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 proves useful in numerous situations where operating the vehicle yourself is not practical, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online, relocating to a new residence, or moving your automobile overseas. Vehicle shipping companies provide a variety of auto transport 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 vehicle transport or moving a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this alternative is typically less expensive, it demands more effort on your part to get the automobile home. Most individuals, however, opt for a door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their vehicles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, irrespective of the distance. This is more convenient as it eliminates the need to arrange transportation to collect your automobile.
Vehicle transport services generally fall into two categories: having someone operate your automobile 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 it's a cross-country or interstate move. This method is often less expensive as it doesn't require trailers or an additional vehicle. It can also be quicker due to its simplicity. However, there are some drawbacks to consider. Firstly, the journey will add mileage to your automobile, which can be significant for cross-country shipping. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your car during the drive. These concerns are particularly relevant for people buying 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 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 as they minimize the risk of damage. The safest option is to use a shipping container, although it is the most costly. Multi-car transporters, which can carry several vehicles at once, are another option with a few variants:
Open vehicle shipping is the cheapest & most common option 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. Long journeys using open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage due to prolonged exposure.
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 international vehicle shipping to provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Vehicle?
The cost 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 distances between 200 & 500 miles, & $0.78 for trips 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 through platforms like Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
While everyone wants inexpensive vehicle transport, several factors can influence the cost of vehicle shipping services. Understanding these variables can help you estimate whether your auto transport requirements will be expensive or affordable.
Distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of vehicle transport, with cross-state & cross-country journeys being more expensive than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the cheapest option. Although longer distances cost more, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases, ensuring you don't pay excessively for extended trips.
International shipping always results in expensive vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring a car overseas & the distance involved. It may also require special enclosed trailers or shipping containers for your automobile.
The route taken to transport your vehicle from its pick-up spot to its delivery location can also affect the pricing. Routes with known higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more than quieter roads due to the additional time required. Unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could also incur extra costs or necessitate a longer alternative route.
The urgency of your shipping dates can impact the price. If you have flexibility in your timings, you may find that vehicle shipping services charge less as they can fit your automobile delivery into their schedule, reducing overheads & passing the savings on to you. However, if you require expedited shipping within a strict timeframe, it will typically cost more as the vehicle transport company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver specifically for your delivery.
The size of your automobile, including its height, length, & width, will affect the cost of transport. Vehicle shippers require larger trailers for bigger automobiles, with SUVs generally costing more to transport than sedans. It's essential to inform the auto transport company about any accessories like bike racks or roof racks, as they can change the size of the trailer needed for the delivery.
If your vehicle is not in drivable condition, it may increase the cost of auto transport. Non-operational automobiles may require extra equipment such as a winch or forklift to load & unload them from the trailer. Cars with locked wheels, for example, cannot be simply rolled onto & off a trailer, requiring more time, effort, & machinery to complete the delivery compared to a standard vehicle transport service. Most vehicle carriers consider a car that can brake, roll, & steer to be in good enough condition for easy shipping.
The type of auto transport service you choose will also affect the cost of vehicle shipping. Having someone operate your vehicle to its destination is always the cheapest option as you are essentially paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single car trailers & enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive due to the extra equipment required. Enclosed vehicle shipping is the most expensive method as it involves your car traveling alone while still needing specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
The locations of pickup & delivery can also influence the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas typically have vehicle shipping services in close proximity, & common destination routes tend to offer inexpensive vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. If a pick-up or drop-off point is in an unusual or hard-to-access location, additional steps may be needed to load your automobile, which can also increase the vehicle shipping cost.
While all auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance as it is not legally required. If a vehicle transport company does not provide cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you obtain some for your automobile during transit. When considering insurance policies, ensure you understand what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, which parts of the vehicle are covered, & any other relevant details.
Seasonality can also affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more to ship a car in the winter due to ice & snow slowing the routes. Here is a quick breakdown of how each season can impact auto transport costs:
Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your automobile. Ice, snow, & blizzard conditions can cause delays on the roads & reduce the maximum speed at which vehicle delivery services can operate. 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. However, February is usually quiet, & great rates are often available from vehicle shipping services during this month.
Spring is an excellent time to ship your automobile with a vehicle transportation service. With improved weather conditions, longer days, & more drivers ready to work, Spring can often mean inexpensive rates & high availability for moving your car. March is generally 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 vehicles. With the longest days of the year, students traveling home from universities, employees taking vacations, & a popular time for moving houses, June, July, & August are all busy months for the auto transport industry. As a result, you should not expect inexpensive vehicle shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship a vehicle if you are looking for slightly cheaper prices. Vehicle shipping companies are less busy, & there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. However, it is better 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 Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
Now that you have a better understanding of what vehicle shipping entails & the type of auto transport service you need, you probably want to find a vehicle transport service that suits your requirements. The challenge lies in the fact that there are hundreds of vehicle transport companies out there. Searching for them on Google can result in scrolling through numerous pages trying to find the best vehicle shipping company at the best price. Many of these companies are reluctant to provide pricing upfront, meaning you will likely need to apply for a quote & fill out details with each of them individually, which can be time-consuming.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Given the numerous options & variables involved in finding a vehicle shipping service, searching for & selecting the right one can seem daunting. This is where Shiply can help.
