Shipping a 2023 Ford F-150 from Texas to New Jersey

The most recent relocation was a relocation of a 2023 Ford F-150 Pickup Truck from Houston, Texas to Woodstown, New Jersey. The two door truck was transported over 1,544 miles on an open trailer for $1,250.00. That is an average cost of $0.81 per mile.

The vehicle was shipped operable, which means that it is drivable and ran fine, so the vehicle was loaded under its own power.

Full-size pickups are one of the most common types of cars that are shipped via auto transport service. This gives us insight into how the price of such a transportation comes together and what affects the price. If you are moving a full-size pickup, this is a great example.

The Route

The route between Houston and Woodstown begins from the southern corridor and then continues north along the East Coast. Carriers begin their journey in Houston and travel eastward along I-10 corridor through the Gulf states. The carriers then travel through Beaumont, pass through Louisiana near Baton Rouge, and travel through Mississippi and Alabama near Mobile.

Once the carriers enter the Southeast region, the route turns northeast. Typically, carriers connect from the Gulf area to Atlanta and then take the I-85 corridor through the Carolinas and Virginia. After that, the carriers follow the path of I-95, which is the major road along the Eastern Seaboard, traveling north to Richmond, Washington, and Baltimore.

The last stretch ends in southwest New Jersey. Woodstown is located in Salem County and lies next to Delaware Memorial Bridge, which is situated at the intersection of I-295 and Route 40 below the Turnpike corridor. Because the route goes along major interstate highways all the way, the typical duration of transit for such a trip is four to six days. Moreover, the low-elevation southern route remains free of winter weather conditions.

Why Truck Size Affects the Cost

F-150 is a full-size truck and therefore the size and weight affect the shipping rate. The auto shipping rate is based on the amount of space taken by the automobile on the trailer and the full-size truck takes up more space length-wise and height-wise compared to a sedan. This is the reason for the number of automobiles the carrier can fit on one trailer.

The two-door F-150 truck is a heavy vehicle, and its height plays a significant role in increasing its fuel consumption during the long haul and in positioning the vehicle on the multi-level trailer. Both factors play a role in the quoted pickup rate by the carrier.

However, even with all the additional factors mentioned above, the $0.81/mile rate is still a competitive one, considering that it is a long-distance pickup and therefore the distance affects the auto shipping cost positively. Short hauls cost more per mile compared to long ones since the fixed expenses get divided among many miles. Both locations have access to the freight network, and therefore there was no remote area charge.

Why an Operable Vehicle Ships Easily

It arrived in operable condition, meaning it is capable of moving without any help from an external source. It matters because it influences how the carrier loads the vehicle. An operable vehicle is loaded in drive-on manner, which makes it possible to load a truck within minutes and without any equipment at all.

An inoperable vehicle is a vehicle that is not able to move by itself. These types of trucks have to be loaded with the use of a winch, which takes additional time. Carriers may require a higher price for inoperable vehicles due to the fact that loading such vehicles takes longer and requires equipment that not all carriers have. Operability keeps the process easy and the price low.

In case of a 2023 F-150 in running condition, operable condition is obvious.

Why Open Transport Works Well for This Shipment

It is customary to choose open transport for shipping any vehicle, and this case is no exception. The truck will travel via an open multi-car hauler. It is the same type of trailer that one can observe on the highway carrying vehicles from one destination to another. Several vehicles share one trailer, which leads to splitting the cost of shipping and making it cheaper than enclosed transportation.

The downside is that such transport provides no protection during shipping, which means that the vehicle will be exposed to all the elements while traveling. But in the case of a pickup that is designed for everyday road use, it does not matter much. This is the reason why open transportation is utilized for the majority of trucks shipped from one location to another.

There is a lot of sense in using open transport for shipping a 2023 F-150. A truck is made for being driven, and the open transport will expose the vehicle to a lot less during shipping than driving for 1,544 miles.

Transport Summary

• Origin: Houston, TX 77041

• Destination: Woodstown, NJ 08098

• Distance: 1,544 miles

• Service Cost: $1,250.00

• Cost Per Mile: $0.81

• Vehicle: 2023 Ford F-150 (2-door pickup)

• Vehicle Condition: Operable

• Trailer Type: Open

• Route: I-10 east through the Gulf states, northeast through Atlanta, I-95 north into southwest New Jersey

Shipping an Inoperable 2023 Tesla Model 3 from California to Texas

We have just shipped a 2023 Tesla Model 3 from Santa Ana, CA, to Dallas, TX. This electric sedan has covered 1,433 miles on an open trailer. Everything cost us $1,250.00, or $0.87 per mile. There is one particular feature that defined the whole shipping process; Tesla is not operable and could not be transported in any other way except being towed by a winch.

It is a combination of two aspects that make the transportation of a non-operable EV require some special attention and planning. The described shipping experience will help you to get an understanding of how the pricing and additional procedures are applied to this kind of shipment.

