This shipping cost calculator will assist you with understanding the various aspects that determine an accurate shipping automobile estimate. Although most carriers are able to provide you with an estimated delivery time, the real length of time required to transfer your vehicle will depend on the following factors:
Locations of Pickup and Drop-Off
Because certain locations may be more difficult to reach than others and will inevitably take longer, location has a significant impact on shipment times. However, certain locations can be well-traveled and easily accessible, which will cut down on how long it takes to retrieve and deliver your vehicle.
Locations for pickup and drop-off in cities are typically significantly simpler for the carrier to get to. Given that they can transport your vehicle considerably more quickly by using major thoroughfares and interstates. Expect a longer collection and delivery time if the site is outside of the carrier’s normal route and is in a remote or difficult-to-reach place.
Distance
The obvious aspect influencing the time it takes for a vehicle shipment to arrive at its destination is the distance from the pickup point. Your vehicle will take longer to be delivered, and the transit time will increase with the distance.
Even if a lot of auto transport companies provide quick delivery, keep in mind that the shipment time still needs to be reasonable given the distance. For example, shipping an automobile from New York to California will take many days, so don’t anticipate a quick two-day delivery to travel more than 3,000 kilometers that separate the two places.
Season
While peak automobile shipping seasons may result in higher transportation costs, they also usually result in shorter delivery times. It’s the busiest moving season, therefore late spring and the beginning of autumn see a big demand for automobile transport services. Because of the large number of trucks moving across the country, your car delivery cost quote will often indicate that your vehicle will be picked up sooner.
However, because there is less demand for automobile transportation services during the winter, it could take longer to schedule pickup and delivery. Taking into account the holidays, during which some drivers and carriers can choose to take a vacation to spend moments with their families, there’s also less carriers who are able to work with your schedule.
Weather Situations
In the same way that a wet day makes it take longer to travel home from work, inclement weather will cause a longer delivery period. Delivery may be delayed if there are any extreme weather conditions (https://www.naco.org/sites/default/files/documents/RoadwaySafetyGuide.pdf) along the shipping route, such as snow, torrential rain hail, or thunderstorms.
These circumstances may cause vision issues and slick roadways, making driving hazardous. Until the weather clears, the driver will need to put their safety—as well as the safety of your car—first and drive more slowly or even stop altogether.
Road Conditions
The state of the road is an additional unanticipated aspect that influences the duration of automobile delivery. Along the route, there can be some road work or some unforeseen turns that might cause a delay in transportation. Another factor that might impact travel time is the occurrence of temporary roadblocks brought on by auto accidents.
Hours of the Driver
The driver’s hours will also affect the delivery time of your automobile if the truck is being driven by a single person. According to US Department of Transportation standards, truck drivers are allowed to drive for a specific number of hours each week and must take a specific amount of time off to protect their safety.
If you have a group of drivers running the truck, you’re in luck since they may alternate driving to make sure your automobile arrives at its destination swiftly.
Sort of Mode of Transportation
The mode of transportation you select will also have a significant impact on how long it takes to ship your automobile. There are three primary methods for moving your automobile to a different state or city, and the delivery times for each may vary slightly.
Since open-car carriers may carry many automobiles at once, they will need to stop multiple times along the route to pick up additional vehicles. Although it could take longer overall to send your automobile, this is usually one of the quickest options.
There are fewer enclosed car carriers than open car carriers, so organizing one can take longer even if enclosed automobile carriers can carry fewer cars. Since vehicles are enclosed spaces, one advantage is that they are shielded from the elements. Typically, covered carriers are used for 10% or less of automobile shipments.
Of course, you may also attempt to use a tow dolly to move the car yourself, but there is no assurance that the trip would take less time that way. When utilizing one, you still need to make sure you’re safe because you run the danger of breaking into your car or having an accident. Your trip time will be greatly increased as a result of being unable to go faster than 55 mph.
