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 and 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 and need to transport it to another state, relocating and 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.
Categories Of Vehicle Shipping Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, the initial choice you need to make is where you want your automobile collected from and delivered to, whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or shipping a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is a possibility, where designated collection and drop-off points, frequently the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are utilized. While this option is typically more affordable, it demands 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 and dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of the distance. This is often more convenient as it eliminates the need to arrange transportation to collect your vehicle.
Vehicle shipping services are generally divided into two types: having someone drive your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport. Having someone drive your car is a straightforward solution that involves hiring a driver to take your vehicle to its destination, whether it's across the country or to another state. This method is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an additional vehicle, and it can be quicker due to its simplicity. However, there are some drawbacks to consider, such as the addition of mileage to your vehicle, especially when transporting a car across the country, and the slight risk of damage during the journey. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals buying or selling automobiles online who want to ensure the car arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer option that guarantees a higher level of protection compared to having someone drive your car. There are multiple trailer options available, depending on the value and size of your vehicle. A single trailer, while more expensive, is ideal for transporting expensive or classic cars that require extra care to avoid damage. The safest way to transport a car is in a shipping container, although this is the most costly option. Multi-car transporters, which can carry several vehicles at once, come in a few variants:
- Open car shipping: The most affordable and common option, where your vehicle is placed on an open carrier and 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. Long journeys in open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage and prolonged exposure to the elements.
- Enclosed auto transport: Multiple cars are secured on a carrier and enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, and 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 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 Of Transporting A Vehicle?
The expense 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 and 500 miles, and $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles. However, these are just averages, and 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 collect vehicle shipping quotes from various vehicle transport companies, which is easily done on platforms like Shiply.
To get a rough idea of what to expect, consider the following factors that can affect the price of vehicle transport services:
- Distance: Cross-state and cross-country journeys cost significantly more than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the most affordable option. While longer distances cost more, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases.
- International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always expensive due to the logistics involved and the distance traveled. It may also require special enclosed trailers or shipping containers.
- Route: The route taken from the pick-up spot to the delivery location can impact pricing. Routes with higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more due to the added time. Unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could also incur extra costs or require a longer alternative route.
- Shipping dates: Flexibility in timings can result in lower charges, as vehicle transport companies can fit your delivery into their schedule and reduce overheads. Expedited shipping, where you require auto transport within a strict timeframe, typically costs more due to the dedication of a trailer and driver solely for your delivery.
- Vehicle size: The height, length, and width of the vehicle affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles like SUVs generally cost more to transport than sedans. Always inform the auto transport company about any accessories such as bike racks or roof racks, as they can change the required trailer size.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may incur higher auto transport costs due to the need for extra equipment like winches or forklifts to load and unload the vehicle. Most car carriers consider a car in good enough condition to ship easily if it can brake, roll, and steer.
- Auto transport service type: The chosen auto transport service affects the cost. Having someone drive your car is the most affordable option, while single car trailers and enclosed transport are more expensive due to the specialized equipment required. Enclosed car shipping is the most expensive method, as it involves your car traveling alone and still needing specialist equipment for loading, unloading, and protection during transport.
- Pickup and delivery locations: Urban areas usually have car shipping services in close proximity, and common destination routes tend to offer affordable car shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more due to deviations from normal routes and extra mileage for the company. Unusual or hard-to-access pick-up or drop-off points may require extra steps to load your vehicle, increasing the car shipping cost.
- 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 to acquire some for your vehicle during transit. Ensure you understand what type of damage is covered, any deductibles, which parts of the vehicle are covered, and any other relevant details.
- Time of year: Seasonality can affect car shipping prices, with many services costing more in the winter due to ice and snow slowing routes. December is typically a difficult time to ship a vehicle due to drivers being on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased vehicle shipping costs. February, however, is usually quiet, and great rates are often available during this month. Spring is a great time to ship your vehicle, with improved weather conditions, longer days, and more available drivers. Summer is the prime season for shipping cars, with June, July, and August being busy months for the auto transport industry, so expect higher prices. Fall is a good time to ship a car for slightly more affordable prices, with less busy car shipping companies and more driver availability after the summer rush.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding A Vehicle Shipping Service
With hundreds of vehicle transport companies available, finding the right one can be a daunting task. Searching on Google or through phone books can be time-consuming, and many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without a detailed quote application. This is where Shiply can help simplify the process.
