Shipping a 2016 Chevrolet Corvette from Texas to Illinois

For our most recent shipment, we transported a 2016 Chevrolet Corvette from Houston, TX to Princeville, IL via an enclosed trailer shipping method. The Corvette was shipped for 978 miles, costing $1,430.00 total, or $1.46 per mile.

Our most recent shipment included a fully functional car, which means that it had the ability to start up, run, and drive itself during pickup. This particular shipment is representative of a good portion of the country, as it goes from the Gulf Coast all the way up to the Midwest.

The Route

The 1,573-kilometer route from Houston to Princeville is almost due north right through the center of the country. Shippers normally depart from Houston via Interstate Highway 45 northbound to Dallas and continue to Interstate Highway 35 northbound via Oklahoma City and Wichita.

From there the route continues north to Kansas City and connects to Interstate Highway 80 eastbound towards Des Moines and finally to Interstate Highway 74 eastbound to central Illinois, where Princeville is situated northwest of Peoria. With such a route that follows major interstates all the way through, a shipment of this kind would normally take two to three days to deliver after pickup.

Low Ground Clearance

The 7th generation Chevrolet Corvette which was manufactured between 2014 and 2019 features a front splitter which is too low to allow clearance from a standard car hauler ramp that has an elevation of 14 to 18 degrees. In general, it is the same issue that occurs with practically all generations of Corvettes, therefore, its transportation requires careful preparation and planning compared to ordinary sedans or SUVs.

In most cases, carriers of this generation of Corvettes use approach ramps that are shorter and positioned before the regular ramp in order to reduce the loading angle to 6-10 degrees. Moreover, there is always a spotter who stays outside the car while the loading process is going on, he or she controls the front end of the car and makes sure that the wheels enter the transition ramp in a straight line to avoid any contacts. It does not influence the performance of the car on the road.

Enclosed Transport

Enclosed trailers shield a vehicle from road debris, weather, and the general wear that comes with hundreds of miles on the highway. That matters for a car with the kind of paint and trim a Corvette owner tends to care about. Crossing from the Gulf Coast up into the Midwest also means the car passes through a range of weather conditions along the way, which enclosed transport protects against better than an open carrier would.

Once loaded, the Corvette gets secured using four-point wheel strap tie-downs rather than chains attached to the frame. That keeps pressure off the suspension and steering components for the full 978 miles.

Transport Summary

• Origin: Houston, TX 77041

• Destination: Princeville, IL 61559

• Distance: 978 miles

• Service cost: $1,430.00

• Cost per mile: $1.46

• Vehicle: 2016 Chevrolet Corvette

• Condition: Operable

• Trailer type: Enclosed

• Route: I-45 north to Dallas, I-35 north through Oklahoma City and Kansas City, then I-80 east and I-74 east into Princeville

Shipping a 2009 Chevrolet Corvette from South Florida to Houston, Texas

In our most recent shipment, we have shipped a 2009 Chevrolet Corvette from Boca Raton, FL to Houston, TX via enclosed trailer transportation services. The automobile covered a distance of 1159 miles for which we charged $1,790.00. We charged $1.54 per mile in this shipment.

The Corvette was shipped driveable, which means that it started, run and was driven on its own at the time of pick up. All the generations of the C6, produced from 2005 to 2013, have the same low clearance at the front end as other modern generations of Corvette.

The Route

The 1159 mile path from Boca Raton to Houston starts from the southern tip of Florida and then goes up through the Gulf Coast region. Generally, the carriers depart from Boca Raton and drive on I-95 to north then take a connection to I-75 towards Tampa, driving north further to Lake City.

The path continues on I-10 towards west. It goes through Tallahassee and Florida Panhandle to enter Alabama near Mobile. The Interstate takes a westward direction, passing Mississippi and Louisiana, with stops at New Orleans and Baton Rouge until it reaches Houston.

Since it spans over five states through one of the busiest corridors of the Gulf Coast for freight transportation, it does not generally take much time to find a carrier for a shipment of this kind.

