What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also referred to as auto shipping or car transport, is a service offered by vehicle shipping companies that involves collecting your automobile from one spot & conveying it to another. This service proves useful in various circumstances where you are unable to operate the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online & need to transport it to a different state, relocating & requiring cross-country vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are unavailable. Vehicle transportation services provide a convenient solution in these situations.
Fortunately, there are several auto shipping services available to accommodate your specific requirements, which we will discuss below.
Types Of Auto Shipping Services
When it comes to vehicle transportation, there are a few crucial decisions to make. First, you must determine the collection & delivery locations for your automobile, whether it's a cross-country car transport or shipping a vehicle to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection & drop-off points, often the car transport company's stores or operating bases, are utilized. While this option is generally more affordable, it necessitates more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. Most people, however, prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery service, ensuring their vehicles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of the distance involved. This eliminates the need to arrange transportation to retrieve your automobile.
Vehicle transport services can be broadly categorized into two types: having someone operate your car to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transportation.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
Hiring someone to operate your vehicle to its destination is a straightforward solution for car shipping, whether it's across the country or to another state. This method is often more economical as it eliminates the need for trailers & an additional vehicle. It can also be quicker due to its simplicity.
However, there are some drawbacks to consider. Firstly, the journey will add mileage to your automobile, which can be significant when shipping a car across the country. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage occurring to your vehicle during the drive. 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
Using a trailer to transport your vehicle offers a higher level of safety compared to having someone operate it. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile.
Single trailers are designed to transport one vehicle at a time & are often more expensive. However, they are an excellent choice for moving expensive or classic cars, minimizing the risk of damage. The safest way to transport a vehicle is by using a shipping container, although this is the most costly option.
Multi-car transporters, on the other hand, can accommodate several automobiles at once & come in different variants:
Open vehicle shipping is the most affordable & common option offered by car shipping companies. Your automobile is securely placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all vehicles are safely secured, they are exposed to the elements during transit, making this option less suitable for highly valuable automobiles. Additionally, longer journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage & prolonged exposure to the elements.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier that is fully enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles, where owners want to minimize the risk of damage during transportation.
If you need to move your vehicle overseas, it's best to find a specialist service on our platform or a company with experience in overseas car shipping. They can provide tailored advice based on your specific 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 distances between 200 & 500 miles, & $0.78 for trips over 1,000 miles.
However, these figures are just averages, & your vehicle transport cost may differ based on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto shipping is to obtain vehicle shipping quotes from multiple companies, which is easily done through Shiply.
To get a better understanding of the factors that can influence the price of vehicle transport services, please refer to the section below.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Auto Shipping
While we all desire inexpensive vehicle transport, several factors & variables can impact the cost of car shipping. Let's explore the main ones to help you estimate whether your auto shipping requirements will be expensive or affordable.
As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of vehicle transport. Cross-state & cross-country journeys are generally more expensive than interstate car delivery, which is often the most economical option.
Although longer distances result in higher costs, the average price per mile decreases as the journey lengthens, ensuring you're not paying excessively.
International shipping always leads to more expensive vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics involved in transferring a car overseas & the distance it must travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your automobile.
Route - Along with distance, the route required to transport your vehicle from its collection location to its delivery spot can 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 the vehicle moving companies or necessitate 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 have flexibility in timings, you may find that your car shipping service charges significantly less. This is because they can accommodate your automobile delivery into their schedule, reducing overheads for themselves & passing the savings on to you. However, if you require auto shipping within a strict timeframe (known as expedited shipping), it will typically cost more as the vehicle transport company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver specifically for your delivery.
Vehicle Size - The height, length, & width of your automobile will all affect the cost of transportation. Vehicle shippers require larger trailers for bigger automobiles, with SUVs generally costing more to transport than sedans. It's crucial to inform the auto shipping company about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on the vehicle, as these can alter the size of the trailer needed for the delivery.
