What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also known as car shipping or auto transport, is a service offered by vehicle shipping companies that involves collecting your automobile from one location & 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 cross-country vehicle shipping. Auto shipping companies can also be useful when you need to transport your car internationally, and unless ferries are available, you'll need to depend on their services. Luckily, there are several 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 collected from and transported to, whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or shipping 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 people, 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 shipping 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 generally fall into two categories: having someone drive your automobile to its destination or putting it on a trailer and transporting it that way.
Have Someone Drive Your Vehicle
Hiring someone to drive your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution to vehicle shipping, whether you need to ship a car across the country or to another state. This method is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an extra vehicle, and it can be faster due to its simplicity. 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 car during the journey, which can be significant when shipping a vehicle across the country, although less so when shipping a car to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your automobile 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 vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Put Your Automobile On A Trailer
Placing 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. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value and size of your car.
You can choose between a single trailer for your automobile, which is more expensive as it only transports one car at a time but is a great choice for moving expensive or classic vehicles that you don't want to risk damaging. The safest way to transport a car is in a shipping container, but this is by far the most costly option.
Alternatively, you can opt for a multi-car transporter, which can transport many automobiles at once and comes in a few variants:
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 securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so this may not be recommended by vehicle shipping companies for highly valuable vehicles. Additionally, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage and exposure to the elements for extended periods.
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 car overseas, it's best 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. These figures are just averages, and your vehicle transport may cost more or less depending on your specific circumstances.
To get an accurate idea of how much your auto transport will cost, it's best to collect vehicle shipping quotes from various car transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply. However, if you want to estimate your vehicle delivery cost, consider the factors that can affect the price of car transport services, which we'll discuss below.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
While we all want affordable vehicle transport, several factors and variables can impact the cost of your car shipping. Let's take a closer look at the main ones:
Distance: As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of your vehicle transport. Cross-state and cross-country journeys will cost more than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the most affordable option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases, so you won't be paying over the odds for longer distances.
International shipping: Transporting a car overseas will always result in costly vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics involved and the distance the automobile needs to travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container.
Route: Along with distance, the route taken to transport your car from its collection spot to its delivery location can affect the pricing of your vehicle carrier service. Routes with known higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more than quieter roads due to the added time. Unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could also incur extra costs from the vehicle moving companies or require a different, longer route.
Shipping Dates: The speed at which you need your vehicle transportation service to operate can also impact the price. If you're 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 (known as expedited shipping), it will typically cost more, as the vehicle transport company may need to dedicate a trailer and driver just for your delivery.
Vehicle Size: The height, length, and width of your car will all affect the cost of transport. Vehicle shippers will require larger trailers for bigger automobiles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. Make sure to 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.
Vehicle Condition: If your car 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 automobile from 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, taking more time, effort, and machinery to complete the delivery than a standard vehicle transport service. Most vehicle carriers consider a car that can brake, roll, and steer to be in good enough condition to ship easily.
Auto Transport Service Type: 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 the driver's time and fuel. Single car trailers and enclosed transport will likely be more expensive, as they require extra equipment. Enclosed vehicle shipping is always the most costly 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.
Locations Of Pickup And Delivery: The locations of your car's collection and drop-off points may also increase the price of shipping. Urban areas usually have vehicle 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 collection 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.
Auto Transport Insurance: 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 doesn't offer cargo insurance, it's highly recommended that you seek out and acquire some for your car during its transit. As with all insurance policies, make sure you understand what type of damage is covered, whether there's a deductible, which parts of the vehicle are covered, and any other relevant details.
Time Of Year: 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 car shipped, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased vehicle 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 cars from colder to warmer states.
Summer is the prime season for shipping vehicles - 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.
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 find a vehicle transport service that's right for you.
The issue is that there are hundreds of vehicle transport companies out there. Trying to find them on Google can result in scrolling through numerous pages trying to find the best vehicle shipping company for the best price, and the same is true if you were to go through phone books. Furthermore, many of these companies are reluctant to give you pricing, meaning you'll likely need to apply for a quote and fill out details with each of them individually, which can be very time-consuming.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Given all the options and variables involved in finding a vehicle shipping service, 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 start 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 you need to move the vehicle. This gives the auto transport providers on Shiply enough information to provide you with an accurate quote for your job.
