The vehicle shipping services industry in the U.S. has grown at a CAGR of 7.1% between 2020 and 2025, indicating high demand for car shipping services nationwide. However, affordability remains a key concern for most car owners. This guide helps you select the best economy auto transport company for your budget.
How to Find The Most Affordable Car Transport Company?
To choose the best economy car shipping company for your budget, first identify your budget tier: basic ($500-$1,000), mid-range ($1,200), or higher economy ($2,500+). Then, get quotes from 5-7 carriers to understand average market rates. And make sure you factor in all your needs when choosing between economy car shipping quotes.
For instance, you cannot pick a mid-range budget-tier if your car requires professional handling and extra protection. Also, consider negotiating the prices with your company by booking a mid-week shipment or shipping on hot lanes.
Hiring a reputable car shipper like Easy Cargo Ship means getting the most bang for your buck. Call (888) 687-3243 to get free, no-obligation car shipping quotes today!
Understanding Different Budget Tiers for Best Economy Car Shipping Quotes
Economy car shipping doesn’t always mean lower prices. In fact, it goes beyond the price tag, and the definition of affordable car transport rates is different for everyone.
Let’s understand the following budget tiers for different needs to choose the best economy car shipping for your budget.
Basic Budget Tier
Expected Cost: $1,000 to $1,200 For 1,000 to 1,300 miles
Shipping a car across the U.S. typically costs around $1,000 on the lower end. If your budget is close to this range, a basic budget economy option is a realistic choice for you.
You’ll mostly get open trailer shipping, and flexible pickup and delivery dates.
It’s the most economical car shipping option, but with little to no customization. For instance, you might not get exact pickup and delivery dates or choose whether your car gets the lower-deck or the upper-deck (mostly it’s lower).
If you’re ok with that, like when you’re only shipping a standard car or shipping over a long distance, this saves you a lot of money.
For instance, if you choose enclosed transport over open trailer shipping, that can add 50% or more to your total shipping cost.
Mid-Range Budget Tier
Expected Cost: $1,300 to $1,500 For 1,000 to 1,300 miles
The mid-range budget tier is a convenient option for those who want budget vehicle transport quotes but with fewer compromises and added convenience of door to door shipping. For instance, you can get enclosed shipping, instead of only having a single method of transport.
It’s a mid-range option so expect to pay around $1,300. However, these charges can increase or decrease depending on the amount of customization you want.
Higher Budget Economy Tier
Expected Cost: $1,600 to $2,500 For 1,000 to 1,300 miles
With higher budget economy options, the prices can go as high as $2,500 or more, depending on the level of customization you want. You get addons like expedited shipping, top-load placement on trailers, fixed pickup/delivery dates, binding quotes, higher coverage, and professional handling of your high-value cars.
It’s an economical choice for luxury car owners who need higher insurance coverage and speed delivery.
| Features | Basic Budget Tier | Mid-Range Budget Tier | Higher Budget Economy Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost Range | $1,000 to $1,200 | $1,300 to $1,500 | $1,600 to $2,500 |
| Transport Method | Open Trailer Only | Open or Enclosed | Enclosed Preferred |
| Pickup/Delivery Service | Door-to-Door or Terminal-to-Terminal | Door-to-Door or Terminal-to-Terminal | Door-to-Door |
| Schedule Timeline | Flexible timeline | Semi-flexible | Guaranteed Dates |
| Vehicle Protection Level | Exposed to road debris and weather conditions | Moderate protection | Highly protected in enclosed trailers |
| Add-Ons | Not Available | Limited (case-by-case) | Expedited, top-load, professional handling |
| Best For | Standard Cars | Frequent movers need convenience | High-value, luxury cars, time-sensitive shipments |
| Trade Offs | Less customization | Higher cost than basic | Premium prices upfront |
| Economy Value | Lowest price upfront | Balance between cost and convenience | Economy for high-value cars |
Hiring a reputable car shipper like Easy Cargo Ship means getting the most bang for your buck. Call (888) 687-3243 to get free, no-obligation car shipping quotes today!
How to Choose the Right Car Shipping Tier for Your Budget?
When picking between economy car shipping quotes, ask yourself the following questions to make sure you choose the right economy tier for your budget:
What’s my budget range?
