In our recent shipment, a 2003 Chevrolet SSR was transported from San Dimas, CA to Bedford Hills, NY using the open trailer method of shipping. The truck covered 2797 miles at a price of $2,100.00, which is $0.75 per mile.
This vehicle was shipped operable in that it starts, runs, and drives under its own power when it leaves our lot. This shipment represents a coast-to-coast shipment, which provides a great opportunity to examine the pricing involved in a long-distance haul and the loading issues associated with this highly unusual vehicle.
The Route
The 2797 mile distance from San Dimas to Bedford Hills passes through the heart of America. Normally, carriers depart from the San Dimas vicinity, which is to the east of Los Angeles, and travel towards the North to reach the I-40 towards Flagstaff and Albuquerque.
Then, the corridor travels further across the Texas panhandle at Amarillo. Further, the route travels eastward via Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Tennessee and finally at Memphis and Nashville. Finally, the corridor continues with I-81 towards north and passes via Virginia to join the New York Thruway and I-684 to Bedford Hills in the northern part of Westchester County.
This corridor traverses through ten states via the oldest and most reliable trans continental freight corridor ensuring constant carrier availability through this route.
Why This Long Haul Comes at a Lower Per-Mile Rate
This journey of about 2,800 miles enjoys the same price trend that is common in any lengthy auto transport trip. This is because the cost per mile decreases as the distance increases owing to the distribution of a carrier’s costs of positioning and routing across a much larger mileage. This is mainly the reason behind the relatively cheap cost of this trip, at $0.75 per mile, compared to what a short trip costs per mile.
However, the total cost of $2,100.00 is an indication of true time and fuel consumption in the journey. Yet, the price per mile makes this trip among the most economical ones in the long-distance category discussed in other parts of this paper.
What Makes an SSR a Unique Shipment
The Chevrolet SSR is an example of a retractable hardtop convertible made on a pickup truck platform manufactured for just a short period of time ranging from 2003 to 2006. This makes the model truly desirable for collectors despite the fact that the vehicle lacks low ground clearance found in other vehicles, such as the Corvette.
Because this is a vehicle on a truck platform, it will be loaded on the standard car trailer using the usual ramp angle without the need for approach ramps and spotters needed by a lower vehicle. The retractable hardtop itself does not have an effect on loading; however, carriers still verify whether the top is properly fastened before loading it.
Open Transport
This made using open transport a simple solution for the move that was economical for the SSR, given that it arrived ready to be driven and can be loaded like an ordinary car. This is more significant in this case than in a shorter local move.
Upon loading, the SSR was strapped to the flatbed with four-wheel strap tie-downs. This is the usual procedure done to a car with no peculiarities in the body or frame.
Transport Summary
- Origin: San Dimas, CA 91773
- Destination: Bedford Hills, NY 10507
- Distance: 2797 miles
- Service cost: $2,100.00
- Cost per mile: $0.75
- Vehicle: 2003 Chevrolet SSR
- Condition: Operable
- Trailer type: Open
- Route: I-40 east through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee, then I-81 and the NY Thruway into Bedford Hills
See also: Door-to-Door Car Shipping Guide