The Route

The shipping path from Santa Ana to Dallas largely takes the Southern Route. The carrier picks up from Santa Ana, Orange County and connects onto I-10 East out of the Los Angeles region. The Southern Route moves through the desert Southwest from California to Arizona, passing by Phoenix and Tucson, before going further into the state of New Mexico, close to Las Cruces.

The route uses a different highway in West Texas. Once I-10 enters Texas at the El Paso area, the carriers move onto I-20 northeast, which takes the cargo closer to the Dallas/Fort Worth region. This interstate transports the cargo through Midland, Abilene and into Dallas. Thus, the truck reaches the destination point through the direct freight corridor.

As the Southern Route is at a lower elevation, it avoids much of the bad weather experienced by the Northern Routes during winter time. The transit time for this route ranges from three to five days. I-10 and I-20 freight corridors attract a lot of freight traffic, thus carriers are readily available on this route throughout the year.

Why Inoperable Vehicles Cost More to Ship

The fact that the Tesla is shipped as inoperable makes it non-starting, driving, or rolling. It is important to note that this factor impacts the way in which the vehicle is loaded and influences the cost. Inoperable cars cannot be loaded by driving them up on the trailer; therefore, a winch needs to be used for loading an inoperable car.

Some carriers might not accept inoperable cars due to the winching procedure requiring specific equipment and a driver with necessary experience in performing such operations. These factors make inoperable vehicles harder to transport than operable ones, which explains why the cost is higher in this case. The quoted price of $0.87 per mile is the rate for this particular type of shipment.

For the process of winching to be successful, the carrier needs to be aware of the actual condition of the vehicle prior to the shipment. Inoperable cars that still roll and steer are much easier to load than cars with locked wheels or a stuck brake system.

What Makes an Inoperable Tesla Different

An electric car that is inoperable involves the addition of yet another aspect of handling apart from a conventional gas-powered vehicle that doesn’t start. For example, the failure of a Tesla to power on requires unique procedures to tow it as Tesla automobiles depend on electronic means of engaging gears, locking the steering and activating the parking brake.

However, Tesla has a transportation mode feature specifically meant for such an eventuality though it requires a bit of power in the battery to work. If there is sufficient power in the vehicle, transport mode will automatically release the parking brake and allow wheels to be winched. In case of a completely discharged battery, the transport vehicle may require wheel dolly or skate placement under wheels.

There are some aspects one should consider while transporting an inoperable Tesla. Inform the carrier about the condition of the vehicle, such as its power supply and whether the wheels turn easily. Clarify whether transport mode is available since it will affect the way the vehicle is loaded onto the trailer. Also, give all the necessary cards the driver might need to handle the vehicle during loading and unloading. In addition, be prepared for the loading process to take more time than the regular drive-on loading.

If the carrier is aware of all the aspects in advance, an inoperable Tesla can be loaded safely despite the additional procedures.

Why Open Transport Still Fits

As even an inoperable EV, the Model 3 was transported using an open trailer that remains a popular choice for this type of transport. Once the car is hoisted onto the trailer and secured, it is transported in the same manner as any other car that uses an open trailer. The advantage of an open trailer is that it allows for multiple vehicles to be hauled simultaneously, keeping the total cost low.

The downside of this choice of equipment is the lack of protection from precipitation, road dust, and other potential hazards while in transit due to an uncovered deck. While the risk of exposing a vehicle that needs to get to either a repair shop or a purchaser is rather small compared to the expenses of an enclosed haul, the former remains a preferred method of transporting the bulk of cars across the country, both operable and inoperable.

The condition of the vehicle affected the loading procedure and the price but not the equipment choice.

Transport Summary

• Origin: Santa Ana, CA 92704

• Destination: Dallas, TX 75219

• Distance: 1,433 miles

• Service Cost: $1,250.00

• Cost Per Mile: $0.87

• Vehicle: 2023 Tesla Model 3

• Vehicle Condition: Inoperable

• Trailer Type: Open

• Route: I-10 east through Phoenix and El Paso, then I-20 northeast into Dallas

Shipping a 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross from Arizona to Florida

Our recent delivery was a 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross that we shipped from Glendale, AZ to Pensacola, FL. The small crossover covered 1,732 miles in an open trailer. Our total was $1,403.00, or roughly $0.81 per mile. It shipped in operable condition, which means that it is running and driveable, and so it simply drove itself onto the trailer.

A long-distance move through the southern states operates on one of the most reliable routes in the US. So this is a good example of how much a trip between Arizona and Florida would cost and why.

The Route

The Glendale to Pensacola delivery is almost all along the southern transcontinental corridor. The transporter starts off in Glendale, which is located in the Phoenix metropolitan area, and heads south to connect with I-10. This is the primary route running east-to-west across the southern United States. Then the transporter travels along this interstate route for the majority of the haul.