Knowing your budget beforehand can help filter options quickly and save you from being a spendthrift. One useful tip is to set a budget and then ask your carrier for a binding estimate to avoid surprise fees later.
How soon do I actually need my car delivered?
It’s another important question to ask yourself before picking from budget vehicle transport quotes. For instance, if you need your car delivered soon because of a work commitment or an event on a specific date, then it’s smarter to pay for the expedited shipping over standard transport.
What is the value of my car?
For a small Sedan, standard open car shipping with a terminal-to-terminal service would do. But if you’re shipping a luxury sports car like the Porsche 911, protected shipping and professional handling are an economical option for you.
As per our experience, 18.1% of people choose enclosed carriers if their vehicles have values between $60 and $100k. The percentage increases to 30.6% for vehicles between $100k and $200k. And if significantly increase to 87% if the vehicle value is over $200k. This can help you better decide what to choose.
How far is the terminal from my location?
If the terminal is some 40 to 50 miles away, booking basic budget economy options would not make sense once you include rental costs, time spent on multiple trips, and child care. In that case, a mid-range budget tier or a high-range budget tier would do.
When Does It Make Sense to Move Up a Tier?
Sometimes it’s more affordable to move up a tier than to use the basic budget services. For instance, if you’re a student and moving to college, you’d definitely need your car delivered soon on a specific date. It’ll save you additional rental costs or commuting prices.
Moreover, if you own a luxury vehicle or a vintage car, it definitely needs protection. So you should consider moving up a tier. Otherwise, a minor scratch can cost you from $150 to $2,000, and a dent would cost up to $3,000 or more.
Not only this, if there are no professional handling techniques or equipment involved in the loading and unloading of your low clearance vehicle, undercarriage scraping can cost you around $300 to $3,000, depending on the severity of the damage and parts affected. Critical undercarriage areas vulnerable to loading damage include the low-hanging front splitter, side skirts, frame rails, and rear diffuser.
Another potential issue with open car shipping when moving expensive luxury vehicles is the accumulation of dust and debris when transporting long distances over 1,200 miles. Although at Easy Cargo Ship, we offer a car wash allowance if the vehicle arrives dirty, for super expensive vehicles, you should avoid the hassle of getting your car washed, it makes sense to move up a tier to enclosed transport.
Can You Negotiate With Your Car Shipping Companies?
There’s little room for negotiating affordable car transport rates with your car shipping companies. If you do it smartly, you can get some addons without breaking your bank. For instance, you might be able to ship your car in an enclosed trailer at a comparatively lower price, if you’re flexible with the timeline.
However, keep in mind you must research the market properly before negotiating the price, or else you might scare off a potential partner. So the best way to get low-cost auto shipping services is through researching market rates and understanding the pricing structure.
For instance, get quotes from at least 5-7 economy auto transport companies. And when you’re sure about the average, ask your three potential options for a discount (AAA, military, or a repeat customer discount).
Moreover, when you’re shipping on high-traffic shipping routes or between two major metropolitan areas, such as from California to Texas, you can ask your carrier to drop the price. It works most of the time, provided they have an empty slot.
Hiring a reputable car shipper like Easy Cargo Ship means getting the most bang for your buck. Call (888) 687-3243 to get free, no-obligation car shipping quotes today!
Red Flags to Walk Away
It’s better to walk away than negotiate when:
- An initial quote is way below the market average (classic bait-and-switch tactic)
- A carrier demands full payment upfront
- There’s no clear communication with slow responses and vague language
- A broker cannot provide you with the actual carrier’s USDOT number or insurance certificate within 24 hours of booking.
How to Choose Low-Cost Auto Shipping Services? 4 Tips
Follow these tips to choose low-cost auto shipping services for you:
Choose Between Local and Nationwide Economy Auto Transport Companies
As a rule of thumb, when shipping over 500 miles book a nationwide car transportation service, as they’ll offer you competitive rates when compared to local carriers. Also, they will most likely have a larger fleet to accommodate your coast-to-coast shipment needs.
But if you’re shipping over a short distance only (under 500 miles), a local transport company would do. Local carriers are more familiar with the local routes, and they can offer you better rates.
