We recently completed a move of a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban that originated in Carlsbad, CA and terminated in Orange Beach, AL. The distance between the two locations was 2,017 miles with the cost being $2,459.00 for a total of $1.22 per mile.
The Suburban was in operating condition when it was picked up and was driven by the driver up the ramp using its own power. This particular booking differs from most others because of the vehicle that will be moved. The SUV is one of the largest vehicles we will load on our trailer.
The route
The 2,017-mile trip from Carlsbad to Orange Beach traverses the southern part of the United States from coast to coast – from the Pacific to the Gulf.
The city of Carlsbad is located near the coast, north of San Diego; therefore, motorists use I-5 to the south, after which CA-78 or I-8 are taken east to cross the coastal mountains. I-8 takes over the task across the Imperial Valley and Yuma, passing into Arizona, where it meets I-10 at Casa Grande.
Further on, the task is performed by the I-10. It moves east through Tucson and New Mexico past Las Cruces, to El Paso, Texas. From here begins the long section of Texas, passing through Fort Stockton, San Antonio, Houston, to Orange, Louisiana.
Further I-10 goes through Lafayette, Baton Rouge, New Orleans to cross into Mississippi through the Gulf coast along Biloxi. In Mobile, Alabama, the trip turns southward on AL-59, passing through Baldwin County peninsula to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Shipping a full-size SUV
The Suburban is one of the heaviest automobiles that continue to travel on an automobile trailer and it counts for much more than what the average buyer realizes.
Firstly, let us look at the statistics. The 2021 Suburban is estimated at roughly 5,800 pounds and a length of over 225 inches. It is also more than a foot longer than the Tahoe, which is the same model but with a shorter wheelbase, and almost four feet longer than a smaller automobile.
The length and weight limitations of a nine-automobile trailer are not changeable according to the Federal Axle rules. Not only does it occupy two slots but also occupies more due to its weight, which limits the weight capacity of other parts of the trailer deck. The driver needs to plan the loading of such an automobile.
The other one is height. The Suburban is around 75 inches tall and this affects where the vehicle can travel. For example, on a double-decker transport carrier, the upper deck will have less space to accommodate an oversized vehicle and thus it will only fit on the lower deck. None of the above is an issue, but that is the reason we ensure we know the model of the vehicle and not the manufacturer when placing the order.
What $1.22 per mile reflects
There are two conflicting forces here that must be reconciled.
Distance favors the customer. For 2,017 miles, the fixed cost associated with pickup, loading, securing, coordinating, and delivering is divided among many miles traveled. This cost does not vary greatly from job to job; the more miles involved, the lower the average per-mile charge becomes.
Vehicle size takes it the opposite direction. A carrier hauling nine cars on its trailer charges nine fares. Hauling a Suburban cuts into space available for vehicles to a significant degree, so the extra fare charged covers this loss of capacity. The premium charge holds true for any full-size SUV, truck, or van regardless of the route taken.
The route is favorable. Interstate 10 between Southern California and the Gulf Coast is one of the most reliable routes in the nation; it is constantly trafficked both ways. There was no issue of capacity at play here with this job.
By contrast, a standard-sized vehicle traveling this exact same route in this exact same trailer would be far less expensive.
Open transport
Suburban was towed via an open trailer. It’s a modern vehicle and does not require the protection of an enclosed trailer that classic and exotic vehicles do.
This type of trailer is also more practical for this type of towing because of the restrictions in length and interior height on the enclosed trailer that would fit such a vehicle. And it cost additional dollars for all those extra miles.
Ground clearance was not an issue because the Suburban is raised and therefore the angle of ramps was never a consideration for either side of the load/unload process.
Transport summary
- Origin: Carlsbad, CA 92008
- Destination: Orange Beach, AL 36561
- Distance: 2,017 miles
- Service cost: $2,459.00
- Cost per mile: $1.22
- Vehicle: 2021 Chevrolet Suburban
- Condition: Operable
- Trailer type: Open
- Route: Carlsbad, CA → I-8 east through the Imperial Valley and Yuma → I-10 east through Tucson, Las Cruces and El Paso → San Antonio and Houston, TX → Baton Rouge and New Orleans, LA → Biloxi, MS → Mobile, AL → AL-59 south → Orange Beach, AL