On Shiply, you simply need to fill out a simple form to start collecting quotes. All we require from you is the make & model of the vehicle that needs shipping, the pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the automobile. This information allows the auto transport providers on Shiply to provide you with 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 turned on so that you can be immediately notified when a new quote arrives. Quotes can start coming through within a few minutes of posting your listing, but we always suggest waiting for a few to come through before making a decision, giving you multiple options to choose from.
After receiving a few quotes, you can ask the providers 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 has a feedback & ratings system that we highly recommend reviewing before 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 Often Move Vehicles To & From San Francisco, California, US
San Francisco, California, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. As a major metropolitan area, many people relocate to San Francisco for job opportunities, education, or a change of lifestyle. The city's unique geography, with limited parking & steep hills, can make it challenging to drive & maintain a car, leading some residents to ship their automobiles in or out of the city as needed. Additionally, San Francisco serves as a hub for classic car collectors & enthusiasts, who often require reliable vehicle shipping services to transport their valuable automobiles to & from events or storage facilities. The city's proximity to other major California cities, such as Los Angeles & San Diego, also contributes to the demand for vehicle shipping services in the region.
Why Utilize Shiply for Vehicle Transport in San Francisco?
Transporting your vehicle can be a genuine inconvenience, but Shiply makes it incredibly simple & conserves you loads of time. Rather than completing quote forms for every company, you just input your details once on our platform & receive quotes from numerous vehicle transport san francisco businesses. This can conserve you hours you'd have to invest calling around & filling out forms.
All the communication with these businesses occurs right on our site, so you maintain everything about san francisco vehicle transport in one location. Pretty convenient, correct?
Effortlessly Compare Prices
Let's be honest, the expense is the most significant factor when selecting a vehicle transporter. But obtaining an actual quote instead of just a rough estimate is challenging - you gotta provide all your info first. Utilizing Shiply allows you to get legitimate final quotes from shippers & compare them easily. You can even message them with inquiries to choose the ideal one.
Affordable Vehicle Transport Options
Auto transport businesses on Shiply tend to provide lower rates than going direct. That's because they're often seeking to fill empty spaces on trips they're already making. For instance, say you're relocating from LA to NYC & need to ship your ride. A company might have a multi-car hauler going that way with 5 of 6 spots filled. As long as the timing & locations work for you, you could save up to 75% by taking that last spot!
Eco-Friendly Choice
Not only is Shiply more affordable for vehicle transport, it's better for the environment too! In that LA to NYC example, if your vehicle didn't get on that hauler, they'd have to send another truck just for your ride - doubling the emissions. Many of our shippers are also looking to fill their trucks on return trips to avoid driving empty, reducing even more on wasted CO2. Using Shiply means less pollution & more affordable transport for you - win-win!
Readying Your Vehicle for Transport
Once you choose a shipper, prepare your vehicle to go with these tips:
Documents - Have any paperwork ready for pickup/dropoff, especially if selling the vehicle.
Cleaning - Remove all personal items so nothing gets lost or damaged. Give it a thorough cleaning so you can inspect the condition before shipping.
Running Condition - If it needs to be driven during shipping, ensure it's fueled up, tires are good, battery is charged, etc. This helps you see if anything's off when it arrives.
Photos - Take plenty of pics from every angle! That way you have evidence of the condition if anything happens in transit.
After Delivery
When your vehicle arrives:
- Inspect lights, brakes, engine right away to ensure everything's functioning properly. Let the shipper know if anything seems off.
- Compare the exterior to your photos & note any new damage that may have occurred.
- For drive-away services, verify the mileage matches up with the trip.
Leave a review too so others know how your experience went!
FAQs on Vehicle Transport
How much to ship a vehicle? Prices vary but typically it's around $2.92/mile for under 200 miles, $0.93 for 200-500 miles, & $0.78 for over 1,000 miles.
What's the most affordable way? Having someone drive it is cheapest, but for shipping, a multi-car hauler is most economical.
How do I pay? Payment is between you & the shipper, most offer flexible options.
Can I track my shipment? Some companies let you track online, check with yours.
Do I need to be there for pickup/dropoff? Yep, you'll likely need to sign paperwork & hand off keys.
Can I leave stuff in the vehicle? Usually some personal items are ok, but they aren't covered by insurance & could affect the shipping cost based on weight.
How much gas? Around 1/4 tank is recommended.
What if my vehicle doesn't run? You can still ship it, but it'll cost more since special equipment is needed.
Can I ship modded vehicles? Yep, our shippers can handle just about any vehicle!
