What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also referred to as car shipping or auto transport, is a service offered by vehicle shipping companies that involves collecting your automobile from one location and transporting it to another. This service is beneficial in various circumstances where you are unable to drive the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online and need to transport it to another state, or when you've relocated and require long-distance vehicle shipping. Auto transport services are also useful when you need to move your car overseas, and unless ferry services are available, you'll have to rely on a vehicle shipping company to manage the job. Luckily, there are numerous car transport services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we'll explore below.
Types Of Vehicle Shipping Services
When it comes to vehicle shipping services, there are several options to consider. The first choice you'll need to make is where you want your automobile collected from and delivered to, whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or shipping a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is one possibility, where designated collection and drop-off points, often the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are used. While terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is typically more affordable, it requires more effort on your part to get the vehicle home.
Most individuals, however, opt for a door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their vehicles are collected and dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or just shipping a car to another state. This option is more convenient as you don't need to go anywhere to collect your automobile, which can be challenging without your car in the first place!
Vehicle transport services generally fall into two categories: having someone drive your car to its destination or putting it on a trailer and transporting it.
Have Someone Drive Your Vehicle
Hiring someone to drive your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether you need to ship a car across the country or to another state. The advantages of this auto transport method include lower costs, as trailers and an extra vehicle are not required, and faster delivery due to the simplicity of the transport process. However, there are some drawbacks to this method offered by vehicle shipping companies that lead some people to choose other types of car transport.
Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be significant when shipping a car across the country, although less so when shipping a car to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your vehicle while it's being driven from point A to point B. These concerns are particularly relevant for people buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the automobile arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Put Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Putting your automobile on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone drive your car to its destination. When it comes to vehicle shipping trailers, there are several options available depending on the value and size of your automobile.
First, you'll need to decide whether you want a single trailer for your vehicle. Single trailers are often more expensive as they only transport one car at a time, but they're an excellent choice if you're moving an expensive or classic automobile that you don't want to risk damaging. The safest way to transport a car is to put it in a shipping container, but this is by far the most expensive option.
The other option is a multi-car transporter, which can transport several vehicles at once. There are a few variants of multi-car transporters:
Open vehicle shipping is the cheapest and most common option offered by car shipping companies. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier and driven to its destination. While all cars are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so this may not be recommended by vehicle shipping companies for highly valuable automobiles. Additionally, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage and expose your car to the elements for extended periods, even though it may be the cheapest way to ship a vehicle cross-country.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple cars on a carrier, but they are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, and debris during transit. This option is often preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during auto transport.
If you need to move your automobile overseas through an auto transport company, try to find a specialist service on our platform or one with experience in overseas vehicle shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Vehicle?
The cost of shipping a vehicle varies based on several factors, but on average, auto transport companies in the US charge around $2.92 per mile for journeys less than 200 miles, $0.93 for journeys between 200 and 500 miles, and $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles. However, these are just averages for vehicle moving companies, and your car transport may cost more or less depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to obtain vehicle shipping quotes from car transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
To get an idea of what to expect in terms of vehicle delivery costs, let's examine the factors that can affect the price of car transport services.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Auto Transport
While we all want affordable vehicle transport, several factors and variables can impact the cost of your car shipping. Below, we'll outline the main ones to help you understand whether your auto transport requirements will be expensive or affordable.
As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of your vehicle transport. Cross-state and cross-country journeys are more expensive than interstate car delivery, which is often the most affordable vehicle shipping option. Although longer distances cost more, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases, ensuring you're not paying excessively.
International shipping always results in expensive vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring a car overseas and the distance it must travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your automobile.
The route required to take your vehicle from its pick-up spot to its delivery location can also affect the pricing of your car carrier service. Routes with known higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more than quieter roads due to the additional time added to the journey. Similarly, unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could incur extra costs from vehicle moving companies or necessitate a different, longer route.
The speed at which you need your vehicle transportation service to operate can also impact the price. If you're able to be flexible with timings, you may find that your car shipping service charges less, as they can fit your automobile delivery into their schedule and reduce overheads, passing the savings on to you. However, if you require auto transport within a strict timeframe (often known as expedited shipping), it will typically cost more, as the vehicle transport company may need to dedicate a trailer and driver solely for your delivery.
The height, length, and width of the automobile will all affect the cost of transport. Car shippers will require larger trailers for bigger vehicles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. Always inform the auto transport company about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on the car, as these can change the size of the trailer required for delivery.
If your vehicle is not in drivable condition, it may make your auto transport more expensive. This is because it may require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load and unload your car from the trailer. For example, if your automobile has a locked wheel, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto a trailer and off again, taking more time, effort, and machinery to complete the delivery than a standard vehicle transport service. Most car carriers consider a vehicle that can brake, roll, and steer to be in good enough condition to ship easily.
The type of auto transport service you select will also affect the cost of your vehicle shipping. Having someone drive your car to its destination will always be the most affordable option, as you're essentially just paying for a driver's time and fuel. Single car trailers and enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive, as they require extra equipment. Enclosed vehicle shipping is always the most expensive method of shipping a car, as it means your automobile travels alone and still needs specialist equipment to load, unload, and protect it during transport.
