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 drive 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 unavailable. Luckily, there are numerous auto transport services available to cater to your specific requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Transport Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, the initial choice you 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. One option is terminal-to-terminal auto delivery, where designated collection & drop-off points, frequently the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are utilized. Although this option is typically more affordable, it requires more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. However, most individuals prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of the distance.
Vehicle transport services are generally divided into two types: having someone drive your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Engage Someone To Drive Your Vehicle
Engaging someone to drive your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether it's across the country or to another state. The advantages of this method include lower costs, as trailers & extra vehicles are not necessary, & quicker delivery due to the simplicity of the transport. However, there are some drawbacks to this approach 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 is being driven, which is particularly concerning for those buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the automobile 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 drive it to its destination. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile. Single trailers, which transport only one vehicle at a time, are often more expensive but 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 costly option.
Multi-car transporters, which can carry many vehicles at once, come in a few variants:
- Open vehicle shipping: The most affordable & 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, making this option less suitable for highly valuable automobiles. Long journeys in open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage & prolonged 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 often preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during transport.
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.
What Is The Cost Of Shipping 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 may cost more or less 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.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Auto Transport
While everyone wants affordable vehicle transport, several factors can influence the cost of vehicle shipping services:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost significantly 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 expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance the automobile must travel. 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, such as in LA, may cost more than quieter roads due to the added time. Unforeseen circumstances, like major roadworks, can also incur extra costs or require a longer alternative route.
- Shipping dates: The speed at which you need your vehicle transported can impact the price. Flexible timings often result in lower charges, as vehicle shipping companies can fit your delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. Expedited shipping, where you require auto transport within a strict timeframe, typically costs more, as the company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver solely for your delivery.
- Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of the automobile affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles, such as SUVs, generally cost more to transport than sedans, as they require larger trailers. Always inform the auto transport company about any accessories on the vehicle, such as bike racks or roof racks, as they can change the size of the trailer needed.
- Vehicle condition: If your automobile is not drivable, it may increase the cost of auto transport, as extra equipment like a winch or forklift may be required to load & unload the vehicle. Cars that can brake, roll, & steer are considered in good enough condition for easy shipping by most vehicle carriers.
- Auto transport service type: The type of auto transport service you choose affects the cost of vehicle shipping. Having someone drive your automobile is the most affordable option, as you are essentially paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single vehicle trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the specialized equipment required. Enclosed vehicle shipping is the most costly method, as your automobile travels alone & still needs special equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
- Pickup & delivery locations: The cost of shipping a vehicle may increase depending on the collection & drop-off locations. Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services nearby, & common destination routes often offer affordable vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more due to deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. Unusual or hard-to-access collection or drop-off points may require extra steps to load your automobile, increasing the vehicle shipping cost.
- Auto transport insurance: While all auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance. If a company does not provide cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you obtain some for your automobile during transit. Ensure you understand what type of damage is covered, any deductibles, which parts of the vehicle are insured, & any other relevant details.
- Time of year: Seasonality can affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more in the winter due to ice & snow slowing routes. December is typically a difficult time to ship an automobile, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased shipping costs. February, however, is usually quiet, & great rates are often available during this month. Spring is a great time to ship your vehicle, with improved weather conditions, longer days, & more available drivers. March is often better than April or May, as there is often a rush to move cars from colder to warmer states. Summer is the prime season for shipping vehicles, with the longest days, students traveling home from universities, employees taking vacations, & a popular time for moving house. June, July, & August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, & affordable vehicle shipping is less likely during the summer. Fall is a good time to ship a vehicle if you are looking for slightly cheaper prices, as vehicle shipping companies are less busy & there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. October or November are better options than September, which is peak time for students shipping their cars to university.
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 can result in scrolling through numerous pages to find the best vehicle shipping company at the best price, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without an individual quote application, which can be time-consuming.
How Can Shiply Assist In Finding Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding the right vehicle shipping service. To get started, fill out a simple form with the make & model of the vehicle that needs shipping, the collection & 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 will receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & via email. We recommend keeping email notifications on so you can be immediately informed 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.
When you have received a few quotes, you can ask the companies 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 these questions to any company you consider using to ensure a smooth & expected process.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is another valuable resource when selecting a quote to ship your automobile. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company & their overall score, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Frequently Move Vehicles To & From Conway, Arkansas
Conway, Arkansas, is a thriving city situated in the central part of the state, just north of Little Rock. Many individuals move vehicles to & from Conway for various reasons, such as relocating for work or education, purchasing or selling automobiles online, or transporting classic cars to events or shows. The city's proximity to major highways, including Interstate 40 & U.S. Route 65, makes it a convenient location for vehicle shipping services. Additionally, Conway is home to several colleges & universities, including the University of Central Arkansas, Hendrix College, & Central Baptist College, which often leads to an influx of students shipping their automobiles to & from the city during the academic year. With its robust economy, affordable cost of living, & various cultural attractions, Conway continues to attract new residents & businesses, further driving the demand for vehicle shipping services in the area.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Conway
Time-Saving - Instead of completing a quote form each time you require an exact price from a company on transporting a vehicle, on our platform you simply complete one quote form & then can receive quotes based on the information you provide from several businesses. This can save you hours of time you would have had to spend phoning companies & filling out forms.
Communication with these businesses is all possible through our platform too, meaning you can store all of your conway car shipping details in one location.
Price Comparision
When it comes down to it, the price of the car shipping quote is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto transport company to use to transport your car. The tricky thing is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't actually be given a solid car transport quote without having to provide information and complete details. While this is understandable, it does mean that price comparison and getting a car transport quote isn't exactly a simple task.
Using Shiply allows you to receive genuine, final price quotes from car shipping conway 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 Conway
Auto transport businesses on Shiply are typically able to offer their services for a lower cost than if you went direct to them. This is because they are often looking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already sunk the cost for. Say, for example, you were moving from Los Angeles to New York & needed to move your car there. On Shiply, a company 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.
Better For The Enviornment
Not only is using Shiply for auto transport cheaper, but it is also better for the environment. In the above example, if your car didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a seperate car shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip 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.
Preparing For Your Car To Be Shipped
If you have decided on an auto transport company to move your car & feel secure using them, then it's time to get your car ready for shipping. We recommend following these steps:
Documents - It is important to ensure that any documents you may need are available at pick up or drop off, especially if you are selling your vehicle.
Cleaning - You should take care to remove all personal items from your vehicle prior to 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 figure out 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 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 getting your vehicle ready 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 outside of the vehicle to the photos taken of it before to figure out whether any extra damage has occured. 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 trip 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 trip should cost you around $2.92 per mile if the trip is less than 200 miles, $0.93 if the trip is between 200 and 500 miles, and if the trip 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 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.