Car Shipping Cost Calculator
There was a time when getting a quote for the auto shipping services you need meant getting on the phone with customer support for an indefinite amount of time (often, complete with the dreaded hold music). That’s a thing of the past, since most auto transport companies have adopted an auto transport cost calculator feature to simplify the process of getting an accurate estimate.
Car Shipping Cost Calculator
How to Use an Auto Transport Cost Calculator
The technology behind different cost calculators may vary a bit, with some relying on AI more than others, but the functionality is more or less the same with all of them. They’re designed to be easy to use and self-explanatory, asking for certain information that will give the calculator what it needs to generate a shipping quote. In these next few sections, we’re going to talk about car shipping cost calculators and explain how you can use one to get an accurate quote for your shipping services.
Key Features to Look for in an Auto Transport Quote Tool
Most auto transport cost calculators are designed around the same inputs:
- Vehicle year/make/model (size and weight of the vehicle are big considerations)
- Vehicle running condition
- Zip codes of starting point and destination
- Desired method of transport
- Desired timeframe for transport
These are all details that the calculator needs to be able to generate a quote. Most car shipping cost calculators use dropdown boxes to enter this info, with a process and prompts that are pretty self-explanatory. After putting this information into the calculator, it just takes a few seconds for you to get an accurate quote for the services you need.
How Calculator Inputs (Distance, Vehicle, Carrier Type) Affect Your Estimate
Here’s why the calculator needs that information;
Vehicle year/make/model: not just vehicles, but anything that’s bigger and heavier costs more to ship since it burns more fuel and puts more wear on the truck that’s hauling it, and the dimensions also mean space that’s being taken up on a trailer that could go to hauling something else. That’s how a 5500 lb F150 costs a lot more to transport than a 2800 lb Mini Cooper.
Vehicle running condition: customers do often need to ship an inoperable vehicle, such as a rare classic that’s going to a specialty shop or mechanic in some other part of the country for repair or restoration. Shipping a car that can’t start, run, steer and stop on its own power means special equipment and procedures on the part of the transport driver, and not all transport trailers are set up for that.
Zip codes of starting point and destination: just like taking a flight or a train trip, the more miles are involved, the more it’s going to cost. The good news is that the cost/mile rate starts to drop as longer distances are involved, as you’ll find out when using a cross-country auto shipping calculator.
Desired method of transport: to be able to answer different customer needs for different vehicles and situations, most auto transport companies offer a few different shipping options that afford different levels of protection and security. These transport methods all come in at different points on the price scale.
Desired timeframe for shipping: the auto transport business is cyclical, with hot and cold periods in the volume of shipping orders we typically handle. When things are busier and more trucks are out on the highway with customer orders, the supply/demand equation will bend rates upward until things slow down again.
Instant Quotes vs. Broker-Assisted Quotes: Pros & Cons
Why Customer Support Beats a Quote Calculator
Quote Calculator vs. Live Chat Help
When to Call Instead of Using a Quote Calculator
Seasonal Effects: When Car Shipping Quotes Are Cheapest
Best Time of Year to Ship a Car
As we mentioned, there are peaks and valleys in the volume of shipping orders that most companies handle, and when things are busier, it’s going to be more expensive to ship a vehicle. Typical surges in shipping volume happen in summer (June to September, roughly) and winter (late November through January).
Car Shipping Costs by Season
In winter, “snowbirds” are migrating from cold northern states to sunnier, warmer climates like Texas or Florida, and in summer people tend to relocate while school is out for the summer (plus there’s near-perfect weather and road conditions in summer months).
Summer vs. Winter Car Shipping
In addition, many transport drivers are home with their families over the holidays, limiting the number of drivers who can handle orders. Things can also be complicated by inclement winter weather and terrible road conditions in December and January.
Cheapest Seasons for Auto Transport
With that in mind, fall (September through November) and spring (March through May) are often the sweet spot when it comes to availability of drivers and lower shipping costs. That’s when more drivers are going to be available for incoming orders, and it’s often easier to find a good deal on shipping rates.
Best Practices to Get the Most Reliable Quote Online
Be mindful of what the quote calculator needs to develop a quote
Be honest about the info you put into the calculator
Remember that most companies only consider a quote to be valid for 7 calendar days, after which you’d need a new quote (pricing is dynamic and fluid and can change from day to day)
Hidden Fees & Discrepancies You Should Watch Out For
Too many times, customers have gone with the company that offered the cheapest quote, only to find out that they were cutting corners on performance and standards. One common scenario is “bait and switch” pricing, with tacked-on fees and extraneous charges added on the back end when the vehicle is delivered. That could include things like:
That’s where it’s incumbent on you, the customer, to put in your due diligence and know what you’re really getting into. If you have any doubts, get someone on the phone and ask questions. Your quote should be detailed and inclusive, with all prices locked in and final. Also, do some comparison shopping between different companies and look for the company’s reviews and credentials, including their BBB listing and Consumer Reports rating.
| Additional Fees |
|---|
| Fuel surcharges |
| Rural pickup or delivery fees |
| Tacked-on insurance charges |
| Expedited shipping costs |
| Seasonal surcharges |
Conclusion
