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 spot & transporting it to another. This service is beneficial in numerous situations where you are unable to operate 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 cross-country vehicle shipping. Auto shipping companies can also be useful when you need to move your car overseas, and unless ferries are available, you'll need to depend on their services. Luckily, there are various vehicle transport services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we'll discuss below.
Types Of Vehicle Shipping Services
When it comes to vehicle shipping services, there are a few choices to consider. The first decision you'll need to make is where you want your automobile picked up from and delivered to, whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or moving a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is one option, where designated collection and drop-off points, often the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are used. While this choice is usually more affordable, it does require more effort on your part to get the automobile home.
Most individuals, however, prefer a door-to-door vehicle transport delivery service, where their cars are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or just moving a car to another state. This option is more convenient as you don't need to go anywhere to collect your car, which can be challenging without your vehicle in the first place!
Vehicle transport services are generally divided into two categories: having someone operate your car to its destination or putting it on a trailer and moving it that way.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
Hiring someone to operate your car to its destination is a straightforward solution to vehicle shipping, whether you need to transport a car across the country or to another state. The benefits 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. However, there are some drawbacks to this method that lead some people to choose other types of vehicle transport offered by car shipping companies.
Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be significant when transporting a car across the country, although less so when moving a car to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your vehicle while it's being operated 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 Automobile On A Trailer
Placing your car on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone operate your vehicle to its destination. With vehicle shipping trailers, there are several options available depending on the value & size of your automobile.
Firstly, you'll need to decide whether you want a single trailer for your car. These are often more expensive as they only transport one automobile at a time, but they're a great choice if you're moving an expensive or classic car that you don't want to risk damaging. The safest way to transport a vehicle is to put it in a shipping container, but this is by far the most expensive option.
The other choice is a multi-car transporter, which can move many automobiles at once. There are a few variants of this option:
Open vehicle shipping is the most affordable and common choice when transporting a car. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all cars are safely secured, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so this may not be recommended by vehicle shipping companies for highly valuable automobiles. Furthermore, while it may be the most affordable way to ship a car cross-country, long journeys in open trailers will obviously run a higher risk of damage and leave your vehicle exposed to the elements for longer periods.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple cars on a carrier, but they are enclosed, meaning they are not exposed to 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, you should 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 depending 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, and your vehicle transport may cost more or less depending on your specific circumstances.
The best way to find out how much auto transport will cost you is to collect vehicle shipping quotes from car transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply. If you want to get an idea of how much you can expect your vehicle delivery to cost, take a look below at the factors that can affect the price of vehicle transport services.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
While we all want affordable vehicle transport, several factors and variables can affect how much your car shipping will cost. Below, we'll outline the main ones so you can get a rough idea of whether your auto transport requirements will be expensive or affordable.
As mentioned earlier, distance is one of the main factors that will impact the cost of your vehicle transport, with cross-state and cross-country journeys costing significantly more than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the most affordable option. While longer distances do cost more, the average price per mile does drop the longer the journey is, so you aren't paying over the odds.
International shipping will always result in expensive vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring a car overseas and the distance it needs to travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your automobile.
The route needed to take your car from its collection spot to its delivery spot can also affect the pricing of your vehicle carrier service. Routes with known higher traffic, such as in LA, may end up costing more than quieter roads due to the added time. Likewise, unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could also incur extra costs from the vehicle moving companies or require a different, longer route.
How quickly you need your vehicle transportation service can also affect the price. If you're able to be flexible with timings, you may find that your vehicle 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), this will typically cost more, as the vehicle transport company may need to dedicate a trailer and driver just for your delivery.
The height, length, and width of the automobile will all affect how much it will cost to transport. Vehicle shippers will require larger trailers for bigger automobiles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. You should always let the auto transport company know about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on the car, as these can change the size of the trailer required for the delivery.
If your car is not in drivable condition, this may make your auto transport more expensive. It may require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to get your vehicle on and off the trailer. If your car has a locked wheel, for example, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto a trailer and off again, and it will take more time, effort, and machinery to complete the delivery than a standard vehicle transport service. Most vehicle carriers would consider a car 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 operate your car to its destination will always be the most affordable option, as you are essentially just paying for a driver's time and petrol. Single car trailers and enclosed transport will likely be more expensive, as they require extra equipment. Enclosed vehicle shipping will always be the most expensive method of shipping a car, as it means your automobile is traveling on its own and still needs specialist equipment to load, unload, and protect it during transport.