The delivery crosses the desert Southwest region from Tucson all the way to New Mexico and to the long Texas route passing through El Paso, San Antonio, and Houston. After Texas, the delivery moves through Louisiana near New Orleans and Mississippi and Alabama near Mobile and eventually reaches the Florida Panhandle. Since Pensacola is located directly on I-10, the transporter finishes at its destination without ever leaving the transcontinental corridor.

Since the I-10 route stays at a low altitude across the southern states, the transport delivery can avoid the mountains’ weather conditions affecting other northern routes. Transfers of hauls this distance generally take four to six days since the transporter takes a consistent interstate drive while stopping periodically.

Why an Operable Vehicle Ships Easily

The Corolla Cross was delivered operable, meaning it had the capacity to run, steer, and brake on its own. This is important information, since it impacts how the carrier will deliver the vehicle. A vehicle that is operable will be driven onto the trailer by itself, making loading quick and easy.

In comparison, an inoperable vehicle lacks the ability to be moved on its own and requires winching to move the car onto the trailer, requiring additional time and resources. Inoperable cars tend to be more expensive to transport since they require special equipment to be moved and cannot be transported using quick drive-on procedures.

For this shipment, the operable status of the new 2025 Corolla Cross was a certainty. As a current model compact crossover that is functioning properly, this was a normal drive-on load for the carrier.

Why Long-Distance Shipping Costs Less Per Mile

It is important to note that this price per mile of $0.81 for the current shipment is an illustration of auto transport pricing in relation to distance. While the long-distance shipment costs higher in total, its cost per mile is lower compared to short-distance shipments since the cost per mile is spread over more miles.

While a short shipment of 300 miles could be priced at about $1.00 per mile or even higher, 1,732-mile shipment is priced at about $0.81 per mile. This particular shipment benefits from the fact that the driver is covering consistent interstate miles using a well-known I-10 route, making it easier to load the trailer and keeping the cost competitive. In addition, the volume of cargo originating from Phoenix metro area also contributes to efficient pricing in this lane.

The size of the car being moved also adds to this benefit since being a compact crossover, it does not require additional deck space. The Pensacola metro area is considered a medium-sized metro area, so there were no remote area fees charged.

Open Transport

The typical method of transport is known as open transport, and it worked well with this Corolla Cross. The car travels via an open multi-car transporter trailer. This is the same type of trailer seen moving cars around the highway each day. The trailers have multiple cars on them, and thus the cost is split between them all.

The downside is that they are exposed to the elements. While being shipped, they will be exposed to the rain, dust from the road, and other objects due to the lack of coverage on the trailer. This really does not affect too many people because the cost of protection would outweigh the amount of time being exposed.

When it comes to shipping an all-new 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross as a commuter vehicle, open shipping is just what the doctor ordered. In other words, since this particular car is made for driving on public roads, it will be subjected to much less stress through open shipping than it would through the 1,732 miles driven.

Transport Summary

• Origin: Glendale, AZ 85302

• Destination: Pensacola, FL 32508

• Distance: 1,732 miles

• Service Cost: $1,403.00

• Cost Per Mile: $0.81

• Vehicle: 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross

• Vehicle Condition: Operable

• Trailer Type: Open

• Route: South to I-10, then east through Texas and the Gulf states into Pensacola

Shipping a 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport from California to Maryland

Recently, we transported a 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport from Arcadia, CA to Baltimore, MD. This luxury SUV covered a distance of 2,635 miles via an open trailer transport. The total cost of this move came to $2,270.00, which comes to $0.86/mile. In comparison to a compact sedan, the cost is higher due to the fact that the luxury SUV is a bigger vehicle compared to other cars.

Coast-to-coast transport is one of the longest domestic transports in the auto shipping industry. Hence, through this move, it becomes clear how the cost of a cross-country transport will be calculated for a bigger vehicle. This can provide an idea for anyone who is planning on moving between two opposite ends of the country.

The Route

Arcadia to Baltimore transportation is based on the typical west-east connection that involves two main interstates. Generally, the carriers start traveling from the LA area towards the east, taking the I-40 route near Barstow. It runs from the desert southwest via Flagstaff, Albuquerque, and Amarillo. It is one of the most traveled routes for freight transportation.

Once the carriers are in the central part of the United States, the direction of travel becomes northeast. At first, they take the I-40 interstate to Oklahoma, and then connect via Missouri to the St. Louis area and then continue along the I-70. This interstate covers the remaining distance to Baltimore via Indianapolis, Columbus, and through the Appalachians.

As it takes more than 2,600 miles to go from west to east along the described route and the route passes through quite diverse terrain, it takes around six to eight days to complete such transportation. The I-40 route is available all year round under any weather conditions, except for Flagstaff area and Appalachians stretch of I-70 during winter period.

