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, relocating to a new residence, or transporting your automobile overseas. Car shipping services are especially useful when you need to transport a vehicle to another state or across the nation.
Luckily, there are numerous auto transport services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we will discuss below.
Types Of Vehicle Transport Services
When it comes to transporting your automobile, you have several options to choose from. The first decision you'll need to 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 option, where designated collection and drop-off points are used, often at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this option is usually more affordable, it requires more effort on your part to get the automobile home.
Most individuals, however, 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 cross-country car transport or just shipping a car to another state. This option is more convenient as you don't need to go anywhere to collect your automobile, which can be challenging without your vehicle in the first place!
Vehicle transport services generally fall into two categories: having someone drive your automobile to its destination or putting it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Drive Your Vehicle
Hiring someone to drive your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for car 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 car 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 driven. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the automobile arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Put Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone drive it to its destination. With car shipping trailers, you have multiple options depending on the value & size of your vehicle.
You can choose a single trailer for your automobile, which is more expensive as it only transports one vehicle at a time but is a great option for moving expensive or classic cars that you don't want to risk damaging. The safest way to transport a car is in a shipping container, but this is by far the most expensive option.
Alternatively, you can opt for a multi-car transporter, which comes in a few variants:
Open car shipping is the most affordable & most common option when transporting a car. Your vehicle is placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all cars are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so this may not be recommended for highly valuable vehicles. Long journeys in open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage & exposure to the elements.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple cars on a carrier that is enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is often preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during auto transport.
If you need to move your automobile overseas, it's best to find a specialist service or one with experience in overseas car 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, 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 car transport may cost more or less depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to find out how much auto transport will cost you is to collect car shipping quotes from various vehicle transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
To get an idea of what factors can affect the price of car transport services, take a look at the following section.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
While we all want affordable car transport, several factors & variables can impact the cost of shipping your vehicle. Here are the main ones to consider:
Distance: As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of car transport. Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate car delivery, which is often the most affordable option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey gets longer, so you're not paying over the odds for longer distances.
International shipping: Shipping a car overseas will always result in expensive car shipping quotes due to the logistics involved & the distance the vehicle needs to travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container.
Route: Along with distance, the route taken to transport your car from its collection spot to its delivery location can affect the 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 could also incur extra costs or require a different, longer route.
Shipping dates: The speed at which you need your car transported can also affect the price. If you're flexible with timings, you may find that car shipping services charge less, as they can fit your vehicle delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. However, if you require auto transport within a strict timeframe (known as expedited shipping), it will typically cost more, as the car transport company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver just for your delivery.
Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of your automobile will all affect the cost of transport. Car shippers will require larger trailers for bigger vehicles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. Make sure to inform the auto transport company about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on the car, as these can change the size of the trailer required for delivery.
Vehicle condition: If your car is not in drivable condition, it may make your auto transport more expensive. This is because it may require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load & unload your car from the trailer. If your car has a locked wheel, for example, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto & off a trailer, taking more time, effort, & machinery to complete the delivery than a standard car transport service. Most car carriers consider a car that can brake, roll, & steer to be in good enough condition to ship easily.
Auto transport service type: The type of auto transport service you choose will also affect the cost of your car shipping. Having someone drive your car to its destination will always be the most affordable option, as you're essentially just paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single car trailers & enclosed transport will likely be more expensive, as they require extra equipment. Enclosed car shipping is always the most expensive method of shipping a car, as it means your car travels alone & still needs specialist equipment to load, unload, & protect it during transport.
Locations of pickup & delivery: The locations where you need your car collected & dropped off can also increase the price of shipping. Urban areas usually have car shipping services in close proximity, & if it's a common destination route, you'll tend to get affordable car shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. If a collection or drop-off point is in an unusual or hard-to-access space, extra steps may be needed to load your vehicle, which can also increase the car shipping cost.
Auto transport insurance: While all auto transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance, as it's not required by law. If a car transport company doesn't offer cargo insurance, it's highly recommended that you seek out & acquire some for your vehicle during transit. As with all insurance policies, make sure you're clear on what type of damage is covered, whether there's a deductible, what parts of the vehicle are covered, & any other questions you may have.
Time of year: Seasonality can also affect the price of car shipping, with many services costing more to ship a car in the winter due to ice & snow slowing the routes. Here's a quick breakdown of how each season can affect auto transport costs:
Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your automobile. Ice, snow, & blizzard conditions can all cause delays on the roads & reduce the maximum speed at which the car delivery service can transport cars. December is typically a difficult time to have a vehicle shipped, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased vehicle shipping costs. February, however, is usually quiet, so great rates are often available from car shipping services during this month.
Spring is a great time to ship your automobile with a car transportation service. With improved weather conditions, longer days, & more drivers ready to work, Spring can often mean affordable rates & high availability when it comes to moving your car. March is often a better time to ship 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 cars - the days are the longest in the year, students are traveling home from universities, employees take vacations, & it's also a very popular time to move house. This means that June, July, & August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, & you should not expect affordable car shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship a car if you're looking for a slightly more affordable price. Car shipping companies are less busy, & there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. However, you're better off looking to move your automobile in October or November rather than September, as this is peak time for students shipping their cars to university.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding A Vehicle Transport Service
Now that you know more about what car shipping & a car shipping service are, as well as what sort of auto transport service you need, you probably want to go ahead & find a car transport service that's right for you.
The issue is that there are hundreds of car transport companies out there. Trying to find them on Google can result in scrolling through numerous pages trying to find the best car shipping company for the best price, & the same is true if you were to go through phone books. Furthermore, many of these companies are reluctant to give you pricing, meaning you'll likely need to apply for a quote & fill out details with each of them individually, which can be very time-consuming.