Why This C6 Corvette Needed a Careful Approach at Loading

Just like the C5 and C7 models discussed in other parts of this series, the C6 Corvette model is equipped with a low front splitter that makes it prone to scraping when loaded onto a standard vehicle transport trailer, especially when the trailer is tilted at an angle of between 14 and 18 degrees. For carriers of this particular model of Corvette, loading ramps or approach ramps have to be utilized to bring the angle down to between 6 and 10 degrees.

Another person will be outside the vehicle as the spotter to monitor the front part of the vehicle and guide the wheels into a straight path onto the deck. This additional measure takes some time, but it is already a common practice for all Corvettes manufactured so close to the ground.

Why Enclosed Transport Fits a Corvette Like This

Enclosures prevent damage caused by road hazards, weather conditions, and general deterioration over many miles of travel, which is an important consideration when traveling through five different states with varying climates along the Gulf Coast region. The value of protecting the paint and body work of a Corvette over the course of 1159 miles cannot be overlooked.

Once packed, the Corvette will be tied down using four-point wheel straps rather than chain straps connected to the chassis in order to relieve stress on the steering and suspension system.

Transport Summary

• Origin: Boca Raton, FL 33487

• Destination: Houston, TX 77041

• Distance: 1159 miles

• Service cost: $1,790.00

• Cost per mile: $1.54

• Vehicle: 2009 Chevrolet Corvette

• Condition: Operable

• Trailer type: Enclosed

• Route: I-95 to I-75 through Tampa and Lake City, then I-10 west through Tallahassee, Mobile, and New Orleans into Houston
  
  
  

Shipping a 1999 BMW 3 Series from California to California

Our recent shipment was of a 1999 BMW 3 Series that was shipped from Los Angeles, CA to Vacaville, CA using open trailer transportation. The automobile had travelled 395 miles for $702.00 and costs were at $1.78 per mile.

This particular BMW was shipped operative; the vehicle was capable of starting, running, and moving on its own steam when picked up. The shipment remains in-state throughout its journey which makes this particular one a great case study of how mid-range regional shipping works.

The Route

The 395 mile route from Los Angeles to Vacaville is going north along the full length of the Central Valley of California. Truckers start from the Los Angeles vicinity, close to LAX, and drive along I-5 northward through Bakersfield, continuing all the way to Fresno and Stockton.

Then the connection to I-80 west near Sacramento and the short trip to Vacaville, located on this route between Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area, follow. As the route goes through interstate highways the entire way, the delivery of such cargo can be made in one day after its collection.

A distance of 395 miles puts this delivery in the middle of the distances discussed in this assignment. The rate of $1.78 per mile looks quite normal for a price range in this region, higher than in case of an all-across-the-country delivery and lower than in the case of very short hauls.

What Loading an Operable E46 Looks Like

The ground clearance in the 1999 BMW 3 Series, which is in the E46 series, was typical for that generation of a small sedan. Thus, it was loaded to a standard open trailer in the same way as other everyday cars. As the car came with operational equipment, it was driven directly into the trailer by the owner, who did not require any help from a winch or special equipment.

After the car is set on the trailer deck, four-point wheel straps will be applied around each wheel. This is how an ordinary car is secured.

Why Open Transport Is the Default Choice for a Car Like This

The reason for using open carriers in transporting vehicles accounts for their cheaper operation and availability as opposed to enclosed trailers that are more expensive. In this case, the use of open carrier is quite appropriate since the vehicle is not a low clearance one but just an old well-maintained sedan.

Also, the fact that the delivery will take place in California means that it is within a short distance hence the use of open transport will ensure a quick turnaround since there will be many open carriers on this route.

Transport Summary

• Origin: Los Angeles, CA 90045

• Destination: Vacaville, CA 95687

• Distance: 395 miles

• Service cost: $702.00

• Cost per mile: $1.78

• Vehicle: 1999 BMW 3 Series

• Condition: Operable

• Trailer type: Open

• Route: I-5 north through Bakersfield, Fresno, and Stockton, then I-80 west into Vacaville
  
  
  

Shipping a 2023 Subaru Outback from Delaware to California

This time, in our new batch, a 2023 Subaru Outback was transported from New Castle, DE to Fremont, CA using the open trailer shipping option. The car went on to travel 2874 miles for a total charge of $1,950.00, translating into $0.68 per mile.