The locations of pickup and delivery can also increase the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas usually have car shipping services in close proximity, and if it's a common destination route, you'll tend to get affordable vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes and extra mileage for the company. If a pick-up or drop-off point is in an unusual or hard-to-access space, extra steps may be needed to load your automobile, which can also increase the vehicle shipping cost.
While all auto transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance, as it's not required by law. If a vehicle transport company does not offer cargo insurance, it's highly recommended that you seek out and acquire some for your automobile during transit. As with all insurance policies, make sure you understand what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, which parts of the vehicle are covered by the insurance, and any other questions you may have.
Seasonality can also affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more to ship a car in the winter due to ice and snow slowing the routes. Here's a quick breakdown of how each season can affect auto transport costs:
Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your automobile. Ice, snow, and blizzard conditions can all cause delays on the roads and reduce the maximum speed at which the vehicle delivery service can transport cars. December is typically a difficult time to have a vehicle shipped, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased automobile shipping costs. However, February is usually quiet, so great rates are often available from vehicle shipping services during this month.
Spring is a great time to ship your automobile with a vehicle transportation service. With improved weather conditions, longer days, and more drivers ready to work, Spring can often mean affordable rates and high availability when it comes to moving your car. March is often a better time to ship than April or May, as there is often a rush to move vehicles from colder to warmer states.
Summer is the prime season for shipping cars - the days are the longest in the year, students are traveling home from universities, employees take vacations, and it's also a very popular time to move house. This means that June, July, and August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, and you should not expect affordable vehicle shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship a car if you're looking for a slightly more affordable price. Vehicle shipping companies are less busy, and there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. However, you're better off looking to move your automobile in October or November rather than September, as this is peak time for students shipping their cars to university.
Mobile Vehicle Shipping in Mobile, Alabama, US
Mobile, Alabama, is a popular city for vehicle shipping due to its location on the Gulf Coast and its proximity to major highways. Many people move cars to and from Mobile for various reasons, such as relocating for work, buying or selling an automobile online, or transporting a vehicle to a vacation home. Mobile vehicle shipping companies offer a range of services to meet the needs of customers in the area, including door-to-door delivery, terminal-to-terminal shipping, and expedited transport. When choosing a vehicle shipping company in Mobile, it's important to consider factors such as price, reputation, insurance coverage, and the types of services offered to ensure that your automobile is transported safely and efficiently.
Yo, You Wanna Know How to Transport Your Vehicle?
Discovering the ideal automobile transportation service can be a genuine hassle, but I got your back. There are like a gazillion car hauling businesses out there, & attempting to locate the finest one on Google or in those ancient telephone directories is a straight-up headache. Moreover, most of 'em won't even provide you with a cost until you complete a ton of forms, which is just a waste of your precious time.
That's where Shiply comes in handy. All you gotta do is complete one straightforward form with the details about your ride, where you require it collected & delivered, & the dates you need it transported. The car shipping companies on Shiply can then provide you with genuine quotes based on that info. Once your listing is active, you'll begin receiving quotes in your inbox & email (ensure to keep those notifications on so you don't miss 'em). Quotes can arrive within minutes, but it's best to wait for a few before deciding so you can compare your choices.
Once you got some estimates, you can inquire with the businesses any questions you might have, such as when they're available, what insurance they got, & how they'll safeguard your ride. Shiply also has a rating system where you can see what other customers thought of each company, which is super convenient. Using Shiply saves you a ton of time compared to getting quotes from each company individually. & since the businesses are trying to fill up their trucks, you can often get way cheaper rates than going direct.
It's also better for the environment because instead of having a whole separate truck just for your car, you're catching a ride on a trip that's already happening. Some businesses even look to fill up their trucks on the way back too, which means even less wasted emissions. Win-win!
Once you select a company, there are a few things you gotta do to get your car ready for shipping. First, ensure you have any crucial documents ready, like if you're selling the vehicle. Clean out all your personal belongings too, & give it a good wash so you can spot any damages that happen during shipping. If your car needs to be driven at all, check that it's running right with enough fluids, battery charge, & tire pressure.
The most critical thing is to take tons of pics of your car from every angle before it gets picked up. That way, you got proof of what condition it was in if anything goes wrong. When it gets delivered, check that everything is working right away - lights, brakes, engine, etc. Compare the outside to your pics & make sure the mileage matches up too. If everything looks good, leave a review for the company on Shiply so others know what to expect.
As for how much it costs to ship a car, it really varies but on average it's around $2.92 per mile for trips under 200 miles, $0.93 for 200-500 miles, & $0.78 for over 1,000 miles. Having someone just drive it is cheapest, but a multi-car hauler is the next best thing. Most businesses are cool with you leaving some personal items in the car too, as long as it's not too much weight.
There are a few other common questions too: you'll probably need to be there for pick-up & drop-off to sign paperwork & hand over the keys. Keep about a quarter tank of gas in the car. & while most cars can be shipped, let the company know if yours is modified or not running so they can plan accordingly. Hopefully that covers the basics on how to use Shiply to get your "mobile car shipping" or "car shipping mobile" service locked in! Let me know if you got any other inquiries.
