Why is auto transport pricing so confusing?

People call me every day asking the same thing. Why is one quote $800 and the other $1,400? They think we are making these numbers up. We are not. I have been in the logistics game a long time. My parent company, AMG Endeavors, runs the trucks. I run the brokerage at AMG Transport Co. I see both sides. The truth is simple. The road is a mess. The industry is full of people trying to scam you. Pricing stays confusing because most people do not understand how the market actually moves.

The Reality of the Open Market

Auto transport is not like mailing a letter. There is no set rate book. It is a live market. A truck might be in Houston today and in Los Angeles three days later. If a carrier has one spot left on his trailer, he might take a deal. If he is empty and fuel prices just spiked, he will charge more.

Carriers do not want to deal with you. That sounds harsh but it is true. They do not want to answer questions about pickup times or explain why a rainstorm delayed them. They want to drive. They also do not want to risk not getting paid. That is why they rely on us. As an experienced car shipping broker you can trust, we handle the front end. We deal with the people. They deal with the road.

What Affects Car Shipping Cost Per Mile?

Several factors move the needle. You cannot ignore them.

• Distance: Generally, the longer the trip, the lower the rate per mile but the higher the total cost.
• Vehicle Size: Shipping an SUV vs sedan cost difference is real. SUVs take up more vertical space and weigh more. That burns more diesel.
• Route Popularity: Shipping from Houston to Los Angeles is a common route. Shipping to the middle of a desert in Wyoming costs more because the carrier cannot find a load to bring back.
• Condition: Shipping a non-running vehicle involves extra equipment. If it does not roll or steer, it costs more.
• Transport Type: Open car carrier transport cost is the baseline. It is what most people use. Enclosed auto transport for luxury cars will always cost at least 40% more because the trailers hold fewer cars and offer more protection.

Quick Comparison: Open vs. Enclosed

| Feature | Open Carrier | Enclosed Carrier |

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

| Best For | Daily Drivers | Luxury/Exotic/Classic |

| Cost | Lower | Higher (40-60%+) |

| Protection | Standard Road Exposure | Fully Shielded |

| Availability | High | Limited |

The Broker Advantage vs. Going Direct

You might think you can save money by calling a carrier directly. Good luck finding them. Most carriers are small operations with two or three trucks. They do not have websites. They do not have customer service. If they do take a retail customer, they often overcharge. Why? Because you are a risk. They know brokers pay. They do not know if you will.

At AMG Transport Co., we act as a buffer. We keep rates reasonable. We have the relationships. A carrier will take a fair price from me because I give him work all year. He will charge you the "one-off" tax. Plus, we do the vetting. We look at their safety records. We check their insurance. If a carrier is not up to my standards, they do not touch your car.

Why Quotes Vary So Much

If you get an incredibly cheap quote, run. It is a trap. Some brokers quote low just to get your deposit. Then they cannot find a carrier to take the job at that price. Your car sits for weeks. Then they call you and say the price went up.

We do things differently. We provide honest quotes from the start. We use 72-hour pickup windows. We do not play games with your time. When we give a price, it is based on what it actually takes to get a vetted, insured carrier to move the steel.

How to Get Accurate Quotes

1. Be Honest About the Dates: Last-minute shifts cost more.

2. Know Your Vehicle Details: Is it lifted? Does it have a roof rack? Tell us.

3. Check the Broker's Reputation: Look for trusted car shipping broker reviews. Do not just look at the stars. Read what happens when things go wrong.

4. Understand the Deposit: We use Stripe for deposits. It is secure. It is professional. If a broker asks for a wire transfer or cash app, hang up.

Nationwide Vehicle Shipping Door to Door

Whether you are relocating to Florida or need car shipping services Texas, we handle the logistics. Door-to-door car shipping how it works is simple in theory but hard in practice. Most residential streets are not built for an 80-foot car hauler. A good broker coordinates a safe meeting point if the truck cannot get to your driveway. We handle that headache so you do not have to.

We also use VIN scans to ensure the right car is being moved. It sounds basic, but you would be surprised how many people get it wrong. We do the backend work. We manage the systems. We keep the trail clear of fraud.

The AMG Difference

I mentioned before that carriers are not saints. They are business owners. They want the highest pay for the least amount of trouble. We ensure your car is the "least amount of trouble" for them by being professional. Because they value our partnership, they take better care of our clients.

If you want affordable car shipping without hidden fees, you need a broker who knows the carrier side of the house. We know what it costs to run a truck. We know what a fair margin looks like. We do not lowball, and we do not price gouge. We just get the job done.

Stop guessing. The road is dangerous enough without worrying if your broker is lying to you. If you need a vehicle logistics company Texas residents and owners across the country rely on, give us a shout.

Get a quote from AMG Transport Co. today.

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