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The Top Facts About Shipping a Car You Might Not Have Known

Posted on 09/29/2022

Jump to section:
Your car does not need be running in order to be shipped
You only need to provide very basic information to get a quote
Shipping your car can actually help you save money
Auto transport companies can ship almost any type of vehicle
Conclusion
 
The Top Facts About Shipping a Car You Might Not Have Known
 

 

Your car does not need be running in order to be shipped

 
You might have noticed that the preparation for shipping a car will include having a quarter tank of gas in the vehicle according to many car shipping websites. This is true for a typical vehicle shipment. However, if you have a car that is not operable, you can still ship it with auto transport companies such as Roadrunner Auto Transport. The difference is that it will need to be transported on a special car carrier that makes use of a winch in order to pull your vehicle safely onto the carrier. This will cost a bit more than shipping a car that is running but it will be much cheaper than getting it towed a long distance.
 

You only need to provide very basic information to get a quote

 
Some people might be hesitant to get a free instant quote from a car shipping company because they think they will need to disclose a bunch of personal information. That is simply not true. You will typically only need your name, phone number, make & model of your car as well as the pickup city and delivery city. You do not even need exact addresses in order to get an auto transport quote. The same is true for RoadRunner’s instant online quotes.
 

Shipping your car can actually help you save money

 
Some people look at the cost of shipping a car and become a bit more hesitant. Typically, if you ship a normal sized vehicle on an open-air car carrier with no upgrade options, your shipment will cost between $800 and $2,000. The exact cost will depend on several factors, but it will depend primarily on the distance of your shipment. Regardless, when you compare the cost of auto transport to driving your car to its destination itself, you will find it is actually very affordable and can even save you money overall.
 
In October 2022, if you were to schedule a shipment for a 2018 Toyota Corolla from Boston, Massachusetts to Miami, Florida, it would cost $1,235 with no upgrades and one-month notice. Now, let’s break down the cost of driving your own car from Boston, Massachusetts to Miami, Florida at the same time. The cost of gas would run about $175. The trip itself would take almost exactly one day, so let’s say you need a one-night stay in a hotel. About halfway in Charlotte, North Carolina that would cost $100. You will also need to stop and eat a few times which can be pricey at rest stop restaurants and/or room service at your hotel. We can estimate each meal at these restaurants will be $15 more expensive than if you were eating homemade meals for a total cost of $45.
 
Now, let’s add depreciation. After the first few thousand miles, cars depreciate at about fifty cents per mile driven. The trip from Boston to Miami is about 1,600 miles driven. So, your car would depreciate approximately $800 due to that trip. So, $175 plus $100 plus $45 plus $800 equals $1,200. However, we still have not factored in opportunity cost of taking a day off from work to drive all the way to Florida. For some, a day of PTO/vacation time might be equivalent to $200 after taxes. For others, it can be $500 or more. These numbers will vary greatly depending on many different details regarding your particular shipment. The point is that shipping your car is much more affordable than you may think.
 

Auto transport companies can ship almost any type of vehicle

 
Many auto transport companies, including RoadRunner, can ship almost any vehicle you can think of, not just typical passenger cars. This includes busses, recreational vehicles, trailers, construction equipment, motorcycles and even boats. The only difference is that many of these non-typical vehicles will require a form of specialized transport because they cannot be shipped on a typical car carrier.
 
For example, a bus or a construction vehicle, like a bulldozer, are oversized. Thus, they will need to be shipped using an oversized-vehicle transport service. This service will utilize a large flatbed trailer to transport these large vehicles. Specialized vehicle shipping will typically cost more because the supply of carriers with the ability to facilitate these shipments is far fewer than typical car carriers.
 

Conclusion

 
There might have been a lot of positive things about car shipping that you were not aware of prior to this post. You can ship a vehicle that is not running, online quotes only require very basic info from you, shipping a car is much more affordable than you think, and you can typically ship almost any kind of vehicle. If you have any further questions or would like a quote over the phone, you can call our team of auto transport experts at (888)777-2123!

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The Top Facts About Shipping a Car You Might Not Have Known

Posted on 09/29/2022

Jump to section:
Your car does not need be running in order to be shipped
You only need to provide very basic information to get a quote
Shipping your car can actually help you save money
Auto transport companies can ship almost any type of vehicle
Conclusion
 
The Top Facts About Shipping a Car You Might Not Have Known
 

 

Your car does not need be running in order to be shipped

 
You might have noticed that the preparation for shipping a car will include having a quarter tank of gas in the vehicle according to many car shipping websites. This is true for a typical vehicle shipment. However, if you have a car that is not operable, you can still ship it with auto transport companies such as Roadrunner Auto Transport. The difference is that it will need to be transported on a special car carrier that makes use of a winch in order to pull your vehicle safely onto the carrier. This will cost a bit more than shipping a car that is running but it will be much cheaper than getting it towed a long distance.
 

