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 spot & transporting it to another. This service proves useful in numerous scenarios 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 services provide a practical solution for those who require relocating their cars across states or even nations.
There exist various types of car transport services accessible to cater to different requirements and preferences. Whether you need nationwide vehicle transport, moving a car to a different state, or even global automobile transportation, vehicle shipping companies can accommodate your needs.
Varieties Of Car Transport Services
When it comes to car transport services, there exist several choices to select from. The initial decision you'll need to make is whether you prefer terminal-to-terminal or door-to-door delivery. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery involves designated collection and drop-off points, typically at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this choice is often more economical, it demands extra effort on your part to get the automobile to its ultimate destination.
Conversely, door-to-door car transport is the most favored option among customers. With this service, your vehicle is collected and dropped off right at your doorstep, regardless of whether it's a nationwide vehicle transport or just moving a car to a different state. Door-to-door delivery eliminates the need for you to arrange transportation to collect your automobile, making it a practical option.
Vehicle transport services can be further categorized into two primary methods: having someone operate your car to the destination or moving it on a trailer.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
One straightforward solution for vehicle shipping is to employ someone to operate your automobile to its destination, whether it's across the nation or to a different state. This method is often more economical as it doesn't require additional equipment like trailers. It can also be quicker due to the simplicity of the transport process.
However, there are some drawbacks to consider when opting for this method. Firstly, your vehicle will accumulate mileage during the journey, which can be significant when moving a car across the nation. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage occurring to your automobile while it's being operated. 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.
Put Your Automobile On A Trailer
Transporting your car on a trailer offers a higher level of safety compared to having someone operate it. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value and size of your automobile.
For expensive or classic cars, a single trailer is often the preferred choice. While more costly, it ensures that your vehicle is transported alone, minimizing the risk of damage. The safest option is to place your car in a shipping container, although this is the most expensive method.
Multi-car transporters are another popular option, capable of moving several vehicles at once. Open car shipping is the most common and affordable variant, where your vehicle is securely placed on an open carrier and driven to its destination. However, the cars are exposed to the elements during transit, making it less suitable for highly valuable vehicles, especially during long nationwide journeys.
Enclosed auto transport offers an added layer of protection by securing multiple cars on a carrier that is fully enclosed. This method shields your vehicle from dust, weather, and debris during transportation, making it a preferable choice for newer or more expensive cars.
If you need to move your vehicle overseas, it's essential to find a specialist service or a company with experience in global car shipping. These providers can offer tailored advice based on your specific requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Move A Vehicle?
The cost of moving a car 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 distances between 200 and 500 miles, and $0.78 for trips exceeding 1,000 miles.
However, these figures are just averages, and your vehicle transport costs may differ based on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of car transport services is to request vehicle shipping quotes from multiple companies, which is easily done through platforms like Shiply.
Several factors can influence the price of vehicle transport services, including:
- Distance: Cross-state and nationwide journeys are more expensive than interstate car delivery.
- Global shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is costly due to the logistics involved and the distance traveled.
- Route: Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks can increase costs.
- Shipping dates: Flexible timings often result in lower prices, while expedited shipping is more expensive.
- Vehicle size: Larger vehicles 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 car is the cheapest option, while enclosed car shipping is the most expensive.
- Collection and delivery locations: Urban areas are usually more affordable, 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 plays a role, with winter being the most expensive and spring being more affordable.
How To Move 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, and many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without a personalized quote.
This is where Shiply comes in, simplifying the process of finding car transport companies. By filling out a simple form with your vehicle details, collection and delivery locations, and desired dates, you can receive quotes from multiple providers.
Quotes start arriving in your Shiply inbox and email within minutes of posting your listing. It's recommended to wait for a few quotes before making a decision, giving you a range of options to choose from. You can then ask the companies any questions you may have regarding availability, insurance, and car securing methods.
Shiply's feedback and ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences and overall scores, helping you make an informed decision when selecting a vehicle shipping service.
Why People Often Move Automobiles To & From Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, located in the state of Colorado, US, is a popular destination for individuals relocating or visiting. The city's stunning natural beauty, outdoor recreational activities, and thriving economy attract people from all over the country.
Many people move to Colorado Springs for job opportunities in industries such as aerospace, defense, and technology. The city is home to major employers like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and the United States Air Force Academy. As a result, professionals often require vehicle shipping services to transport their automobiles when relocating for work.
Colorado Springs is also a popular tourist destination, known for its proximity to the Rocky Mountains and attractions like Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods. Visitors may choose to ship their cars to the city to explore the surrounding areas and enjoy the scenic drives.
Furthermore, students attending universities in Colorado Springs, such as the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and Colorado College, may need to ship their cars to and from the city during the academic year.
With its growing population and diverse reasons for relocation, Colorado Springs experiences a high demand for vehicle shipping services. Whether moving permanently, visiting for leisure, or attending school, many individuals find it necessary to transport their automobiles to and from this vibrant city in the heart of Colorado.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Auto Transport in Colorado Springs
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate price from a company for colorado springs auto transport, on our platform, you complete one quotation form and can then obtain quotes from various companies based on the information you submit. This can save you a significant amount of time that you would have otherwise spent contacting companies and completing forms. Communication with these companies is also possible through our platform, allowing you to keep all of your auto shipping details in one location.
Rate Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the auto shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which vehicle transport company to employ to transport your car. The challenging aspect is that, while most companies are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't receive a definite auto transport quote without having to supply information and complete details. Although this is understandable, it means that comparing prices and obtaining an auto transport quote is not a simple task. Utilizing Shiply enables you to receive authentic, final price estimates from auto 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 Auto Shipping - Vehicle transport companies on Shiply can typically provide 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 vehicle transport by using our service.
Environmentally Friendly - Not only is using Shiply for vehicle transport more affordable, but it is also more environmentally friendly! In the above example, if your car didn't get on that multi-car transporter and instead, you arranged transport from a separate auto shipper, the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire journey would be required just for your car. Similarly, many auto 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 cars in the opposite direction! Many of the vehicle 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.
Preparing Your Car for Shipping
If you have chosen a vehicle transport company to transport your car and feel confident using them, it's time to prepare your car for shipping. We suggest 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 in 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 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 auto 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 auto 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 auto 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 car can, in rare cases, cause damage, and you want to be sure your auto transport service has not done so.
Check Mileage - This is more relevant to auto 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 vehicle transport company you used through Shiply so that others can browse auto shipping services with the same peace of mind.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have answered some of the most asked questions about auto shipping:
How much to ship a car?
Auto 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, 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 vehicle transport?
This is down to each individual vehicle transport company on Shiply and is something you should discuss with your chosen auto delivery service before confirming the delivery. Most companies will be flexible with payment options, however.
Can I track my auto transport online?
Each auto 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 auto transport companies to confirm that this is possible with them.
Does someone have to be present for pickup and delivery?
In most cases, the auto 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 auto shipment?
Most auto 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.
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