How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Truck?

October 11th, 2022

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Pickup trucks are popular all over the US. You can use one for so many things and they are very powerful. However, some occasions might call for a different approach. For example, when you need to get your pickup to a specialist garage for some work? Driving it to the garage is not the best option because it’s across the other side of the country. 

For this type of situation and many others besides, shipping your truck with an auto transport company is the smart option. That’s all very well and good, but how much does it cost to get a truck shipped?

Let’s see if we can answer your question. To start with, let’s share some prices for the average cost to ship a truck.

How much does it cost to have a truck shipped, on average?

We can’t give you an exact price for shipping your truck, because everyone’s needs and circumstances are different. We’ll look at some of the factors that affect the cost of shipping a truck a little later in this post, but let’s get the ball rolling by looking at some average prices per mile and for a sample distance:

Distance in miles	Type of shipping service	Average price per mile	Sample distance in miles	Sample price
0-500	Open	$1.99	250	$499
500-1000	Open	$1.13	700	$795
1000-1500	Open	$0.895	1000	$895
1500-2000	Open	$0.68	1750	$1199
2000-2500	Open	$0.62	2400	$1495
2500-3000	Open	$0.60	2700	$1620
3000+	Open	$0.59	3200	$1899

 

Bear in mind that these are meant as just a guideline. 

If you want a more exact cost to ship a truck, get in touch and get a quote today!

Factors that affect the cost of shipping a truck

Several things can affect the price you pay for shipping your truck with an auto transport management company like SGT Auto Transport. 

Distance between the pick-up and delivery location

This is the most important factor when it comes to the cost of shipping your truck. 

It’s pretty obvious that the further you want to transport your truck the more it will cost. While the cost per mile gets smaller, the total cost is going to be more. 

In addition, the actual location of these points also makes a difference. For example, if either location is in a rural area, it’ll cost more than transporting your truck between more metropolitan locations. 

Condition of your truck

You might want to ship your truck because it’s not running and needs to be taken to a garage for some work. 

If your truck’s inoperable, the carrier will need specialist equipment to load and unload it. For you, this could mean additional costs. 

Size and weight of your truck

Pickup trucks come in a range of sizes and shapes. Carriers have to operate within strict weight restrictions which means fewer vehicles on the trailer if they are heavy. 

Trucks tend to be bigger and heavier than the average car, so you’re going to pay more. 

How you want your truck to be delivered

Door-to-door shipping is the service we provide here at SGT Auto Transport. We arrange for a carrier to collect your vehicle from your home or somewhere else close by. Following the transportation part of the service, we arrange for the carrier to deliver your truck to a destination of your choosing. 

This isn’t the only auto transport service available. There is also terminal-to-terminal shipping. It’s not as convenient as door-to-door but is sometimes cheaper. However, additional costs may be involved as you have to get your truck to the terminal and arrange to collect it and drive it home. 

Type of shipping service

You have two main options when it comes to shipping your truck: open vs. enclosed. Which one you choose depends on your needs, preferences, and budget.

Open car transport is the standard way to ship a pick-up truck. Your truck is loaded onto an open trailer along with several other vehicles. It’s the cheapest option and also the more flexible because more carriers offer this option. 

Your truck will be exposed to traffic grime and the weather during shipping, but the risk of damage is very small.

Enclosed auto transport is the second option, but for pickup trucks, it’s extremely rare. This shipping service is meant for owners of high-end, exotic, classic, antique, custom, and classic vehicles. The cost of this service is between 30% and 40% higher, but your pickup truck will be completely protected.  

Speed of delivery

In general, you will have to wait between 5 and 7 days for a carrier to pick up your truck. It will then take up to 10 days for it to be delivered, depending on the distance. 

If you haven’t got the time to wait and need your truck shipped quicker than that, you have the option of express car shipping or guaranteed pick-up.

Choose express car shipping and your truck will be collected in 1-2 business days. With guaranteed pick-up, you will have a 24-hour window for the collection of your truck. 

The price of fuel  

This is one factor that individual customers have no control over. You can’t control whether the price of fuel will go up or down. It can also vary considerably between different locations. 

Fuel prices are one of the biggest variables in the auto transport industry. Unfortunately for the customer, the carrier is likely to pass any increases. 

If you haven’t booked your auto transport yet, get in touch with us here at SGT Auto Transport. Use our Live Chat or speak directly with our shipping advisors at (864) 546-5038. Let us help you transport your truck without breaking the bank.