You only need to provide very basic information to get a quote

 
Some people might be hesitant to get a free instant quote from a car shipping company because they think they will need to disclose a bunch of personal information. That is simply not true. You will typically only need your name, phone number, make & model of your car as well as the pickup city and delivery city. You do not even need exact addresses in order to get an auto transport quote. The same is true for RoadRunner’s instant online quotes.
 

Shipping your car can actually help you save money

 
Some people look at the cost of shipping a car and become a bit more hesitant. Typically, if you ship a normal sized vehicle on an open-air car carrier with no upgrade options, your shipment will cost between $800 and $2,000. The exact cost will depend on several factors, but it will depend primarily on the distance of your shipment. Regardless, when you compare the cost of auto transport to driving your car to its destination itself, you will find it is actually very affordable and can even save you money overall.
 
In October 2022, if you were to schedule a shipment for a 2018 Toyota Corolla from Boston, Massachusetts to Miami, Florida, it would cost $1,235 with no upgrades and one-month notice. Now, let’s break down the cost of driving your own car from Boston, Massachusetts to Miami, Florida at the same time. The cost of gas would run about $175. The trip itself would take almost exactly one day, so let’s say you need a one-night stay in a hotel. About halfway in Charlotte, North Carolina that would cost $100. You will also need to stop and eat a few times which can be pricey at rest stop restaurants and/or room service at your hotel. We can estimate each meal at these restaurants will be $15 more expensive than if you were eating homemade meals for a total cost of $45.
 
Now, let’s add depreciation. After the first few thousand miles, cars depreciate at about fifty cents per mile driven. The trip from Boston to Miami is about 1,600 miles driven. So, your car would depreciate approximately $800 due to that trip. So, $175 plus $100 plus $45 plus $800 equals $1,200. However, we still have not factored in opportunity cost of taking a day off from work to drive all the way to Florida. For some, a day of PTO/vacation time might be equivalent to $200 after taxes. For others, it can be $500 or more. These numbers will vary greatly depending on many different details regarding your particular shipment. The point is that shipping your car is much more affordable than you may think.
 

Auto transport companies can ship almost any type of vehicle

 
Many auto transport companies, including RoadRunner, can ship almost any vehicle you can think of, not just typical passenger cars. This includes busses, recreational vehicles, trailers, construction equipment, motorcycles and even boats. The only difference is that many of these non-typical vehicles will require a form of specialized transport because they cannot be shipped on a typical car carrier.
 
For example, a bus or a construction vehicle, like a bulldozer, are oversized. Thus, they will need to be shipped using an oversized-vehicle transport service. This service will utilize a large flatbed trailer to transport these large vehicles. Specialized vehicle shipping will typically cost more because the supply of carriers with the ability to facilitate these shipments is far fewer than typical car carriers.
 

Conclusion

 
There might have been a lot of positive things about car shipping that you were not aware of prior to this post. You can ship a vehicle that is not running, online quotes only require very basic info from you, shipping a car is much more affordable than you think, and you can typically ship almost any kind of vehicle. If you have any further questions or would like a quote over the phone, you can call our team of auto transport experts at (888)777-2123!

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Atlanta, GA

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Houston, TX

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"The RoadRunner agent we spoke with answered all of our questions and kept us in the loop throughout the shipment."

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Cincinnati, OH

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San Diego, CA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the vehicle shipping process.


When determining your car shipping cost, there are a few factors that we take into account in order to provide you with an accurate price quote. The mileage between the origin and destination is the biggest factor that contributes to your total rate. In addition to the distance of your relocation, another factor is the type and condition of the vehicle being shipped. The final factor is the date that your vehicle will be ready for transport. There are also additional options, such as enclosed carrier and top-load service that can be added to your shipment at the time of booking for a higher level of service. Read more about how much it costs to ship a car.

To get a quote for shipping your vehicle, you can either use our instant online car shipping quote calculator or you can call (888) 422-7584 to receive a quote from one of our car transport pricing specialists. In order for us to calculate your quote we will need to know the location you are shipping from and to, the type of vehicle you would like to ship, and the date your vehicle will be ready.

The transit time for your shipment is based mostly on the mileage between the pickup and delivery location. Generally, every five hundred miles will add one day to the transit time - so for a 1,000 mile transport, the transit time would be 2-3 days. Check out our estimated transit times for a detailed view of approximate delivery times.

Yes, online tracking is available to you 24 hours a day and is updated in real time. Upon scheduling your shipment, you will receive a unique booking number that will allow you to track the status of your shipment online. Your tracking portal will also give you the ability to live chat with a shipping agent that can answer any questions you may have regarding the status of your shipment.

All shipments include basic liability coverage during transit. Comprehensive insurance options are available for an elevated level of shipment coverage during transit. You will be able to select a level of coverage during the booking process. If you have further questions regarding insurance options give us a call.

