America’s best-selling truck offers a unique case study of how regional auto transport works. A case example: a 2020 Ford F-150, 4-door Pickup, which was recently shipped from Amherst, New York to Lansing, Michigan, and the insight this offers into the process.
The booking created on February 3rd had a same-day first available date. On February 5th, the carrier was assigned, and the pickup was completed. The next day, February 6th, the truck arrived at its destination, which was in Lansing.
Regional Routes Move Faster and Great Lakes Shipping Corridor
The route takes through well-traveled interstate highways connecting two important Great Lakes metropolitan areas. While the town of Amherst is located in the Buffalo-Niagara region of western New York State, Lansing is the capital city of Michigan.
This route extends a distance of 350 miles and utilizes established paths for trucking, hence the rapid service assignment. The companies involved operate on a regular route between Buffalo and Michigan’s interior, which explains why selecting an available trailer space occurred within two days following the booking date.
The F-150 was shipped via open transport, the most common method for standard pickup trucks. Open carriers transport about 90% of vehicles in the country because they provide good services at a lower cost compared to others.
The route connecting Buffalo-Detroit-Lansing is one of the most utilized routes in the Midwest region for shipping purposes. The dense population and activity within the region make this route utilized by many vehicles constantly.
Interstate 90 and Interstate 80 are the main routes used in this regard. However, carriers may take Highway 2 through Pennsylvania, as well as entering Canada via the Peace Bridge, though most of them opt for interstate highways in the US as they are easier to use.
Ford F-150 4-Door Transport Specifications
The Ford F-150 is still the best-selling vehicle in America, and as such, transport companies often carry these trucks. Standard 4-door F-150 trucks do not require special permits.
Weight issues are also a concern, but even fully loaded, F-150s remain within transportable limits, especially since most open trailers can carry between seven and ten vehicles concurrently, including trucks, SUVs, and cars.
Open transport makes vehicles liable to road and weather conditions, yet they are protected through securing. The vehicles are secured through the use of wheel straps and chain tie downs. They are tied down on both levels of the deck of the trailer.
Cost Factors for Regional Shipping
The basis on which auto transport pricing is worked out is distance, and trips under 500 miles will cost between $0.75 and $2.50 per mile, which can vary depending on fuel costs and season.
In general, the distance from Amherst to Lansing is a short haul. The cost of shipping a standard pickup truck would be lower than that associated with a long haul, although the price per mile would be greater than a long-haul cost because the fixed cost is spread over fewer miles traveled by the hauling company.
February does not fall in the peak shipping season. The peak is between May and September. During winter, freight rates are high because of the risks of bad weather. However, they are usually not as high as those in summer when college moves are a factor.
Transport Summary
- Origin: Amherst, NY 14228
- Destination: Lansing, MI 48910
- Vehicle: 2020 Ford F-150 4-door (Operable)
- Distance: 350 miles
- Primary routes: I-90 W → I-80 W/US-23 N → I-69 N/US-127 N
- Trailer type: Open trailer
- Season: Early February (winter)
- Transit time: 1 day (Feb 5-6)
- Price: $850 ($2.43 per mile)
