Posts Tagged ‘How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Car’

Car Shipping Rates: The First Step In Car Shipping

New To The Car Shipping Experience

Getting belongings, such as clothes and furniture, to a new home is only one challenge associated with moving. Most individuals own at least one vehicle, which will need to get to the new home, as well. There are several options to transporting the car to its new location. You can drive it there, yourself, or have someone else drive it there for you.

However, neither option compares to the auto transport experience. Sometimes it is not possible to drive the car due to distance, scheduling, or other moving arrangements. This is where National Dispatch comes in. We aim to provide an easier, faster, and safer solution while also offering affordable car shipping rates.

If you have never shipped a vehicle before, you probably are unfamiliar with the car shipping process. You have no idea where to even start. All you are sure of is that you need to get your car from Point A to Point B with the help of a reliable auto transport company.

Put Your Trust In National Dispatch

It can often be difficult to trust another individual with your vehicle. This is because many view their cars as if they were their “babies”. It is completely understandable. After all, not only have you invested money into your car, but you rely on your car on a daily basis to get you from place to place.

National Dispatch has years of experience transporting all kinds of automobiles across the United States. We provide licensed, insured, and expedited auto transport services. We make it our top priority to get your car where it needs to go, when it needs to get there without incident. National Dispatch specializes in many different auto transport areas, meaning we can ship your car, truck, SUV, van, or motorcycle. Specialty vehicles, such as classic, exotic, or luxury models, are no problem for our team. We often ship for repeat customers, which speaks to their satisfaction with our level of service. You can rest easy knowing that your car will reach its destination safely and on time.

Now that you are more familiar with who we are, let’s explore everything there is to know about vehicle shipping rates.

Car Shipping Estimate Calculator: What To Expect

When you need to ship your car, you will likely want to spend a little extra time researching to find the right company for you. Throughout the research process, you will want to determine the types of services you need. This will make for a smooth auto transport experience. You will also want to speak with a representative who works with the company to learn more about your options.

One of the most important areas many individuals are concerned with is price. How much will it cost to ship my car? You will most likely want to get several quotes from various auto transport companies. However, price should not be your only concern. You should focus on quality and service, as well.

Why Request A Quote?

  • Quick and Easy. National Dispatch provides an online car shipping estimate calculator on the homepage. We aim to make the auto transport process as simple as possible for you. Therefore, we have created an easy-to-use system.
  • Free and Instant. After submitting a form, you will receive a vehicle shipping rate, in a matter of seconds, not hours or days. Other competitors in the industry make you wait for an email response, but we do not.
  • No Personal Information. Unlike other companies that require you to input personal information, such as your email, phone number, or address, we only require four simple fields. All you must do is put in the make and model of your vehicle, in addition to the pickup and delivery locations.
  • Hassle-Free. Since we do not ask for any personal information, we will not hassle you with phone calls or emails. You can relax knowing that you are requesting a free vehicle shipping quote with no strings attached.
  • Provides An Estimated Cost. A car shipping estimate calculator provides a general estimate of the cost to ship your vehicle. However, pricing may change. To lock in your quote, call and book transport services today.
  • Can Add Extra Services. You can adjust your quote by choosing additional services, such as enclosed auto shipping, inoperable vehicle transport, or guaranteed shipping for an additional fee. This allows you to see how these added services may affect your quote.

A car shipping quote calculator is great when you are first starting the process. The calculator gives you an idea of how much it will cost to transport the vehicle from one state to another. It is important to remember that there are many variables involved in a vehicle shipping rate. For a more personalized quote, call us at 800-321-2051. Our auto transport specialists will provide you with a quote that is perfect for your needs.

How Much Will It Cost To Ship My Car?

As we mentioned before, there are many variables involved in the creation of a car shipping rate. For this reason, it cannot be a fixed cost. You can spend anywhere between a few hundred dollars upwards to one thousand dollars or more. Let’s take a look at the areas that will affect the price of auto shipping.

Vehicle Make, Model, and Condition

Any quote form that you fill out from an auto transport company will ask for information about the vehicle. You will need to know the make and model to receive a free quote from National Dispatch. You must consider the size of the vehicle. This is because truckers must account for weight on their truck. Larger vehicles weigh more and take up more space than compact cars. Additional information, such as the condition (operable versus inoperable) will aid in providing a more personalized quote. Non-operable vehicles are more difficult to load and often require special equipment. Therefore, these cars cost more to transport. The vehicle shipping rate will be different for a car that you can steer, roll, and brake than for one that does not roll at all. When booking auto transport services, you may also need to know the mileage from the odometer. All of this information helps the company know the value of the vehicle, which contributes to the cost to ship.

