So, you’ve just bought a car and you realise it's in another state, or you’ve broken down on your road trip and had to fly home, leaving your car stranded. Whatever the reason might be, you're wanting to transport your vehicle interstate. You’re probably wondering how much it costs to transport a car interstate, and luckily for you, we’ve got the answer.
The answer is not as simple as you might think. There are a lot of factors that contribute to the price of freighting your car, including the vehicle type, the pickup and delivery destinations, what service level you require and the fluctuating cost of fuel. When faced with the variety of transit options available, having an understanding of these factors can assist you in understanding how much you’ll be out of pocket.
Using our experts, we’ve put together the following guide to assist your comprehension of what variables influence the cost of interstate auto shipping.
One of the biggest impacts on the cost of interstate car freight is the distance it needs to travel. More often than not, the further your vehicle is being transported, the more expensive the job will be. Car carriers consider cost per kilometre to be one of their largest considerations when calculating quotes. On average, it costs between 40-60 cents per kilometre to move your car interstate. However, this price is influenced by many other factors which will be discussed in further sections of this guide.
A major factor that can determine the cost of transport is the type of vehicle you are moving. Larger vehicles such as vans, SUVs or Utes occupy a greater amount of the car carrier's limited space and therefore will be more expensive to ship than more compact automobiles. Modifications made to the car, such as alterations to the tyres or suspension will also affect the price as some companies consider weight when calculating rates.
Some of the most popular cars to transport interstate and locally are:
Transporting premium vehicles can also affect the price of shipping as often this requires services such as enclosed car carriers. These carriers are smaller trailers that are sealed off from the outside environment and are also available for short-term rental for extra security. Due to the additional protection against the elements and potential pitfalls on the road like rocks and debris, this service is recommended for those looking for increased peace of mind.
Another variable that will impact the cost of transportation is whether you are needing items to be transported within the vehicle as well. Many of the major car carriers require that you remove all belongings from the interior of the vehicle, however, some providers do offer a ‘Goods in Car’ service for an additional fee. Although this cost might not be exorbitant, it should be considered when determining your budget. It should also be noted that there are many conditions within the ‘Goods in Car’ service which will vary depending on the provider: Below are some common stipulations:
It is important to note that several of the larger car carriers don’t pick up from salvage yards or repairable write-offs, so it is important to ensure you are reading terms and conditions carefully when choosing your provider. If your vehicle is non-running, this will also affect the price and the provider you use as this will often require a specialised service. It’s important to ensure if you’re buying a used car to gather information regarding its drivability and if it is coming from salvage.
Car carriers have multiple service delivery levels available to customers that affect car transportation costs. The two most popular service levels are door-to-door and depot-to-depot. It is important you evaluate your own requirements and select a service level that suits these needs.
Door-to-door is a delivery service level that involves transport providers picking up from and dropping off at an exact address, whether it be a residential or a commercial property. This service is often more expensive as it requires the provider to deviate from their usual route. This fee can be costly when delivering to remote areas.
If pickup and delivery locations are near highways or in major cities, you may find the cost of a door-to-door delivery isn’t that much more than a depot-to-depot. Door-to-door delivery can also offer greater flexibility, as some drivers are willing to collect or deliver cars outside of regular business hours, including on weekends, in the early morning, late afternoon or even at night.
Residential zoning regulations, narrow roadways, weight restrictions or blockages preventing ease of access can limit your delivery options so it’s best to check your route before booking.
Depot-to-depot delivery is a service level that customers use when they prioritise price over convenience. This delivery service requires customers to drop off and pick up their vehicle from a depot themselves. Since transport providers don’t have to detour from their regular route, the cost is typically less than door-to-door.
Convenience can be found within this service level as depot-to-depot delivery is often quicker as major car carriers aren’t required to outsource tow truck companies to collect and deliver to residential addresses.
Some disadvantages of a depot-to-depot service include:
Trucking companies have several expenses that can affect the cost of car transport interstate. One of their biggest expenses is the cost of fuel. As diesel has risen by over 60 cents per litre since 2021, many transport organisations have had to raise their prices to cover this expense. This has been one of the most influencing factors affecting the price of shipping a car and should be kept in mind when gathering quotes.
At Truckit, we aim to make the transport process as easy as possible for our users. When you create a listing, we connect you with thousands of transport providers across Australia to get your car safely delivered. Find out which provider is best for you by exploring customer reviews and job history on our website. If you’re ready to get a quote and find all your car transport interstate costs, visit our insterstate car transportation page.
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