Cost is a huge factor in auto transport; our shipping team understands. Moving can already be expensive and as you watch the numbers add up, you may quickly exceed what you originally allotted for moving in your budget. We recently covered in our last post why you should never trust the cheapest auto transport company. But we do understand that the cost of auto transport is a significant factor in which company you’ll choose to move your car. After all, who doesn’t love saving money? With today’s driver shortage and higher costs facing everyone in the freight and shipping industry, it can be helpful to get any insight on possible tips to keep moving a car affordable. Did you know that there are certain cities and routes for auto transport that are consistently cheaper? Today we want to highlight some cities that offer the most affordable car shipping rates in the Southwest United States.

First off, it’s crucial to understand that shipping to and from less rural areas is typically going to be your best bet in keeping costs low. We pride ourselves on door-to-door shipping, which we can certainly do – but if cost is a major factor and you live in a rural area, it may be worth it to check into shipping your car to a a nearby city. A short car ride for you could mean big savings overall. Major metro areas tend to have multiple interstate highways that serve as hubs for logistics and car shipping companies. When we are shipping cars, efficiency matters. It’s all about volume: fewer trips + more vehicles = lower costs for everyone. Making one trip for a single car miles away in a rural area is going to cost more because volume is not on our side.

This capital city serves as one of the busiest hubs for logistics companies. It’s a bridge from the east to the west, connecting cities like Nashville, St. Louis, Memphis, and even Dallas. Interstate 30 and Interstate 40 come together, making it an efficient option. We recently shipped a 2016 Jeep Wrangler from north Little Rock to Fort Worth, Texas for $389.12.

Going across the southern part of the country? Our drivers will more than likely go through Oklahoma City! This hub is on route between long distances like Las Vegas, Phoenix, or Albuquerque on the west side, and Atlanta, Charlotte, and Louisville on the east side. Going north from Dallas to Kansas City or Minneapolis? You’ll proabably hit Oklahoma City too. We shipped a GMC Acadia from Oklahoma City to Fort Worth for just $284.60. That’s affordable auto transport!

This city is a major connector at the intersection of I-20 and I-49. This is a big one because of its proximity to port cities like Houston and New Orleans. We shipped a Chevy Impala from a suburb of Shreveport known as Bossier City. This car was headed to San Antonio, and we moved this vehicle for just over $400.

One thing you DON’T want is to incur extra charges or vehicle damage in your move, hurting your bottom line. Save money by doing auto transport the right way! First, protect your vehicle. Protecting a vehicle during shipment isn’t just the responsibility of the auto transport company that’s sending it to its destination. The owner of the car also has some responsibility, and can make it easier to get the vehicle to its new location safely and without damage. To keep the vehicle as safe as possible, it really needs to be empty.

Many people think they can save money on their larger home move by filling their shipped car with personal items. Don’t try to cut corners this way! Unfortunately that can lead to a lot of damage to the items and the inside of the vehicle. It can even break glass if items move around too much during transport. Putting boxes, bags, or other items in the vehicle should be avoided.

Additionally, secure anything that’s a normal part of the vehicle but that could come loose. Fold in mirrors and remove hubcaps for protection.

Want to get the most affordable rate for auto transport? Call and talk to a shipping expert! Our team is happy to offer you different solutions to work with your budget and timeline. The time of year, the city, and how flexible you can be with your car’s shipment can make a big difference. The most important thing is to be sure your car is prepared properly, to get from point A to point B safely.

Special thanks to our guest contributor Kris Lindahl for lending his writing skills on this post!