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 an option.
Luckily, there are numerous vehicle transport services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we will explore below.
Varieties Of Auto Shipping Services
When it comes to auto shipping services, there are several crucial decisions you need to make. Firstly, you must determine where you want your vehicle 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 used, often at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this option is typically more affordable, it requires more effort on your part to get the vehicle home.
However, most individuals prefer 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 collect your automobile from a separate location, which can be challenging without your vehicle.
Vehicle transport services are generally divided into two categories: having someone operate your vehicle to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
Employing someone to operate your vehicle 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 more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an extra vehicle, & it can be faster due to its simplicity.
However, there are some drawbacks to this method that lead some individuals to choose 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 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 vehicle on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone operate your vehicle. 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 don't want to risk damaging. 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 many vehicles at once & come in a few variants:
- Open vehicle shipping is the most affordable & most common option, where your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all vehicles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so this may not be recommended for highly valuable automobiles. Long journeys in open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage & exposure to the elements.
- Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier, but they are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is often 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 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, US auto transport companies 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 determine the cost of auto transport is to collect vehicle shipping quotes from various companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
To get an idea of what factors can affect the price of vehicle transport services, consider the following:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys 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.
- International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always more expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance traveled. It may also require special enclosed trailers or shipping containers.
- Route: The route taken from the collection spot to the delivery location 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 transport 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, as well as any accessories like bike racks or roof racks, can change the size of the trailer required & affect the cost.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable vehicles may cost more to transport, as they require extra equipment like winches or forklifts to load & unload.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the most affordable option, while single vehicle trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the specialized equipment needed.
- Collection & delivery locations: Urban areas with common destination routes often have more affordable vehicle shipping, while rural deliveries or hard-to-access spaces may cost more.
- Auto transport insurance: While liability insurance is required, 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 weather-related delays & reduced speeds. Spring & fall offer better rates, while summer is the busiest season.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
With hundreds of 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 a detailed quote application.
This is where Shiply can help simplify the process.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply makes it easy to find the right vehicle shipping service by allowing you to fill out a simple form to start collecting quotes. All you need to provide is the make & model of the vehicle, the collection & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the automobile. This information enables 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 so you can be immediately notified when a new quote arrives. Quotes can start coming in within minutes of posting your listing, but it's best to wait for a few options before making a decision.
After receiving a few quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure vehicles during transport. It's important to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected experience.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is another valuable resource when selecting a vehicle shipping company. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Bryant, Arkansas
Bryant, Arkansas, is a growing city located in the central part of the state, just southwest of Little Rock. Many people move vehicles to & from Bryant for various reasons, including:
- Relocation: As Bryant continues to grow, more people are moving to the area for work or to be closer to family. This often involves shipping their automobiles to their new home.
- Online vehicle purchases: With the increasing popularity of online car buying, many people in Bryant purchase automobiles from out-of-state sellers & need to have them shipped to their location.
- Seasonal travel: Some Bryant residents may own second homes or travel to different parts of the country throughout the year, requiring them to ship their vehicles to their destination.
- College students: Students attending colleges or universities in other states may need to ship their automobiles to & from Bryant during breaks or at the start & end of the academic year.
- Military deployment: Military personnel stationed in Bryant or those deploying from the area may need to ship their vehicles to their new base or back home.
With its convenient location & growing population, Bryant sees a significant amount of vehicle shipping activity, making it essential for residents to have access to reliable & affordable auto transport services like those found on Shiply.
The Advantages of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Bryant
Time-Efficient - Instead of submitting a quotation request each time you require a precise cost for transporting your automobile, on our platform you only complete one form & then can receive estimates based on the information you supply from various businesses. This could save you hours that you would've spent phoning companies and completing forms.
Communication with these businesses is all possible through our platform as well, allowing you to keep all of your "bryant car shipping" information in one location.
Effortless Price Comparison
Ultimately, the cost of the car shipping estimate is the most significant factor in selecting which auto transport company to use to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually receive a firm "car shipping bryant" quote without supplying information and filling in details. While this is understandable, it does mean that price comparison & obtaining a car transport quote isn't exactly a breeze.
Utilizing Shiply enables you to obtain legitimate, final price estimates from car shipping companies & compare them all together, giving you the ability to message them individually to ask any questions & ultimately decide on the best one for you.
Affordable Car Shipping Alternatives
Auto transport businesses on Shiply are typically able to provide their services for a lower cost than if you went directly to them. This is because they are often seeking to fill empty space on trips they are already making & have already paid for the expense. Say, for instance, you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to move your vehicle there. On Shiply, a company may already have a multi-car carrier making that journey with 5 of the 6 spots filled, & they are just looking to ensure they aren't 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!
Superior For The Environment
Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it's also better for the planet! In the example above, if your car didn't get on that multi-car carrier & 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 lots of 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 trips too, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued cheap transport for our users.
Readying Your Vehicle For Transport
If you've decided on an auto transport company to move your vehicle & feel good about using them, then it's time to prepare your car for shipping. We recommend following these steps:
Documents - It's important to make sure any documents you may need are available at pick up or drop off, especially if you are selling your car.
Cleaning - You should take care to remove all personal belongings from your car prior to shipping, for the obvious reason that you don't want to risk them getting lost or damaged in transit. It's also highly recommended that you clean your vehicle before transport as this will allow you to see its condition & notice any damages that may happen during delivery.
Running Condition - If the car will be driven at any point during shipping or driven home from the drop-off location then you should ensure that it's in running condition. This means checking that there is enough fluid, as well as checking battery charge & tire pressure levels. Again this can also help you better judge the condition of the vehicle upon arrival.
Photo Evidence - One very important thing to do when prepping your car for the delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photos of all parts of the car. This gives you proof of the car's condition before shipping should anything happen to it during transport.
Post-Delivery Checklist
Once the car shipping company you chose has completed their delivery, there are a few things you should do:
Check Vital Signs - Lights, brakes, & engines should all be inspected right away to ensure that the car is in the expected condition, as well as enable you to immediately raise concerns with the delivery service should anything not be working properly.
Exterior Condition - You can compare the exterior of the vehicle to the photos taken of it before to see whether any extra damage has occurred. Shipping a car can, in rare cases, cause damage, & you want to be sure your 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 common questions about car shipping:
How much to ship a car? Car shipping prices can vary a lot 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 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 cheapest way to ship a car, however, if you need a trailer then a multi-car transporter will be your best option in regards 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 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 shipment, with some even able to provide personal updates. If you require tracking, you should message individual transport companies to confirm that this is possible with them.
Does someone have to be present for pickup and delivery? In most cases, the 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 keys.
Can I keep items in my vehicle during shipment? Most transport companies will be fine with you keeping some personal belongings 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 shipment, and 2. Any items in the car will not be covered by insurance for the transport 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.
Can I ship my vehicle if it isn't running? You can ship your car if it isn't in running condition, however, this will be more expensive as special equipment is required to load & unload the vehicle.
Can I ship a modified vehicle? Almost any type of car 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.