The Outback was shipped running, which simply means that it had the ability to start, run and move on its own accord upon pickup.

The Route

The route covers 2874 miles from New Castle to Fremont, spanning all the way across the nation from the Mid-Atlantic region to San Francisco. Carriers will depart from New Castle, which is situated to the south of Wilmington, following the I-95 road to the west and then the I-70 road.

The route goes along the I-70 road to the west, traveling via Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Then it goes through Missouri and Kansas until it gets connected to the I-80 road to the west via Nebraska, Wyoming, and Utah. Finally, the last leg of the journey travels Nevada and Sierra Nevada and ends with local roads to Fremont, the eastern part of San Francisco.

In general, the route passes through the busiest freight corridors in the country; thus, the availability of carriers remains high despite the route being very long.

Why This Long Haul Comes at a Lower Per-Mile Rate

An almost 2,900 mile transportation is priced similarly to an ordinary auto transportation over an extensive route, with its per mile price becoming smaller as total distance increases due to increased number of miles where fixed costs are distributed. This is one of the reasons why such a shipment is priced at $0.68 per mile, lower than the cost per mile of ordinary shipments.

Though the total price of $1,950.00 takes into account the actual expenses for both time and fuel consumption during 2874 miles, its per mile price makes this shipment one of the more efficient ones of the cross-country transportation category.

Why Open Transport Suits a Modern Crossover

The 2023 Outback comes with standard ground clearance for a crossover wagon, and therefore is loaded onto an open transport like other cars in the same manner. The open transport is relatively cheaper compared to enclosed shipping, and that is particularly important for a delivery like this, taking into account its distance.

Because of the operability of the delivered car, the driver simply drove it up the ramp and loaded onto the trailer deck. This is how any other operational car is delivered.

What Loading an Operable Outback Looks Like

After the positioning on the deck, the Outback was tied down by means of wheel strap tie-downs with four points surrounding all four tires. This is the usual way to do things with a car that is not characterized by any extraordinary ground clearance or frame. The car being in working condition, there was no need for a winch.

With regard to such a distance to be covered, simple loading procedures at either end make it possible to estimate the whole time period.

Transport Summary

• Origin: New Castle, DE 19720

• Destination: Fremont, CA 94536

• Distance: 2874 miles

• Service cost: $1,950.00

• Cost per mile: $0.68

• Vehicle: 2023 Subaru Outback

• Condition: Operable

• Trailer type: Open

• Route: I-70 west through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, then I-80 west through Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada into California
  
  
  

Shipping a 1989 Cargo Trailer Loaded with Foam Board Insulation from New York to Michigan

For our current shipping job, we transported a trailer manufactured in 1989 that is 38 feet in length and 7 feet 8 inches wide from Angola, NY to Flint, MI. This trailer was shipped over a distance of 294 miles at a cost of $1,501.00 which comes to $5.11 per mile.

This trailer did not tow behind the truck of the transporter like other bumper pull utility trailers do. This trailer was simply loaded on the deck of the transporter’s vehicle.

The Route

The 294-mile journey from Angola to Flint is in a northward direction from the western coast of the Great Lakes. Typically, the carriers begin at Angola, which is south of Buffalo in Lake Erie, and move west along the I-90 route, through Erie, Pennsylvania, and into Ohio.

Then, the route heads further toward Cleveland before turning north on the I-75 and US-23 route to go past Toledo and enter Michigan through the state border. Finally, the carrier moves to the north from US-23 all the way to Flint, which is located on the east end of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

The 294-mile route is a relatively shorter route. However, the $5.11/mile price is more dependent on the special nature of the shipment than the distance.

Why This Trailer Needed to Be Loaded Rather Than Towed

The 38-foot trailer weighing 2,400 pounds when empty easily falls within the realm of regular towing, although the present one could not be hitched and towed as a roadworthy trailer. If the trailer is not in condition to be towed on its wheels owing to any problems like poor condition of the tires, failure of a bearing, or other issues related to mechanics, the carrier has to use a flatbed or step-deck trailer and haul the trailer as freight.

This makes the whole task a different ball game altogether. The towing of a trailer consists of hitching and towing, while hauling it as freight means handling a 38-foot trailer weighing several thousand pounds as an oversized load.

