Lila Claybourne has been immersed in the auto shipping industry for over 12 years, gaining extensive experienc...
Lila Claybourne
Lila Claybourne has been immersed in the auto shipping industry for over 12 years, gaining extensive experience across various roles, including serving as a dispatch manager at a leading auto shipping brokerage. Her well-rounded understanding of the logistics and operations involved in vehicle transport, combined with a commitment to continuous learning, makes her uniquely equipped to provide expert insights into the ever-evolving world of auto shipping. Lila's passion for efficiency and innovation drives her to stay ahead of industry trends, ensuring that her knowledge is always fresh and relevant for readers seeking a seasoned perspective.
The cheapest way to transport a car is typically with an open transport carrier. It’s the kind of trailer you’ve probably seen on the highway, hauling several vehicles at once.
Buying a car from another state can be exciting, but getting it delivered often brings unexpected costs. Many people are surprised by how expensive shipping can be, and it can throw off their budget. The good news is, you don’t have to overpay. With the right choices, shipping a car can be both simple and affordable.
In this article, we’ll cover the easiest ways to save money, including why open carriers are usually the best option, how to time your booking, and common mistakes to avoid.
What You'll Learn in This Post
In this article, we will talk about:
The most affordable car transport options.
Tips that cut your cost, like when to ship, how to book, and how many quotes you should compare.
Your options and how to decide what’s best for your budget and situation.
Overview
The most affordable way to ship a car is through an open transport carrier. Key factors, such as budget, vehicle type, and desired convenience, should also be considered for cost-effective shipping.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Factors Affecting Shipping Cost
Shipping a car's price depends on various factors, including distance, vehicle type and condition, carrier choice, season, and pickup/drop-off style. Knowing these elements can help you estimate and possibly lower costs.
Carrier Types
There are two main options for car shipping: open carriers, which are affordable but expose vehicles to elements, and enclosed carriers, which provide better protection at a higher cost. Your choice affects both price and vehicle safety.
Cheapest Method Overall: Open Transport
Open transport is the most budget-friendly option, allowing carriers to haul multiple vehicles simultaneously and spread costs effectively. It's ideal for standard vehicles where low costs are a priority and some exposure to the elements is acceptable.
Using a Car Shipping Broker
Car shipping brokers serve as intermediaries, using their network of vetted carriers to secure competitive pricing and manage logistics, saving you time and providing more options for a smoother process.
Cost Comparison
Shipping costs vary significantly based on distance, with shorter routes costing less than longer ones for both open and enclosed carriers, though enclosed transport consistently commands a higher price. Delivery times also increase with distance.
Other Notable Considerations
Discounts: Many shipping companies offer discounts (e.g., for military personnel, students, seniors) that can further reduce the overall cost.
Booking Tips: Booking in advance, being flexible with dates, and gathering multiple quotes are crucial steps to secure the cheapest shipping rate.
Safety and Legitimacy: Always verify a company's FMCSA registration and USDOT number, and check reviews and BBB ratings to ensure you are working with a reputable and safe carrier.
Vehicle Preparation: Preparing your vehicle by cleaning it, removing personal items, and taking pre-shipment photos is important for a smooth process and to protect your belongings.
What Affects The Cost of Moving Cars to Another State?
Before you search for the cheapest way to ship a car, it’s important to understand what affects those prices.
1. Distance and Route
The distance of your shipment is a primary factor in pricing. While longer trips cost more overall, the per-mile rate typically decreases as the distance increases. However, if your car needs to be picked up or dropped off in a remote or hard-to-access location, you should expect to pay an additional fee.
2. Vehicle Type and Condition
The size and weight of your vehicle play a big role in shipping costs. Bigger vehicles like trucks, vans, or SUVs take up more space and burn more fuel during transport, so they usually cost more to ship.
Your car’s condition also matters. Shipping a car that doesn’t run is almost always more expensive than shipping one that does. That’s because carriers need special equipment, like winches, forklifts, or flatbeds, to safely load and unload it, which takes extra time and effort.
3. Carrier Type: Open vs. Enclosed
Choosing the right type of carrier is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when shipping a car. It affects both how much you’ll pay and how well your car is protected on the road. There are two main options:
Open Carrier: This is the most common and affordable way to ship a car. These trailers carry several vehicles at once, which helps keep costs down. The tradeoff is that your car will be exposed to the weather and road debris along the way.
Enclosed Carrier: This option provides the most protection since your car is shipped inside a covered trailer. It’s a popular choice for luxury, classic, or high-value vehicles that need extra care. The downside is price. Enclosed shipping usually costs about 30% to 50% more than an open carrier.
Car shipping prices fluctuate with the seasons, much like airline tickets. Peak seasons, typically summer and early fall, are the most expensive times to ship due to increased demand from people relocating for work or school.
If your schedule is flexible, you can often secure a lower rate by shipping during the off-peak seasons of late fall and winter when demand is lower.
