Shipping Multiple Cars: Cost Saving Tips for Bulk Car Shipping

May 2nd, 2023

7 minutes

Summary

Shipping a car across the country is simple, but what if you want to ship multiple cars? Does it get more complicated and if so, how can you ensure it’s trouble-free?

In this post, find out all there is to know about shipping multiple cars across country. With more than 22.1% of households owning three or more vehicles, it’s likely some of you are going to need a car shipping service sometime in the future. Read this post and you’ll be well prepared when it happens.

Is it cheaper to ship multiple cars?

If you’re shipping multiple cars across the country you’ll usually get a discount. For a carrier, it’s more efficient to ship multiple vehicles simultaneously. All the cars can be loaded onto one trailer at the same time and they can make one trip rather than several. This saves money and time for the carrier, and they’ll pass some of those savings onto you in the form of a discount.

However, don’t just assume you’re going to get a discount. Always ask the auto transport first. Some companies charge a flat rate per car, with no exceptions. However, some will offer a discount on the total price if you ship multiple vehicles.

How much does it cost to ship more than one car?

Unlike many other service-based products, car shipping doesn’t have a set cost. The cost of car shipping across country depends on a few different factors. One of the most important factors is how many cars or vehicles you want to ship. The more cars you ship, the lower the price per vehicle.

The number of vehicles is not the only factor that has to be taken into account. Other important factors include the following:

Make and model of the car you want to ship: Some cars are larger, heavier, or more difficult to ship than others. This means they’ll cost more to ship.
Condition: Vehicles that aren’t running require specialist equipment for loading and unloading. This will increase the cost.
Type of auto transport: Open car transport is the least expensive type of car shipping service, and also the most common and popular. If you choose to ship your cars in an enclosed trailer, it’ll cost more.
Distance: In general, the further the distance between the pick-up and delivery location, the more it’ll cost to ship your cars.
Seasonality: Car shipping rates tend to be higher during the summer because that’s when most people move. Ship your cars during this time and you’ll have to pay more.

If you want to know exactly how much it’ll cost to ship a car, use our online instant quote calculator. However, if you’re shipping more than one car, you need to speak with our shipping advisors for your personalized multiple-car shipping quotes.

Get a quote!

What are the benefits of shipping multiple cars?

The biggest advantage of multiple-car shipping across country has to be the cost. If you use the same carrier to ship all your cars at the same time it’ll be more affordable than choosing separate companies or shipping your vehicles at different times.

When you need to ship more than one vehicle, always consider having them shipped by the same auto transport company. It will save time and you’ll get the best deal.

Convenience is another benefit worth mentioning. The scheduling process is much simpler and you’ll have peace of mind knowing your vehicles will arrive at the same time and the same place.

Tips for shipping cars across country

So, you’ve decided you want to ship multiple cars across country. What do you do now? Here are some tips to help you decide what to do.

Make sure you do your research

It’s important to do some research if you want the best car shipping company to ship your cars. You should look for a company that’s qualified and trustworthy. It’s also a good idea to check their insurance information and registration with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) via their online database.

Read plenty of customer reviews

Many companies post their customer reviews directly on their website. However, it’s also important to check third-party reviews at the same time. Check other sites like Yelp, Google, and the Better Business Bureau for any complaints.

Don’t be too concerned about a couple of negative reviews. Multiple negative reviews and lots of reviews that mention the same problem should be considered red flags.

It’s also good to look at customer responses to any negative reviews. These will indicate whether a company actively monitors their reviews and cares about putting any problems right.

Find a reliable multiple-car shipper

Based on the information you gather in the previous two points, you should feel confident about the auto transport company you’ve chosen. It’s good to have a few companies in mind and then reach out and ask each one for a quote. You should also use the opportunity to ask for more information or get the answers to any questions you might have.

Ask about insurance

Before you make your decision, ask each company about its insurance policy. You want to ensure there is adequate coverage for your vehicle. It is a legal requirement for auto transport companies to maintain a basic level of coverage, but you must check that the coverage meets your needs.

Schedule your shipment

When you’re happy with your choice of auto transport service and the quote you’ve been given, go right ahead and book your shipment. When you make the arrangements, be as accurate as possible concerning the pick-up and drop-off locations, dates, and times.

If you provide this information now, it’ll help to guarantee a smooth and timely shipping experience.

What to do when your cars arrive?

When your cars arrive at their final destination, you must follow these steps to ensure your cars are in good condition.

Step 1: Inspect your cars for damage

As soon as your cars arrive you must carefully inspect them for any damage that might have occurred during the shipping process. Damage is very rare but it might occur from things such as harsh weather and road debris.

Start your checks by examining the exterior of your cars for any dents or scratches. Then you can check the interiors for any tears, stains, rips, or punctures.

Step 2: Document the condition of your cars

The next step is to document the condition of your cars using videos and photographs. This is an important step even if you didn’t find any damage during the inspections.

If you did find some damage, thoroughly document the relevant areas. Take videos and photographs from as many angles as possible.

Step3: Work with your transportation provider on any issues

You should work with your transportation provider concerning any issues during transport. You might be asked to get a repair estimate from a mechanic. From there, you might likely get reimbursed for the repair cost or they will pay for the repair directly.

If you’re ready to make arrangements to ship your cars, please contact our shipping advisors and ask for a quote. You can reach them at (864) 546-5038 or use Live Chat.

FAQs

What is the cheapest company to ship your car?

If you’re looking for the cheapest company to ship your car the best approach is to contact a few and compare prices. However, don’t be swayed by price alone when it comes to booking a car shipping service. Cheap is not always the best.

How many cars fit on a transport ship?

Ocean vessels that specialize in shipping cars are equipped to hold up to 8,000 vehicles.

How many cars can be transported?

The number of cars a carrier can transport depends on the dimensions of the trailer. Depending on the model, a typical long-haul truck can fit between 5 and 12 cars. However, this number varies depending on the size of the vehicles.

How do you transport multiple cars?

If you want to transport multiple cars, you must find a truck that can accommodate the number of vehicles you have. You might be able to fit them all on one trailer, but if not, you need to look for several trailers that can travel close together. This is the safest option and allows for easy tracking.

How do you haul multiple cars?

Multiple cars can be hauled using open or enclosed car transport. Enclosed transport is limited in size, so you won’t be able to haul more than two or three cars. However, open car transport trailers can haul up to 10 vehicles at the same time, depending on their size.