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 & need to transport it to another state, relocating & requiring long-distance vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are not an option.
Luckily, there are numerous vehicle transport services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we will explore below.
Varieties Of Vehicle Shipping Services
When it comes to vehicle shipping services, there are several crucial decisions you need to make. Firstly, you must decide where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or shipping a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection & drop-off points are used, often at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this option is typically more affordable, it requires more effort on your part to get the car home.
However, most individuals 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 long-distance vehicle transport or just shipping a car to another state. This option is more convenient as it eliminates the need to collect your automobile from a separate location, which can be challenging without your car.
Vehicle transport services can be categorized into two main types: having someone drive your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Drive Your Automobile
Hiring someone to drive your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle 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 quicker due to its simplicity.
However, there are some drawbacks to this method that lead some individuals to choose other vehicle transport options. Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be significant when shipping a car across the country, although less so when shipping to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your car during the drive. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the car arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Automobile On A Trailer
Using a trailer to transport your automobile is a safer option that guarantees a higher level of protection compared to having someone drive your car. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile.
Single trailers are often more expensive as they only transport one car at a time, but they are an excellent choice for moving expensive or classic cars that you want to protect from potential damage. The safest way to transport a car is in a shipping container, although this is the most expensive option.
Multi-car transporters, which can carry several vehicles at once, come in a few variants:
Open vehicle shipping is the most affordable & 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 the drive, making this option less suitable for highly valuable vehicles. Additionally, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage & prolonged 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 transport.
If you need to move your automobile overseas, it's best to find a specialist service on our platform or one with experience in overseas vehicle shipping, as they can 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 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 cost may be higher or lower depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to obtain vehicle shipping quotes from various companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
To get an idea of what factors can affect the price of vehicle transport services, consider the following:
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
While we all want affordable vehicle transport, several variables can impact the cost of your vehicle shipping. Here are the main factors to consider when estimating whether your auto transport requirements will be expensive or affordable:
Distance: As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of vehicle transport. Cross-state & cross-country journeys are more expensive than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the most affordable option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases, ensuring you don't pay excessively for longer distances.
International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always more expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance the automobile must travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container.
Route: Along with distance, the route taken to transport your vehicle from its collection spot to its delivery location can affect the pricing of your vehicle carrier service. Routes with known 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 longer alternative route.
Shipping dates: The speed at which you need your vehicle transportation service to operate can also impact the price. Flexibility in timings may result in lower charges from vehicle moving companies, as they can fit your automobile 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 vehicle transport company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver specifically for your delivery.
Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of your automobile will all affect the cost of transport. Vehicle shippers require larger trailers for bigger automobiles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. Always 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 automobile is not in drivable condition, it may increase the cost of auto transport. This is because extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, may be needed to load & unload your car from the trailer. For example, if your car has a locked wheel, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto & off the 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.
Auto transport service type: The type of auto transport service you choose will also affect the cost of your vehicle shipping. Having someone drive your automobile to its destination is always the most affordable option, as you are essentially paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single car trailers & enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive, as they require extra equipment. Enclosed vehicle shipping is the most expensive method of shipping a car, as it involves your automobile traveling alone & still needing specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
Locations of pickup & delivery: The cost of shipping a vehicle may also increase depending on where the automobile needs to be collected from & dropped off. Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services in close proximity, & if it's a common destination route, you'll likely get affordable vehicle 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 automobile, which can also increase the vehicle shipping cost.
Auto transport insurance: While all auto transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance, as it is not legally required. If a vehicle transport company does not offer cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you seek out & acquire some for your automobile during transit. As with all insurance policies, make sure you are clear on what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, which parts of the vehicle are covered, & any other relevant questions.
Time of year: 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'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 cause delays on the roads & reduce the maximum speed at which the vehicle 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. However, February is usually quiet, so great rates are often available from vehicle shipping services during this month.
Spring is a great 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 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 vehicles - the days are the longest in the year, students are traveling home from universities, employees take vacations, & it is 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 vehicle shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship a car if you are looking for a slightly more affordable price. Vehicle shipping companies are less busy, & there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. However, you are 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 Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
Now that you know more about what vehicle shipping & a vehicle shipping service are & what sort of auto transport service you need, you probably want to go ahead & find a vehicle transport service that is right for you.
The issue is that there are hundreds of vehicle transport companies out there. Trying to find them on Google can result in scrolling through numerous pages trying to find the best vehicle 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 provide pricing, meaning you will 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 Auto Transport Companies?
