How do auto transport companies calculate their quotes?
People think car shipping is like buying a pack of gum. It is not. Prices change fast. They change based on fuel, the weather, and how many cars are sitting on a lot. I have been in this game a long time. At AMG Transport Co., we see the mess behind the curtain. Our parent company, AMG Endeavors, runs the trucks. We know the costs because we pay them.
If you want to know how to choose a reliable auto transport broker, you have to understand the math. Most people just look for the lowest number. That is a mistake. In this business, cheap means you are getting left at the curb. Here is how the real math works.
The Distance and the Route
Distance is the first thing we look at. But it is not just total miles. We look at the route. Shipping a car from Houston to Los Angeles is a straight shot on I-10. Carriers love that road. It is predictable. If you are moving from a tiny town in the middle of nowhere to another tiny town, it costs more. The driver has to go off the main path. That burns time and fuel.
What affects car shipping cost per mile is often the density of the route. More cars moving the same way means a better price for you. If a carrier can fill a ten-car trailer easily, the price stays fair. If they have to hunt for cars to fill the gaps, they will charge you for the trouble.
Vehicle Size and Weight
Your car takes up real estate on a trailer. A sedan is easy. An SUV is bigger. A dually truck is a headache. More weight means the carrier burns more diesel. More height means it might not fit on the bottom deck.
When we calculate the shipping an SUV vs sedan cost difference, we are looking at total displacement. If your vehicle is modified with a lift kit or a roof rack, tell us. If you do not, the driver might refuse the load at the curb. That helps nobody.
Type of Transport: Open vs. Enclosed
This is a simple choice for most. Open carrier car shipping is the standard. It is what you see on the highway. It is efficient and reliable. But your car is out in the wind.
For high-value assets, you want enclosed auto transport for luxury cars. This protects the paint from road debris and rain. It costs more because those trailers carry fewer cars.
Quick Comparison: Transport Types
| Feature | Open Carrier | Enclosed Carrier |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Cost | Lower | 40-60% Higher |
| Protection | Exposed to weather | Fully shielded |
| Best For | Daily drivers/Used cars | Luxury, Classic, Exotic |
| Availability | High | Limited |
The Condition of the Vehicle
Does the car run? If it does not, we need a winch. Not every truck has one. Shipping a non-running vehicle requires extra labor and equipment. If the driver has to push a dead car onto a ramp, you are going to pay for that sweat. Be honest about the condition up front.
Time of Year and Market Demand
Supply and demand rule this industry. In the winter, everyone moves south. Relocating to Florida and trying to ship a car from Texas in January is expensive. Why? Because every other person is doing the same thing.
We provide a 72-hour pickup window. That is realistic. If a broker promises a specific hour three weeks out, they are lying to you. We work with the market, not against it.
Why You Need a Broker
Carriers are good at driving. They are not good at customer service. Most do not want to talk to you. They do not want to handle the paperwork or the payments. They have enough problems on the road.
As a Texas based auto transport broker nationwide, we act as the buffer. We handle the frontend sales and the backend systems. We use Stripe for secure deposits. We perform VIN scans to make sure the right car is on the right truck. We only use vetted insured carriers.
Carriers also face a risk if they work with the public directly. People do not pay. Or they argue over every scratch. Carriers trust us because they know we have already handled the details. We make sure they get paid, so they make sure your car gets delivered.
The Truth About \"Cheap\" Quotes
The industry is full of fraud. Some brokers throw out a low-ball number just to get your deposit. Then they find out no carrier will take the job for that price. Your car sits for weeks. Then they call you and ask for another $500.
At AMG Transport Co., we provide honest quotes. We know how much it costs to ship a car cross country because we know what the drivers are asking for. We do not play games with your time.
Summary of Key Price Factors
- Route Accessibility: Major cities are cheaper than rural towns.
- Vehicle Weight: Heavier vehicles increase fuel consumption.
- Seasonality: Moving during peak seasons costs more.
- Fuel Prices: When diesel goes up, shipping goes up.
- Carrier Relationships: A trusted broker gets better service from top-tier drivers.
If you want affordable car shipping without hidden fees, you need to work with people who know both sides of the truck. We do not sugar coat the reality of the road. It is dangerous and expensive. Our job is to make it simple for you. We coordinate the logistics so you do not have to.
Stop guessing what the price should be. Work with an experienced car shipping broker you can trust. We provide door-to-door car shipping that actually works.
Ready to get your vehicle moved without the headache?
Get a Quote from AMG Transport Co.
Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.