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 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 auto transport services to accommodate your unique requirements.
Categories Of Auto Transport Services
When selecting an auto transport service, you must determine where you want your vehicle picked up 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 & 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 prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of the distance.
Car transport services are generally categorized into two types: having someone operate your vehicle to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
Hiring someone to operate your vehicle to its destination is a straightforward solution for car 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, & faster delivery due to the simple nature of the transport. However, there are some drawbacks to consider, such as the addition of mileage to your automobile, especially when shipping a car across the country, & the slight risk of damage during the journey. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle 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 operate it to its destination. Car shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile. You can choose between a single trailer for your vehicle, which is more expensive but ideal for transporting expensive or classic cars, or a multi-car transporter that can carry multiple automobiles at once.
Open car shipping is the most affordable & common option offered by car shipping companies. Your vehicle is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. While all cars 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 & 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 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 a company with experience in overseas car 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, 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 determine the cost of auto transport is to collect car shipping quotes from various companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Auto Transport
Several factors can impact the cost of car shipping, including:
1. Distance: 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 length increases.
2. 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 even a shipping container for your automobile.
3. Route: The route taken from the pick-up 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 could also incur extra costs or require a different, longer route.
4. Shipping dates: The flexibility of your shipping dates can impact the price. If you can be flexible with timings, car shipping services may charge less as they can fit your delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. However, if you require expedited shipping within a strict timeframe, it will typically cost more.
5. Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of the automobile affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles like SUVs cost more to transport than sedans, as they require larger trailers. Always inform the auto transport company about any accessories on the car, such as bike racks or roof racks, as they can change the size of the trailer needed.
6. Vehicle condition: If your car is not in drivable condition, it may increase the cost of auto transport. Non-operational vehicles require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load & unload them from the trailer, taking more time, effort, & machinery compared to a standard car transport service.
7. Auto transport service type: The type of auto transport service you choose affects the cost. Having someone operate your vehicle is the most affordable option, while single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the extra equipment required. Enclosed car shipping is the most expensive method as it involves your vehicle traveling alone & still needing specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
8. Pickup & delivery locations: The locations of pickup & delivery can impact the price of shipping a car. Urban areas usually have car shipping services in close proximity, & common destination routes tend to offer cheap car shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. Unusual or hard-to-access pick-up or drop-off points may also increase the cost due to the extra steps needed to load your automobile.
9. Auto transport insurance: While all auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance. If a car transport company does not provide cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you acquire some for your vehicle during transit. Make sure you understand what type of damage is covered, any deductibles, which parts of the automobile are covered, & any other relevant details.
10. Time of year: Seasonality can affect the price of car shipping. Winter is often the most expensive season due to ice, snow, & blizzard conditions causing delays & reducing the maximum speed of transport. December is typically a difficult time to ship a vehicle as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased shipping costs. Spring is a great time to ship your automobile, with improved weather conditions, longer days, & more available drivers. Summer is the prime season for shipping cars, with the longest days, students traveling home, employees taking vacations, & a popular time for moving houses. Fall is a good time to ship a car for a slightly cheaper price, as car shipping companies are less busy & there is more driver availability after the summer rush.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
With hundreds of car transport companies available, finding the right one can be a daunting task. 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 Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding the right car shipping service. To get started, fill out a simple form with the make & model of the vehicle, pickup & 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 & email. We recommend keeping email notifications on to know immediately when a new quote arrives. Quotes can start coming through 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 your vehicle. We recommend asking these questions to ensure a smooth & expected experience.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company & their overall score, which we highly recommend checking before selecting a quote to ship your automobile.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Aurora, Colorado
Aurora, Colorado, is a popular city for car shipping due to its growing population & thriving economy. Many people move to Aurora for job opportunities, particularly in the aerospace, defense, & healthcare industries. The city's proximity to Denver also makes it an attractive location for those working in the capital but seeking a more affordable cost of living.
Additionally, Aurora's central location in the United States makes it a convenient hub for car shipping companies. Its access to major highways & interstates allows for efficient transport of vehicles to & from the city. Whether you're moving to Aurora for work, relocating to be closer to family, or simply need to transport a car to or from the area, car shipping services in Aurora can help make the process smooth & stress-free.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Aurora
Time-efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each instance you desire an accurate cost from a business for transporting a vehicle, on our site you complete one quotation form & can then obtain quotes from various companies based on the information you submit. This can conserve you hours of effort that you would have spent phoning companies & inputting details.
Communication with these businesses is also feasible via our platform, allowing you to store all your Aurora vehicle shipping details in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial aspect in choosing which auto transport company to employ for transporting your vehicle. The challenge is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average costs & rough estimates, you won't be given a definite vehicle transport quote without supplying information & filling in specifics. Although this is reasonable, it means that comparing prices & getting a vehicle transport estimate isn't precisely a simple process.
Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final price estimates from vehicle shipping companies & compare them in one place, offering the opportunity to message them individually to inquire about any questions you might have & ultimately decide on the optimal company for your needs.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping Aurora - Auto transport businesses on Shiply can usually provide their services at a lower cost than if you approached them directly. This is because they are frequently aiming to occupy space on trips they are already making & have already invested the expense for. For instance, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your vehicle there, a company on Shiply might already have a multi-car transporter making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots occupied, & they are simply seeking to ensure they aren't squandering any space. As long as the dates, times, & pick-up/drop-off locations are suitable for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by utilizing our service.
Eco-Friendlier - Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more economical, but it is also more environmentally friendly. In the previous 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 journey would be required solely for your vehicle.
Likewise, many vehicle transporters return empty-handed after a delivery, which is not only expensive for them but also for the environment as there are many individuals who could have utilized that transporter to move their vehicles in the opposite 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 emitted into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Readying Your Vehicle for Shipping
If you have selected an auto transport company to transport your vehicle & feel confident using them, then it's time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Paperwork - It is crucial to ensure that any documents you may require are accessible at pick up or drop off, particularly if you are selling your vehicle.
Cleansing - 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 prior to transport as this will allow you to determine its condition & notice any damages that may occur during delivery.
Operational 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 operational condition. This means ensuring that there is sufficient fluid, as well as checking battery charge & tire pressure levels. Again this can also help you better assess the condition of the vehicle upon arrival.
Photographic Proof - One very important thing to do when readying your vehicle for the vehicle delivery service to collect 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 company you chose has completed their delivery, there are a few things you should do:
Examine 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 promptly raise concerns with the vehicle delivery service should anything not be working as it should.
Exterior State - 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 vehicle can, in rare cases, cause damage, & you want to be sure your vehicle transport service has not done so.
Verify 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 company 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 economical way to ship a vehicle?
Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the most economical 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 economical way to ship a vehicle.
How do I pay for my auto transport?
This is down to each individual auto transport company on Shiply & is something you should discuss with your chosen vehicle delivery service before confirming the delivery. Most companies will be flexible with payment options, however.
Can I track my vehicle transport online?
Each vehicle shipping company 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 companies to confirm that this is possible with them.
Does someone have to be present for pickup & delivery?
In most cases, the vehicle shipping company 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 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, & 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.
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