Depending on where you need the vehicle picked up from and dropped off, this may also increase the price of shipping a car. Urban areas will usually have vehicle shipping services in close proximity, and if it is a common destination route, you will 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 collection or drop-off point is also in an unusual or hard-to-access space, extra steps may need to be taken 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 any additional insurance, as it is not required by law. If a vehicle transport company does not offer cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you seek out and acquire some for your automobile during its transit. As with all insurance policies, make sure you are clear on what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, what 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 is 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. February, however, 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 cars 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 is 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 are 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 are 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.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
Now that you know more about what vehicle shipping and a vehicle shipping service are and what sort of auto transport service you need, you probably want to go ahead and actually try to find a vehicle transport service that is going to be right for you.
The issue is that there are hundreds of vehicle transport companies out there. Trying to find them on Google can end up resulting in scrolling through hundreds of pages trying to find the best vehicle shipping company for the best price, and the same is true if you were going to go through phone books. Further, many of these companies are reluctant to give you pricing, meaning you will most likely need to apply for a quote and fill out details with each of them individually, which can become very time-consuming.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Given all of the options and variables involved with finding a vehicle shipping service, actually searching for and finding the right one can seem like a daunting task, and this is where Shiply can help. On Shiply, you simply need to fill out a simple form to get started with collecting quotes. All we need from you are the make and model of the car that needs shipping, the pickup location and delivery location, and the dates that you need to move the vehicle. This gives the auto transport providers on Shiply enough information to be able to provide you with an accurate quote for your job.
Once your listing is live, you will receive quotes in your Shiply inbox and to your email. We recommend keeping email notifications turned on so that you can know immediately when a new quote comes through. Quotes can start coming through within a few minutes of posting your listing, but we always recommend waiting for a few to come through before making a decision so that you have multiple options to pick from.
Once you have a few quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as when they are available (if a time frame is given), what insurance they have, and how they would secure your car. We recommend asking any company you may use these questions to ensure that everything goes smoothly and as expected.
Shiply has a feedback and ratings system which we also highly recommend looking at before selecting a quote to ship your vehicle. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company, as well as view their overall score.
Why People Often Move Cars To & From Opelika, Alabama
Opelika, Alabama is a city located in the eastern part of the state, near the Georgia border. Many people move cars to and from Opelika for various reasons. One common reason is relocation - whether it's for a new job, to be closer to family, or for a change of scenery, people often need to transport their vehicles when moving to or from Opelika.
Another reason people may need vehicle shipping services in Opelika is when buying or selling an automobile online. If someone in Opelika purchases a car from another state, they may need to have it shipped to them. Similarly, if someone in Opelika sells a car to a buyer in another state, they may need to arrange for the vehicle to be transported to the buyer's location.
Opelika is also home to Auburn University, so students moving to or from the area for school may need to transport their vehicles. This is especially common at the beginning and end of the academic year, as well as during summer breaks.
Regardless of the reason, vehicle shipping services can make the process of moving an automobile to or from Opelika much easier and less stressful. By using a reputable vehicle shipping company, you can ensure that your automobile arrives at its destination safely and on time.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transportation
Time-efficient - Rather than submitting a quotation form whenever you need an accurate estimate from a business on transporting a vehicle, on our platform you complete one quotation form & can then receive estimates based on the information you submit from several companies. This can save you hours of time you would have spent phoning companies & filling out forms. Communication with these businesses is also possible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your vehicle shipping details in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto transport company to use to transport your vehicle. The challenge is that, while most companies are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't receive a definite vehicle transport quote without having to supply information & complete details. While this is understandable, it means that price comparison & obtaining a vehicle transport quote is not exactly a simple process. Using Shiply allows you to receive genuine, final price quotes from vehicle shipping companies & compare them in one place, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the best company for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping - Auto transport businesses on Shiply can usually offer their services at a lower cost than if you went directly to them. This is because they are often seeking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already invested the cost for. For example, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your vehicle there, a company on Shiply may already have a multi-car transporter making that journey with 5 of the 6 spots filled, & they are just looking to ensure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, & pick-up/drop-off locations work for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service.
