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 across the nation, or transporting your automobile overseas. Vehicle shipping companies provide a variety of services to accommodate different requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Transport Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, the initial choice you must make is where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country car shipment or transporting a vehicle to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an alternative, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the car transport company's stores or operating bases. While this alternative is typically less expensive, it necessitates more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. Most individuals, however, opt for door-to-door auto transport delivery, where their automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of the distance.
Vehicle transport services generally fall into two categories: having someone operate your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for shipment.
Engage Someone To Operate Your Vehicle
Engaging someone to operate your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether it's across the nation or to another state. This approach is often less expensive as it doesn't necessitate trailers or an additional vehicle, & it can be quicker due to its simplicity. However, there are some drawbacks to consider, such as the addition of mileage to your automobile (especially when shipping cross-country) & the slight risk of damage during the journey. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals purchasing or selling automobiles 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 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, while more expensive, are ideal for transporting expensive or classic cars that require extra protection. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, although this is the most costly option. Multi-car transporters, which can carry several automobiles at once, come in different variants:
Open car shipping is the cheapest & most common option, where your vehicle is placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all automobiles 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.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple cars on a carrier that is enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles where minimizing the risk of damage is a priority.
For overseas vehicle transportation, it's best to find a specialist service or a company with experience in overseas car shipping to receive tailored advice based on your requirements.
What Is The Cost Of Transporting A Vehicle?
The expense 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 journeys between 200 & 500 miles, & $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles. However, these are just averages, & your vehicle transport cost may differ based on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to obtain quotes from vehicle transport companies, which is easily done on Shiply.
Variables That Can Impact The Expense Of Vehicle Transport
Several factors can influence the expense of vehicle shipping, including:
Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost significantly more than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the cheapest option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the distance increases.
International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance traveled. It may require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container.
Route: The route taken from the pick-up spot to the delivery location can affect pricing. Routes with higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more due to the added time. Unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could also incur extra costs or require a longer alternative route.
Shipping Dates: Flexibility in timings can result in lower charges, as vehicle shipping companies can fit your delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. Strict timeframes (expedited shipping) typically cost more, as the company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver specifically for your delivery.
Vehicle Size: The height, length, & width of the vehicle affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles like SUVs generally cost more to transport than sedans. Accessories such as bike racks or roof racks can also change the required trailer size.
Vehicle Condition: Non-drivable cars may incur higher transport costs due to the need for extra equipment like winches or forklifts to load & unload the vehicle. A car that can brake, roll, & steer is considered in good enough condition for easy shipping by most car carriers.
Auto Transport Service Type: Having someone drive your car is the cheapest option, as you're essentially paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the specialized equipment required. Enclosed car shipping is the most costly method, as your car travels alone & still needs special equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transit.
Locations Of Pickup & Delivery: Urban areas usually have car shipping services nearby, & common destination routes often offer cheap car shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more due to deviations from normal routes & extra mileage. Unusual or hard-to-access pick-up or drop-off points may require extra steps for loading, increasing the cost.
Auto Transport Insurance: While auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many don't offer additional coverage. If cargo insurance isn't provided, it's highly recommended to acquire it separately for your vehicle during transit. Clarify what type of damage is covered, any deductibles, which parts of the vehicle are insured, & any other relevant questions.
Time Of Year: Seasonality affects car shipping prices, with winter transport often being more expensive due to ice & snow slowing routes. December is challenging as drivers are on holiday, while January sees increased demand for shipping to warmer states. February is usually quiet, offering great rates. Spring is ideal for shipping, with improved weather, longer days, & more available drivers. March is better than April or May, as there's often a rush to move cars from colder to warmer states. Summer is the busiest season, with June, July, & August being peak months & higher prices. Fall offers slightly cheaper rates, with less demand & more driver availability after the summer rush. October & November are better than September, which is peak time for students shipping cars to university.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Locating A Vehicle Transport Service
With numerous vehicle transport companies available, finding the right one can be overwhelming. Searching on Google or through phone books can be time-consuming, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without individual quotes.
How Can Shiply Assist In Locating Vehicle Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding a vehicle shipping service. By filling out a simple form with your vehicle's make & model, pickup & delivery locations, & desired dates, you can easily collect quotes from auto transport providers. Quotes start arriving in your Shiply inbox & email within minutes of posting your listing, but it's recommended to wait for a few options before making a decision.
Once you have several quotes, you can ask the companies questions about availability, insurance, & how they secure vehicles. It's crucial to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected process.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores for each company, helping you make an informed decision.
Why Individuals Frequently Relocate Vehicles To & From Tucson, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. As a growing city with a strong economy, many people move to Tucson for job opportunities, leading to an increased demand for vehicle shipping services. The city's warm climate & beautiful surroundings also attract retirees & those seeking a change of pace, often bringing their automobiles with them.
Tucson's proximity to the Mexican border makes it a hub for international vehicle shipping, with many automobiles being transported to & from Mexico through the city. Additionally, Tucson is home to the University of Arizona, which means a significant number of students shipping their cars to & from the city during the academic year.
The city's central location in the southern part of Arizona also makes it a convenient stopover for vehicle shipping companies traversing the state or the country, contributing to the frequent movement of automobiles in & out of Tucson. With its growing population & strategic position, Tucson continues to be a significant player in the vehicle shipping industry, both within Arizona & on a national scale.
The Benefits Of Using Shiply For Vehicle Transport in Tucson
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 site you complete one quotation form & can then obtain quotes from various companies based on the information you submit. This can save you a significant amount of time that you would have spent phoning companies & inputting details. Communication with these businesses is also feasible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your Tucson 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 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 vehicle transport quote without supplying information & filling in details. Although this is reasonable, it means that comparing prices & getting a vehicle transport quote is not a simple task. Using Shiply enables you to receive authentic, final price estimates from vehicle shipping companies & compare them in one place, with the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately choose the best company for your needs.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping in Tucson - Auto transport businesses on Shiply can usually provide 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 instance, 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 trip with 5 of the 6 spots occupied, & 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 more economical but also more environmentally friendly. In the previous 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 trip would be required just for your vehicle. Similarly, many car transporters return from a delivery empty-handed, which is not only expensive for them but also for the environment as there are many people who could have used that transporter to move their vehicles in the opposite direction. Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are also looking to fill their trailers on return trips, resulting in even less wasted CO2 being emitted into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Getting Your Vehicle Ready For Shipping
If you have selected an auto transport company to transport your vehicle & feel confident using them, it's time to prepare your vehicle 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 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, you should ensure that it is in running condition. This means checking fluid levels, battery charge, & tire pressure. This can also help you better evaluate 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, & 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.
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