How much does car transport cost in Australia?

Are you moving to a new city or state with your family? If you have a car you need to bring along, having it delivered by auto transporters or car carriers is best to lessen the stress of moving. But before you book their services, do some research about the car transport costs so you can prepare your budget and spot potential hidden fees in quotes. 

What are the average costs of car transport in Australia?

Car transport cost calculators in Australia measure and calculate prices in kilometres. The lowest price is $0.40 per km while the highest price is $0.60 cents per km. Below is a breakdown of the average costs of  car transport based on this price range information. 

What factors affect the costs of car transport?

The origin point and destination are just two things to consider when calculating car transportation costs. Several other factors can impact these prices, and learning more about them can help you identify typical car shipping costs and negotiate for a better deal.

Transport distance

Distance is the number one factor in calculating the interstate car transport cost in Australia. Shorter local distances often have a higher per-kilometre rate than longer routes because of the fixed costs of transporting a car. 

These include the labour cost of loading the car carrier trailer and the administrative and logistical work that comes with it. Since there are fewer kilometres in shorter local routes, the fixed costs are spread over a few kilometres, so the per-kilometre rate is higher. 

However, the total cost of car transport can still increase for longer distances since these require more fuel. Plus, trucks and trailers are highly likely to incur more wear and tear when tackling longer distance routes, so there’s an additional maintenance cost that car shipping companies must cover. 

Vehicle size and weight

Several sedans secured on a multi-level transport truck (Source iStock)

Aside from the distance, the vehicle’s size and weight can affect service quality and the car transport interstate prices. SUVs, vans, and trucks take up more space on transport carriers, limiting the number of vehicles a car transport business can deliver within the same route. This makes the deliveries less efficient than transporting smaller vehicles like motorcycles and sedans, further increasing car transport costs.

Moreover, large vehicles like these are heavier, so transport carriers must use more fuel to haul them over long distances. Not to mention, loading them into these carriers requires specialised equipment such as reinforced ramps, chains, and hydraulic lifts, adding to the total cost of car transport. 

Here is a table showing the average car transport costs depending on vehicle size and weight. 

Vehicle condition

Transporting running vehicles is less expensive since they can be driven onto the truck, reducing handling costs. 

On the other hand, non-running vehicles require additional labour and special equipment to ensure they safely load and unload onto and off the truck. The additional preparation and manual labour required to handle them further increase car transport costs. 

It can be even more expensive for cars with oil and coolant leaks because they can’t be placed in a multi-car carrier, as they may damage the other vehicles. A mechanic should look over the car first and fix the damage before transportation, which can drive up costs. 

In addition, transporting non-running and damaged vehicles requires additional inspections and reports, leading to extra administrative costs. 

Transport type

In Australia, there are two main transport types, namely, 

1. Open car transport — the most economical option with vehicles transported in open trailers.

2. Enclosed car transport — this provides extra protection for vehicles transported in covered trailers.

Between the two, open-car transport is more affordable with lower per-kilometre rates. However, it doesn’t provide the same protection as an enclosed car transport, so the vehicles are exposed to harsh weather conditions and road hazards. 

This is why luxury and vintage car owners choose enclosed car transport despite higher costs. Covered trailers used in this transport type typically have limited capacity only to ensure safe transport, so they incur higher costs. Some even provide a private single-car transport with a dedicated trailer for a more personalised service. 

A vehicle being unloaded from an enclosed transport truck (Source: iStock)

Aside from these two, you may opt for a trade plate driver for direct car transport. This involves having a professional drive the car directly to your preferred destination using temporary-only government-issued trade plates. 

However, the conditions for using trade plates are different for each state, so make sure to check state-specific regulations before booking this service. 

Transport route

Since routes can differ for each delivery, you must consider the road and traffic conditions in the total car transport cost. Those that have straightforward routes with accessible roads and highways tend to be less expensive. 

Meanwhile, those that need to pass through toll roads and mountainous areas incur higher rates since these places often require additional permits. Plus, drivers may need to take alternate routes if the destination is rural or mountainous, leading to more travel time and higher costs. 

However, routes between urban areas can still get higher if the vehicle transport or carrier has to go through very heavy traffic or is congested. This increases the travel time and higher fuel prices to cover. 

