This month we had the opportunity to ship a 2018 Dodge Challenger SXT from Atlanta to San Leandro. The delivery covered 2,480 miles across the country. Our team used an open multi-car trailer for this private-to-private delivery. The final cost came to $1,098.
This shipment demonstrated how cross-country transport works when distances exceed 2,000 miles. The customer in Atlanta needed the muscle car delivered to the San Francisco Bay Area. We arranged pickup in the 30317 zip code and delivery to San Leandro 94577.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from Atlanta, GA to San Francisco, CA?
Cross-country shipping from Atlanta to the San Francisco Bay Area typically runs between $1,000 and $1,200. Distance is the primary factor. At 2,480 miles the per-mile rate drops significantly compared to shorter routes.
The $1,098 price for this Challenger worked out to roughly $0.45 per mile. This falls within the normal range for coast-to-coast transport. Standard sedans on the same route often cost about the same. The Challenger SXT weighs around 3,800 pounds. This weight stays under most carrier capacity limits.
Open transport costs less than enclosed shipping. The difference runs about 40% on average. For this route enclosed transport would have added another $400 to $500 to the total. Most customers shipping standard vehicles choose open carriers. The savings make sense for daily drivers and vehicles without special value.
Popular Routes: I-40 vs. I-10 Corridor for Cross-Country Shipping
Carriers heading from Atlanta to California have two main options. The I-40 corridor runs through Tennessee and Arkansas before crossing into New Mexico. The I-10 corridor drops south through Alabama and Louisiana into Texas.
Most drivers prefer the I-40 route during winter months. This path avoids Gulf Coast weather patterns. Snow in the Rockies can slow things down between November and March. The southern I-10 route stays warmer but faces hurricane season risks from June through November.
Our carrier took the I-40 corridor for this Challenger shipment. The route went through Memphis and Oklahoma City. From there the driver continued through Albuquerque and Flagstaff before entering California. Total driving time came to about six days under federal hours of service regulations.
Drivers can legally operate for 11 hours per day. They must rest for 10 consecutive hours afterward. Most carriers cover roughly 450 miles daily when accounting for fuel stops and vehicle checks.
See Also: Georgia To California Auto Transport
What’s Included in a $1,000-$1,200 Car Shipping Quote for 2,480 Miles?
The $1,098 price covered door-to-door service on both ends. A carrier picked up the Challenger in Atlanta at the customer’s residence. The delivery happened at the new owner’s address in San Leandro.
All quotes include basic cargo insurance. Carriers typically maintain $100,000 coverage per vehicle on their trailers. This insurance covers damage during transport. Customers can purchase additional coverage if their vehicle exceeds this value.
The quote includes loading and securing the vehicle. Carriers use four-point tie-down systems with heavy-duty straps. These connect to the chassis at reinforced points. The straps prevent movement during transit.
No hidden fees appeared on this shipment. Some brokers advertise low prices and then add charges later. We provide guaranteed quotes upfront. The customer pays the agreed price when the driver delivers the vehicle.
2018 Dodge Challenger Transport: Special Considerations
The 2018 Challenger SXT presents few complications for transport. Ground clearance measures about 5 inches. This height works fine with standard loading ramps. Lower trim Challengers with sport suspension might need extra attention.
The vehicle weighs 3,847 pounds ready to drive. Carriers can fit two Challengers on a standard nine-car hauler. The width measures 75 inches. This fits comfortably within carrier deck dimensions.
Challengers have functional parking brakes and can roll freely in neutral. Drivers simply release the brake and shift to neutral for loading. The process takes about 15 minutes per vehicle. No special equipment was needed for this particular car.
The customer prepared the car properly before pickup. They washed it and documented the existing condition with photos. Personal items came out of the interior. The gas tank sat at one-quarter full per carrier requirements.
See Also: Smooth Transport of a 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Tags: Residential Delivery, Low-Car Loading Guide
How Does Open Multi-Car Trailer Work: The Transport Process
Open multi-car trailers usually contain seven to nine cars. These carriers consist of two levels. The first level holds three to four cars. The next holds four to five cars depending on their size.
Carriers load the top deck first through hydraulic ramps. The rear portion of the top deck can be lowered to ground level. It forms a ramp with a gradient of 12° in the upward direction. Cars can either drive up this ramp on their own or be winched if they can’t move on their own.
After that, the hydraulics raise the top deck back into place. The driver will then load the cars into the lower-level deck. The lower-level deck is set at ground level. The vehicles merely drive right into the lower-level deck from behind the trailer.
The Challenger remained on the lower deck during this delivery. Having the unit on the lower deck makes it easily accessible for the loading and unloading processes. It also shields the unit from the sunlight during the cross-country drive.
Carriers hold all vehicles in place using four straps. These straps are connected from the front. There are also straps connected from the backs. These straps are hooked on specific points on the chassis or frames. This avoids movement when the vehicles are being transported.
The transport took eight days from pickup to delivery. A day was spent planning the pickup, while six days were spent behind the wheel. The last day addressed delivery planning for the Bay Area in the vicinity of San Francisco.
Cross-country travel can be quite frustrating, though the end result is well worth the effort. In fact, the $1,098 fare was substantially cheaper than what it would have taken to drive the Challenger 2,465 miles. Fuel costs alone would have been above $300.
Shipping Summary
Vehicle: 2018 Dodge Challenger SXT
Route: Atlanta, GA to San Leandro, CA (2,480 miles)
Atlanta, GA → I-20 W → I-22 W → I-40 W → I-44 W → I-80 W → San Leandro, CA
Service: Open Trailer | Multi-Car Hauler
Price: $1098 ($0.44 per mile)