Choose Door-to-Door Service for Rural Deliveries
If your delivery location is in some rural area or it is far off from the shipping terminal, it’s better to choose door-to-door service over a terminal-to-terminal delivery. This is because, though terminal-to-terminal in such cases seems affordable upfront, storage fees and delay charges buried in the terms can increase final costs quickly.
For instance, a storage fee of $15 to $30 per day can accumulate quickly, if you pick up your vehicle late from the terminal. Also, there will be car rental costs, child care, and you will most probably have to take time off work.
Read Between the Lines of Cancellation Policies and Their Hidden Costs
Sometimes the most affordable car transport rates are not really the cheapest ones; especially when you consider cancellation policies and their hidden costs. Many unethical brokers use cancellation policies as profit centres. And they can charge up to 50% cancellation fee if cancelled 72 hours before pickup.
This way, even if you initially chose the lowest quote, the shady cancellation policy could cost you more than the initial offer. So if there are chances you might drop the offer before pickup, make sure you’ve read the cancellation policy clearly and you know how much it will cost you.
According to industry data, cancellation fees higher than 30% of the total quote are unfair and a scam.
Do not miss the Tuesday-Thursday Booking Advantage
If you’re looking for more cheap car shipping options, do not miss the mid-week discounts. Carriers charge comparatively less in fees when shipping on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, due to less demand during these days. Also, due to slower business and higher availability of customer service representatives in mid-week, you can actually negotiate better rates with the carrier.
According to industry data, you can save up to 25% when shipping mid-week, compared to Monday bookings with Friday pickups.
Hiring a reputable car shipper like Easy Cargo Ship means getting the most bang for your buck. Call (888) 687-3243 to get free, no-obligation car shipping quotes today!
Consider Pricing: Don’t Always Choose the Cheapest Option
Cheap car shipping options don’t always mean economy shipping. Be wary of companies consistently advertising lower rates, because there must be some hidden fees, poor service, or a potential scam involved. Always consider the average market rates and ask how payments work.
Most carriers charge deposit payments via credit cards, but prefer the final balance as fast cash or a carrier’s check. That means, if your total shipping cost is $1,200 out of which $200 is the deposit fee. Then, you need $1,000 in certified funds ready at delivery.
But if you’re not someone who keeps liquid cash reserves, this can be a problem for you. In that case, only select companies that allow full payments by credit card upfront. However, do keep in mind that some companies offer a 2% to 4% discount if you pay in cash because merchants are allowed to offer cash discounts under the Durbin Amendment, helping them avoid credit card processing fees and reduce their costs. And you have to pay regular fees if you use the credit card payment method.
Get The Most Value For Your Money With Easy Cargo Ship:
Economy car shipping quotes don’t always mean lower prices. There’s a lot that counts, and the definition of affordable car transport rates is different for every car owner. What’s economical for you might not be economical for somebody else.
And the right way to choose an economy car shipping company for your budget is to know your budget tier. At Easy Cargo Ship, we can help you find a suitable carrier that fits your budget so call (888) 687-3243 to get free, no-obligation car shipping quotes today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most affordable car shipping company?
In order to find the most affordable car shipping company for yourself, use auto shipping brokers in the U.S. They’ll help you find a compatible option that matches your budget and your needs. Or if you’d like to pick a carrier yourself, choose one that offers open car transport with full safety and insurance coverage.
What is the most economical way to ship a car?
Car shipping via open transport on a multi-car hauler is the most economical way to ship a car. Then, you can save a bit more, if you choose terminal-to-terminal service. However, keep in mind that your car will be exposed to road debris and extreme weather conditions. So it’s only economical if you’re shipping over a short distance.
How is the car shipping cost calculated?
Primarily a car shipping cost is calculated based on the distance. Then, carriers also factor in the size and weight of your car, weather conditions, route, and current fuel rates.
How can I reduce car shipping costs?
You can reduce your total car shipping costs with some tips and tricks like booking in advance or shipping during the off-peak season. Also, you can choose to ship on an open trailer on the lower deck. And make sure you remove the toll tags prior to shipping to avoid getting charged extra.
How do I get the best vehicle shipping quote?
In order to receive the best and most affordable car transport rates, make sure you give the carrier a detailed description of your car and inform them about your requirements clearly. For instance, if you do not need the premium services like expedited shipping or shipping on a top-deck, let them know beforehand to get the best shipping quotes.
