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The cost of shipping your car depends on the route, the vehicle and the service you choose.
Enter your route and vehicle details to see an instant quote. Your price is locked for 48 hours after you receive it, with no hidden fees.
Two cars travelling the same distance can receive different quotes. A carrier must account for the space and equipment each vehicle needs, the locations it can serve and the schedule it can offer. Giving accurate details at the start makes the comparison more useful and helps avoid a revised quote when the booking is reviewed.
A longer journey adds driving time and operating costs, but miles alone do not explain the whole price. Pickup and delivery locations also affect the route a carrier can build. Use the exact ZIP codes when requesting a quote instead of comparing two broad state-to-state estimates.
The year, make and model help identify how much room your vehicle needs on a transporter. Tell the team about a lift kit, larger tyres, a roof rack or other modifications; a standard-model description may not represent the vehicle the driver will actually load.
Choose the service that suits the vehicle and the protection you want. Open transport is a practical option for everyday cars, while enclosed transport adds a covered environment. Compare quotes for the same route and dates before deciding.
A car that starts, steers and brakes presents different loading requirements from one that cannot move under its own power. Describe its actual condition and any access limitations before booking so the carrier and equipment can be matched to the job.
Your requested dates form part of the quote. Carrier schedules and the number of vehicles waiting on a route can change, so a price obtained for one month should not be treated as a promise for another. Request a fresh quote when your plans change.
A route that fits a carrier’s existing schedule can be easier to arrange than a location requiring a separate detour. A remote address does not automatically mean a fixed surcharge; provide both addresses and ask how access affects the available options.
Share the dates you can realistically make the car available. A wider window may give the team more scheduling options, while a fixed deadline narrows the choices. Ask about alternatives before choosing an urgent service, and do not assume flexibility guarantees a discount.
Use distance bands to organise a budget, then request a quote for the actual vehicle and route. An estimated band cannot confirm carrier availability or account for every vehicle requirement. The following numbers are deliberately synthetic and are shown only to review the design of this draft.
Van 3’s published FAQ describes its quote as including fuel, door-to-door service and carrier insurance, without separate charges for those items. Door-to-door means the driver comes as close to the addresses as the transporter can safely and legally reach; restricted roads may require a nearby meeting point.
Request the total for your specific route, vehicle and transport type. The quote should reflect the details you supply, rather than a headline amount for a different service. Keep the quote and booking confirmation together so you can check the agreed scope.
Tell the team if the vehicle does not run, is oversized or modified, or needs a tighter schedule. If you want a particular loading position, ask whether it is available and how it would affect the price. These are requirements to price in advance, not a published list of fixed surcharges.
Carrier insurance is subject to the applicable policy and shipment terms; do not treat the shipping price as a promise of unlimited coverage. Read Insurance & Claims and ask about anything important to your vehicle before booking.
Your quoted price is locked for 48 hours after receipt, with no hidden fees. If you do not book within that period, the quote may change; the updated quote is then locked for another 48 hours. See the Price Lock Guarantee for the confirmed rule.
Payment can be made in full or as a deposit by credit card, debit card or PayPal. Check the booking terms for the deposit and any remaining balance, and review the cancellation and refund policy before confirming.
Price planning should follow your actual dates. If you are arranging a summer move, a seasonal trip south or a return journey in January, request a quote for that move rather than using a price saved from a different time of year.
There is no single seasonal rate that applies to every route. When comparing departure dates, keep the route, vehicle and service unchanged and ask for updated quotes; that gives you a comparison relevant to your own booking instead of relying on a general promise about the cheapest month.
A flexible schedule can create more options, but availability still needs to be checked. Tell the team about flights, lease dates or other firm commitments so those constraints are clear from the outset.
For an everyday vehicle, compare open transport before choosing enclosed service. Make the choice around the car’s needs and your preferences, then compare the complete quotes. A lower-cost option is useful only if it meets the requirements of the move.
If you can make the car available on more than one day, say so. Ask which options fit the route and compare them before committing. Keep the receiving contact flexible too, because a planned pickup window is not an exact delivery appointment.
Start arranging the shipment once you know the route and likely dates. This gives you time to review the service, prepare the vehicle and discuss alternatives. Booking early provides planning time; it is not a guarantee of a lower price.
Tell the team about narrow streets, low trees, gates or restrictions. A safe meeting point near a main road may make the handover easier where a transporter cannot reach the address. Agree the location with the carrier and ask whether it changes the quote rather than assuming a discount.
Accurate details are part of sensible budgeting. Disclose the car’s condition and modifications, remove unnecessary belongings and follow the vehicle preparation checklist so loading requirements are clear.
Compare the whole journey, not just fuel against a shipping quote. Driving can also involve overnight accommodation, meals on the road, tolls, parking, the time spent travelling and added mileage. Shipping may leave you with a flight or another journey of your own, plus transport to or from the handover point.
Start with route miles ÷ your vehicle’s expected miles per gallon × the fuel price you expect to pay. Add your own hotel nights, meals, tolls and parking. Then consider the days you would spend driving and whether the added mileage matters to you.
Use the full route-specific transport quote, then add any travel and local transport you will still need. Compare equivalent dates and vehicle requirements. A deposit is part of the agreed total, not a second transport price to add again.
Comparison assumptions: one vehicle, the same origin and destination, and your own travel plan. No fuel price, hotel rate, mileage charge or monetary value for your time is assumed here. Enter the costs that apply to you before deciding which option makes more sense.
If the numbers are close, consider the practical side too: time away from work, the comfort of a long drive and when you need access to the vehicle. Ask the team to explain the pickup and transit arrangements so your comparison includes the schedule as well as the price.
FAQ
Why do car shipping quotes differ between companies?
Compare the details behind each total: the exact route, vehicle condition, open or enclosed service, pickup requirements and what the quoted amount includes. Check whether the company is arranging the move or operating the truck, and read the booking and cancellation terms. Two totals are only comparable when they cover the same shipment.
Can a very low quote cause problems later?
A low figure alone does not confirm that a carrier is available for your route and dates. Ask what the price covers, whether it is a current quote and how the booking will be arranged. If an offer differs sharply from the others, request an explanation before paying instead of assuming the headline amount guarantees the move.
How long is my Van 3 quote locked?
Your quote is locked for 48 hours after you receive it, with no hidden fees. If you do not book within those 48 hours, the price may change. An updated quote is then locked for another 48 hours. Review your current quote before confirming a booking.
Is enclosed transport worth the extra cost?
That depends on the vehicle and the protection you want. An enclosed trailer provides a covered environment, while open transport is exposed to outdoor conditions. Compare both quotes for your specific route and tell the team about a delicate finish, modifications or special handling needs so you can choose an appropriate service.
Will I pay extra for a non-running or modified car?
A non-running vehicle or a modification can change the equipment and space needed for transport, so it must be included in the quote request. Describe the condition accurately and ask for the total that covers those requirements. This guide does not publish a fixed surcharge because no current surcharge schedule has been supplied.
For help comparing services and planning the move, read the Auto Transport Guide or see how car shipping works.
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