The 2015 Toyota 4Runner TRD is not your average mid-size SUV. It comes with serious ground clearance, a boxy build, and a TRD-tuned suspension that adds real weight to the equation. When this particular 4Runner needed to ship 900 miles, the final bill came to $500 and the pickup-to-delivery window was two days. That works out to $0.55 per mile which sits below what most people expect to pay for a vehicle this size.
Breaking Down the $0.55 Per Mile Rate: What’s Actually Included in Car Delivery Pricing
A lot of customers see a price of $0.55 per mile on a quote and think, “What’s the catch?” On this shipment, this price included the fuel costs of the carrier as well as the broker coordination fee.
Longer routes, of course, mean a lower price per mile as the carrier can create efficient routes over the major corridors of the country. A 900-mile route provides a good density of freight per vehicle, which the driver benefits from at the end of the route.
Most comparable open transport routes are going to be in the range of $0.75 to $1.20 per mile, but this 4Runner was well outside of this price range, which made it a great deal.
Estimated Price for Shipping a Vehicle from Florida to Missouri
How Open Trailer Auto Shipping Works for Rugged Mid-Size SUVs
Open transport is the standard choice for rugged mid-size SUVs because it is the most accessible and cost-effective method currently offered. An open hauler can carry anywhere from 7 to 10 vehicles at a time on a multi-level deck and makes use of fixed fold-up ramps to load the vehicles. The 4Runner drives up the ramps on its own power and is then strapped down at the four corners using axle straps.
The ground clearance of the TRD trim is far above 9 inches, so there is nothing to worry about in terms of scraping the ramps or the need for race ramps and tilt beds. This makes the loading process quick and efficient since the vehicle is a runner and has that kind of clearance to work with.
The TRD trim is heavier compared to the normal 4Runners, so the carriers will be placing it on the lower deck to maintain a balanced weight distribution for the full load.
Modified vs. Stock 4Runner Shipping: Surcharges, Restrictions, and Carrier Decisions
Carriers tend to make a clear distinction between a modified 4Runner and a standard 4Runner based on height and gross weight. A standard 4Runner typically has a height of 72 inches. A 2-inch lift puts this at a height of 74 inches.
Most open haulers place a soft ceiling at 78 to 80 inches in total height for upper deck placement, but this 4Runner was clearly above this standard with plenty of clearance to spare. Where a modified 4Runner begins to incur additional costs in money is when heavy aftermarket parts are added.
Steel bumpers, skid plates, and a fully loaded roof rack begin to increase the gross weight of a 4Runner, and a surcharge may be added to the bill if this increases the weight beyond standard limits for a specific deck placement.
How a 2-Inch Lift Affects Your 4Runner’s Open Transport Eligibility and Pricing
A 2-inch lift on a 4Runner poses no real complications in open transport. The standard clearance on this model of 4Runner is already close to 9 inches, so a 2-inch lift only puts the vehicle within a normal range of loading capacity. Carrier companies rarely complain about a mild lift kit on a vehicle already so tall.
A problem with height does occur, though, if a lift kit increases the height of a 4Runner beyond 4 inches, even on a tall platform like this model of 4Runner. At this point, the carrier begins checking the total height of the deck because of overpass clearance restrictions on some routes. A 2-inch lift on this model of 4Runner remains safely within the limits of an open hauler.
Shipping Summary
- Direction: Jacksonville, FL to St. Louis, MO
Jacksonville, FL → Interstate 10 West → Interstate 75 North → Interstate 24 West → Interstate 57 North → Interstate 64 West → St. Louis, MO - Vehicle: 2015 Toyota 4Runner
- Condition: Runs and Drives
- Modification: 2 Inch Lifted
- Service: Open Auto Transport
- Vehicle type: Rugged Mid-Size SUV
- Shipping price: $500 ($0.55 per mile)
