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 numerous situations where you are unable to operate the vehicle yourself, 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 services to accommodate your unique requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Transport Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, you must determine where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a nationwide car transport or shipping a car to a different state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the car transport company's stores or operating bases. This option is typically more affordable but 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 automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of the distance.
Vehicle transport services are generally categorized into two types: having someone operate your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Engage Someone To Operate Your Vehicle
Hiring an individual to operate your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether it's across the nation or to a different state. The advantages of this method include lower costs, as trailers & an additional vehicle are not necessary, & faster delivery due to the straightforward nature of the transport. However, there are some drawbacks to this method, such as added mileage to your vehicle, especially when shipping a car across the country, & a slight risk of damage during the journey. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals purchasing or selling automobiles online who want to ensure the car arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Automobile On A Trailer
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone operate your vehicle to its destination. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile. You can choose between a single trailer for your car, which is more expensive but ideal for transporting expensive or classic cars, or a multi-car transporter, which can transport many automobiles at once.
Open car shipping is the most affordable & common option when transporting a vehicle. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. While all cars are safely secured, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making this option less suitable 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 automobiles 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 the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during auto transport.
If you need to transport your vehicle overseas, it's best to find a specialist service or a company with experience in overseas car shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
What Is The Cost To Transport A Vehicle?
The expense of transporting 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 may cost more or less depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to gather vehicle shipping quotes from different companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
Elements That Can Impact The Expense Of Vehicle Transport
Several elements can influence the expense of vehicle shipping, including:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate car delivery.
- International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is more expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance traveled.
- Route: Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks can increase costs.
- Shipping dates: Flexible timings can result in lower costs, while expedited shipping is more expensive.
- Vehicle size: Larger automobiles like SUVs cost more to transport than sedans.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may require extra equipment, increasing the cost.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the most affordable option, while enclosed car shipping is the most expensive.
- Locations of pickup & delivery: Urban areas are usually cheaper, while rural or hard-to-access locations can increase costs.
- Auto transport insurance: Additional cargo insurance may be necessary, affecting the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality can impact prices, with winter being the most expensive & spring being more affordable.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Locating A Vehicle Transport Service
Locating the right vehicle transport service can be overwhelming, as there are hundreds of companies to choose from. Searching on Google or through phone books can be time-consuming, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without a detailed quote application.
How Can Shiply Assist In Finding Vehicle Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of locating a vehicle shipping service. To get started, complete a simple form with your vehicle's make & model, pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to transport the automobile. This information allows 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 & email. It's recommended to keep email notifications on so you can be immediately notified of new quotes. 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 a few quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure automobiles during transport. It's important to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected experience.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is a valuable resource when selecting a company to ship your vehicle. You can view previous customers' experiences & overall scores to make an informed decision.
Why People Frequently Transport Vehicles To & From Thousand Oaks, California
Thousand Oaks, situated in Ventura County, California, is a popular city for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. Many individuals relocate to Thousand Oaks for its high quality of life, excellent schools, & safe neighborhoods. The city's proximity to Los Angeles & other major cities in Southern California makes it an attractive location for those who want to reside in a more suburban area while still having access to urban amenities.
Additionally, Thousand Oaks is home to several large corporations, such as Amgen, Anthem Blue Cross, & Sage Publications, which attract employees from across the country. When these employees relocate, they often need to ship their automobiles to their new homes in Thousand Oaks.
On the other hand, people also move away from Thousand Oaks for various reasons, such as job relocation, retirement, or family obligations. When moving long distances, shipping a vehicle is often more convenient & cost-effective than driving it to the new location.
Whether moving to or from Thousand Oaks, vehicle shipping companies can help ensure that your automobile arrives safely & efficiently at its destination. By using a reliable vehicle shipping service like those found on Shiply, you can have peace of mind knowing that your car is in good hands during the moving process.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Car Shipping in Thousand Oaks
Time-Saving - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate cost from a company for thousand oaks car shipping, on our platform, you complete one quote form and can then obtain quotes from various companies based on the information you submit. This can save you hours of time that you would have spent contacting companies and completing forms. Communication with these companies is also possible through our platform, allowing you to keep all your car shipping details in one location.
Price Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the car shipping quote is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto transport company to use for shipping your vehicle. The challenge is that while most companies are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't receive a definite car transport quote without supplying information and filling in details. Although this is understandable, it means that comparing prices and obtaining a car transport quote is not a simple task. Utilizing Shiply enables you to receive authentic, final price quotes from car shipping companies and compare them in one place, offering the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have and ultimately decide on the best company for your needs.
Affordable Car Shipping - Auto transport companies on Shiply can usually offer their services at 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 instance, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York and needed to transport your car 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 simply looking to ensure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, and pick-up/drop-off locations are suitable for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by utilizing our service.
Environmentally Friendly - Using Shiply for auto transport is not only more affordable but also more environmentally friendly! In the example above, if your car didn't get on that multi-car transporter and instead, you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be required just for your vehicle. Similarly, many car transporters return empty-handed after a delivery, which is not only expensive for them but also harmful to the environment, as there are many people who could have utilized that transporter to move their cars in the opposite direction! Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are also looking to fill their trailers on return trips, resulting in even less wasted CO2 being emitted into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Preparing Your Car for Shipping
If you have chosen an auto transport company to transport your car and feel confident using them, it's time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. We recommend following these steps:
Documents - It is crucial to ensure that any necessary documents are available at pick-up or drop-off, especially if you are selling your vehicle.
Cleaning - You should take care to remove all personal belongings from your vehicle before shipping, for the obvious reason that you don't want to risk them getting lost or damaged during transit. It is also highly recommended that you clean your vehicle before transport, as this will allow you to assess 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, you should ensure that it is in running condition. This means checking fluid levels, battery charge, and tire pressure. Again, this can also help you better evaluate the condition of the vehicle upon arrival.
Photographic Evidence - One very important step 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 and to enable you to promptly 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 before to determine whether any additional 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 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 does it cost to ship a car?
Car shipping prices can vary significantly 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, this drops to $0.78.
What is the most affordable 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 require a trailer, then a multi-car transporter will be your best option in terms of the most affordable way to ship a car.
How do I pay for my auto transport?
This is up 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 can be shipped on Shiply. With hundreds of transport providers available to bid on your job, there will always be someone who is up for the task and has the right equipment to safely carry it out.
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