The 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SE is more than just an old vehicle. This is a W108 series car, which is quite likely to outlive many other vehicles produced in the same year. To deliver a Mercedes-Benz 280SE from Auburn in California to West Orange, New Jersey, it would be necessary to move the vehicle across the country, covering approximately 2,800 miles. But before proceeding, a number of issues should be clarified: how much will this shipment cost, which trailer would be appropriate for such a vintage car, and which shipping route is to be selected.
What it costs to ship a vintage car with an open trailer
Open transportation is one of the most prevalent shipping methods used for automobiles in the US.
Carriers use multi-car transporters on all the major interstate highways, so there will rarely be any problem finding someone who can carry your automobile. Pricing is also more affordable than enclosed transportation. Shipping across the country, which averages about 2,800 miles, will usually cost $1,200-$1,600 for an average sedan using open transportation. As the 280SE is a full-size sedan, you would probably get quoted prices in the mid-range.
Some factors influence the actual quote that the carrier provides. Season is one important thing to keep in mind, as the months ranging from late spring till early summer see higher demand for carriers. Fuel prices also have an impact on the pricing of carriers, meaning quotes from different weeks may vary considerably. Auburn is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills. While it is not isolated, carriers still have to move somewhat off the I-80 interstate road network.
Open vs. enclosed car shipping for a vintage car
That is the dilemma faced by most classic car owners and there is no definite answer as each case is different. In terms of criteria, the Mercedes-Benz 280SE produced in 1972 qualifies as a collectible car. The car is over fifty years old and features chrome trim around its exterior. Repair costs for chipped paint from debris will be higher compared to repair costs for modern sedans. For instance, the price range could start at two hundred dollars and go up beyond one thousand dollars depending on whether it needs body shop service.
An open carrier cannot protect a vehicle from the road. This means one will encounter dust particles from the road and even rainwater during the trip. On the route that spans 2,800 miles and travels through areas of Nevada that have dry conditions, as well as Pennsylvania with possible dampness, these risks become evident. Nonetheless, there is usually nothing wrong with the majority of cars because carriers know the proper loading techniques.
The enclosed trucks only comprise about ten percent of all trucks that can be used for shipment, making them more expensive than other trucks and more difficult to obtain. In case the 280SE has an original paint job, which means that it is also in show-quality condition, then spending more money on enclosed truck transport is justified. Similarly, if the 280SE has undergone restoration, then spending extra money on enclosed trucks would be worthwhile.
The route
Auburn lies around 35 miles northeast of Sacramento and close to Interstate 80. This will be great because Interstate 80 is a major east-west transportation corridor used by many carriers transporting cars from Northern California to the East Coast. It does not take much time to find a hauler when you have picked up your car at a location on the Interstate 80 route.
The hauler will travel east via I-80 along the Sierra Nevada range, pass through Reno, Nevada; then go through Salt Lake City and across south central Wyoming and Nebraska. Following Chicago, it turns southwest through Indiana and Ohio, then into Pennsylvania, and finishes off in northern New Jersey. West Orange is located in Essex County, only a couple of miles from Newark, which many carriers using the East Coast route must traverse.
The total transit time would be between seven to ten days. This is because the transporter will be loading several other vehicles during this journey since most transporters transport between seven to ten cars at a time. This will mean that your Mercedes-Benz 280 SE could either be the first or the last vehicle being transported, based on the order of the transporter’s route. If your vehicle is the first one to be loaded, then it will take longer to arrive at its destination.
Transport Summary
- Pickup: Auburn, CA, 95602
- Drop off: West Orange, NJ, 07052
- Price: $1550
- Distance: around 2800 mile
- Trailer type : Open
- Vehicle: 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280se