Location

Some of the most important pieces of information are where the car is being shipped to and from. Distance is an important factor in your vehicle shipping rate. Obviously, a vehicle that has to be shipped nationwide is going to cost more than one that is being transported statewide. However, you must also take into account how close these pickup and delivery locations are to the main highways. Truckers can easily drive their trucks for miles on a stretch of straight highway. When you stray from the main routes, it is a different story. Some neighborhoods can be difficult for drivers to maneuver large trucks, due to narrow streets or low power lines. This may impact your rate, but do not fret. It will not affect your delivery. The drivers at National Dispatch do their very best to provide door-to-door auto transport service. If they cannot meet this demand, then they will meet you in a nearby location that suits both of you.

Open Versus Enclosed

You have two primary options when choosing how to transport your vehicle. You can go with the standard delivery method of open auto transport. With this service, your car will be transported with up to eight other cars on an open-air transport carrier. The other option is enclosed auto transport, in which the vehicle will be shipped in a fully-enclosed trailer with sides and a roof. The car will be protected from all weather and road elements. Owners of high-end classic, exotic, and luxury models tend to use this form of transport. However, it is available for any customer. Enclosed auto transport is the more expensive option of the two, because it provides a higher level of protection for the vehicle. Whichever option you decide to go with, your car will be transported in the safest manner possible.

Additional Factors

There are more variables that affect your quote than just the vehicle type and condition, location, and delivery method. Here are a few smaller areas that might alter the price:

  • Guaranteed Shipping. At National Dispatch, we offer three shipping options to fit your needs. Guaranteed shipping is for individuals who are booking last minute or who need their car guaranteed by a certain date range. Requesting to have your car picked up and delivered on and by a specific date will increase the rate.
  • Time Of Year. Summer is the most popular time of year to transport a car for the industry. Not as many people move their vehicles in the winter. Due to this increase in demand, you may see an increase in price.
  • Top Loading. You may have never heard of the term “top loading”. It refers to when a car is positioned on the top level of a two-level carrier. Some individuals prefer this position, because the car is less likely to gather dirt, dust, and grime from the road. You should consider if you require a special request, such as this one, before booking auto shipping services.

Call Or Click Today

Requesting a free car shipping quote is easy. We have outlined the steps for you below if you intend on using our car shipping estimate calculator. You may also call us at 800-321-2051. We are more than happy to assist you and answer any questions you may have.

Getting a quote:

  1. Go to our website at www.nationaldispatch.com.
  2. You will see GET AN INSTANT QUOTE.
  3. Select Vehicle Make from the drop down menu.
  4. Select Vehicle Model from the drop down menu.
  5. Input the Zipcode or City AND State of the Pickup Location.
  6. Input the Zipcode or City AND State of the Delivery Location.
  7. Click Get A Quote.
  8. You will receive your quote in a matter of seconds.

*You will have the choice to choose between three different shipping options. Priority shipping will automatically be selected. In addition, you will have the option to choose between enclosed and open auto transport, as well as inoperable and operable vehicle shipping.

What Does Car Shipping Involve?

You may be wondering what would happen after you book auto shipping. We will give you a short explanation of how the process would work. You would call to request car shipping with the services that you need. We would notify you before arrival. Before the car is shipped, you would take the necessary preparation steps to ensure a safe and smooth auto transport process. The driver will do his best to come directly to your location with door-to-door auto transport. Upon arrival, you will conduct a vehicle inspection with the driver. This is to complete a condition report of the vehicle before transport, in case any unforeseen circumstances were to occur. The vehicle will be loaded onto the carrier for safe travels to its destination. In transit, you have no need to worry, because we will treat your car as if it were our own. While flying to your new home, your car will be making its journey across the states. We will deliver the vehicle safely to its new home.

National Dispatch offers auto transport services at a rate that you can afford. We focus on your needs, aiming to provide superior customer service. Relocating to a new home can be difficult and stressful. Car shipping is not only an easy, fast, and safe solution, but it provides an individual with peace of mind knowing that their car is being taken care of. The first step in shipping your vehicle is obtaining a quote from a reliable company. The best way to do this is to either use an online quote calculator or call to speak with a representative.

Start by using our online quote calculator. If you would like to book auto transport services, call National Dispatch today at 800-321-2051. We look forward to your call.

14 Car Shipping Questions Answered

Getting Your Car Shipping Questions Answered

If this is your first time using an auto transport company or if you are considering using one in the near future, then you have come to the right place. You probably have many questions regarding how and when your vehicle will be shipped. Therefore, we have assembled a list of the most popular car shipping questions, along with answers, to help assist you in the process.