Why Vehicle Size Affects the Cost

This is why the price tag of $2,270 for this run is as high as it is; auto transport rates are determined by the size and weight of the vehicle to be transported just as much as by the distance. A mid-size luxury SUV takes up more deck space and weighs more than a normal car, which makes transporting it more expensive on the same route.

Large vehicles influence the carrier’s load capacity in two aspects; they occupy the deck space where other vehicles could have been loaded, and their weight will consume more fuel over the long-haul distance. This factor is included in the rate when calculating the transportation of any vehicle over a distance greater than 2,600 miles.

All things considered, the cost per mile ($0.86/mile) for transporting this vehicle is still quite reasonable for a cross-country trip for such a vehicle. Longer distances tend to cost less per mile than shorter distances since the fixed cost is divided among many miles of travel. Thus, transporting a mid-size luxury SUV across the country is still a moderate charge and not a premium one. Neither Baltimore nor Arcadia in LA are remote areas.

Open Transport

Open transport is the most common type of vehicle transportation, and it proved to be appropriate for this Discovery Sport. Open multi-car transporter will be used to ship the SUV. This vehicle transporter is exactly the one that you usually see on the roads while driving along the highways transporting cars. Several vehicles can fit into this transporter, thus making the price per each smaller.

But one should take into account that there is risk involved in such kind of transportations because all the automobiles in the transporter will get exposed to rain, dust from the road and other elements of the weather. But this is not the case for most vehicles because the price for enclosed transport is too high for this short exposure period.

Open transport is used for the majority of cars and SUVs transported across the country every year. There are more disadvantages than advantages of using open transport for a 2016 Discovery Sport. SUV is intended to drive on the roads, thus being transported across the country using open transporter will expose the vehicle to much less damage than driving it for 2,635 miles.

Transport Summary

• Origin: Arcadia, CA 91006

• Destination: Baltimore, MD 21205

• Vehicle: 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sport

• Distance: 2,635 miles

• Service Cost: $2,270.00

• Cost Per Mile: $0.86

• Trailer Type: Open

• Route: I-40 east across the Southwest, up to St. Louis, then I-70 east into Baltimore

Shipping a 2024 Moto Guzzi V7 Special from Florida to Virginia

The latest transportation involved the shipping of a 2024 Moto Guzzi V7 Special from Melbourne, Florida to Henrico, Virginia for a distance of 787 miles at a total cost of $785.00 or roughly $1.00 per mile. The shipment of motorcycles differs from that of cars in several aspects. This is a typical case of how a middle-range motorcycle shipment can be done and what will ensure its protection through the journey.

Motorcycle transport should always be done using enclosed trailers as the bikes lack any exterior body panels to protect the frame, gas tank, and finish from damage due to the road. To motorcycle owners who want to ship their bikes, this should serve as a good reference point.

The Route

The route from Melbourne to Henrico passes through one of the straightest routes on the east coast. The carrier collects the freight in Melbourne, on the Space Coast of Florida, and moves on the north direction of I-95 highway. As mentioned above, I-95 is the major route along the eastern seaboard, so there is always a good availability of carriers.

The route goes in the northern direction from Jacksonville through the state border crossing, Georgia, Savannah, South Carolina, North Carolina, and ends in Henrico, which is located right beside Richmond on I-95. In addition, due to the straightness of this route, the shipment does not experience delays because there is no complicated connection point between routes.

As the route of I-95 is situated at lower elevations of the southeast region, it avoids the mountain climatic conditions. Usually, the shipment takes two to three days to transit this distance; however, motorcycles often need some extra time due to coordination by the carrier.

Enclosed Transport

Motorcycles travel by enclosed trailers much more frequently compared to cars since the risk of exposure is higher. The motorcycle lacks doors, a roof and other body parts to protect the components from all kinds of elements, and therefore they are exposed to any and everything from the road. Enclosed trailers create an entirely enclosed area where nothing like rain, debris and dust would affect the paint during transportation.

The $1.00 charge per mile is a reflection of enclosed trailer service on an intermediate-length ride. Motorcycle transportation is cheaper overall compared to automobile shipping since motorcycles take up less space. However, the mileage charge is usually higher than that of open car transportation since the motorcycle requires special handling. In case of 787 miles delivery of a motorcycle, $785 is a reasonable price.

Moto Guzzi V7 Special motorcycle is the machine, which deserves such kind of shipping since it is an attractive one and has Italian style along with chrome parts and painted gas tank.

How a Motorcycle Gets Loaded and Secured

Shipping a motorcycle requires greater caution compared to loading a car onto a trailer, because a bike cannot maintain balance on its own. Loading the motorcycle onto the enclosed trailer involves the carrier walking the bike up a ramp and standing the bike upright. Most carriers use the wheel chock which locks the front wheel of the bike.

However, securitization is where there are major differences between shipping motorcycles and cars. The motorcycle will require soft straps that should be placed in many spots so that the tie-down straps can grip onto the rigid frame of the bike and not its vulnerable parts. The compression of the suspension system ensures that the motorcycle maintains stability in case the bike is able to move due to bouncing of the springs.

