Flatbed auto transport refers to the shipment of cars using a flatbed trailer with an open platform design and no roofing or sides. This category of auto transport comes in handy when shipping oversized, inoperable, or low-ground-clearance vehicles. This is due to its design, which aids in the loading and offloading of vehicles, hence being versatile for different types of vehicles.
Flatbed car shipping is popular among businesses and individuals trying to deliver classic cars, heavy machinery, or just about any other vehicle that may be hard to transport by other means.
Flatbed car haulers move or transport a variety of vehicles, including:
We had a good experience with Bold Auto Transport. Their price was reasonable, they showed up on time to get the car, transported it cross country, and it arrived when they said it would - in good condition. It was dirty on the outside but we knew the truck wasn’t covered. Nothing a car wash couldn’t fix. We’ll definitely use them to send the car back.
I will start with, I have never shipped a car before… I put my information on one companies quote request and I got 20+ companies trying to get my business. Bold Auto Transport was the first to text me with actual pricing, I spoke with Andrew, he was extremely helpful and explained what he needed to get the ball rolling. I kept getting calls and text from other places some were much less than Bold so I did call a few other. I didn’t get good vibes from the other companies, for example they didn’t even answer the phone with their company name I thought I was calling a scammer. I did go with Bold even though they were more expensive, I did research them on google reviews, transport reviews, BBB, and FMCSA. They do have 2 complaints with BBB but they responded to each complaint with super fine details so I felt they did their due diligence. Andrew found me a driver to transport my car who was a super friendly guy named Roman. He got my car to the destination same day which was amazing. It was only one state over but still was amazing to me to have same day delivery for a car! I can’t even get fedex to deliver in 10 days let alone same day! All in all amazing experience. Hats off to Andrew and Roman!
First time using a company like this, very polite from the dispatcher to the driver. Was able to get my car towed in a reasonable time and within the time frame they gave out. Also very reasonable with the price. Would definitely use them again if I had too.
There are several configurations of flatbed trailers when you need to transport car on flatbed, all designed for particular types of loads. Knowing these can help you decide on the right option as per your flatbed auto transport needs. Those options include:
Flatbed car transport costs are based on miles, vehicle size, flatbed car haulers, and other special transport requirements. Prices range from:
Distance Category |
Cost Per Mile |
Typical Total Cost |
Short Distances |
$1.00 to $2.50 |
$400 to $2000 |
Long Distances |
$0.60 to $1.50 |
$2000 to $4000 |
Non-Operational Vehicles |
Additional $100 to $300 |
$500 to $5000 |
Seasonal Pricing |
Varies by demand |
Check with carrier for specific quotes |
Comparing quotes from different transport companies would be a great idea to get the best price. Booking in advance is also recommended.
The process to transport car on flatbed involves certain steps, accustoming to the specific needs of oversized or low-clearance vehicles, which may also be non-operational. Such a process ensures smoothness and efficiency in the transport experience:
Delivery time of flatbed car haulers can vary greatly; usually, it runs from 1 to 7 days, depending on some principal parameters. The most important factors are distance and length; shorter ones could be delivered in a day or two, others requiring longer because of distances, sometimes a week or more for cross-country hauls.
The route conditions are very important as well. Weather, traffic, and road conditions can either increase or decrease transport times, and bad weather or heavy traffic may cause delays for flat bed car trailers. For example, in rainy, snowy, or icy conditions, flatbed car haulers have to either adjust the speed or change the route to safeguard the vehicle being transported.
Additionally, pickup and delivery locations may influence transit time and it changes among different flatbed car haulers. In general, urban areas introduce more logistics problems, slowing down the process in comparison with rural areas for flatbed vehicle transport. It's very important to communicate with your car hauler with flatbed truck about setting up delivery expectations mostly for customers who have specific timelines. Proper information about the vehicle and preferred delivery dates is quite important in making the transport process quite easier.
Flatbed auto transport is not needed for everyday vehicles that fit within the dimensions of a standard open carrier. Flatbed auto transport will be more expensive in those cases. Also, if your vehicle runs and you can drive it onto a standard carrier, you should consider shipping the traditional way as it might be cheaper. If you can’t decide, contact your auto transport company to get an idea.
Whether you require flatbed auto transport or otherwise depends on the kind, size, and condition of your vehicle. Generally speaking, larger or otherwise irregularly-sized vehicles go better with flatbeds; regular sedans and SUVs are fine with standard carriers.
The average flatbed car transport cost runs from $400 to $2000 for shorter routes and from $2000 to $4000 for longer routes, depending on vehicle size and weight and special transport needs. Always get quotes from multiple companies to ensure that you have a competitive price for a car carrier flatbed. Car shipping cost calculators will help you get an estimated price for your flatbed auto transport.
Flatbed trailers can be used for transporting oversize vehicles, cars that do not run, and specialty equipment that won't fit into the standard carriers. This includes construction equipment, classic cars, or any vehicle with different dimensions.
Loading accessories may include ramps to assist with easier access, straps or chains to keep the vehicle in place, and possibly even winches in the case of cars that are not operable. This loading equipment will ensure that an automobile is loaded and locked down while on board for flatbed car delivery.
Most flat bed car transporters such as Bold Auto Transport insure vehicles during transport, but it's always best to confirm with the carrier regarding specifics. On top of this, customers should verify their own insurance policies and what they offer during transport.
For example, flatbed car transport costs range from $1.00 to $2.50 for shorter distances and from $.060 to $1.50 for the longer ones, all on the type of vehicle used, length of transportation, time of the year, etc.