Here are 14 of the most frequently asked vehicle shipping questions:

1.     Who typically uses a car shipping company?

Individuals usually enlist the help of a car shipping company in the case of a move. This would include families relocating to another state and students moving away to college. However, this is not always the case. Snowbirds, or vacationers, also utilize these services when temporarily moving to a warmer climate in the winter months. There are other scenarios in which someone might need vehicle transport services, such as with car collectors and online sales. A classic car collector ships their car to ensure the vehicle gets from one place to another safely and without adding mileage. Nowadays, buying an automobile off the internet has become very popular. If you purchase a vehicle online from another state, auto transport provides a convenient solution. Vehicle transport is not only for individuals, but many car dealerships, corporations, and construction teams use these services to ship automobiles across the country.

2.     How much does it cost to ship a car?

One of the biggest factors affecting the cost of auto transport is the type of vehicle. Larger vehicles, such as trucks, vans, and SUVs, cost more to ship because of their size and weight. There are many additional variables that may alter a car shipping quote. These would include distance, route, season, and type of trailer (open vs. enclosed). Obviously, the farther the driver must travel, the more expensive vehicle transport will be. The route taken to get there may have some effect on the price. If the car must be shipped along a route without many main highways and to a remote area, the price may be higher. In addition, Summer is the busiest season to request auto transport services. People are moving and going on vacation, so there is a higher demand for a car shipping company. The type of trailer you choose to transport your vehicle will affect the price of shipping. An enclosed trailer provides added protection for high-priced and antique vehicles. Therefore, it is more expensive in comparison to an open-air alternative. Overall, auto transport can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars up to a thousand dollars or more.

3.     Is my car protected in transit?

Many vehicle shipping companies have an insurance policy in case any unforeseen circumstances were to occur during transit. At National Dispatch, we offer insured auto transport services. We take every precaution to transport your car safely to its destination without incident, treating the vehicle as if it were our own. In addition to the insurance that we provide, it is recommended that you check with your own insurance provider. This is so that you know what is and is not covered during the auto transport process with your own insurance provider. Make sure that you have read through and understand the policies of both the auto transport company and car insurance provider. If you have a luxury, sports, or classic model, opting for an enclosed carrier will provide your vehicle with added protection and yourself with more peace of mind.

4.     How long will transport take?

This is a common question people ask when transporting a vehicle. The length of transport is dependent on a variety of factors. The primary factor is the distance the car is being shipped. If it is a cross-country move, it may take one to two weeks to complete. If you are moving a shorter distance, it may only take a few days. The shipping option you choose will also have an impact on when you receive your vehicle. We offer three different shipping options: Economy, Priority, and Guaranteed. Economy and priority shipping offer you pickup and delivery windows, while guaranteed shipping is catered more towards individuals on a strict time schedule. Priority shipping is the standard shipping option. Guaranteed shipping is more expensive, because it requires the auto transport company to designate a spot on the truck for a specific date.

5.     What do I have to do before and after I ship my car?

There are preparation procedures and recommendations of tasks to perform before the driver arrives to pick up the car. We suggest that you clean the interior and exterior of the car. Not only is a clean car nice to have, but it will be beneficial when conducting an inspection and completing a condition report. Remove all items from the inside and outside of your car. It is also recommended to have only ¼ tank of gas in the vehicle before transporting, as it helps cut down on the weight. If you are moving to another state, you should be sure to change your license, vehicle registration, and license plate to reflect your new state of residence. States vary in the time allotted to complete these tasks, so go to your local DMV or go online to fill out the necessary forms as soon as possible. Once your car arrives safely at its destination, you are free to enjoy the attractions of the new city.

6.     How far in advance do I need to book services?

Although we can schedule car shipping services in a short amount of time, it is best to book as soon as possible. If you know that you are going to need auto transport, then go ahead and call to request car shipping. This allows you plenty of time to get everything done, such as prepare the vehicle for transport and make flight arrangements. Booking ahead of time will make for a smooth shipping experience. You will not have to rush to get everything ready at the very last minute, which will only add stress to your life. If you are not sure how to go about starting the process, call to speak with an auto transport representative at 800-321-2051. We are happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. We want you to have the best car shipping experience possible. This is why we provide premium customer service, affordable pricing, and fast delivery.