There are a number of precautions to take when shipping your motorcycle enclosed. Firstly, place the front wheel chock in order to help support and balance the bike during loading and transportation. Place the soft straps on the firm points on the motorcycle frame and not the bars and mirrors. Place some tension on the front wheel of the motorcycle using the tie-down straps in order to compress the suspension.

If there is an accurate alignment of the loading and securing process, then an enclosed motorcycle transport reaches its destination without any changes in form from the origin point.

Transport Summary

• Origin: Melbourne, FL 32904

• Destination: Henrico, VA 23229

• Distance: 787 miles

• Service Cost: $785.00

• Vehicle: 2024 Moto Guzzi V7 Special

• Trailer Type: Enclosed

• Route: I-95 north through Jacksonville, Savannah, and the Carolinas into Henrico
  
  
  

Shipping a 2023 Honda HR-V from KY to AZ

A recent transport saw a 2023 Honda HR-V transported from Lexington, Kentucky, to Phoenix, Arizona. It took the compact SUV on an open truck for 1,796 miles costing a total of $1,250.00. This means that the price per mile was about $0.70. The price is fairly efficient for a long-distance delivery because the costs of delivering goods across states are usually spread over more miles than those of short distance.

One of the most common cross-state transports in the US is that which takes place through the I-40 corridor. Through this transport, you can get an idea of how much it costs to transport items between these states and the factors that influence that price. Here’s how the whole process looks like.

The Route

The route from Lexington to Phoenix is based on the Interstate 40 route, one of the major north-south routes in the country. Shippers tend to go in a westerly direction towards Nashville and the Midwest. They will then connect through Missouri and Oklahoma and get to the I-40 route somewhere around Oklahoma City. After that they will travel west on the long Interstate 40 route from Amarillo, New Mexico, to Albuquerque and then through Arizona.

The last leg will take them south to Phoenix. The I-40 will be going through Flagstaff and then the carriers switch to the I-17 and take the road south through the mountains down to the Valley of the Sun, where Phoenix is located. There will be quite an elevation change, since Flagstaff is at a fairly high elevation and Phoenix is down in the lowlands.

Transit time on this route will usually be four to six days, because all the highways are major interstates that are open year round. However, the fact that the end point is at the elevation change and the weather can affect the I-40 route in winter should be taken into account.

Why Long-Distance Shipping Costs Less Per Mile

At a price of $0.70 for each mile on this trip, it shows that auto transport pricing depends on the distance of the run. While long runs cost higher overall, shorter ones cost more per mile because fixed costs such as loading time and routing get spread out over many miles.

Short-distance transportation, for example 300 miles, can cost over $1.00 per mile, whereas a long-distance one like the present case, at 1,796 miles, comes in at about $0.70. This is due to the fact that there is an interstate journey that is easy to load with many trailers, keeping the cost low. Both the pickup point, Lexington, and the drop-off location, Phoenix, are located near or within urban areas, hence no remote area fee was charged.

Another reason is the smaller size of the HR-V. Being a compact-sized vehicle means that it fits on the open hauler well without using any extra deck space.

Open Transport

Open transportation is the default option when it comes to the transportation of vehicles, and it is perfect for Honda HR-V in particular. The vehicle will be transported in an open multi-car trailer, which is the type that we see transporting cars on the highways on a daily basis. Open multi-car trailers can load up to nine or ten cars at once, spreading out the expenses and making them lower than those of enclosed vehicles.

However, such transportation means some exposure to elements on the way since cars are not protected and exposed to any weather conditions like rain or road debris while sitting on an open deck. However, this is not really much of an issue for most cars since the exposure is minimal compared to the cost of enclosed transportation.

For a 2023 Honda HR-V that will be driven around everyday, it makes logical sense that open transport should be utilized. The SUV is designed for normal road driving, which means that by transporting it across the country through open transport, it gets exposed to far less than what it would experience while driving the 1,796 miles.

Transport Summary

• Origin: Lexington, KY 40504

• Destination: Phoenix, AZ 85019

• Distance: 1,796 miles

• Service Cost: $1,250.00

• Cost Per Mile: $0.70

• Vehicle: 2023 Honda HR-V

• Trailer Type: Open

• Route: West to Oklahoma City, I-40 west, then I-17 south into Phoenix
  

Shipping a 2020 Tesla Model 3 Oregon to New Jersey

In a recent transport, a 2020 Tesla Model 3 was shipped from Philomath, Oregon to Red Bank, New Jersey. The Tesla sedan was transported in an open trailer over 2,942 miles at the price of $1,665.00, which translates to $0.57 per mile. The rate is relatively low in this case because it is one of the longest shipping distances in the US and hence has the lowest fixed cost per mile.