Vehicle Condition - If your automobile is not in a drivable condition, it may increase the cost of auto shipping. This is because additional equipment, such as a winch or forklift, may be necessary to load & unload your vehicle from the trailer. For example, if your car has a locked wheel, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto & off the trailer, requiring more time, effort, & machinery to complete the delivery compared to a standard vehicle transport service. Most car carriers consider a vehicle that can brake, roll, & steer to be in good enough condition for easy shipping.
Auto Shipping Service Type - The type of auto shipping service you choose will also influence the cost of your vehicle shipping. Having someone operate your car to its destination is always the most economical option, as you are essentially paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single car trailers & enclosed transport, on the other hand, are likely to be more expensive due to the extra equipment required. Enclosed vehicle shipping is always the most costly method of shipping a car, as it involves your automobile traveling alone while still needing specialized equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
Locations Of Pickup & Delivery - The collection & drop-off locations for your vehicle can also affect the price of shipping. Urban areas usually have car shipping services in close proximity, & if it's a common destination route, you'll often find inexpensive vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries, however, can cost more as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. If a collection or drop-off point is in an unusual or hard-to-access location, additional steps may be needed to load your automobile, further increasing the vehicle shipping cost.
Auto Shipping Insurance - While all auto shipping companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance as it is not legally required. If a vehicle transport company does not provide cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you obtain some for your automobile during transit. As with all insurance policies, ensure you understand what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, which parts of the vehicle are covered, & any other relevant details.
Time Of Year - Seasonality can also impact the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more to ship a car in the winter due to ice & snow slowing down routes. Here's a quick breakdown of how each season can affect auto shipping costs:
Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your automobile. Ice, snow, & blizzard conditions can cause delays on the roads & reduce the maximum speed at which the vehicle delivery service can transport cars. December is typically a challenging 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, & great rates are often available from vehicle shipping services during this month.
Spring is an excellent time to ship your automobile with a vehicle transportation service. With improved weather conditions, longer days, & more drivers ready to work, Spring often means inexpensive rates & high availability when it comes to moving your car. March is generally 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 vehicles - the days are the longest in the year, students are traveling home from universities, employees take vacations, & it is also a very popular time to move house. This means that June, July, & August are all busy months for the auto shipping industry, & you should not expect inexpensive vehicle shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship a vehicle if you're looking for a slightly cheaper price. Vehicle shipping companies are less busy, & 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 Shipping Service
Now that you have a better understanding of what vehicle shipping & a car shipping service entail, as well as the type of auto shipping service you need, you're probably ready to find a vehicle transport service that suits your requirements.
The challenge lies in the fact that there are hundreds of vehicle transport companies out there. Searching for them on Google can result in scrolling through numerous pages trying to find the best car shipping company at the best price. The same applies if you were to go through phone books. Moreover, many of these companies are reluctant to provide pricing upfront, meaning you will likely need to apply for a quote & fill out details with each of them individually, which can be very time-consuming.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Shipping Companies?
Given the numerous options & variables involved in finding a vehicle shipping service, the task of searching for & selecting the right one can seem daunting. This is where Shiply comes in to help.
On Shiply, you simply need to fill out a straightforward form to start collecting quotes. All we require from you is the make & model of the vehicle that needs shipping, the pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the automobile. This information allows the auto shipping providers on Shiply to provide you with accurate quotes for your job.
Once your listing is live, you will receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & via email. We recommend keeping email notifications turned on so that you can be immediately notified when a new quote arrives. Quotes can start coming in within minutes of posting your listing, but we always suggest waiting for a few to come through before making a decision, giving you multiple options to choose from.
Once you have a few quotes, you can ask the providers any questions you may have, such as their availability (if a time frame is given), insurance coverage, & how they would secure your vehicle. We recommend asking any company you consider these questions to ensure a smooth & expected process.
Shiply has a feedback & ratings system that we highly recommend reviewing before selecting a quote to ship your automobile. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company & their overall score.
The Benefits Of Using Shiply For Vehicle Shipping
Time-saving - Rather than filling out a quote form every time you want to get an accurate price from a company on shipping a vehicle, our platform allows you to fill out one quote form & receive quotes based on the details you provide from multiple companies. This can save you hours of time you would have spent calling companies & filling in forms.
