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 operating the vehicle yourself is not practical, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online, relocating to a new residence, or transporting your automobile overseas. Vehicle shipping services provide a practical solution for individuals who require the relocation of their vehicles across states or even nations.
Glendale, Arizona, US, is a prevalent destination for vehicle shipping due to its increasing population & prosperous economy. Many individuals relocate to Glendale for employment prospects, retirement, or to be nearer to family, & frequently necessitate dependable vehicle shipping services to transport their automobiles. Furthermore, Glendale is home to numerous car dealerships, making it a center for purchasing & selling vehicles, which further heightens the demand for vehicle shipping services in the region.
Fortunately, there are various vehicle transport services available to accommodate different needs & preferences. Whether you require cross-country car transport, shipping a vehicle to another state, or even international car shipping, there are options to suit your requirements.
Types Of Vehicle Transport Services
When selecting a vehicle shipping service, the initial decision you'll need to make is whether you prefer terminal-to-terminal or door-to-door delivery. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery involves designated collection & drop-off points, usually at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this option is often more economical, it requires extra effort on your part to get the vehicle to its final destination. In contrast, door-to-door auto transport is the most popular choice, as it offers the convenience of having your vehicle collected & delivered right at your doorstep, regardless of the distance.
Another key consideration is whether you want someone to operate your vehicle to its destination or have it transported on a trailer. Hiring a driver is a straightforward & often cheaper option, as it eliminates the need for additional equipment. However, this method adds mileage to your automobile & carries a slight risk of damage during the journey, which may be a concern for those buying or selling cars online.
Transporting your vehicle on a trailer offers a higher level of safety & protection, especially for valuable or classic automobiles. Single car trailers, while more expensive, provide the utmost security for your vehicle. For the ultimate protection, shipping containers are the safest option, albeit the most costly. Multi-car transporters, on the other hand, are a more affordable alternative, with several variants available:
- Open car shipping: The most common & economical 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, especially during long journeys.
- Enclosed auto transport: A more secure option, where multiple vehicles are transported in an enclosed carrier, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris. This is often the preferred choice for expensive or newer automobiles, as it minimizes the risk of damage during transit.
For overseas vehicle transportation, it's essential to find a specialist service or a company with experience in international car shipping to ensure a smooth & hassle-free process.
How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Vehicle?
The cost of transporting a vehicle varies depending on several factors, but on average, US auto transport companies charge around $2.92 per mile for journeys under 200 miles, $0.93 for distances between 200 & 500 miles, & $0.78 for trips over 1,000 miles. However, these figures are merely averages, & your vehicle transport costs may differ based on your specific circumstances. To get an accurate estimate, it's best to collect vehicle shipping quotes from multiple car transport companies, which is easily done through platforms like Shiply.
Several factors can influence the cost of auto transport, including:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys are more expensive than interstate vehicle delivery, which is usually the most affordable option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the distance increases.
- International shipping: Transporting an automobile overseas is always more costly due to the complex logistics & longer distances involved, often requiring specialized equipment like enclosed trailers or shipping containers.
- Route: The route taken by the vehicle carrier service can impact pricing, with higher traffic routes or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks potentially leading to additional costs or longer transit times.
- Shipping dates: Flexibility in timings can result in lower costs, as vehicle transport companies can optimize their schedules & reduce overheads. In contrast, expedited shipping within a strict timeframe typically incurs higher fees.
- Vehicle size: The dimensions of your automobile (height, length, & width) affect the cost of transport, with larger vehicles like SUVs generally costing more than sedans. It's crucial to inform the auto transport company about any accessories like bike racks or roof racks, as they can alter the required trailer size.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may incur additional costs due to the need for specialized equipment (e.g., winches or forklifts) to load & unload the automobile. A car that can brake, roll, & steer is considered to be in good enough condition for easy shipping by most vehicle carriers.
- Auto transport service type: The chosen method of transportation significantly impacts the cost. Having someone operate your vehicle is the most affordable option, while single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the specialized equipment required. Enclosed car shipping is typically the most costly method, as it involves transporting your vehicle alone while still needing specialized equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transit.