There are some considerations that come with EV coast to coast shipping. In this example, one can learn about the cost of a cross-country Tesla transport and factors that affect its pricing. In case the owner wants to make a similar transport between the two opposites ends of the US, here is how it is done.

The Route

The Philomath to Red Bank route takes the north transcontinental corridor. This is among the shortest routes when considering the cross-country distance. The carriers will take off from the Corvallis region north to Portland, and then get onto I-84 east. I-84 stretches along the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon and enters Idaho before joining the I-80 highway near Salt Lake City – second longest interstate highway in the US.

The I-80 interstate will cover most of this cargo’s journey. This route covers Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, and the industrial midwestern states. Some of the cities that this interstate goes close to include Omaha, Des Moines, and Chicago. I-80 interstate will end its journey in northern New Jersey.

The last stage goes south into Red Bank. After the truck enters the area of New Jersey, they switch to the southern Garden State Parkway to reach Red Bank, which is located on the Jersey Shore. The northern route includes some stretches with high elevations in the Rockies region, so the delivery will take between seven to nine days.

Why Cross-Country Hauls Cost Less Per Mile

Firstly, the $0.57 price per mile for this run is set to be very low intentionally, as it is based on how pricing works for this kind of auto transport service. Longer distances mean higher overall prices but lower per mile fees than short runs. Loading time and route preparations are distributed between almost 3,000 miles, not several hundred.

Short runs of about 300 miles can cost around $1.00 and more per mile, while truly cross-country runs will have rates lower than $0.60 per mile. Driver drives consistent interstate mileage in a popular corridor of I-80, which means that there is no problem filling trailers, and pricing remains competitive. Portland metropolitan area and New York metropolitan area produce consistent volumes of freight, so this lane remains efficient in terms of pricing.

Lastly, Model 3 is also shipped with a decent pricing rate due to its size. As it is a compact sedan, it does not require any additional space on an open hauler.

What Matters When Shipping a Tesla

Just like gas automobiles, the electric vehicles such as the Model 3 are loaded onto an open trailer in the usual manner. There are, however, some considerations for electric vehicles that are important to keep in mind. The vehicle must have enough charge to load/unload on the trailer, since the trailer itself drives the car onto and off of it. In the recommended scenario, a battery should have a charge of about 30 to 50 percent. This will provide the driver with enough power to perform all the actions necessary.

There are several other aspects of driving Teslas that experienced carriers are familiar with. One of them is that any anti-theft or sentry mode needs to be turned off so that the vehicle can be moved. In addition, the driver has to be able to put the vehicle in neutral and use the electronic parking brake.

Finally, the weight of the vehicle has to be considered, since it is greater than that of a gas automobile with which one can compare the Model 3. However, the extra weight of the battery does not make the vehicle too heavy for the open transport – it still is within acceptable limits.

Open Transport

An open transport method is usually considered ideal for car shipping, and in this case, the open transport was appropriate. This is the method where the car gets shipped using an open multi-car hauler, which is a trailer that can be used to transport vehicles on the road. It usually carries up to nine or ten cars at once, spreading costs on several cars and making it cheaper than the enclosed transport method.

This type of transport brings in exposure risks since the vehicles are exposed to rain, road dust and debris when they are being transported without cover. It is a relatively small risk for most vehicles because exposure costs much less compared to protection costs. This is precisely why open transport is the preferred option for most cars in the United States of America.

Open transport is the best option in this case since the car is intended for everyday road use. In this case, the car will be subjected to much fewer damages in an open transport process than driving those 2,942 miles. The reduced rates reflect the value of the services since the owner was charged around $0.57 per mile.

Transport Summary

• Origin: Philomath, OR 97370

• Destination: Red Bank, NJ 07701

• Vehicle: 2020 Tesla Model 3

• Trailer Type: Open

• Distance: 2,942 miles

• Service Cost: $1,665.00

• Cost Per Mile: $0.57

• Route: I-84 east to I-80 across the country, then south to Red Bank
  

Shipping a a 2017 Mazda CX-3 from San Diego, CA to Charlotte, NC

A 2017 Mazda CX-3 was shipped by us from San Diego, CA, to Charlotte, NC. The car traveled on an open trailer. The shipment took 2,389 miles from one coast to another and cost us $1,680.00. Such shipments between two states occur very often. The process described above clearly demonstrates how open transport deals with transporting a typical crossover along the busiest interstate highway.

The Mazda CX-3 is a subcompact SUV. It has average ground clearance and weighs less than 3,000 pounds when empty. It gets loaded onto a typical open transporter without any problems, so it can be considered a candidate for the most affordable shipping. The car was not customized and ran perfectly well, so it was easy to load and strap.

The Route

The move was from ZIP code 92101, located in central San Diego, to ZIP code 28204, found in Elizabeth, Charlotte. Both points were located in the large metro regions, which helped keep prices reasonable and secured the assignment quickly.