Contact with these companies is also possible through our platform, allowing you to keep all your vehicle shipping information in one place.
Price Comparison - Ultimately, the cost of the vehicle shipping quote is the most important factor in deciding which auto transport company to use to ship your car. The challenge is that, while most companies are willing to provide average prices & ballpark figures, you won't receive a firm vehicle transport quote without providing information & filling in details. While this is understandable, it makes price comparison & obtaining a car transport quote a difficult task.
Using Shiply enables you to receive genuine, final price quotes from vehicle shipping companies & compare them in one place. You can message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the best company for you.
Inexpensive Vehicle Shipping - Auto shipping companies on Shiply can typically offer their services at a lower fee than if you went directly to them. This is because they are often looking to fill space on journeys they are already making & have already incurred the cost for. For example, if you were moving from Los Angeles to New York & needed to move 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, & collection/drop-off locations work for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto shipping by using our service.
Better For The Environment - Not only is using Shiply for auto shipping more economical, but it is 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 car 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 looking to fill their trailers on return journeys too, resulting in even less wasted CO2 being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued inexpensive transport for our users.
Preparing For Your Vehicle To Be Shipped
If you have decided on an auto shipping company to move your vehicle & feel secure using them, it's time to prepare your automobile for shipping. We recommend following these steps:
Documents - Ensure that any necessary documents are available at collection or drop-off, especially if you are selling your automobile.
Cleaning - Take care to remove all personal items from your vehicle prior to shipping to avoid the risk of them getting lost or damaged in transit. It is also highly recommended that you clean your automobile before transport, as this will allow you to assess 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, ensure that it is in running condition. This means checking fluid levels, battery charge, & tire pressure. This can also help you better judge the condition of the automobile upon arrival.
Photographic Evidence - One very important step when preparing your vehicle for the car delivery service to collect is to take high-quality photographs of all parts of the automobile. This provides you with evidence of the car's condition before shipping, should anything happen to it during transport.
Badger, Alaska, US - Vehicle Shipping Destination
Badger, a small town located in Alaska, US, is a popular destination for people moving their vehicles to & from the area. Many individuals relocate to Badger for work opportunities, particularly in the oil &
What to Do Following Car Shipping Badger Delivery
Once the badger car transport company you selected has completed their delivery, there are several actions you should take:
Inspect Essential Functions - Headlights, brakes, & motors should all be inspected immediately to confirm the vehicle is in the anticipated state. This also permits you to voice any issues with the car delivery service if something isn't functioning correctly.
Exterior State - You can contrast the exterior of the automobile to the images captured beforehand to determine if any additional harm occurred. Transporting a vehicle can, infrequently, lead to damage, & you want to ensure your car shipping service hasn't caused any.
Verify Odometer - This is more pertinent to car transport services where the automobile is driven to the destination, but it can be helpful to verify the mileage to confirm it aligns with the route taken.
We'd greatly appreciate it if you could provide a review for the auto shipping company you utilized through Shiply. This assists others in browsing car transport services with the same peace of mind!
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Below we've addressed some of the most frequent inquiries about badger car shipping:
What is the cost to transport a vehicle? Car shipping prices can fluctuate significantly depending on the circumstances, but on average, a journey should cost around $2.92 per mile if less than 200 miles, $0.93 if between 200 & 500 miles, and if over 1,000 miles, this drops to $0.78.
What is the most economical method to transport a vehicle? Having someone drive your automobile to its destination is most affordable; however, if you require a trailer, then a multi-car transporter will be your best option for the most economical way to ship a car.
How do I pay for my auto transport? This is up to each individual auto shipping company on Shiply & 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, message individual car transport companies to confirm.
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 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 transported. However, remember: 1. The weight of the items may affect the price, and 2. Any items won't be covered by insurance for the car transport itself.
How much gas should I have during transit? Generally, you should aim to have around a quarter of your tank full. This allows for easy loading & unloading but won't add too much extra weight.
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 it.
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.
