How Much Does it Cost to Transport a Car Interstate in Australia?

When vehicle owners are looking into getting a car shipped to another state within Australia, there are often a number of factors they need to take into account before making a decision on how to do it, and who to trust with the process. There are many options out there for car carrying services and several ways of transporting a vehicle from one place to another. Generally speaking, the cost is one of the biggest considerations people make, however, with so much variation in cost between companies and car models, it’s often difficult to know what the fair pricing of this service may be.

 

At PrixCar, we attempt to simplify and demystify the cost of car carrying, to make it easier for our customers to have an accurate estimate on the true price of shipping their car in Australia. Once you’ve received your quote, We also hold the rate for 28 days giving you time to review and consider before committing. Here, we’ll break down the cost of car shipping in Australia, to give you a good idea about what’s going on under the hood when we’re calculating a quote for you or providing your bill. 

 

How Far Your Vehicle Needs to Be Transported

Distance has a big impact on the overall cost of shipping a vehicle in Australia. It goes without saying that the cost of moving a car between Perth and Sydney will be a lot more costly than moving a vehicle from Melbourne to Sydney. How many kilometres your car will need to be transported will likely be one of the largest considerations in your car transport quote. At PrixCar, interstate transport is our speciality, so we keep our prices competitive regardless of how far you are moving your vehicle.

 

Generally speaking, the further you travel the more it costs; when moving between capital cities the average cost is 43 cents per kilometre. To give you an idea on pricing, when moving a vehicle between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane you will pay between $450 and $850.

 

The Size of the Car You Are Moving

There is a lot of variation in the sizes and shapes of vehicles, as such, this is something that is taken into account when you choose to go with PrixCar. Generally speaking, smaller vehicles will cost less to ship than larger cars like SUVs or vans, as they take up less space on our carriers. We base our quotations on the models and makes of vehicles, so this will be accounted for in your quotation. 

 

The larger the vehicle, the more space it requires and the more it costs.  For example, a sedan is more expensive than an SUV and a Van is more expensive again.

 

The Type of Car Carrying Service You Need

As you opt in to value-added services, the price adjusts.  If you opt into a Guaranteed Delivery Date Service or an Enclosed service, there are increased costs for these premium services.  They use specialised equipment for enclosed and you receive prioritisation of loading.

 

For many vehicles, open car carriers are entirely suitable for interstate vehicle transport. They move automobiles safely across long distances and ensure great timing on delivery. However, there are a number of situations in which vehicle owners may prefer to go with enclosed car transport, which will have an impact on the overall cost involved in the service. Enclosed car transport is more expensive than a typical carrier and is usually selected by those moving premier or luxury vehicles within Australia. 

 

For critical delivery dates, we are able to offer our Guaranteed Delivery Service. This ensures that your vehicle will be delivered on the exact date that you require - with a money-back guarantee supplied if we are not able to. Our Guaranteed Priority Car Delivery Service is available in all major locations with only some non-metropolitan locations excluded and exceptions to the service only in extraordinary circumstances. For more information, check out our dedicated service page.

 

Enclosed car transportation protects a vehicle from the elements, such as wind, rain and dust. It keeps vehicles in absolutely pristine condition and is purpose-designed for moving vehicles such as racing cars, vintage cars, prestige vehicles and new models that require privacy pre-launch. The additional cost of using this service is due to the speciality carriers we use, that provide ultimate security and protection for cars in this service line.

 

Location, Location, Location

If your delivery location is considered remote, the transport costs may increase to cover the deviation.  

 

Car shipping costs will vary across states and where a vehicle is going, so this needs to be taken into account when a car is moved across the country. If you are moving a car from Melbourne to Sydney, or if you are moving a vehicle from Alice Springs to Perth, costs will need to be adjusted to take into account any extra charges from taxes, to fuel.

 

Door-to-Door Vs Depot Service

A door collection or delivery will cost you an additional amount compared to utilising a depot service. You also need to consider the cost of getting to and from the depot (i.e. Taxi fare). PrixCar has depots across Australia in most major areas, you can check out our depot locations here.

 

Forward Loading or Back Loading

On some interstate lanes, volume demand is strong in one direction, resulting in ‘empty’ spaces on the trucks return.  This is known as ‘back-loading’ where the price will be cheaper in one direction. You will notice this on the Adelaide to Melbourne run, which is a lot cheaper than Melbourne to Adelaide for the same distance.