This shipping route uses the southbound interstate corridor. Shippers always use I-10 eastbound, passing through Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. After that, the trip continues through the southeast states up to the Carolinas region. This path mostly relies on highly trafficked trucking corridors, thus it did not take too much time to find a carrier.

Both regions are among high-shipping volume regions. It is important because when both pickup and delivery locations are located in dense metro regions, the carriers maximize trailer space without making any long-distance drives to remote regions.

Open Transport

Open transport is what the majority of consumers choose, and such an option is appropriate for a typical crossover. The CX-3 does not have any exotic options; its clearance height is not excessively low, and the declared value is not particularly high to require enclosed trailer transport. This car is transported using the same multivehicle trailer that transports the majority of cars across the USA every day.

Enclosed transport is used for sports cars, classics, and luxury cars that require protection from road debris and weather conditions. This kind of transport is more expensive since enclosed trailers can carry fewer cars than open trailers, and their numbers are limited. Open transport is more cost-effective for transporting a typical daily driver Mazda.

The vehicle was exposed to the environment while being transported, which is a normal situation with open trailers. The only possible consequence of such transportation is road grime and dust that is cleaned by washing upon delivery. Damage risks with open transport are minimal since each car is tied with wheel straps and there is mandatory insurance.

Cost Breakdown

The amount of $1,680.00 comes to $0.70 per mile, which falls within the regular range for open transport over the cross-country route of 2,389 miles. It should be noted that per-mile pricing tends to decrease with increased distance; thus, the longer the distance (e.g., coast to coast), the lower the price per mile becomes.

A couple of reasons determined the cost. The distance was the primary factor. Having an almost 2,400-mile distance, the shipment is considered long-haul and, therefore, more expensive in terms of the total dollar amount, but cheaper in terms of per-mile rate. The vehicle size also matters. The CX-3 SUV is relatively small and will not take much deck space compared to trucks/vans and, therefore, will be cheaper. The transport type is another determining factor – the most common and economical option is open transport, where the carriers move multiple cars simultaneously. Finally, the route popularity was also a factor here because both San Diego and Charlotte lie on the popular freight routes, thus, ensuring the good carrier supply.

Infographic with the data about the shipment and its cost factors is provided below. Here it is:

Transport Summary

• Origin: San Diego, CA 92101

• Destination: Charlotte, NC 28204

• Vehicle: 2017 Mazda CX-3

• Trailer Type: Open

• Distance: 2,389 miles

• Service Cost: $1,680.00

• Cost Per Mile: $0.70

• Route: I-10 east through Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, then connecting through the southeastern states to the Carolinas
  

Shipping a 2026 Toyota Camry from Ohio to California

An entirely new model of 2026 Toyota Camry traveled all the way from Cincinnati, Ohio to Rancho Cucamonga, California. The car traveled on an open trailer for the entire distance of 2,132 miles. The cost of such transportation came out to be $1,584.00, which is around $0.74 per mile. In addition, the owner of the vehicle also transported some private property weighing not more than 100 lbs along with the vehicle and the carrier company was okay with that.

This kind of transportation service is one of the most common kinds of auto transportation services available. This provides us with an opportunity to analyze the pricing of such transportation services and understand which factors increase or decrease the cost of the transportation. If you are planning to move to another state, this is your perfect case study.

The Route

Cincinnati to Rancho Cucamonga is one of the classical cross-country shipments and follows established freight corridors. Freight carriers typically depart Cincinnati on I-71 and I-70 moving to the west in Indianapolis and then to St. Louis. After that they use I-44 going southwest to Oklahoma, where they follow I-40 moving west taking them across this huge distance in Amarillo, Albuquerque, and Flagstaff.

Finally, they head south towards California. When freight carriers leave Arizona via I-40 they connect to I-15 moving south to reach Rancho Cucamonga situated in Inland Empire. The corridor consists of interstate highways all the way from Cincinnati to Rancho Cucamonga and therefore has a lot of carriers available anywhere along the route.

This shipment includes distance more than 2000 miles, and the transit time is five to seven days. The corridor I-40 operates year round regardless of weather conditions except for higher elevations near Flagstaff, which are prone to winter weather.

Why Long-Distance Shipping Costs Less Per Mile

The $0.74 per mile rate seems cheap in comparison with shorter distances, but this is how auto transport pricing is done. Longer distances have higher prices in general terms but lower per mile compared with short distances. It is so because the carrier distributes its fixed costs including time needed for loading and planning of the trip across a greater distance.

Short distance delivery (300 miles) will probably be priced somewhere around a dollar per mile or even higher. Longer cross-country distance of 2,000 miles will probably cost less. The driver only travels on interstate highways and does not make so many stops and positioning as in short-haul deliveries. The route belongs to the busiest corridors where it is easy to fill the trailer with freight and keep the pricing affordable.

The starting and destination addresses are located close to big metropolitan areas. So there were no extra fees for transportation in a remote area. Thus the price remains economical for an open transport shipment.