How Can Shiply Assist In Finding Vehicle Transport Companies?
Shiply streamlines the process of finding the right vehicle shipping service at the best price. To get started, simply fill out a simple form with the make and model of the vehicle that needs shipping, the pickup and delivery locations, and 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 and email. We recommend keeping email notifications turned on to be immediately notified when a new quote arrives. 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 received a few quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, and how they would secure your vehicle. It's important to ask these questions to ensure a smooth and expected experience.
Shiply's feedback and ratings system is a valuable resource when selecting a vehicle shipping company. It allows you to view previous customers' experiences and overall scores, helping you make an informed decision.
Conning Towers Nautilus Park, Connecticut, US
Conning Towers Nautilus Park, situated in Groton, Connecticut, is a well-known residential area recognized for its proximity to the Naval Submarine Base New London. Many individuals relocate to and from this area due to military transfers or job relocations. When moving to or from Conning Towers Nautilus Park, vehicle shipping services are often required to transport automobiles safely and efficiently.
People often choose to ship their vehicles to or from Conning Towers Nautilus Park for several reasons. First, military personnel may be deployed or transferred to another base, necessitating the transport of their automobiles. Second, civilians moving to the area for work or personal reasons may opt to ship their cars rather than drive long distances. Finally, collectors or enthusiasts may need to transport classic or specialty vehicles to or from the area for events or storage.
When shipping a vehicle to or from Conning Towers Nautilus Park, it's essential to choose a reputable and experienced vehicle shipping company. Look for companies that specialize in military moves or have experience in transporting automobiles to and from the area. Additionally, ensure that the company offers adequate insurance coverage and has a track record of delivering vehicles safely and on time.
By understanding the unique needs of those moving to or from Conning Towers Nautilus Park and selecting a reliable vehicle shipping service, you can ensure that your automobile arrives at its destination in the same condition as when it was picked up.
The Benefits Of Using Shiply For Vehicle Transport
Time-Saving - Instead of completing a quotation form each time you require an exact cost from a company on transporting a vehicle, on our site you fill out one quotation form & then can receive estimates based on the information you submit from several businesses. This can save you hours of time you would have had to invest calling companies & completing forms. Communication with these firms is all possible through our platform too, allowing you to store all of your vehicle shipping details in one location.
Price Comparision - When it comes down to it, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most important factor in choosing which auto transport firm to utilize to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most companies are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't actually be given a definite vehicle transport estimate without having to submit information and complete details. While this is understandable, it does mean that price comparison and getting a vehicle transport estimate isn't exactly a simple task. Utilizing Shiply allows you to obtain genuine, final price estimates from vehicle shipping firms & compare them in one place, providing the ability to contact them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the best company for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping
Auto transport businesses on Shiply are typically able to provide their services for 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 & have already invested the cost for. Say, for example, you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your vehicle there. On Shiply, a company may already have a multi-car transporter making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots filled, & they are just looking to ensure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, & pick-up/drop-off locations work for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service.
Better For The Environment
Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it is also more environmentally friendly! In the above 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 trip would be needed just for your vehicle. Similarly, many vehicle transporters return from a delivery empty-handed, which is not only costly for them but also for the environment as there are lots of people who could have used that transporter to move their vehicles in the other direction! Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are looking to fill their trailers on return trips too, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Preparing For Your Vehicle To Be Shipped
If you have decided on an auto transport company to move your vehicle & feel secure using them, then it's time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. We recommend following these steps:
Documents - It is important to ensure that any documents you may need are available at pick up or drop off, especially if you are selling your vehicle.
Cleaning - You should take care to remove all personal items from your vehicle prior to 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 ascertain its condition & 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 then you should ensure that it is in running condition. This means ensuring that there is enough fluid, as well as checking battery charge & 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 vehicle delivery service to pick up 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 selected has completed their delivery, there are a few things you should do:
Check 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 immediately raise concerns with the vehicle 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 vehicle can, in rare cases, cause damage, & you want to be sure your vehicle transport service has not done so.
Check 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 cheapest way to ship a vehicle? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the cheapest 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 cheapest 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. Don't forget to check out "vehicle shipping conning towers nautilus park" & "conning towers nautilus park vehicle shipping" if you need those services!