How the Carrier Winched an 8,000 Pound Load

Given the weight of the trailer itself at 2,400 pounds and the additional 5,600 pounds of foam board insulation still sitting inside the trailer, the carrier needed to manage a load weighing approximately 8,000 pounds in total. Instead of using the wheels of the cargo trailer to ascend onto the deck, the carrier used a winch attached to the frame of the hauling trailer.

Given the fact that the insulation load never left the trailer, this meant that the carrier not only had to manage the weight of the insulation itself but had to manage the placement of the weight in the trailer as well. This is due to the fact that an insulated trailer will have a different center of gravity than an empty trailer.

Why Height and Weight Change the Price

Loaded, the unit was about 10 feet high from the ground, including the trailer and its load. The height factor, together with the trailer’s 38-foot length, along with the weight carried, makes the shipment go beyond the category of regular towable trailer transportation and into the category for oversized and winch-load cargo.

Transporters capable of handling winch load cargo for heavy and non-towable trailers are not as numerous as tow-away transporters. The added loading and securing time for such a trailer does not matter whether the distance to be covered is long or short. It is the key reason why the 294-mile haul costs more than the average rate per mile of a roadworthy trailer.

Transport Summary

• Origin: Angola, NY 14006

• Destination: Flint, MI 48506

• Distance: 294 miles

• Service cost: $1,501.00

• Cost per mile: $5.11

• Equipment: 1989 trailer, 38′ x 7’8″, 2,400 lbs dry

• Cargo: Foam board insulation, 5,600 lbs

• Total loaded height: 10 feet from ground

• Route: I-90 west through Erie, PA and Cleveland, OH, then I-75/US-23 north into Flint
  
  
  

Shipping a 1966 Ford Mustang from Central California to South Florida

Our last delivery was that of a 1966 Ford Mustang from Madera, CA to Homestead, FL via open trailer delivery. This delivery involved moving the car a distance of 2,914 miles for a charge of $1,721.00 or $0.59 per mile.

The Mustang was delivered operational, which means it was able to start, run, and drive under its own power at pick-up. This delivery is the furthest delivery covered in this series at close to 3,000 miles and provides a good case study of the cost-per-mile concept on a coast-to-coast delivery.

The Route

The 2914 mile path from Madera to Homestead covers all of the Southern United States. The carriers generally depart from Madera, located in the Central Valley region of California, close to Fresno, then move south to connect with I-10 east.

After that, the carriers travel on I-10 for pretty much the whole time. This includes stops in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas via El Paso, San Antonio, Houston and into Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The last part of the journey involves traveling through Florida and connecting with I-75 heading south until reaching Homestead at the far southern point of Miami-Dade County.

This path connects eight states over one of the most heavily used long-distance routes in America.

Why Long-Haul Pricing Favors This Cross-Country Move

A transport involving 3,000 miles is one that enjoys the same type of pricing as found in a lengthy truck transport service. This is because the unit cost per mile decreases as the overall distance increases. Here, the expenses associated with positioning and route planning by the carrier are spread over a much greater number of miles as compared to a shorter local one.

This is partly the reason why this transport is priced at $0.59 per mile, which is very low compared to that charged for 300 or 500 mile shipments. Distance does not mean that the transport is less expensive in terms of total expense as a result of actual fuel and time expenses incurred over 2914 miles costing $1,721.00.

Why This Classic Mustang Shipped Open

The option of open transport is still very popular and reliable when talking about classic muscle cars, especially considering the journey that is thousands of miles long across the country, which makes the cost difference even more significant for open and enclosed options. Due to the fact that the Mustang was delivered already functional and didn’t have any clearance problems like the ones future sport cars had, it was loaded just like a regular car would be.

With the owner having a choice between cost and security of the car during such a long journey, open transport can be chosen without having the price become too high.

Transport Summary

• Origin: Madera, CA 93636

• Destination: Homestead, FL 33032

• Distance: 2914 miles

• Service cost: $1,721.00

• Cost per mile: $0.59

• Vehicle: 1966 Ford Mustang

• Condition: Operable

• Trailer type: Open

• Route: I-10 east through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, then I-75 south into Homestead
  
  
  

Shipping a 2016 Range Rover and a 2017 Porsche Macan from Seattle to Texas

Our last shipment involved transportation of a 2016 Land Rover Range Rover and a 2017 Porsche Macan from Seattle, WA to Georgetown, TX using open trailer shipping services. The vehicles traveled a distance of 2092 miles at a cost of $2,204.00, which equals to $1.05 per mile.

