, expect to pay more than if you were shipping a Mini Cooper.
4. The Type of Car Transport Service You Choose
Whether you decide to go with open transport or enclosed is one of the biggest factors determining the cost of your car transport.
Open transport means that your vehicle will be transported on an open trailer and exposed to the elements throughout the journey. But if you’re moving for a short distance, you can reduce the overall cost with a budget transport car interstate.
And enclosed transport means that your vehicle will be transported in an enclosed trailer. Open transport is usually less expensive than enclosed, but it also puts more wear and tear on your car.
You should also know about the various types of car transport options available:
- Container shipping: This is considered an enclosed shipping method for cars. This is typically used for larger items but does come in different sizes. Container shipping is becoming more popular because of the security it provides your cargo. Having such a secure way of moving your car makes this one of the most popular methods of car transport.
- Roll-on/Roll-off: This is a popular method and requires a ramp or a lift gate to load and unload vehicles.
- Flat bed: This type of trucking can handle long vehicles like limousines, RVs, buses and boats.
- Lift-gate: The liftgate carrier can handle both short and long vehicles but has limitations on height and weight depending on what they are carrying at any given time. They may use ramps or turntables to move vehicles aboard their trucks.
5. The Location of Pickup and Delivery
The location of your pickup and delivery addresses can also significantly affect the total cost of interstate transport.
The further away from a central area, the more it will cost to transport your vehicle. This is because there is a lot more involved with transporting a vehicle long distances, including fuel costs along with additional driving time.
What Is the Cost of Transporting Your Car in Australia?
Based on these factors, it’s clear that your total cost of car transport can vary hugely based on the distance, size, weight and model of your car, not to mention the other unavoidable conditions like the road and weather.
So on average, your interstate car transport in Australia can vary anywhere from $500 to $3000 or more. But to get a better quote, you can consider 50 cents per kilometre and calculate an approximate rate.
You can always reach out to any moving company to get a better estimate. Most moving companies in Australia offer free quotes for any relocation and so it only takes a matter of minutes to get a quote. So if you want to transport a car, then reach out to a reliable company to get an idea of the cost.