- Pick-up & delivery locations: Urban areas with vehicle shipping services in close proximity & common destination routes often result in cheaper car shipping. In contrast, rural deliveries or hard-to-access locations may incur additional costs due to extra mileage & potential loading challenges.
- Auto transport insurance: While auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, not all offer additional coverage. If cargo insurance is not provided, it's highly recommended to acquire supplemental insurance for your automobile during transit. Be sure to clarify the type of damage covered, deductibles, & any other relevant details.
- Time of year: Seasonality can affect vehicle shipping prices, with winter months often being the most expensive due to potential delays caused by ice, snow, & blizzard conditions. Spring & fall are generally more affordable, while summer is the peak season for shipping cars, resulting in higher prices & lower availability.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
With a better understanding of vehicle shipping services & the factors that influence pricing, you may be wondering how to find the right auto transport company for your needs. The challenge lies in navigating the hundreds of vehicle transport companies available, as searching through Google or phone books can be time-consuming & overwhelming. Moreover, many companies are reluctant to provide upfront pricing, requiring you to apply for quotes & fill out details individually, further complicating the process.
This is where Shiply can help simplify your search for the perfect vehicle shipping service. By filling out a simple form on Shiply, you can easily collect quotes from multiple auto transport providers. All you need to provide is the make & model of your automobile, the pick-up & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the vehicle. This information allows vehicle transport companies on Shiply to provide you with accurate quotes tailored to your specific requirements.
Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes directly in your Shiply inbox & via email. We recommend keeping email notifications enabled to ensure you're promptly notified when new quotes arrive. Quotes can start coming in within minutes of posting your listing, but it's advisable to wait for a few options before making a decision, allowing you to compare & select the best fit for your needs.
When you have received a few quotes, take the opportunity to ask the vehicle shipping companies any questions you may have, such as their availability (if a time frame is provided), insurance coverage, & how they plan to secure your automobile during transport. Asking these questions is crucial to ensure a smooth & hassle-free experience.
To further assist in your decision-making process, Shiply offers a feedback & ratings system that allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall satisfaction with each company. We highly recommend consulting these reviews before selecting a quote to ship your automobile, as they provide valuable insights into the quality & reliability of the vehicle transport service.
By leveraging Shiply's platform, you can easily find & compare vehicle shipping quotes from Glendale car shipping companies, ensuring you secure the best possible service at a competitive price. Whether you're moving to or from Glendale, Arizona, US, or simply need to transport your automobile elsewhere, Shiply is here to help you navigate the world of vehicle shipping with ease & confidence.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Car Shipping in Glendale
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate cost from a business for transporting a vehicle, on our platform you complete one quotation form and can then obtain quotes from various companies based on the information you submit. This can save you hours of time that you would have spent phoning companies and completing forms. Communication with these businesses is also possible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your Glendale car shipping details in one location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the car shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto transport company to employ to transport your vehicle. The challenge is that, while most companies are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't receive a definite car transport quote without having to supply information and fill in details. While this is understandable, it means that comparing prices and obtaining a car transport quote is not exactly a simple task. Using Shiply enables you to receive genuine, final price quotes from car shipping companies and compare them in one place, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have and ultimately decide on the best company for you.
Affordable Car Shipping in Glendale - Auto transport companies on Shiply can typically 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 and have already invested the cost for. For example, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York and 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, and they are just looking to ensure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, and pick-up/drop-off locations work for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service.
Environmentally Friendly - Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it is also more environmentally friendly. In the above example, if your car didn't get on that multi-car transporter and instead you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, then 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 other direction. Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are looking to fill their trailers on return journeys too, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Preparing Your Car for Shipping
If you have chosen an auto transport company to transport your car and feel confident using them, then it's time to prepare your car for shipping. We recommend 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 assess its condition and 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 and 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 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 car shipping company you selected has completed their delivery, there are a few things you should do:
Check Vital Signs - Lights, brakes, and 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, and 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 and 500 miles, and if the journey is over 1,000 miles then this drops to $0.78.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the most affordable 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 and 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 and delivery? In most cases, the car shipping company will require you to be in attendance for the pickup and 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, and 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 and 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 and 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 and has the right equipment to safely carry it out.
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