How Can Shiply Help Find Vehicle Transport Companies?
Given all the options & variables involved with finding a car shipping service, actually searching for & finding the right one can seem like a daunting task, & this is where Shiply can help.
On Shiply, you simply need to fill out a simple form to start collecting quotes. All we need from you are the make & model of the car that needs shipping, the collection location & delivery location, & the dates you need to move the vehicle. This gives the auto transport providers on Shiply enough information to provide you with an accurate quote for your job.
Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & to your email. We recommend keeping email notifications turned on so that you can know immediately when a new quote comes through. Quotes can start coming through within a few minutes of posting your listing, but we always recommend waiting for a few to come through before making a decision so that you have multiple options to choose from.
Once you have a few quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as when they are available (if a time frame is given), what insurance they have, & how they would secure your car. We recommend asking any company you may use these questions to ensure that everything goes smoothly & as expected.
Shiply has a feedback & ratings system that we highly recommend looking at before selecting a quote to ship your automobile. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company, as well as their overall score.
Why People Often Move Cars To & From Fontana, California
Fontana, located in San Bernardino County, California, is a city that sees a significant amount of car shipping activity. Many individuals move cars to & from Fontana for various reasons, such as relocating for work, purchasing or selling vehicles online, or transporting classic cars to events.
One of the main reasons people ship cars to Fontana is its proximity to major cities like Los Angeles & San Diego. Fontana is situated along Interstate 10 & State Route 210, making it a convenient location for car shipping companies to collect & deliver vehicles. This ease of access attracts many individuals & businesses looking to transport their cars to or from the area.
Additionally, Fontana is home to the Auto Club Speedway, which hosts various racing events throughout the year, including NASCAR races. Car enthusiasts often ship their automobiles to Fontana to participate in or attend these events, contributing to the city's car shipping activity.
Fontana's growing population & expanding business sector also contribute to the demand for car shipping services. As more individuals move to the area for work or to start a business, they often need to transport their vehicles from their previous location. Similarly, as businesses in Fontana grow & expand, they may need to ship company cars or fleet vehicles to the city.
In conclusion, Fontana's strategic location, thriving automotive events, & growing population & business sector make it a popular destination for car shipping. Whether you're moving to Fontana, attending a racing event, or buying or selling a vehicle, there are many reliable car shipping companies, like those found on Shiply, that can help transport your car to or from this bustling California city.
The Advantages of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transportation
Time-efficient - Rather than completing a quotation form each instance you desire to obtain a precise cost from an organization on transporting a vehicle, on our platform you complete one quotation form & then can receive estimates based on the information you supply from several companies. This can conserve you hours of effort you would have had to invest contacting companies & inputting details. Communication with these organizations is all feasible through our platform as well, allowing you to maintain all of your vehicle shipping data in one location.
Cost Comparison - When it comes down to it, 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 organizations are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually be given a definite vehicle transport quote without having to supply information & fill in details. While this is understandable, it does mean that cost comparison & getting a vehicle transport quote isn't exactly a simple task. Using Shiply allows you to receive genuine, final price estimates from vehicle shipping companies & compare them in one place, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the best organization for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping - Auto transport organizations on Shiply are typically able to offer their services for a lower cost than if you went directly to them. This is because they are often looking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already invested the cost for. Say, for example, you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to move your vehicle there. On Shiply, an organization may already have a multi-car transporter making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots filled, & they are just looking to ensure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, & 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 vehicle didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate vehicle shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be needed just for your vehicle. Similarly, many vehicle 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 vehicles 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 affordable transport for our users.
Preparing For Your Vehicle To Be Transported
If you have decided on an auto transport organization to move your vehicle & feel secure using them, then it's time to prepare your vehicle 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 ascertain 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 & 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 vehicle delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photographs of all parts of the vehicle. This provides you with evidence of the vehicle's condition before shipping should anything happen to it during transport.
What To Do After Delivery
Once the vehicle shipping organization 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 vehicle is in the expected condition, as well as enable you to immediately raise concerns with the vehicle 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 ascertain whether any extra damage has occurred. Shipping a vehicle can, in rare cases, cause damage, & you want to be sure your vehicle transport service has not done so.
Check Mileage - This is more relevant to vehicle shipping services where the vehicle 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 organization you used through Shiply so that others can browse vehicle shipping services with the same peace of mind.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have answered some of the most asked questions about vehicle shipping:
How much to ship a vehicle? Vehicle 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 & 500 miles, & if the journey is over 1,000 miles then this drops to $0.78.
What is the most affordable way to ship a vehicle? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the most affordable way to ship a vehicle, however, if you need a trailer then a multi-car transporter will be your best option with regard to the most affordable way to ship a vehicle.
How do I pay for my auto transport? This is down to each individual auto transport organization on Shiply & is something you should discuss with your chosen vehicle delivery service before confirming the delivery. Most organizations will be flexible with payment options, however.
Can I track my vehicle transport online? Each vehicle shipping organization on Shiply has different ways of operating, but many offer the ability to track your vehicle shipment, with some even able to provide personal updates. If you require tracking, you should message individual vehicle transport organizations to confirm that this is possible with them.
Does someone have to be present for pickup & delivery? In most cases, the vehicle shipping organization 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 vehicle keys.
Can I keep items in my vehicle during my vehicle shipment? Most vehicle transport organizations 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, & 2. Any items in the vehicle will not be covered by insurance for the transport of the vehicle 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 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 & 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 & has the right equipment to safely carry it out.
If you're looking for reliable & affordable vehicle shipping fontana or fontana vehicle shipping services, Shiply is the perfect platform to connect with top-rated auto transport organizations. With our user-friendly interface & competitive pricing, shipping your vehicle has never been easier.