Despite the increase in costs, car transport services in urban places still cost less than in rural areas because of the high demand in major cities. Transport companies often optimise routes by ensuring enough load for the return trip, which is usually lacking in remote or rural areas.

Transport date and urgency

A truck carrying several electric cars on an open trailer (Source: iStock)

Your booked transport date can also affect car transport costs. Expect the prices to be more expensive during peak seasons, such as summer or any holiday dates. 

Conversely, many auto transport companies offer lower rates during fall and winter because these months are considered off-peak seasons. The demand is lower during these months, so they typically offer competitive prices to attract more customers. 

Aside from the peak season dates, urgent requests can also drive up car transport costs. Some companies offer expedited shipping and guaranteed pickup dates for added convenience fees, but these come with an additional fee. 

Additional services 

Most car shipping companies offer additional services in addition to their standard deliveries. Below are some of the popular car services offered before and after transport, along with their estimated average costs. 

The table above shows the standard rate for vehicle towing service, but the costs can increase further if it’s expedited towing or flatbed towing for inoperable vehicles. Do note that this doesn’t include the extra roadside assistance and support many towing and transport companies offer.

Meanwhile, temperature-controlled transport is an add-on in some enclosed transport services. Apart from providing additional protection, it helps keep vehicles in tip-top condition by maintaining a stable temperature inside the carrier or trailer. 

Lastly, some provide extra vehicle cleaning and detailing before or after transport. This is beneficial if you already bought a new car and are waiting for it to arrive or if the vehicle is set to be used in car shows.

What are some ways to save on car transport?

Now that you know how much it costs to transport a car, the next step is to find ways to save on delivering vehicles. Here are some money-saving tips when availing of car transportation services. 

Choose an open-carrier terminal-to-terminal transport

A fully loaded open car carrier hauls SUVs and trucks (Source: iStock)

Instead of an enclosed carrier, choose an open carrier to deliver your cars. As mentioned, this transport type is significantly cheaper, so it’s an economical choice for most standard vehicles. 

A low-cost car transport doesn’t offer the same protection as an enclosed carrier, but an open carrier provides the same safety measures, as it also incorporates secure fastening and stabilization and multiple support points that hold the vehicles in place. 

A terminal-to-terminal transport option and an open carrier can also help save costs. This is a much more cost-effective option than a door-to-door service, as it can help save operational costs by dropping off and picking up your car at specified terminals. 

Plan a flexible pick-up and drop-off date 

Flexible pick-up and drop-off dates are much better than specific guaranteed front-door delivery dates when saving on car transportation costs. They enable the carrier to find the best time and route, allowing you and the transport company to enjoy discounts on overall delivery service.

Also, time your flexible booking dates on non-peak days such as weekdays. The rates are much cheaper during these dates than weekends or holidays. 

Work with a transport broker

Despite the additional cost of hiring a transport broker, their services are worth investing in as they can access a vast network of carriers. This will help you get access to the best deals, and the best part is they can negotiate better rates on your behalf. 

Ensure the vehicle is operational

A tow truck hauling a non-operational car, impacting car transport costs (Source:iStock)

Unlike non-operational vehicles, vehicles in good running condition are much cheaper to transport because they typically don’t need extra special equipment for loading and unloading. 

So, make sure to have your car serviced and checked by a car servicing professional before you ship or deliver it to another location. The extra car servicing cost is worth more than dealing with additional transport fees, which are more likely more expensive. 

Ship multiple vehicles together

If you own several cars, you can save huge bucks by shipping them together. Most car transport companies offer discounted rates for this case since it helps them maximise carrier efficiency and minimise trips. So, grab this opportunity if you are moving to another place in large groups.

Have your car delivered safely with Airtasker

Knowing how much it would cost to transport a car is just one phase of delivering your car to another location. You also need to look for a reliable vehicle transport that can safely and efficiently provide the service. 

At Airtasker, finding these reliable vehicle transport service providers is easy. Upon posting a task, you’ll be connected with these professionals. Finding reliable and trustworthy experts is only at your fingertips, so book one today for a hassle-free car shipping process!