Once your listing is live, you'll 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 choose 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 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 their overall score.
Why People Often Move Cars To And From Prattville, Alabama
Prattville, Alabama, is a city located in the central part of the state, just north of Montgomery. Many people find themselves needing to ship a car to or from Prattville for various reasons. One common reason is relocation - whether it's for work, family, or a change of scenery, moving to a new city often means transporting your vehicle as well. Prattville's proximity to Montgomery and its growing job market make it an attractive destination for those looking to start a new chapter in their lives.
Another reason people might need vehicle shipping services in Prattville is when buying or selling a car online. With the rise of online marketplaces, it's easier than ever to find the perfect automobile, even if it's located in another state. If you've found your dream car in Prattville or are selling your vehicle to someone in the area, using a vehicle shipping service can ensure a smooth and hassle-free transaction.
Prattville is also home to several military installations, including Maxwell Air Force Base and Gunter Annex. Military personnel and their families often find themselves needing to ship their cars when they are deployed or relocated to a new base. Vehicle shipping companies with experience in military moves can help make the process as stress-free as possible.
Whether you're moving to Prattville for a new job, buying a car from a seller in the area, or are a member of the military relocating to one of the nearby bases, vehicle shipping services can help get your automobile where it needs to be. By using a platform like Shiply, you can easily compare quotes from multiple vehicle shipping companies and find the best option for your specific needs and budget.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transportation
Time-efficient - Rather than submitting a quotation form whenever you desire an accurate estimate from a business on shipping a vehicle, on our site, you complete one quotation form & can then obtain quotes from various companies based on the information you submit. This can save you hours of effort that you would have spent phoning companies & filling out forms. Communication with these businesses is also feasible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your vehicle shipping data in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the car shipping prattville estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto transport company to employ to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't receive a definite car transport quote without having to supply information & complete details. While this is understandable, it means that price comparison & obtaining a car transport quote is not exactly a simple process. Utilizing Shiply enables you to receive genuine, final price estimates from car shipping companies & compare them in one location, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the best company for you.
Affordable Car 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 frequently seeking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already invested the cost for. For instance, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your car 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 are convenient 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 car didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead, you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire journey would be needed just for your car. Similarly, many car 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 cars in the opposite 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 Car Ready for Shipping
If you have chosen an auto transport company to transport your car & feel confident using them, it's time to get your car ready for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Documents - It is crucial to ensure that any necessary documents are available at pick up or drop off, especially if you are selling your vehicle.
Cleaning - You should take care to remove all personal belongings from your vehicle before 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 determine 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, 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 assess the condition of the vehicle upon arrival.
Photographic Evidence - One very important thing to do when preparing your vehicle for the car delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photographs of all parts of the car. This provides you with evidence of the car's condition before shipping should anything happen to it during transport.
What to Do After Delivery
Once the prattville car 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 car is in the expected condition, as well as enable you to immediately raise concerns with the car 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 determine whether any extra damage has occurred. Shipping a car can, in rare cases, cause damage, & you want to be sure your car transport service has not done so.
Check Mileage - This is more relevant to car shipping services where the car 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 car shipping services with the same peace of mind.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have answered some of the most asked questions about car shipping:
How much to ship a car? Car 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, this drops to $0.78.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the cheapest way to ship a car, however, if you need a trailer, then a multi-car transporter will be your best option with regard to the cheapest way to ship a car.
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 car delivery service before confirming the delivery. Most companies will be flexible with payment options, however.
Can I track my car transport online? Each car shipping company on Shiply has different ways of operating, but many offer the ability to track your car shipment, with some even able to provide personal updates. If you require tracking, you should message individual car transport companies to confirm that this is possible with them.
Does someone have to be present for pickup & delivery? In most cases, the car 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 car keys.
Can I keep items in my vehicle during my car shipment? Most car 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 car 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 vehicle.
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.
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