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Pricing Explained
How much does car shipping cost?
To make the process simple and transparent, Snowbird Shipping offers an instant quote calculator that allows you to easily estimate the cost of shipping your vehicle at the top of the page. Just enter your pickup and drop-off locations, along with your vehicle’s make, model, and year, and the calculator will instantly provide your pricing. The cost is determined by factors such as the vehicle’s weight, length, and height, as well as the distance between the origin and destination.
Get an Instant Quote for Your Vehicle Shipping
Keep in mind that these rates can fluctuate based on various factors, including seasonal demand and the type of transport service. When determining the final price for shipping your vehicle, several factors come into play. The type of vehicle you’re shipping, the distance, and the specific shipping method you choose will all affect the total cost.
| Average car shipping cost per mile | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Open Transport | Additional Items | |
| Car | CAD $1.20/mile | Golf Bags CAD$150 | |
| EV | CAD $1.20/mile | Additional Luggage CAD$125 | |
| Large SUV/Luxury | CAD $1.7/mile | ||
| Small/Mid SUV | CAD $1.40/mile | ||
| Truck | CAD $1.9/mile | ||
What is car transport?
Car transport, also known as car shipping, is a service designed to move vehicles from one location to another. The best car transport services are provided by licensed professionals who have the experience and equipment necessary to ensure the safe delivery of your vehicle. The method of transport you choose will significantly impact the cost of shipping your car.
How to get a car transport quote
Car transport quotes can be calculated a few different ways. You can get an accurate esti mate of your car shipping by using our instant quote calculator or speaking with a Montway representative via live chat. When discussing your shipment be sure to mention any special requirements you may have, as these could affect the price. Some examples of special requirements include expedited pickup, vehicle modifications or inoperable vehicles.
In order to get the most accurate and up-to-date car shipping quote, it’s important to know and have the following information available:
- Vehicle pickup and delivery destinations (zip codes are preferred for increased quoting accuracy)
- Car transport preference (open or enclosed trailer)
- Vehicle year, make and model (ensures availability of required transport trailer size)
- Operational status (can be driven forward and in reverse, with basic steering for truck loading and unloading)
- Earliest available pickup date
Three Types of Vehicle Shipping
When shipping your car, you’ll encounter three types of companies: lead providers, carriers, and brokers.
Lead providers simply gather your contact information and give you a list of potential carriers based on your criteria. It’s then up to you to research, contact, and choose the right carrier. Expect multiple calls and emails, as your information is shared widely.
Carriers are the ones who actually transport your vehicle. You can work directly with them, but without industry knowledge, finding the best carrier for your specific needs can be challenging.
That’s where brokers come in. Brokers do the heavy lifting—they find the best carrier from a vast network, handle all the communication, and ensure everything goes smoothly. Instead of juggling multiple options and logistics, you get a tailored solution with minimal effort. Brokers simplify the process, allowing you to focus on what really matters.
Give us a call at (855)-200-5114 to speak with an advisor who will schedule your shipment with one of our 25,000+ vetted and trusted carriers.
Calculating car shipping costs
Auto transport quotes and car shipment rates are tailored to each customer’s unique needs. Your car shipping estimate is determined by several factors, including trip distance, vehicle size (whether it’s a sedan, pickup truck, SUV, etc.), the condition of the vehicle (operable or inoperable), the type of transport (open or enclosed), and the location (rural or urban) where the vehicle will be picked up and delivered. The time of year also plays a role. With Snowbird Shipping’s instant quote calculator, you can input all the details of your shipment, allowing us to provide you with the most accurate and cost-effective price—completely transparent, with no hidden fees.
Distance
Total distance is the main component used in calculating a quote for car shipping. Longer distances generally lead to a higher overall car shipping price, but also include a discounted cost per mile. With our car shipping calculator, you can get the best auto transport quote for any car shipment. It’s important to note that international car shipping prices might differ from ground vehicle transport.
Route
Different from distance, route refers to what highways and other roads will be traveled to transport the vehicle. Routes in highly populated areas may have increased traffic congestion, which could impact transport time and shipping costs. Additional route considerations that can be factored into shipping costs include: physical road conditions, adverse weather and road construction.
Shipping date
When you book a car transport service, the shipment date often plays a role in the cost. It’s best to book your car shipment as far in advance as possible. As soon as you know you’ll need to ship your vehicle, begin researching an auto transport company to request a car shipping quote. Additionally, increased flexibility around car pickup dates will often result in car transport quote savings.
Vehicle make and model
When planning your auto transport, we ask for the exact vehicle specifications, because the truck driver must know how much space is required to safely secure your automobile and ensure proper trailer height and side clearance. Longer and taller cars require additional vehicle transport adjustments, which may slightly increase car shipping costs. Vehicle modifications like larger tires and roof racks can also increase the cost.
Auto transport type
Most people shipping a car select open car transport, as it is the industry standard and cheapest way for car shippers to move your vehicle.
Vehicle condition
If your car is running, you will get a better auto shipping price from car shippers for the allotted distance. If your car is inop erable, but maintains the ability to roll, steer and brake, it will require a winch and other accommodations to be loaded onto the carrier trailer, which will increase the cost of shipment. To request a quote or to arrange shipment for an inoperable vehicle, please contact a Snowbird Shipping representative at (855) 200-5114.
Vehicle details
Taller, longer and heavier vehicles may require a specific trailer or trailer type to support the length and/or added weight. They may also need certain accommodations, like being transported in a specific place within the trailer. Both of these situations could require the driver to take fewer or smaller vehicles to accommodate special requests and manage total allowable weight limits.
Ground clearance
Ground clearance, also called ride height, is the distance between the bottom of the vehicle’s body and the road or driving surface. Low vehicle ground clearance requires special attention and accommodation, such as a specialized ramp. If ground clearance is four inches or less, the vehicle must be shipped in an enclosed trailer equipped with a lift gate, which open trailers do not have.
Location
Metropolitan areas usually have plenty of trucks available to carry out car shipping orders for auto shippers, which lowers the car transport price. When transporting cars, we strive to find the best deal for residents of small towns.
Seasonality
Car shipping costs vary greatly based on the time of year. For example, auto transport services to warmer states are very popular during the winter travel season, so the cost for transporting a car to those destinations may be higher. Use Montway’s car shipping calculator to get the price for ship ping a car. Depending on your scheduling flexibility, we recommend trying different shipping dates to see rate impact for choosing the best price.
FAQ
What’s the average time from when I submit my order until I receive my car?
Can I update my order after I submit it?
How does car transporting work?
What types of vehicles does SnowBird auto shipping transport?
How will my vehicle be transported?
Can I include personal items in the vehicle?
How do I prepare my vehicle for shipping?
Will my vehicle be used or driven?
Does anyone need to be present during pickup/delivery of my vehicle?
What data do you collect?