5. Pickup and Drop-Off Style
The way you choose to have your car picked up and dropped off can make a big difference in the total shipping cost. There are two main options:
Door-to-Door Service: This is the most convenient option. The carrier comes right to your chosen pickup spot and delivers your car as close as possible to your destination. It saves you time and hassle since you don’t have to go anywhere. The downside? It usually costs more because drivers have to adjust their routes to reach your exact locations.
Terminal-to-Terminal Service: If saving money is your priority, this option may be the better choice. Instead of home delivery, you drop off and pick up your car at designated shipping terminals. It takes a little more effort on your part, but you’ll often pay less overall.
Note: AmeriFreight Auto Transport does not offer terminal-to-terminal service. Instead, it offers door–to–door car transport.
Cheapest Method Overall: Open Transport with AmeriFreight
For the cheapest way to ship a car, open transport is usually your best bet. This method uses an open-air trailer, the kind you often see on the highway carrying several cars at once. It’s the most common option and gives you a good mix of safety and affordability.
Why Open Carriers Cost Less?
Open carriers can transport up to 10 cars at once. This high efficiency spreads costs, such as fuel, tolls, and labor, across all vehicles, which keeps the price low for you.
How AmeriFreight's Pricing Works
AmeriFreight's open transport rates are competitive and vary based on distance and vehicle type.
Route Distance
Open Carrier (Standard)
Enclosed Carrier (Premium)
Estimated Delivery Time
Less than 500 miles
$400 – $600
$700 – $1,100
2–3 days
500 to 2,500 miles
$800 – $1,300
$1,300 – $1,600
4–7 days
Over 2,500 miles
$1,250 – $1,800
$1,600 – $2,000
7–10 days
When to Choose Open Transport
For the majority of cars and shipping routes, open carriers are the most sensible and economical first choice. Open transport is the ideal choice if your car is:
A standard vehicle in good working condition.
Not a rare, luxury, or classic model.
Your priority is the lowest possible cost and flexible scheduling.
Pro-Tip:AmeriFreight offers discounts to our customers, including military personnel, first responders, medical staff, students, and senior citizens, which can further reduce your costs.
Using a Car Shipping Broker for Competitive Pricing
A car shipping broker can be a valuable resource for finding low-cost transport quickly and efficiently. They act as an intermediary, leveraging their network of vetted transport carriers to find the best possible price for your specific route.
Why a Broker Can Be a Great Option:
Access to a Wider Network: Brokers provide access to a vast network of pre-screened carriers, giving you more options than you could likely find on your own.
Competitive Bidding: They facilitate a bidding process among carriers, which can drive down your cost.
Time Savings: Brokers handle the logistics and communication, saving you from making numerous phone calls and coordinating details yourself.
Vetting Services: A reputable broker verifies a carrier's credentials, helping ensure you are working with a legitimate and safe company.
When to Use a Broker:
You need to get multiple quotes quickly without doing extensive research.
You have some flexibility with your pickup and delivery dates.
You prefer a single point of contact to manage the entire shipping process.
Red Flags to Watch For:
Vague Pricing: Be cautious of brokers who fail to disclose their fees or provide quotes with hidden costs.
Lack of Credentials: A legitimate broker should have a registered USDOT number and be listed with the FMCSA.
Unrealistic Promises: Be skeptical of brokers who promise "guaranteed" low prices without providing detailed explanations or quotes. Always ask questions to ensure you understand the terms of your agreement.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for the best car shipping rates, AmeriFreight Auto Transport is a top choice. We work with a wide network of vetted carriers to help you find the most reliable and affordable options.
Shipping your car doesn’t have to be stressful or pricey. Once you know what affects the cost, compare your choices, and watch out for hidden fees, the process becomes much simpler. If saving money is your top priority, booking open carrier transport early through a reliable broker is usually the cheapest option. With the right support, it’s also one of the easiest ways to get your car shipped.
Need to Ship a Car?
Let AmeriFreight Auto Transport help you find the most affordable way to transport your vehicle, without compromising on quality or service. Whether you're looking to book open carrier transport or want help comparing cost-saving options, our experienced team is here to make car shipping simple and budget-friendly.
What are some tips to get the cheapest car shipping quote?
To obtain the most affordable car shipping quote, book in advance, be flexible with your dates, select an open carrier, and gather multiple quotes from different companies.
How to ship your car to a different state?
To ship a car to a different state, obtain multiple quotes from reputable auto transport companies, select the type of carrier and delivery method, prepare your vehicle by cleaning and removing personal items, and ensure all necessary paperwork is in order before the scheduled pickup.
Is driving your car cheaper than shipping it?
While driving your car yourself is generally cheaper for shorter distances, shipping it can become the more cost-effective option for longer trips. This is because shipping avoids the accumulated costs of gas, food, lodging, and the wear and tear on your vehicle.
