Buying a Car out of State and Have It Shipped to You?

Buying a Car out of State and Have It Shipped to You?
Published on August 15, 2021

There was a time when the only way to buy a car was to go to the nearest dealership lot and work out a deal in a sales office. However, many things have changed since then. Today, many online vehicle retail platforms offer to help you locate hard-to-find cars or discover the exact models you want at a lower price.

Thousands of Americans opt to buy a car out of state, thanks to online auto dealerships. At first glance, the process of buying a car out of state and having it shipped to you seems pretty hassle-free, but it’s easier said than done. If you consider purchasing your vehicle in another state, please make sure you understand the whole lot related to a car with an out-of-state title.

Why Buy a Car Out of State? 

Currently, because of concerns over the supply-demand imbalance, car prices in different states vary widely. Therefore, when considering buying a car out of state, the first thing that comes to mind is capitalizing on these price differences. For instance, in Miami, despite an ample supply of vehicles, the demand is relatively low. On the other hand, in California, increased demand cannot satisfy the marketplace needs. In a nutshell, you can find the right price for your desired car if you buy a car out of state and purchase it online.

Shipping Your Vehicle Across State Lines

Once you decide to go ahead with the car purchase, you need to consider getting your car delivered to your door or driving it yourself. While driving a car cross-country is sometimes lower-priced than shipping, affordable car transport service is a lot more convenient and hassle-free. If you have decided to have your car shipped to another state, you need to find good carrier service and rely on professionals. 

Aside from using a car shipping rate calculator and getting initial shipping quotes, consider some notable factors that directly influence the shipping price. 

Car Delivery Distance 

The primary factor that influences the shipping cost is the distance between pickup and drop-off locations. In general, the price per mile varies between $X and $X, depending on the shipping distance. However, the longer the shipping distance, the lower auto shipping rates per mile you can get. 

Vehicle Size and Weight 

The size and the weight of your vehicle will also affect the carriage cost. Apart from taking up more space on the transport truck, oversized cars also increase the fuel constipation of the haul truck. So the heavier your vehicle is, the more costly it will be to deliver. 

Auto Shipping Method

Shipping costs may also vary depending on the shipping method. You can decide between open auto transport or enclosed auto transportation and choose the one which fits your needs the most. The main benefit of going open-air car hauling is to have your car shipped for a low price. On the other hand, enclosed transport offers a higher level of protection and reduces the risk of damages during the car trip. 

Consider Other Variables

Other variables that you need to consider while calculating car transport costs refer to pickup & drop-off locations and additional liabilities that a carrier may take. For example, a car shipping company may charge you extra money for loading your car onto the transport trailer from a hard-to-reach place. Vise versa is also true. If the locations are accessible easily, drivers may charge less money for transporting your car.  

The Bottom Line

Buying a car out of state and having it shipped to you is a significant undertaking. Even if you buy a car from an online auto dealership, you will have to fill out paperwork and register your vehicle with DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). Just consider all pros and cons, understand the state taxes & shipping costs and determine whether it’s worth the effort. Once you decide to ship your car, the all-important step will be to choose the right car transportation company. Top-rated car shipper, Tempus Logix, moves cars, motorcycles, boats, ATVs, and heavy equipment throughout the US. Our process takes place in three easy steps: you book your order, we transport and deliver your vehicle. Our professional team is au fait with transporting a newly online purchased vehicle (https://tempuslogix.com/online-car-buying-transport/).

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