Transportation of two SUVs over such a great distance of more than 2,000 miles across the western part of the country offers an insight into long-distance pricing.

The Route

A 2092-mile route stretching from Seattle to Georgetown spans a long distance in America, extending from the Pacific Northwest to central Texas. Typically, the carriers take off from Seattle traveling eastwards via the Interstate-90 Highway towards Idaho and Montana, after which they turn southwards.

The rest of the distance goes downwards through Utah via the Interstate-15 Highway. This is followed by Colorado and New Mexico, with the carrier traveling through the Texas panhandle. The last leg of the journey involves driving southwards via the Interstate-35 Highway through Fort Worth and Austin to reach Georgetown located slightly above the state capital.

The route is characterized by a mountainous landscape, which makes weather and elevation factors significant compared to when traveling along flatland coastlines. With regard to the distance of 2092 miles, the pricing of $1.05 per mile demonstrates the pricing efficiency of the long haul.

Why Two SUVs Ship Well Together

The sending of two vehicles to the same destination using one trailer helps share the costs associated with a long journey across the country equally among the two vehicle owners, who would otherwise have incurred their own individual costs if they had sent the vehicles separately.

It is fortunate that the two vehicles are of similar size and have the same height off the ground, which makes it possible for both vehicles to be loaded using one standard open trailer. Both vehicles are full-time all-wheel drive SUVs, although the Range Rover is the larger and more prestigious of the two.

Open Transport

The Range Rover and Macan do not need low approach ramps like those required by a lowered sports car, as both are at standard SUV level. The shipment will have an ordinary open carrier load without additional work that would be required for a low clearance vehicle.

This kind of transport will save money on such a long journey, especially when compared to a shorter regional journey. Both vehicles will have their individual four-wheel tie downs with straps.

What Long-Haul Pricing Looks Like for a Cross-Country Move

This 2092 miles shipment can be considered the longest one in terms of auto transport and the cost calculation will differ from the short hauls. The per mile rates decrease as distance grows because the cost of delivering a vehicle to the point of departure and planning a route is distributed across all miles.

That is among the reasons why this shipment equals $1.05 per mile which is less compared to the cost per mile for 300 or 500 mile shipment. The multivehicle delivery helps maintain the cost efficiency because dividing one long route into two vehicles makes it cheaper for both.

Transport Summary

• Origin: Seattle, WA 98178

• Destination: Georgetown, TX 78633

• Distance: 2092 miles

• Service cost: $2,204.00

• Cost per mile: $1.05

• Vehicles: 2016 Land Rover Range Rover; 2017 Porsche Macan

• Trailer type: Open

• Route: I-90 east through Idaho and Montana, I-15 south through Utah, then through Colorado and New Mexico before I-35 south into Georgetown
  
  
  

Shipping a 2019 Chevrolet Corvette from West Texas to Houston

For our most recent delivery, we had one of our customers move his 2019 Chevrolet Corvette from Seminole, TX to Houston, TX using our enclosed trailer carrier service. This vehicle was delivered over a distance of 535 miles for $958.00, or $1.79 per mile.

The 2014 to 2019 C7 generation Corvette is a sporty vehicle that is slightly lower than a regular sedan. This means that this delivery provides insight into how a sports car is handled by our carriers.

The Route

The route from Seminole to Houston is 535 miles wide and goes across the breadth of Texas from its plains in the west to the Gulf Coast region. The carriers normally depart from Seminole, a city in Gaines County on the Texas-New Mexico border, traveling southeast via US-385 to Big Spring.

Then they proceed eastbound on I-20 to Abilene before moving southward via I-45 passing by the Fort Worth region, Dallas, Corsicana, and Huntsville into Houston. As the journey is mostly on interstates, this shipment would normally take only one to two days after being picked up.