7.     Do I have to be present for pickup and delivery?

Yes, you should strive to be there at the time the car will be picked up and delivered. This is necessary, because you must sign the Bill of Lading. The Bill of Lading is a formal document between you and the auto transport company. It outlines the details of auto transport, as well as any special notes. If for some reason you cannot be present, a third party individual can be there in your place. This individual could be a friend, neighbor, or co-worker. You want it to be someone you can rely on and trust to review all the important documents.

8.     What is the difference between open and enclosed auto transport?

An open carrier is the most common method of auto transport. Open auto transport utilizes an open-air transport truck, as seen in the image to the right. These trucks are capable of hauling up to nine vehicles at a time. With the alternative method of enclosed auto transport, the car is shipped via a fully-enclosed trailer with sides and a roof. This method of transport is highly recommended for owners of exotic, luxury, sports, and classic model vehicles. Enclosed auto transport protects the car from dirt, dust, debris, and other elements of the road. Due to the added protection associated with enclosed, it comes at a higher fee. We leave it up to our customers to decide which method best works for them. This is often based upon personal preference and budget. You can be rest assured knowing that whichever option you choose, your car will be transported safely to its destination.

9.     What type of vehicles can you ship?

At National Dispatch, we ship a wide variety of vehicles. Not only do we transport the typical cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs, but we ship motorcycles, as well. All makes, models, and years are welcome. Whether you have a classic Mustang, high-end luxury BMW, or sporty Ferrari, we are happy to assist you with your move. We offer a wide selection of transport services to suit your needs. To receive a specific auto shipping quote, use our online quote calculator. Only 4 simple fields are required, which include vehicle make, vehicle model, pickup location, and delivery location.

10. Will I be notified before the driver arrives?

The driver should be in contact with you before he arrives to pickup and deliver the vehicle. You are kept informed every step of the way. If anything changes with your shipment, you will be contacted immediately. Some residential areas are difficult for the driver to maneuver the truck with traffic, low power lines, and narrow streets. If this were to be the case, the driver will call you to communicate a meeting location. The best locations to meet are often large parking lots. If you have any questions during the transport of your vehicle, feel free to contact us.

11. Can I transport an inoperable vehicle?

Many times individuals need to ship a car that runs and works perfectly. What do you do if your car is inoperable? First off, let’s define an inoperable car. A inoperable vehicle is one that does not run due to collision damage, mechanical issues, or other problems. This presents a challenge for auto transport companies. However, at National Dispatch, we have the equipment, manpower, and knowledge to transport your non-running vehicle anywhere in the United States. If you can at least roll, brake, and steer your car, then this makes life and transport much easier. Transporting an inoperable vehicle typically costs more, because it requires more time, special equipment, and manpower.

12. What is door-to-door service?

Door-to-door transport is the preferred method of delivery for car shipping. It provides a convenient and affordable option. The driver will do his best to come directly to your pickup location and deliver the vehicle as close as possible. If the pickup or delivery area presents difficulties for the transport truck, then you and the driver will decide on a local area for drop-off. The other option available by some auto transport companies is terminal-to-terminal transport. Terminal-to-terminal auto shipping requires you or a carrier to pick up the vehicle from a nearby location, or terminal. You can see how this option fails in comparison to door-to-door shipping.

13. What can I expect upon pickup and delivery of my car?

The driver will arrive at the pickup destination to load the vehicle for transport. Upon the driver’s arrival, an inspection will be conducted. This is to note the current condition of the car prior to shipping, in case any damages were to occur. Although damages are unlikely, this is a necessary step for insurance purposes. If there are any special instructions or questions for the driver, you should take care of this at pickup. After you sign all necessary paperwork, the vehicle will be on its way to the delivery location.

14. Can I put items in my car?

No, you should remove all personal belongings before auto transport. This is one of the tasks that should be completed before the driver arrives. We are not responsible if the items cause damage to the vehicle’s interior, from rolling or tossing around. It also presents a problem with weight. Placing items in the car adds more weight to the vehicle. In addition, we do not want you to accidentally put something in your car that you might need. The vehicle will be on a transport truck, and you will have no access to your items until the vehicle is delivered. We also want to lower any risk of items becoming lost or stolen.

Book With National Dispatch

Car shipping provides you with affordability, convenience, and reliability. Individuals across the country rely on our car shipping services to transport their vehicles in a safe and fast manner. We offer a variety of services to suit your needs.

We set ourselves apart from our competitors with our company-owned fleet and hassle-free online car shipping rates. If you would like more information on our services, please go to our website at https://www.nationaldispatch.com to fill out a free no-obligation car shipping quote. No personal information is required. You can also call us at 800-321-2051 to speak with one of our knowledgeable customer service agents.