The cost of moving a car a long way is decided mainly by the total distance the truck travels, the vehicle's size and condition, how easy the collection and delivery points are to reach and how flexible you can be on timing. Those four things explain most of the difference between one quote and another. This guide walks through each, so you can give an operator what they need for an accurate price first time.
We do not publish a per-mile rate, because a flat figure would be misleading: a planned daytime move of a running hatchback between two easy addresses is a very different job from collecting a non-runner out of a barn. What we do is quote the move before it is booked, including any loading needs you tell us about.
1. Total distance, not just the gap between A and B
The quoted journey is from the truck's base to the collection point, then to the delivery address, then back again. For a move that starts and ends in Cornwall, that return leg is short. For a delivery up-country, the truck still has to come home. That is why a 200-mile one-way move is not simply ten times the cost of a 20-mile one.
If you are flexible, ask whether a move can be timed alongside other work going in the same direction. It is not always possible, but it is worth the question.
2. The vehicle itself
Size and weight matter. A small car, a long-wheelbase van, a 4x4 and a light truck sit differently on a flatbed and some need a larger vehicle to carry them. We move cars, vans, light trucks and plant up to 7.5 tonnes, and the size of the load shapes which truck is used.
Condition matters too. A car that starts, rolls and steers is loaded in minutes. A non-runner may need winching; a car with locked wheels or no keys may need skates or dollies. None of that is a problem, but it changes the time on site, so tell us upfront.
3. Access at both ends
A wide driveway or dealer forecourt is quick. A narrow Cornish lane, a steep gravel drive, a gated estate with no turning space or a city street with restrictions all take longer. Photos of the collection point and a note of anything awkward — low branches, tight gateways, height barriers — make for a more accurate quote and fewer surprises.
4. Timing and urgency
A booked move with some flexibility on the day is normally the most economical option. A move that has to happen on a fixed date, early in the morning or out of hours costs more to arrange. Emergency recovery — where a vehicle has broken down and needs moving now — is priced differently from planned transport because the truck is dispatched straight away.
5. What should be included in the quote
Before you agree, check the quote covers:
- Collection and delivery addresses, and who will be at each end.
- Whether the vehicle is secured with all four wheels off the ground.
- Any loading equipment you have told us it needs.
- What happens if the delivery address cannot accept the vehicle on arrival.
How to get the most accurate price
Send the full collection and delivery addresses, vehicle type and whether it starts, rolls and steers, plus preferred dates and any access notes. Photos help. With that, we can quote the whole move before it is booked. Call 07874 130193 or use the enquiry form.
Common long-distance moves we are asked about
Typical requests include buyer and seller moves where someone has bought a car online, garage-to-garage transfers, moving a vehicle as part of a house move into or out of Cornwall, and taking a non-runner to a specialist. Each is quoted on the factors above rather than a blanket rate.
Need this sorted today?
Planning a long-distance move? Send both addresses, the vehicle and whether it runs, and we will quote the whole job before it is booked.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transport a car 200 miles?
It depends on the vehicle, its condition, access at both ends and timing, as well as the return journey. We quote each move individually before it is booked rather than using a flat per-mile figure.
Is a short 20-mile tow priced the same way?
The same factors apply, but on a short local move distance matters less and access, condition and time of day matter more.
Can you move a car that doesn't run over a long distance?
Yes. Non-runners are winched onto the flatbed and secured. Say that it does not run when you ask for a quote.
What is the largest vehicle you can transport?
We transport cars, vans, light trucks and plant up to 7.5 tonnes.
Services covered in this guide
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