Environmentally Friendly - Using Shiply for auto transport is not only less expensive but also more environmentally friendly! In the above example, if your vehicle didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate vehicle shipper, the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire journey would be needed just for your automobile. Similarly, many vehicle transporters return from a delivery empty-handed, which is not only costly for them but also for the environment as there are many people who could have used that transporter to move their vehicles in the other direction! Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are also looking to fill their trailers on return journeys, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued cheap transport for our users.
Getting Your Vehicle Ready for Shipping
If you have chosen an auto transport company to transport your vehicle & feel confident using them, it's time to get your automobile ready for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Documents - It is crucial to ensure that any documents you may need are available at pick up or drop off, especially if you are selling your vehicle.
Cleaning - You should take care to remove all personal items from your vehicle prior to shipping, for the obvious reason that you don't want to risk them getting lost or damaged in transit. It is also highly recommended that you clean your vehicle before transport as this will allow you to ascertain its condition & notice any damages that may occur during delivery.
Running Condition - If the vehicle will be driven at any point during shipping or driven home from the drop-off location then you should ensure that it is in running condition. This means ensuring that there is enough fluid, as well as checking battery charge & tire pressure levels. Again this can also help you better judge the condition of the vehicle upon arrival.
Photographic Evidence - One very important thing to do when preparing your vehicle for the vehicle delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photographs of all parts of the automobile. This provides you with evidence of the vehicle's condition before shipping should anything happen to it during transport.
What to Do After Delivery
Once the vehicle shipping company you selected has completed their delivery, there are a few things you should do:
Check Vital Signs - Lights, brakes, & engines should all be checked immediately to ensure that the vehicle is in the expected condition, as well as enable you to immediately raise concerns with the vehicle delivery service should anything not be working as it should.
Exterior Condition - You can compare the exterior of the vehicle to the photos taken of it before to ascertain whether any extra damage has occurred. Shipping a vehicle can, in rare cases, cause damage, & you want to be sure your vehicle transport service has not done so.
Check Mileage - This is more relevant to vehicle shipping services where the vehicle is driven to the destination but it can help to check the mileage to ensure that it matches up with the journey taken.
We would greatly appreciate it if you could also leave a review for the auto transport company you used through Shiply so that others can browse vehicle shipping services with the same peace of mind.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have answered some of the most asked questions about vehicle shipping:
How much to ship a vehicle? Vehicle shipping prices can vary drastically depending on the circumstances, but on average a journey should cost you around $2.92 per mile if the journey is less than 200 miles, $0.93 if the journey is between 200 & 500 miles, & if the journey is over 1,000 miles then this drops to $0.78.
What is the most affordable way to ship a vehicle? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the most affordable way to ship a vehicle, however, if you need a trailer then a multi-car transporter will be your best option with regard to the most affordable way to ship a vehicle.
How do I pay for my auto transport? This is down to each individual auto transport company on Shiply & is something you should discuss with your chosen vehicle delivery service before confirming the delivery. Most companies will be flexible with payment options, however.
Can I track my vehicle transport online? Each vehicle shipping company on Shiply has different ways of operating, but many offer the ability to track your vehicle shipment, with some even able to provide personal updates. If you require tracking, you should message individual vehicle transport companies to confirm that this is possible with them.
Does someone have to be present for pickup & delivery? In most cases, the vehicle shipping company will require you to be in attendance for the pickup & delivery of the vehicle. This is because there are likely to be release forms that you need to sign, as well as handing over the vehicle keys.
Can I keep items in my vehicle during my vehicle shipment? Most vehicle transport companies will be fine with you keeping some personal items in the vehicle when it is transported. However, there are two important things to remember: 1. The weight of the items may affect the price of the vehicle shipment, & 2. Any items in the vehicle will not be covered by insurance for the transport of the vehicle itself.
How much gas should I have in my vehicle during transit? Generally, you should aim to have around a quarter of your tank full. This allows for easy loading & unloading of the vehicle but will not add too much extra weight to the automobile.
Can I ship my vehicle if it isn't running? You can ship your vehicle if it isn't in running condition, however, this will be more expensive as specialist equipment is required to load & unload the vehicle.
Can I ship a modified vehicle? Almost any type of vehicle is able to be shipped on Shiply, with hundreds of transport providers available to bid on your job there will always be someone that is up for the job & has the right equipment to safely carry it out. Whether you need vehicle shipping opelika or opelika vehicle shipping, Shiply has you covered!
