There are several factors that determine the cost of shipping a vehicle from one location to another. Two very important factors are the size and weight of the vehicle being shipped Vehicle Shipping Costs.
Larger and heavier vehicles are more expensive to transport due to the extra resources, equipment and handlers required.
In this article, we will explore how vehicle dimensions and weight affect shipping prices by looking at industry standards and real-world examples.
Standard Size Classes and Their Effect on Rates
Shippers typically group vehicles into standard size classes based on measurements like length, width and height. The overall weight of the vehicle is also considered.
Transport companies then determine base shipping rates according to these commonly used size categories:
| Size Class | Description | Example Vehicles |
| Compact | Shortest and lightest vehicles that can be easily accommodated on standard car-hauling equipment. | Subcompact cars, mini SUVs, mini trucks. |
| Mid-Size | Average-sized passenger vehicles that fit neatly onto car carriers with minimal space usage. | Sedans, compact SUVs, small pickup trucks. |
| Full-Size | Larger vehicles that still fit within standard space allotments but may require additional tie-downs or handling. | Full-size sedans, most SUVs, full-size pickup trucks. |
| Oversized | Vehicles too large for conventional car carriers and equipment, necessitating special transport provisions. | Long-body pickup trucks, large conversion vans, exotic high-performance cars. |
Weight Affects Shipping Costs and Logistics
Vehicle weight significantly impacts transportation expenses. Heavier cars require sturdier carriers, specialized haulers, additional crew members and special permits. They also achieve poorer fuel efficiency, increasing trip costs.
The maximum vehicle weight per size class is usually:
- Compact – 2,000 lbs,
- Mid-Size – 3,000 lbs,
- Full-Size – 5,000 lbs,
- Oversized – no standard limit but often 10,000 lbs or more.
Cars exceeding these figures fall into commercial/heavy hauling categories subject to different rules and higher tariffs.
Real-World Shipping Cost Examples
To illustrate the cost impacts of size and weight variables, here are some sample representative auto transport quotes as example:
- – A 1,500 lb Honda Civic from Los Angeles to Chicago might be $500 for a compact car tier.
- – A 3,200 lb Toyota Highlander from New York to Miami was $750 for a mid-size category vehicle.
- – A 4,800 lb Ford F-150 from Portland to Dallas was $1,000 at the top end of the full-size range.
- – A 6,200 lb Jeep Gladiator required a $1,500 commercial/oversized rate for its move from Seattle to Phoenix.
As shown, each incremental increase in either dimensions or pounds adds a premium to the base transportation charge.
This is why behemoth luxury SUVs or heavy-duty work trucks cost dramatically more to ship long distances than subcompact econoboxes despite traveling identical routes. Factors of size and mass unavoidably elevate carrier fees.
Vehicle Shipping Costs – Parting Words:
Vehicle dimensions and weight are inextricably tied to shipping cost considerations. Transporters have categorized vehicles and set corresponding rates according to standard measurements and maximum tolerated weights that influence necessary accommodations.
The amount of space consumed and handling demands produced correlate to rate structure increases. Buyers seeking automotive relocation quotes would be wise to furnish complete and accurate statistical details about the car, truck or van to be moved for the most accurate price estimate factoring in these crucial cargo characteristics.
