We have completed the transportation of 2019 Toyota Tacoma from Cabot, AR to Plano, TX. It involved 342 miles and was done on an open trailer for the price of $675.00. In other words, it was priced at $1.97 per mile.
Toyota Tacoma had the possibility of being driven during the pickup. Recently we have listed Hyundai Tucson transported for 340 miles less two miles than in this case. Also, it was open and operable. It cost $550.00. This is a good example of how much can differ in prices for similar trips.
The route
From Cabot to Plano, which is 342 miles of driving southwest, is a direct path through Arkansas to North Texas.
Cabot is on US-67 in the northeast area of Little Rock. The route follows the path into Little Rock metro and gets on I-30 southwest all the way through Benton and Arkadelphia.
I-30 stretches from south central Arkansas all the way through to the state line, where it enters Texarkana, Mount Pleasant, Greenville, and Dallas metro.
Plano is located north of Dallas in Collin County, our recent destination that we hauled to on a much longer haul.
What varies on a short haul
In long haul transportation, distance dominates all other variables. In short distance travel, distance does not dominate, making other variables evident.
In both cases, fixed costs are very important. Fixed costs are relatively unaffected by distance, whether it be 342 miles or 2,600. Loading, securement, coordination, and delivery cost the carrier about the same amount either way. In this case, the costs make up the majority of the cost, which explains why both shipments fell into roughly the same price range and why both seem expensive per mile.
Vehicle size becomes the first distinction between the two. The Tacoma is a midsize pickup truck. This means that it is larger and heavier than a small SUV such as the Tucson, meaning it uses more space in the trailer and takes up more of the trailer’s weight capacity.
Corridor density is the next factor. Tucson hauled the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-78 into the New York metro, where traffic density reaches maximum levels possible. Little Rock to Dallas is a solid lane; however, it is not the same because there are fewer trucks competing for the lane.
Both shipments are common cases. No liftgate and winch required, no remote delivery and no enclosed premium; this is the difference between the two common open bookings and the difference is the result of vehicle and corridor differences.
This is an important message. If you see a high price for a short-haul shipment compared to some other quote, the reason is likely to be one of the factors listed above, and not the mistake in the quote. You should compare the prices for the short-haul shipments overall and take the same vehicle class into consideration when comparing the lanes.
What $1.97 per mile reflects
Distance is clearly the controlling element. Being a short haul of only 342 miles, the overhead costs associated with the job come down to a small number of miles and the cost per mile becomes relatively high. The amount of $675.00 is the bottom line for our customer.
Size of vehicle makes a slight difference. A medium sized pick up requires more deck space than a standard car but does not approach the size of a one ton service truck.
Lane quality is satisfactory. Interstate 30, from Little Rock to Dallas, is a real lane with markets at both ends and carrier availability is not an issue.
Open transport
The Tacoma was carried on an open trailer, which is clearly the correct choice for a midsize pickup.
It’s a stock truck with a stock paint job. An enclosed trailer would be warranted when getting hit by a rock could be an expensive affair for the vehicle, but that’s not the case with the Tacoma headed to its new home.
However, there is one point of interest about pickups in general, as discussed with the GMC Sierra earlier. Anything such as a lift kit, larger tires, roof racks, and payload will have to be reported at the time of booking, as it affects the height and weight the carrier anticipates from your truck. The Tacoma shipped easily without any issues.
Securement was done using soft straps on the wheels and not metal chains on the suspension system.
Transport summary
- Origin: Cabot, AR 72023
- Destination: Plano, TX 75074
- Distance: 342 miles
- Service cost: $675.00
- Cost per mile: $1.97
- Vehicle: 2019 Toyota Tacoma
- Condition: Operable
- Trailer type: Open
- Route: Cabot, AR → US-67 into Little Rock → I-30 southwest through Benton and Arkadelphia → Texarkana → Mount Pleasant and Greenville, TX → Dallas metro → Plano, TX
