A 1982 GMC Sierra 2500HD completed its trip from Kirksville, Missouri to Abilene, Kansas, and it is now ready. The old pickup was booked on January 26, and two days later, it was picked up. It arrived the following morning.
The distance traveled by the truck was around 330 miles. This route connects two smaller cities without traversing any of the major metro areas. This may make it more difficult at times to locate available carriers. The truck was on an open transport carrier.
Why Open Transport Works for Old Trucks
The GMC Sierra 2500HD was loaded onto an open carrier. While open carriers leave a vehicle exposed to the elements, in the case of certain types of vehicles, this trade-off makes sense. Old work trucks tend to have hard paint and construction that can withstand bad weather during short trips.
The majority of the auto transport industry relies on open carriers. A standard open carrier has a capacity for 7 to 10 vehicles at a time. This keeps costs lower per vehicle than what you might pay for enclosed carriers. This method is good for pickups, SUVs, and daily drivers that do not need hard-sided carriers for protection. An enclosed carrier can cost as much as 180% to 400% more than an open carrier. In a 330-mile trip, this cost adds up quickly without providing a lot of benefit for a hardy vehicle like the Sierra. The Sierra did not require any special equipment to load it onto a carrier.
Quick Carrier Assignment on Regional Routes
The booking began on January 26, and pickup was available on the same day. Tempus Logix found a carrier match on January 28. This is pretty normal for routes in the Midwest, especially during the winter.
The speed at which a carrier is found can depend on a few different factors. The Kirksville to Abilene route doesn’t get as much traffic as some of the other routes, but it does go through areas with steady traffic, especially if a carrier is moving between Kansas City and Des Moines. Winter can also slow down the movement of a carrier, especially in the northern states. However, January 2025 has had pretty mild weather in Missouri and Kansas so far. A carrier can move quickly if the weather doesn’t force them to change their route or slow down their movement. The Sierra pickup didn’t have any weather issues during their window.
Loading Process for Standard Pickups
Open carriers use hydraulic systems to make loading ramps. The carrier lowers the top deck to ground level and that creates an angled path for vehicles to drive up. The GMC Sierra would’ve been driven onto either the top or bottom deck. That depends on what other vehicles the carrier had and how weight needed to be distributed.
Trucks with higher ground clearance load way easier than low sports cars. The Sierra’s factory ride height meant the driver didn’t need approach ramps or special gear. The vehicle just drove up the metal treads on the carrier’s hydraulic deck.
After it was in position the truck got secured with four-point tie-down straps. These heavy-duty straps attach to the carrier’s deck and loop around the vehicle’s frame or designated anchor points. The straps stop any movement during transport so the truck stays stable through turns and braking and highway speeds.
Cost Stuff for Short Trips
The 330-mile distance between Kirksville and Abilene is what most carriers would call a short-haul route. The rates for routes that are less than 500 miles will typically range from $1.50 to $4.50 per mile. This is dependent on fuel prices and the number of available carriers.
Winter shipping in the Midwest is not always more expensive. The higher prices are usually reflected in the summer when the demand is the greatest for families who are moving as well as college students. The two-day wait between booking the shipment and the carrier being assigned is a good indication of the market conditions. When carriers are scarce, the wait can be five to seven days or longer. Customers who require timely shipping should book as early as they can. However, this shipment is an indication that quick turnarounds can be arranged for some routes.
See also: Missouri to Kansas Car Shipping
Transport Summary
- Origin: Kirksville, MO
- Destination: Abilene, KS
- Vehicle type and condition: 1982 GMC Sierra 2500HD (Operable, classic work truck)
- Distance: Approximately 330 miles
- Primary routes: US-63 S from Kirksville; US-36 W through northern Missouri; I-70 into Abilene
- Trailer type: Open trailer
- Season: Late January (winter)
- Total transit time: Less than 24 hours
- Price: $1,436 ($4.35 per mile)
