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Value for Money ★★★★★ 4.9
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Dave loved the fast deliveryDave C.
★★★★★
Dave loved the fast delivery
My relocation to Chicago was fast, smooth and without any delay thanks to A1 Auto.
Courtney enjoyed the honest guidanceCourtney J.
★★★★★
Courtney enjoyed the honest guidance
Just what you need when trusting someone with your wheels! Kudos to this company!
Jeff enjoyed the fair priceJeff D.
★★★★★
Jeff enjoyed the fair price
Moved my ride hassle-free with these folks.Fair pricing, no surprises. Definitely recommend them!
Maria enjoyed the special care and safetyMaria L.
★★★★★
Maria enjoyed the special care and safety
Huge thanks to the movers – they were meticulous with my car. Love these guys.
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“A1 Auto Transport became synonymous with top-notch service delivery, unfailing punctuality and constantly preoccupied with customer satisfaction.

See Article— USA Today

What is the most cost effective way to ship a car?

Published by Neal Kearney.

What is the most cost effective way to ship a car?

The most cost-effective method for shipping a car is known as Open Transport. In this method, the vehicle is secured onto a large truck with several other cars. This setup allows for the simultaneous transportation of multiple vehicles, reducing the overall cost per car. Open Transport is generally preferred for its affordability, especially for standard vehicles and over long distances.

When considering the most affordable way to ship a car, Open Transport stands out as the top choice. This method involves strapping the car onto the back of a large truck, accompanied by many other vehicles headed to various destinations. The efficiency of transporting multiple cars together significantly reduces the cost per vehicle, making Open Transport a preferred option for budget-conscious individuals or for standard vehicle transportation.

Choosing Between Open and Enclosed Auto Transport

Open or enclosed auto transport is a critical decision when transporting a vehicle. Understanding the costs and benefits of each option is essential. Open transport, the most common method, involves loading the car onto a multi-vehicle truck. Due to its ability to transport more vehicles, this method is often cheaper.

However, enclosed auto transport protects the vehicle better. An enclosed trailer protects the car from weather and road debris. This option is popular for new, vintage, and luxury cars. However, enclosed auto transport costs more due to its superior vehicle protection.

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Exploring the Impact of Distance on Shipping Costs

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Distance between pick-up and drop-off locations is a major factor in car shipping costs. As distance increases, so does cost. Long-distance shipping increases fuel consumption and truck driver time, increasing shipping company adoption costs. Shipping bills often reflect additional maintenance costs due to vehicle wear and tear from longer distances.

Importantly, cost does not necessarily increase with distance. Car transport over longer distances usually costs less per mile. While total shipping costs rise with distance, it may save you more to transport a vehicle directly across the country than multiple short distances. Because each short transport involves fixed costs like driver load and unload time, a one-time long-distance shipping may be cheaper.

Evaluating the Role of Size and Weight in Car Shipping Expenses

Size and weight significantly affect car shipping costs. Transporting heavier vehicles costs more for several reasons. First, the extra weight increases pressure and fuel consumption. Larger vehicles take up more space, reducing the number of cars a carrier can carry. Both factors raise customer costs.

Understanding how car transporters classify vehicle sizes is important. Compared to heavier and more spacious SUVs, vans, and trucks, a four-door sedan is cheaper to transport. Modified vehicles with lift kits may cost more. Thus, precise vehicle dimensions and specifications are essential for cost estimation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Graduating from UCSC with a Bachelor's Degree in history, Neal has been an avid writer since childhood and loves writing about anything from automobiles or motorcycles to surfing. 

Neal has gotten quite a bit of writing experience attending UC Santa Cruz, where he graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor’s Degree in History. Since then his writing has been published in Transworld Surf, the Santa Cruz Sentinel, Alaska Airlines Beyond, among others. 

Neal started working for A-1 Auto Transport back in 2009, first as a customer service representative before becoming a big player on the sales team, and finally as a full time writer for the website where he can share his expertise of the industry with readers.

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Testimonial
Mylene Rutllant
It’s my number one pick in auto shipping to this day.
★★★★★
...my choice in terms of auto transport has to be A1 Auto Transport. It’s in the name, but also in the quality with which they do their jobs. I’ve never had a problem with this company.
Testimonial
Luis Rodriguez
You have my full support and recommendation!
★★★★★
A1 Auto Transport... From the get go, they were very different from my past options. Their website was very professional and up to date, full of useful information. I requested a quote using their online form, and I got an email response within an hour. Surprisingly fast!
Testimonial
Cristine Benoit
I can safely say this is a legit company that will get the job done.
★★★★★
There are a lot of options for auto transport these days, which surprisingly makes it harder to find a good company. I received more than 10 offers to ship my car, but I couldn’t decide on any of them... Fortunately, I made the right choice with A1 Auto Transport.
Testimonial
David Osallo
We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10!
★★★★★
We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10! We chose them to move our car from California to Vermont, since we needed professionals.

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A-1 Auto Transport is a disclosed agent for the following shipping companies:

CSI Logistics
435 Division Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
FMC 22206
Intl Cargo
45 Campus Drive
Edison, NJ 08837
NO. 17858N
Trans Global Auto Logistics, Inc.
3401 E Randol Mill Rd,
Arlington, TX 76011
NO. 018191NF
CFR Rinkens
15501 Texaco Avenue
Paramount, CA 90723
NO. 013055NF
ABC Worldwide LLC
2840 NW 2nd Ave #105
Boca Raton, FL 33431
NO. 025472F
ShipYourCarNow LLC
1160 South Rogers Circle Suite 1
Boca Raton, FL 33487
NO. 025646
Merco Air & Ocean Cargo, Inc.
6 Fir Way
Cooper City, FL 33026
NO. 021869F
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