Why Are SUVs More Expensive to Ship?

Owning an SUV can be very convenient. It's more spacious and the higher seats give you a better vantage point. Sometimes, the vehicle's capabilities are better than sedans. But why are SUVs more expensive to ship?

You may wonder why shipping an SUV costs more than a sedan. Multiple factors contribute to the increased costs of transporting an SUV, from the delivery location and fuel prices to weight considerations and insurance policy.

Let's look at why SUVs are more costly to ship and what questions you need to ask in order to get the best transport options for your SUV.

The Cost to Ship an SUV Across the USA

An SUV is often more expensive to ship than a regular sedan because it's bigger and heavier. Because the Federal Highway Administration puts a limit on commercial vehicles that carry cargo on the road, car moving companies have to calculate the moving costs carefully.

The cost to ship an SUV across the US depends on various variables:

• Its size: An SUV is bigger and heavier than a sedan. Naturally, the cost of transporting SUVs may double.
• The delivery location: If the address you're sending the SUV on a door-to-door delivery is remote, the cost will be higher. The alternative is to pick it up yourself in a more central location.
• The season: Winter is usually the low season for car shipping. Picking this season over the busier summer may save cost if you can wait.
• The timeline: A rush job will cost extra. But you can save money if you follow your car shipping company's timeline.

Other important considerations include:

• Weight limit
• Payment terms
• Shipping distance
• Customs duties (if applicable)

Many US freight companies provide competitive rates for various routes. Some even offer discounts for bulk shipments if you plan on transporting multiple vehicles simultaneously.

Ultimately, finding a professional hauler with reasonable prices will help you stay within your transportation budget while ensuring the timely delivery of your prized possession.

If you're sending your SUV across America on an open carrier, you can expect around $1,700.

SUV transportation costs vary

But calculating the cost of auto transport, specifically SUV transportation's average costs, is a complex matter. It's always better to get a cost estimation from several different transport carriers first.

Some shipping rates have a considerably cheaper estimate. They may appear attractive at first, but be wary of these cheap transport rates. Cheaper doesn't always mean better or safer.

Get three or four estimates and compare their prices to decide which company is right for you. And ensure the estimates provided to you are free of charge without committing you to using their services.

The shipper should not require any form of payment. They also should never force you to sign anything until you decide to proceed with them.

In addition, read customer reviews carefully to get a better understanding of how reliable the particular company is when it comes to SUV transportation costs.

Open vs. closed SUV transport

Transporting a vehicle is no easy task. It requires careful consideration regarding the type of transport container to be used.

Generally, it’s recommended to opt for an enclosed transport vehicle for classic or extremely expensive cars valued at over $100,000. Luxury SUVs like the Lincoln Navigator, Cadillac Escalade, and Porsche Cayenne require a lesser value for enclosed transport.

Such transportation is more suitable than open transport as only around 1% to 3% of sedans are transported in this manner.

Question to ask before shipping your SUV

Shipping an SUV can be challenging. A piece of useful advice from industry professionals for shipping cars around the US or internationally is to ask the right questions before signing up with anyone for auto transport companies.

Begin with the obvious like how much and long it takes to ship your SUV.

After that, consider three other important questions when selecting your transportation service provider:

1. Inquire what type of insurance is included. For your SUV shipping, you want to ensure that your car is properly taken care of in case something goes wrong. Insurance guarantees that your vehicle is well protected while being transported across distances.
2. Ask about any extra fees or charges. This is an often overlooked question but can save you money. It also saves you the hassle of meeting surprises regarding moving costs.
3. Check on the validity date provided with your car transport quote. Sometimes these quotes become invalid after an extended period, so double-checking won't hurt.

Starting with these questions will give you a solid understanding of SUV shipping services. You can expand your inquiries to insurance coverage and other terms and conditions from there.

Where to Find a Reputable Auto Shipper for Your SUV

Before hiring an auto shipper for transporting your SUV, you must conduct research into their services. A good place to start is the company's website. It should provide detailed information on their prices and services.

Ensure the website supplies in-depth descriptions of everything they offer and any additional costs and policies. Never settle for a company with just a simple website and a phone number.

An ideal website will give you the information to decide whom to trust with transporting your car.

Also, take advantage of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Company Snapshot database, where you can find data about each shipper's performance, operating authority, and safety record. This is important to identify trustworthy providers to deliver your SUV effectively.

And remember to read reviews online from previous customers to get an idea of what kind of service and value other people have received when dealing with these companies. All these steps will help paint a clearer picture before committing to any one business.

Small/Midsize SUV Shipping Services

Small and midsize SUV shipping services tend to be more affordable. They are smaller and lighter than larger SUVs, making them cheaper to transport.

Of course, the cost will depend on where it's shipped from and where it's going. However, overall popular routes tend to reduce the price.

Crossovers are usually classified as small cars in terms of shipping costs and are often part of the small or midsize SUV category. By knowing the specific class of your SUV, you can narrow your search for reliable auto shippers specializing in certain sizes and classes of vehicles.

But the size matters little if you choose a professional vehicle shipping company. A professional one can transport an SUV of any size safely.

For years, companies have provided hassle-free transportation from one city to another anywhere across America with safety and security guarantees that make them more credible than any other third-party vendor.

You'll be able to track the journey from the comfort of your home online so you can get all the details from pick up to delivery and regular check-ins by personal customer service representatives.

How Long Does It Take to Execute SUV Transportation?

Shipping an SUV requires more than just calculating the mileage between cities or states. Many factors come into play, such as how quickly auto shipping companies can arrange for the right size car carrier.

The longer wheelbase of SUVs makes it difficult to fit multiple vehicles on a car carrier, as many are designed for more standard-sized cars or smaller compact cars. This can delay the transport process since availability is limited since fewer carriers can accommodate larger vehicles.

The cost of shipping an SUV can also be higher than that of sedans due to their larger size, special handling necessities, and longer shipping times when compared to smaller vehicles.

When two cars need to be shipped simultaneously, they may take up most of the space in the carrier, leaving very little room for an SUV. You may have to book a private vehicle service, significantly increasing costs.

As such, it's best to factor in these potential delays when preparing a schedule and budget for shipping an SUV.

Wrapping Up

While SUVs may be more expensive to ship, there are valid reasons for the added cost. Many things can add up, from their size and weight to the need for specialized equipment and extra insurance.

But if you own an SUV, you may find the benefits of owning a spacious and versatile vehicle far outweigh the transportation expenses. Working with a reliable car shipping company in the auto transport industry, like A1 Auto Transport, will also be beneficial.

Our expertise ensures seamless service delivery for various vehicle deliveries using safe and reliable methods. And not just SUVs – we can transport your ATV orrecreational vehicle anywhere in America or internationally.

Discover our auto transporter services and obtain an instant quote for a shipping cost estimation.