Personal Items Inside the Vehicle

Some of the owner’s possessions were loaded in the Camry, each one weighing less than 100 pounds. Many transporters permit the loading of certain personal goods in the car trunk or rear seats, which is a common scenario in relocation cases. The weight restriction of 100 pounds is an acceptable standard to ensure safety and legality of the transported goods.

Weight restrictions have justifiable rationale behind them. There are federal guidelines about weight restrictions of carriers’ vehicles. Thus, loading lots of cargo in multiple cars will put the carrier’s truck over the legal weight limit. Personal goods that are transported inside a car are not usually insured by the carrier’s automobile insurance policy, which insures the vehicle rather than its contents.

Some of the points that need consideration while shipping articles in the automobile. Ensure that the weight is kept light, less than 100 pounds, to ensure that the vehicle does not exceed its legal limits. The articles should be placed in the trunk or at least below the window level and not stacked up in a way that can affect visibility or movement. It should also be considered that the articles will not be covered by the carrier’s insurance and thus should be shipped separately.
All the items in this shipment were within the allowed limit.

Transport Summary

• Origin: Cincinnati, OH 45220

• Destination: Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

• Distance: 2,132 miles

• Service Cost: $1,584.00

• Cost Per Mile: $0.74

• Vehicle: 2026 Toyota Camry

• Trailer Type: Open

• Added Cargo: Personal items inside vehicle, under 100 lbs

• Route: I-70 west to I-44 to I-40 west, then I-15 south

Shipping Two Dodge Chargers from NC to TN

The last transportation took place recently and entailed the shipping of two Dodge Chargers, one from 2016 and another one from 2019, from Leland, NC to Newport, TN. Both cars were transported in an enclosed truck across 382 miles in total, costing $1,300.00. This translates into roughly $1.70 per mile for the shipment in total, amounting to $650 per car. Shipping both cars together was cheaper than shipping them separately.

Enclosed transport is the best form of transporting cars since it ensures that the vehicle being shipped enjoys maximum protection. Therefore, the price reflects the kind of protection the cars received in the process. In case of shipping more than one car, this shipment will help determine the equilibrium between protection and cost when transporting such a load.

The Route

The delivery from Leland to Newport is done through a single road almost throughout the journey. Leland lies on the eastern part of Wilmington city and also lies at the end of Interstate 40. Newport lies on the same interstate highway but within the territory of Cocke county which lies in Tennessee and in the great Smokey mountains. Thus the trucking process involves traveling of the cargo in interstate highway 40 west through almost all of North Carolina to cross into Tennessee.

This route takes the cargo through Piedmont cities of Raleigh, Greensboro, and Asheville. The cargo finally travels through the Pigeon River gorge, which runs between the great Smokey mountain and Bald mountain in the region. The carriers like the route since it travels only on a single inter-state highway.
There are no junctions involved to delay the load delivery.

Since the entire route is located along a busy interstate highway, it takes only one or two days to transit a shipment of this length. Weather conditions can cause problems during winter in the mountain region close to the Tennessee border, so the timing becomes very important in scheduling such a shipment.

Booked Open, Shipped Enclosed

Since the shipment was booked as open transport, the cost of shipment was charged based on the open rate. This is the reason the total cost of $1,300 comes to around $650 per car, which is quite consistent with open transport costs for such a shipping route.

The added advantage of the shipment was received during pickup time. Since the assigned driver was using an enclosed trailer, both the Chargers were shipped as enclosed at the open transport rates. The customer was charged the open rates but received the advantages of an enclosed shipment.

In this case, the customer has been able to get enclosed level shipment protection without being charged the extra cost of the same. It is just an occasional advantage, because the type of shipment depends on the equipment availability and the vehicle has to be loaded by the assigned driver.

The Advantage of Shipping Two Cars Together

Here, using both Chargers on one trailer was the moment when this shipping became efficient. If two cars are going to the same destination, the expenses of gas, manpower, and transportation are shared between the two. Therefore, the price that is charged for one is $650 rather than the whole price for one-car enclosed.

It is most effective when the two cars have the same pick-up and delivery zones which is the case with these cars in Leland and Newport. It allows the carrier to take one route, make only one set of stops and secure only one load. Households moving with two cars or people purchasing several cars will benefit from this.

In the case of multi-car loads, the coordination plays an important role. The two cars should be ready for the pick-up, while the same contact should be present during the delivery. Here, such logistics allowed to move the two cars in the most economical way in terms of enclosed shipping.

Transport Summary

• Origin: Leland, NC 28451

• Destination: Newport, TN 37821

• Service Booked: Open transport

• Trailer Provided: Enclosed (driver’s equipment)

• Vehicles: 2016 Dodge Charger and 2019 Dodge Charger

• Distance: 382 miles

• Total Cost: $1,300.00

• Cost Per Mile: $1.70

• Route: I-40 west across North Carolina into Newport, TN