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 & transporting it to another. This service is beneficial 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 another state, relocating & requiring long-distance vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are not available.
Luckily, there are numerous auto shipping services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we will explore below.
Varieties Of Vehicle Shipping Services
When it comes to vehicle shipping services, there are several choices to consider. The initial decision you'll need to make is where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or shipping a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this choice is typically less expensive, it demands more effort on your part to get the automobile home.
Most individuals, however, favor a door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their vehicles are collected & 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 it eliminates the need to arrange transportation to collect your automobile.
Vehicle transport services can be categorized into two main types: having someone operate your automobile to its destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
Employing someone to operate 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. This method is often less expensive as it doesn't require trailers or an additional vehicle, & it can be quicker due to its simplicity.
However, there are some drawbacks to this approach that lead some individuals to select other vehicle transport options. Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be significant when shipping a car across the country. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage occurring to your vehicle while it's being operated. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone operate your vehicle to its destination. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile.
Single trailers are often more expensive as they only transport one vehicle at a time, but they are a great choice for moving expensive or classic cars that you want to protect from potential damage. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, but this is also the most expensive option.
Multi-car transporters can carry several automobiles at once & come in a few variants:
- Open vehicle shipping: The cheapest & most common option, where 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 transit, making this option less suitable for highly valuable vehicles. Long journeys in open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage & exposure to the elements.
- Enclosed auto transport: Multiple vehicles are secured on a carrier but are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage.
If you need to move your automobile overseas, it's best to find a specialist service or a company 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 & 500 miles, & $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles.
However, these are just averages, & your vehicle transport cost may be higher or lower depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to collect vehicle shipping quotes from various auto transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
To get a rough idea of what to expect, consider the following factors that can affect the price of vehicle transport services:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the cheapest option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases.
- International shipping: Always results in expensive vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring a vehicle overseas & the distance it needs to travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or a shipping container.
- Route: Along with distance, the route taken can affect pricing. Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks may incur extra costs or require a longer, alternative route.
- Shipping dates: Flexibility in timings can lead to lower costs, as vehicle shipping companies can fit your delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. Expedited shipping within a strict timeframe typically costs more.
- Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of the automobile affect the cost, with larger vehicles like SUVs costing more to transport than sedans. Accessories like bike racks or roof racks can also change the required trailer size.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may cost more to transport due to the need for extra equipment like winches or forklifts to load & unload the automobile.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the cheapest option, while single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the specialized equipment required.
- Pickup & delivery locations: Urban areas with common destination routes often have cheaper vehicle shipping services, while rural deliveries or hard-to-access spaces may incur extra costs.
- Auto transport insurance: While all auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, additional cargo insurance is recommended & may affect the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality can impact vehicle shipping prices, with winter being the most expensive due to ice, snow, & blizzard conditions causing delays & reduced speeds. Spring & fall offer better rates, while summer is the busiest season with higher prices.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
With hundreds of vehicle transport companies available, finding the right one can be a daunting task. Searching on Google or through phone books can be time-consuming, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without a detailed quote application.
This is where Shiply can help simplify the process.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply streamlines the quote collection process by requiring you to fill out a single, simple form with your vehicle's make & model, pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the automobile. This information allows auto transport providers on Shiply to provide accurate quotes for your job.
Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & via email. We recommend keeping email notifications on to stay informed about new quotes, which can start arriving within minutes of posting your listing. It's best to wait for a few quotes before making a decision, giving you multiple options to choose from.
You can ask the transport companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure vehicles during transport. We highly recommend asking these questions to ensure a smooth & expected experience.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores for each company, which is crucial to consider before selecting a quote.
The Benefits Of Using Shiply For Vehicle Shipping
- Time-saving: Instead of filling out multiple quote forms, you only need to complete one on Shiply, receiving quotes from various companies based on your provided details. This can save hours of time spent contacting companies individually.
- Price comparison: Shiply allows you to receive genuine, final price quotes from vehicle shipping companies & compare them in one place, with the ability to message them individually for any questions you may have.
