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The least expensive way to get your car from one place to another typically would be to drive it yourself. However, there are times when that’s just not possible. Whether you’re relocating to a new city, have multiple vehicles to move or you simply don’t have the time to make the trip, you need to call upon an experienced car carrier to transport your vehicle(s) from Point A to Point B.

If you need this option, one of your first questions will be, “How much does it cost to ship a car?” The short answer is that it depends on a lot of variables, not the least of which are how many vehicles you have and how far they’ll need to travel. Although some of those factors are out of your control, there are many more that you can maintain some control over, giving you an opportunity to reduce your expenses for transporting your vehicle(s). If you’re looking for cheap car shipping options, consider the following tips for saving money on your car transport service.

Timing is Everything

Not in a hurry to have your car transported? Waiting for an off-peak period may save you some money. Coast-to-coast vehicle transportation carriers are busiest between May and September, while car carriers that go from north to south or vice versa are busiest in the fall and spring.

Choose Terminal-to-Terminal Transporting

Although most carriers will pick up your vehicle at its location and deliver it right to your other location, door-to-door service generally is more expensive than terminal-to-terminal transport. You’ll need to drive your car to and from the designated terminals before and after transporting, but you may save some money. However, be careful that you don’t leave your car at a terminal for too long, because some terminals will charge daily storage fees that can add up quickly.

Be Flexible With Your Pickup and Drop-Off Dates

Most car carriers will allow you to choose pickup and drop-off dates that will work best with your schedule, but unless you absolutely need to have particular dates scheduled, you should ask about less expensive options. The carrier may be able to give you a discount to have the vehicle picked up or dropped off on a different day if it makes more sense logistically.

Choose Open Transport

If you’re not overly concerned about your car being rained on or picking up dirt from the road, an open car transport usually is cheaper than an enclosed transport. Enclosed transports, in fact, can be more than 50 percent more expensive.

Shop Around for Quotes

No matter what, don’t try to save money by accepting the lowest bid without doing any more research. Look up the carriers you’ve chosen online and read what others have said about them before choosing one. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. It’s a better idea to choose a carrier with a strong reputation first and then ask about potential discounts.

Having your car transported doesn’t have to be a bank-breaking experience. Follow these tips, and you may be able to gain significant savings the next time you need to transport your vehicle(s). To get started, get a free quote from Stateway Auto today.

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