With regard to the 535 mile distance and the $1.79 per-mile rate, it could be noted that it is the middle-range distance for enclosed shipping, in addition to the additional effort involved in loading/unloading a low-clearance sports car.

Why This C7 Corvette Needed a Careful Approach at Loading

The C7 Corvette has a front splitter that is lower than what would be seen in most passenger cars. It makes it susceptible to scratching when loaded using an average car hauler ramp that tilts 14 to 18 degrees. Loading carriers for this particular generation of the Corvette always rely on approach ramps to reduce the loading angle to between 6 and 10 degrees.

Another person remains outside the vehicle to observe the loading process and to ensure that the vehicle’s wheels stay in a straight path while going on to the loading area. This takes a little bit more time than in the case of a normal sedan.

Enclosed Transport

The enclosed trailer protects the car from any form of debris on the road, weather changes, and wear and tear caused by hundreds of miles of driving on the road. This is important for the type of paint and body of a Corvette. The distance of 535 miles in varying terrain and weather conditions in Texas makes this very important.

When loaded, the car will be strapped using four-point wheel straps and not chains fixed on the chassis of the vehicle.

Transport Summary

• Origin: Seminole, TX 79360

• Destination: Houston, TX 77041

• Vehicle: 2019 Chevrolet Corvette

• Trailer type: Enclosed

• Distance: 535 miles

• Service cost: $958.00

• Cost per mile: $1.79

• Route: US-385 to I-20 east through Abilene, then I-45 south through Dallas and Huntsville into Houston
  
  
  

Shipping a 2026 BMW X5 and a 2018 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat from California to Texas

As per our latest transportation, the 2026 BMW X5 and 2018 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat have been transported from Valencia, CA to Tomball, TX via open trailer transport and the cost incurred for this was $2,339.00 which comes to be $1.51 per mile.

Combining a newly purchased SUV with a widebody muscle car in one truck gives a good understanding about the carrier’s strategy for such a diverse load being sent to the same destination.

The Route

At 1,551 miles, the trip from Valencia to Tomball is almost as long as the width of the southern United States. Most haulers would start off from Valencia, which is in the Santa Clarita Valley region located to the north of Los Angeles. They would then drive east towards I-5 and finally take up I-10.

For the rest of the route, drivers follow the I-10 interstate highway all the way till they reach Tomball. The interstate highway goes through Phoenix, Arizona and Las Cruces, New Mexico to enter Texas. After that, they follow the highway till San Antonio, Texas before reaching Houston in Texas where the trip ends at Tomball by following the TX-249 highway to the north.

Since this particular route spans five states on one of the busiest routes for cargo transport in the world, it should not be too difficult to find a carrier for your haulage at $1.51 per mile rate.

Why an SUV and a Muscle Car Ship Well Together

Sending two cars to the same destination using one trailer reduces the cost of transport equally among both customers as opposed to having each one send a separate car to the destination. A full size SUV and a two door muscle car are different in the way that they occupy the deck space, making it easier for the shipper to arrange the load accordingly.

As a 2026 model, the X5 is transported in the usual manner of a new car with average ground clearance for a midsize luxury SUV. On the other hand, the Hellcat, even though it is known to perform well, is not a low clearance car like a sporty car. It just requires more attention during the loading process because of its tires.

Why Open Transport Works for This Pair

Both cars involved in this particular shipment belong to the category that is shipped by a regular open carrier on a daily basis. The size of the X5 and the width of the Hellcat are considered while shipping, but there is no need for the special ramps and decreased approach angle like a real low clearance sports car demands.

Open transport is cheaper than any other solution for such a long distance journey. And as both vehicles can be easily driven, they are loaded and unloaded just like any other functioning vehicle.

Securing Two Very Different Vehicles on the Same Trailer

When the truck is loaded, each unit will have four tie-downs that are placed separately from the others. The Hellcat, due to the fact that it has wider wheels with low offset, must be positioned with more space between the rails of the trailer and also away from the X5 which is parked next to the trailer because performance tires are mounted closer to the edge of the ramp than a factory all-season tire would be.

The X5 will usually be higher and heavier than the Charger and needs to be positioned so that the weight is balanced between the axles of the trailer. Loading of two different cars on the deck of the trailer takes some extra time in comparison to loading two units back to back.