We accept all major credit cards, electronic transfer, postal money order, and bank/certified check for the deposit or full pre-payment of your shipment. If a balance is due upon delivery, it can be paid directly to the driver and can be paid in either cash, bank/certified check, or postal money order.

Yes, there must be someone present to release and accept the vehicle, provide keys to the driver and sign the initial and final inspection reports. This person can be anyone over the age of 18 that you trust with releasing or accepting your vehicle.

You may transport personal belongings in your car, as long as their total weight does not exceed 100 pounds and they are stored in the trunk or back seat (below the window line). Please keep in mind that personal belongings are not covered by insurance if they are reported as damaged or missing.

To get a quote for shipping your vehicle, you can either use our instant online car shipping quote calculator above or you can call (888) 422-7584 to receive a quote from one of our car transport pricing specialists. In order for us to calculate your quote we will need to know the location you are shipping from and to, the type of vehicle you would like to ship, and the date your vehicle will be ready.

The further in advance you schedule your shipment, the more likely we will be able to meet the time requirements you desire. For best results, we suggest scheduling your transport at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance. Expedited shipping options are available in order to accomodate shipments that require . You can always give us a call and ask one of our car shipping experts what your options are in terms of the schedule for your car transport.

The driver will get the car transporter as close to your door as he can legally and safely get. In most cases, the driver will be able to pickup and deliver directly at your door. Some cities may have restrictions on large trucks that prohibit them from driving into residential areas. Auto transport trucks are large and need lots of room to maneuver and turn around, so if access to the pickup or delivery location is restricted by narrow streets, low-hanging trees or tight turns, the driver may ask that you meet at a location nearby with a large parking lot, such as a grocery store.

Open transport is the most common car shipping method. There are two types of open-air transporters. The Majority of shipments are be made with 8-10 car carriers. Smaller carriers which hold 2-3 cars are used for shorter more local moves. There is broader network of carrier availability for open-air carriers since they are used more often. We suggest choosing enclosed shipping methods when shipping classic, luxury or exotic vehicles. Enclosed transporters guarantee maximum protection from exposure to any open-air elements on the road. We suggest booking your enclosed transport in advance since there is limited carrier availability. Read more about the difference between open and enclosed transport

RoadRunner Auto Transport specializes in shipping all types of vehicles such as sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, minivans, oversized vehicles, antiques, classic cars, motorcycles, construction vehicles, inoperable cars and boats. If you are not sure whether or not we can ship your vehicle, you can give us a call to find out what we can do for you.

You should have about a quarter of a tank of gas in your car at the time of shipment. This leaves enough for the car to be loaded and unloaded but doesn't add much additional weight.

The Bill of Lading is a very important document used by car shipping companies that documents any pre-existing damage on the vehicle during the time of pickup. It also serves as a record of your contact info and the official agreement for transport. If you want to file any insurance claim regarding your shipment you will need the Bill of Lading.

Top load service is when your car is placed on the higher deck or level of an open auto transport trailer. This is considered to be preferable to the bottom load because the cars on the lower deck are at risk of possibly having fluid from the cars above leak on them.

Make sure your car has been completely cleaned, both inside and outside. This is particularly important because this will help the driver conduct their inspection in order to assess any pre-existing damage on your vehicle. You will also want to make there are no additional personal items in the vehicle unless you intend to ship those with the vehicle (remember those items must total less than 100 pounds combined and be kept below the window-line of the vehicle). Be sure to inform the driver of any special circumstances concerning the vehicle. Finally, make sure there is a quarter tank of gas in the car at the time it is picked up for shipment. Visit our car shipping checklist to make sure you are prepared for your vehicle shipment.

Yes, we can ship vehicles that are in non-running/inoperable condition. When inoperable cars are shipped, a special auto carrier is required that makes use of a winch which is connected to your car and slowly and safely pulls your vehicle onto the carrier. There is an additional fee for inpoerable vehicles because of the special equipment and extra work involved with securing the vehicle onto the transporter. You can select the inoperable option on the online booking form or inform your shipping agent if you make your reservation by phone so that the proper arrangements can be made to accomodate a non-running vehicle.

We offer open car shipping and enclosed car shipping services. Open car shipping is used much more frequently and is the type of auto transport that you see on the highway where carriers are hauling vehicles on two decks that are exposed. Enclosed car shipping is when your vehicle is shipped in a trailer which has walls and a roof, they look like a larger version of a regular eighteen-wheeler. This method is recommended for luxury, exotic or classic cars.

Door-to-door car transport is the full service delivery of your vehicle directly from the door at the pickup location to the door at the delivery location. Our drivers do their best to get as close as physically and legally possible to the pickup and delivery locations, but in certain instances there may be restrictions preventing them from being able to safely reach your door. Our transporters need ample space to maneuver and load/unload your vehicle. If your street is too narrow, or if there are hazards such as low lining trees or power lines, drivers may ask that you meet them at a location nearby where they can safely load or unload your vehicle, such as a large parking lot or shopping center nearby.