How do carriers calculate transport rates?

People ask me all the time why car shipping costs what it does. They see a price and think we just pull a number out of thin air. We don't. At AMG Transport Co. we deal with the math every day. Between our brokerage and our parent company, AMG Endeavors, we see both sides of the coin. Carriers have a hard job. The road is dangerous. The equipment is expensive. If you want to know how much does it cost to ship a car cross country you have to look at the math the driver is doing.

The Realities of the Road

Carriers are not out here for fun. They are running a business. Most drivers do not want to talk to you. They do not want to handle your paperwork or negotiate your deposit. They want to drive. They rely on us to be the buffer. We handle the frontend sales and the headache of coordinating schedules. They focus on the truck.

When a carrier looks at a job they calculate their risk and their overhead. If you try to book a carrier directly they might overcharge you. Why? Because they know you do not know the market rates. They also know that individuals are a payment risk. Brokers provide a layer of security. We ensure they get paid. In return we get better rates for our clients.

Factor 1: Distance and Diesel

Distance is the obvious one. But it is not just miles. It is where those miles are. Shipping a car from Houston to Los Angeles is a common route. It is easy for a driver to find a backhaul. If you are shipping to the middle of nowhere the price goes up. The driver has to move an empty truck to the next car. That is called deadheading. You pay for that.

Fuel is the biggest expense. A truck gets about five to seven miles per gallon. When diesel prices spike car shipping services Texas to California get more expensive. It is simple math.

Factor 2: Vehicle Size and Weight

An SUV is not a sedan. It takes up more physical space on the trailer. It also weighs more. Weight affects fuel consumption. If a carrier is hauling a heavy load they are burning more money every mile.

| Vehicle Type | Average Space Taken | Weight Impact |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Small Sedan | 1 slot | Low |

| Large SUV | 1.5 slots | High |

| Pickup Truck | 1.5 - 2 slots | Very High |

Shipping a non-running vehicle what to know is this: it costs more. The driver has to use a winch. It takes more time and effort. Time is money for these guys.

Factor 3: Equipment Type

Open car carrier transport cost is the baseline. It is what most people use. It is reliable and efficient. But your car is exposed to the elements.

If you have a high-end vehicle you want enclosed auto transport for luxury cars. This costs more because the trailers carry fewer cars. The insurance is higher. The equipment itself is more expensive to maintain. For classic car transport enclosed carrier is the only way to go. You pay for the peace of mind.

Factor 4: Seasonality and Supply

Transport is a supply and demand game. In the winter everyone moves south. In the spring they move north. If everyone wants to ship a car from Texas to Florida at the same time the price goes up. There are only so many spots on so many trailers.

Why You Need a Broker

You could try to find a carrier yourself. You probably won't find one that will take a single-car order from a stranger. Most carriers do not have a website. They do not have a sales team. They are on the road.

We are a Texas based auto transport broker nationwide. We know which carriers are reliable. We check their auto transport safety record and reputation. We do VIN scans. We vet their insurance. When we give you a quote it is an honest quote. We do not lowball you just to hit you with hidden fees later.

The AMG Way

We keep things simple. We use Stripe for secure deposits. We offer a 72-hour pickup window. We act as your guiding light in an industry that has a lot of fraud. You will see plenty of cheap quotes online. Most of those people will never show up. They are waiting for a carrier to take a price that is too low. A real carrier won't take it. Your car will just sit there while you lose time.

We provide door-to-door car shipping how it works without the nonsense. We set a reasonable rate that ensures a quality carrier actually picks up your vehicle. We offer nationwide vehicle shipping door to door for families, dealerships, and individuals.

Conclusion

Calculating transport rates is about fuel, time, and equipment. Carriers have enough problems on the road. They don't want to manage your move. They want us to do it. Working with an experienced car shipping broker you can trust is the only way to ensure your car actually moves.

Stop guessing what it costs. Get a real price from people who know the trucks and the office. We will get the job done right without the games.

Ready to move? Get your price here: https://amgtransportco.com/get-quote

Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.