Transport Summary

• Origin: Valencia, CA 91354

• Destination: Tomball, TX 77377

• Distance: 1551 miles

• Service cost: $2,339.00

• Cost per mile: $1.51

• Vehicles: 2026 BMW X5; 2018 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

• Trailer type: Open

• Route: I-5 to I-10 east through Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, then TX-249 north into Tomball
  
  
  

Shipping a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 S from Oklahoma to Texas

Our last shipment involved moving a Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 S 2021 model from Woodward, OK to Abilene, TX using open trailer transport services. This particular shipment entailed traveling 312 miles for $850.00 at a rate of $2.72 per mile.

The shipment was operable, indicating that the car had been shipped with all systems on, running and driving under its own steam. It is a great representation of the shipping process for a high performance luxury SUV since the vehicle’s size and ground clearance makes it stand out from a low sports car even though it wears the same AMG badge.

The Route

The route covers approximately 502 kilometers, which is a purely south-bound route that does not change course at all during the trip. In most cases, haulage starts at Woodward in northwestern Oklahoma before going south along US-183 through Elk City and entering the state of Texas at Vernon.

From there, the southward travel continues along US-283 until reaching Abilene in west-central Texas. The entire journey is conducted along state and national highways, and thus, the relatively short transit distance does not affect the total transit time for a route such as this one.

With a transit distance of 312 miles, this particular haulage is a relatively short distance in the open haulage market and therefore carries a relatively high price per mile compared to what would be charged for an inter-state haulage.

Operable vs. Inoperable Vehicles

When a car is operable, it should be able to start and run by itself in order to be placed on a carrier’s ramp unaided. Since this GLE 63 S came operable, the driver simply drove it up the ramp and onto the deck of the trailer, just as it would be done with any running SUV.

An inoperable car cannot do all this unaided. For example, it may have no electricity, a problem with its engine or even physical damage that prevents it from running. In such cases, the vehicle must be winched on to the trailer and not driven up the ramp. This is a time consuming process for the pickup and also often requires the use of a carrier with the appropriate winching equipment.

This difference is important since it defines what type of equipment a carrier has to use during loading. If a shipment is booked as operable but does not start at the pickup point, it may either delay the shipment or necessitate the use of a different carrier. This is why booking your shipment as operable or inoperable in advance will help keep the process on schedule.

Why Open Carrier Transport Is a Reliable Choice for Luxury SUVs

Open auto carriers constitute the majority of the auto transport market, and for justifiable reasons. For one, their operating costs are lower compared to the costs of using closed trailers. Second, they are available more frequently, and this results in shorter delivery time for the vehicles.

Open transportation is a viable choice in case of the GLE 63 S, because it is not high enough, nor is it large in size to exceed the maximum capabilities of the common multi-car open trailer. In an open trailer, the vehicle will travel unprotected from rain and dirt, but its four-point wheel strap tie downs will keep it firmly in place on the truck’s deck.

Luxury status does not influence which type of trailer the vehicle must be transported by. In addition to ground clearance, size, and positioning after loading are factors that determine the trailer. As far as these criteria go, GLE 63 S is a typical SUV and not a low sport car.

Standard Car vs. SUV Shipping

The cost of shipping an SUV is higher on average than that of shipping a normal sedan over the same distance, mainly due to size and weight. A bigger vehicle occupies more deck space on a multi-car transporter, hence limiting the number of vehicles carried on the same trailer. Increased weight increases the load carried by the truck.

Distance and route will be part of the variables taken into account despite the car being a sedan. The short distance covered on this transport job compared to a longer distance covering the whole United States results in the high per-mile rate, where the fixed cost of the carrier is allocated to a smaller distance.

Trim and equipment of the vehicle also add to the overall cost. In this case, the AMG sports version of the vehicle with bigger tires requires more care regarding positioning on the deck without requiring a special type of trailer.

Transport Summary

• Origin: Woodward, OK 73801

• Destination: Abilene, TX 79605

• Distance: 312 miles

• Service cost: $850.00

• Cost per mile: $2.72

• Vehicle: 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 S

• Condition: Operable

• Trailer type: Open

• Route: US-183 south through Elk City, OK and Vernon, TX, then US-283 into Abilene