Given all of the options & variables involved in finding a vehicle shipping service, 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 vehicle that needs shipping, the pickup location & delivery location, & the dates that you need to move the automobile. 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 will 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 vehicle. 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 Vehicles To & From Bristol, Connecticut, US
Bristol, Connecticut, is a city located in Hartford County, known for its rich history & vibrant community. Many individuals move vehicles to & from Bristol for various reasons, such as relocating for work, family, or education. The city's proximity to major highways, including Interstate 84 & Route 6, makes it a convenient location for vehicle shipping.
Bristol is home to several notable employers, such as ESPN, which has its headquarters in the city, & Amazon, which operates a fulfillment center in the area. These companies often attract employees from other parts of the country, leading to an increased demand for vehicle shipping services to & from Bristol.
Additionally, Bristol is home to a number of educational institutions, including Bristol Central High School & Bristol Eastern High School, as well as satellite campuses for Tunxis Community College & Charter Oak State College. Students attending these schools may need to ship their vehicles to Bristol at the beginning of the academic year & back home during breaks or upon graduation.
The city's location in central Connecticut also makes it a popular choice for those looking to relocate to or from the New England area. As a result, vehicle shipping companies often serve Bristol & the surrounding areas, providing convenient & reliable transport options for residents & newcomers alike.
Why Utilize Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Bristol?
Transporting your vehicle can be a genuine inconvenience, but Shiply makes it incredibly simple & conserves you tons of effort. Rather than completing quotation forms for each company, you only need to do it once on our platform. Then you'll receive estimates from several vehicle transport bristol businesses based on your details. This can conserve you hours that you'd have to invest calling companies & filling out forms.
You can communicate with all the businesses through Shiply too, so you can keep everything about bristol vehicle transport in one location. Clever, right?
Effortlessly Compare Prices
Let's be honest, the expense is the most significant factor when selecting a vehicle transporter. But obtaining a genuine estimate instead of just a rough figure can be challenging since you need to supply all your info first. Shiply allows you to get authentic final estimates from transporters & compare them all together. You can message them individually with any inquiries to choose the best one for you.
Inexpensive Vehicle Transport Options
Auto transport businesses on Shiply tend to provide lower rates than if you went direct. That's because they're often attempting to fill empty spaces on trips they're already making. Like if you needed to transfer your vehicle from LA to NYC, a business might have a trailer with 5 of 6 spots filled already going that direction. As long as the timings & locations work for you, you could save up to 75% by taking that spare spot!
Environmentally-Friendly Vehicle Transport
Using Shiply isn't just more affordable, it's better for the environment too! In that LA to NYC example, if your vehicle didn't get on that trailer, a whole new trip would be required just for your car - doubling the emissions. Lots of transporters also return empty after drop-offs, wasting CO2. But on Shiply they can fill those return trips too, reducing unnecessary pollution. Win-win!
Readying Your Vehicle for Transport
Once you've selected a transporter, it's time to get your vehicle ready. Here's what to do:
Documents - Have any paperwork you might require handy for pickup/dropoff, especially if you're selling the vehicle.
Cleaning - Remove all your personal belongings because you don't want anything getting lost or damaged. Give it a thorough clean too so you can inspect the condition before transport.
Running Condition - If it needs to be driven during transport, ensure it's running properly. Top up any fluids, check battery & tire pressure.
Photos - This is incredibly important! Take numerous pics from all angles as proof of the vehicle's condition before transport in case any damage happens.
After Delivery
Once your vehicle's been delivered:
Check Vitals - Test all the lights, brakes, engine etc. right away to ensure everything's working like it should. Let the transporter know if anything seems off.
Exterior - Compare the outside to your photos to see if any new damage occurred during transport.
Mileage - If the vehicle was driven, check that the miles match up with the trip.
Leave a review too so others know how your experience with that transporter went!
FAQs About Vehicle Transport
How much to ship a vehicle? Prices vary but usually 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 economical way? Having someone drive it is most economical, but for a trailer a multi-vehicle transporter is your best inexpensive option.
How do I pay? Payment is between you & the transporter, most are flexible.
Can I track it online? Some transporters offer tracking, you'll need to ask them.
Do I need to be there for pickup/dropoff? Yep, usually they'll need you to sign paperwork & hand over keys.
Can I leave items in the vehicle? Some personal belongings are usually ok but they aren't covered by insurance & could affect the transport cost if they're heavy.
How much gas? Around 1/4 tank is recommended.
What if it doesn't run? You can still ship it but it'll cost more since they need special equipment.
Can I ship a modified vehicle? Yep, with so many transporters on Shiply there's always someone equipped to handle it.