- Cheap vehicle shipping: Auto transport companies on Shiply often offer lower fees than going directly to them, as they aim to fill space on existing journeys. By utilizing available spots on multi-car transporters, you can save up to 75% on auto transport.
- Better for the environment: Using Shiply for auto transport reduces emissions by optimizing transporter space & minimizing empty return journeys, resulting in less wasted CO2 released into the atmosphere.
Preparing For Your Vehicle To Be Shipped
Once you've chosen an auto transport company, follow these steps to prepare your vehicle for shipping:
- Documents: Ensure any necessary documents are available at pick up or drop off, especially if you're selling your automobile.
- Cleaning: Remove all personal items from your vehicle to avoid the risk of loss or damage during transit. Clean your automobile before transport 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 from the drop-off location, ensure it has enough fluid, a charged battery, & proper tire pressure.
- Photographic evidence: Take high-quality photographs of all parts of the vehicle before shipping to have evidence of its condition in case of any damage during transport.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Juneau, Alaska, US
Juneau, the capital city of Alaska, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to its unique geographical location & transportation challenges. As a city accessible only by air or sea, many residents & visitors rely on vehicle shipping services to transport their automobiles to & from Juneau.
One of the main reasons people move vehicles to Juneau is when relocating to the city for work or personal reasons. Shipping a vehicle to Juneau allows them to have their personal automobile available for transportation in the city, as public transit options are limited.
Another common scenario is when tourists or seasonal workers want to have their vehicles available during their stay in Juneau. Shipping a vehicle to the city enables them to explore the surrounding areas & embark on road trips without the need to rent an automobile.
On the other hand, people also frequently ship vehicles from Juneau when moving away from the city or selling their automobiles to buyers in other states. As driving out of Juneau is not an option, vehicle shipping services provide a convenient way to transport automobiles to their new destinations.
When shipping a vehicle to or from Juneau, it's essential to choose a reliable vehicle shipping company with experience in navigating the unique challenges of transporting automobiles to & from this remote city. By working with a reputable auto transport service, you can ensure your vehicle arrives safely & efficiently at its destination.
What To Do Following Car Shipping Juneau Delivery
Once the juneau car shipping company you selected has finalized their delivery, there are several actions you should take:
Inspect Essential Functions - Illumination, stopping mechanisms, & powertrains should all be inspected immediately to guarantee that the vehicle is in the anticipated state, as well as allow you to promptly voice concerns with the juneau auto transport service should anything not be functioning as it should.
Outer Appearance - You can contrast the exterior of the automobile to the photographs captured of it previously to determine whether any additional harm has transpired. Transporting a vehicle can, in uncommon instances, lead to damage, and you want to be certain your auto shipping service has not done so.
Verify Distance Traveled - This is more pertinent to car transport services where the automobile is driven to the destination but it can assist to verify the mileage to ensure that it aligns with the trip taken.
We would immensely appreciate it if you could also provide a review for the vehicle transport company you utilized through Shiply so that others can browse auto shipping services with the same peace of mind.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have responded to some of the most inquired questions about vehicle shipping:
How much to transport a vehicle? Automobile shipping prices can differ drastically depending on the circumstances, but on average a journey should cost you around $2.92 per mile if the trip is less than 200 miles, $0.93 if the trip is between 200 & 500 miles, and if the trip is over 1,000 miles then this drops to $0.78.
What is the most economical way to transport an automobile? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the most economical way to ship a car, however, if you require a trailer then a multi-car transporter will be your best option with regard to the most economical way to ship an automobile.
How do I pay for my vehicle transport? This is down to each individual vehicle transport company on Shiply & is something you should discuss with your chosen auto delivery service before confirming the delivery. Most companies will be flexible with payment options, however.
Can I track my automobile transport online? Each car 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 auto transport companies to confirm that this is possible with them.
Does someone have to be present for pickup and delivery? In most cases, the automobile 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 automobile 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 automobile 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 automobile.
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.
