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 companies provide a variety of auto transport services to accommodate different requirements.
Categories Of Auto Transport Services
When selecting an auto transport service, the initial choice you must make is where you want your vehicle collected from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country car transport or shipping a car 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 more affordable, it necessitates more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. Most individuals, however, opt for a door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of the distance.
Vehicle transport services can be classified into two primary 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 car shipping, whether it's a cross-country or interstate relocation. This approach is often more affordable as it doesn't necessitate trailers or an additional vehicle. It can also be quicker due to its simplicity. However, there are some drawbacks to consider. Firstly, the trip will add mileage to your automobile, which can be significant for cross-country shipping. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage occurring during the drive. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals purchasing or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Utilizing a trailer to transport your vehicle is a safer alternative that guarantees a higher level of protection compared to having someone operate it. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various types, & your choice will depend on the value & size of your automobile.
Single trailers are designed to transport one vehicle at a time & are often more expensive. However, they are ideal for moving expensive or classic cars that require extra care. The safest way to transport a vehicle is by using a shipping container, although this is the most costly option. Multi-car transporters, on the other hand, can carry multiple automobiles at once & come in different variants:
Open car shipping is the most affordable & common alternative offered by vehicle shipping companies. 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. Additionally, longer journeys in open trailers pose a greater risk of damage & prolonged exposure to the elements.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple cars on a carrier that is fully enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This alternative is preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles where minimizing the risk of damage is a priority.
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. They can provide tailored advice based on your specific 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 differ based on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to obtain vehicle shipping quotes from multiple 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 cost more than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the cheapest alternative. However, the average price per mile decreases as the distance increases.
- International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always more expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance traveled. It may 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 alternative, longer routes.
- Shipping dates: Flexibility in timings can result in 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 impact the cost of transport. Larger vehicles like SUVs generally cost more to ship 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 for loading & unloading.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the cheapest alternative, while single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the specialized equipment required.
- Collection & delivery locations: Urban areas with common destination routes often have lower vehicle shipping costs. Rural deliveries or hard-to-access locations may incur additional charges.
- Auto transport insurance: While auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, additional cargo insurance is recommended & may affect the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality plays a role in vehicle shipping prices. Winter months, especially December & January, tend to be more expensive due to weather conditions & increased demand. Spring & fall offer better rates & availability.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
With numerous vehicle transport companies available, finding the right one can be overwhelming. Searching through Google or phone books can be time-consuming, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without a personalized quote.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding a vehicle shipping service. By filling out a simple form with your vehicle's make & model, collection & delivery locations, & desired shipping dates, you can easily collect quotes from auto transport providers on Shiply.
Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & via email. It's recommended to keep email notifications on to stay informed about new quotes. While quotes can start arriving within minutes, it's best to wait for a few options before making a decision.
Before selecting a quote, ask the companies any relevant questions, such as availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure vehicles during transport. Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores, helping you make an informed choice.
Why People Often Move Cars To & From West Memphis, Arkansas
West Memphis, Arkansas, is a city located along the Mississippi River, just across the border from Memphis, Tennessee. Its strategic location makes it a popular hub for vehicle shipping. Many people move cars to & from West Memphis for various reasons:
- Relocation: When moving to or from West Memphis, people often use vehicle shipping services to transport their automobiles, especially if they are moving long distances.
- Buying or selling cars: West Memphis is home to several car dealerships, & people from surrounding areas often purchase vehicles from these dealerships. Vehicle shipping services help facilitate these transactions by delivering the cars to their new owners.
- Seasonal travel: Some residents of West Memphis own second homes or travel to other parts of the country seasonally. They may use vehicle shipping services to transport their automobiles to their destination, allowing them to fly & have their car waiting for them upon arrival.
- Military deployment: Military personnel stationed in or near West Memphis may need to ship their cars when deploying overseas or relocating to another base.
- Auto auctions: West Memphis hosts auto auctions that attract buyers from various locations. Vehicle shipping services enable these buyers to transport their purchased automobiles to their desired destinations.
The convenience & flexibility offered by vehicle shipping services make them a popular choice for people moving cars to & from West Memphis, Arkansas, for a variety of reasons.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in West Memphis
Time-Efficient - Instead of completing a quotation form each time you require an exact cost from a business for transporting a vehicle, on our platform you complete one quotation form and can then receive estimates based on the information you supply from several companies. This can save you a significant amount of time that you would have spent phoning companies and filling out forms. Communication with these businesses is also possible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your West Memphis vehicle shipping details in a single location.
Cost Comparison - The Crucial Aspect
Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto transport company to utilize to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite vehicle transport quote without having to give information and complete details. While this is understandable, it means that comparing prices and obtaining a vehicle transport quote is not exactly a simple task. Using Shiply enables you to receive genuine, final price quotes from West Memphis vehicle 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 Vehicle Shipping - Save Significantly!
Auto transport businesses on Shiply can typically provide their services for 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 vehicle 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 are convenient for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service.
Environmentally Friendly - Go Green!
Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it is also more environmentally friendly! In the above example, if your vehicle 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 vehicle. 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 vehicles in the other direction! Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are also looking to fill their trailers on return journeys, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Readying Your Vehicle for Shipping
If you have chosen an auto transport company to transport your vehicle and feel confident using them, then it's time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. We recommend following these steps:
Documents - It is crucial 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 determine 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.
