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 proves useful 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 unavailable. Luckily, there are numerous auto 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 & 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, frequently the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are utilized. While this alternative is typically less expensive, it demands more effort on your part to get the automobile home. However, most individuals prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their vehicles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, irrespective of the distance.
Vehicle shipping services are generally categorized into two types: having someone drive your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Drive Your Vehicle
Employing someone to drive your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether it's across the country or to another state. The advantages of this approach include lower costs, as trailers & extra vehicles are not necessary, & quicker delivery due to the simplicity of the transport. However, there are some drawbacks to this method that cause some people to opt for other types of vehicle transport. Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be significant when shipping a car across the country. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your vehicle during the drive. These concerns are especially relevant for people buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the automobile arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone drive your vehicle. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile. Single trailers, while more expensive, are a great choice for transporting expensive or classic cars that require extra protection. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, although this is the most costly option. Multi-car transporters, which can carry several automobiles at once, are another option with a few variants:
Open vehicle shipping is the cheapest & 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 often preferred 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 or a company with experience in overseas vehicle shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Vehicle?
The cost of shipping 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 obtain vehicle shipping quotes from various companies, which is easily done on Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Auto Transport
While everyone wants inexpensive vehicle transport, several factors can affect the cost of vehicle shipping. Some of the main factors include:
Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost significantly more than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the cheapest option. However, 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 & 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 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, can also incur extra costs or require a longer alternative route.
Shipping Dates: The speed at which you need your vehicle transported can impact the price. Flexibility in timings often results in lower charges, as vehicle shipping companies can fit your delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. Expedited shipping, where you require auto transport within a strict timeframe, typically costs more, as the company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver specifically for your delivery.
Vehicle Size: The height, length, & width of the automobile affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles, such as SUVs, generally cost more to transport than sedans, as they require larger trailers. It's essential to inform the auto transport company about any accessories on the car, like bike racks or roof racks, as they can change the size of the trailer needed.
Vehicle Condition: If your automobile is not in a drivable condition, it may increase the cost of auto transport. Non-operational vehicles may require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load & unload them from the trailer. A car that can brake, roll, & steer is considered to be in good enough condition for easy shipping by most vehicle carriers.
Auto Transport Service Type: The type of auto transport service you choose will also affect the cost. Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the cheapest option, as you are essentially paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single car trailers & enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive due to the extra equipment required. Enclosed vehicle shipping is the most expensive method, as it involves your automobile traveling alone while still needing specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
Locations Of Pickup & Delivery: The locations of the pick-up & drop-off points can also influence the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services nearby, & common destination routes often offer inexpensive vehicle 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 require extra steps to load your automobile, increasing the vehicle shipping cost.
Auto Transport Insurance: While all auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance. If a vehicle transport company does not provide cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you obtain some for your automobile during transit. When considering insurance policies, ensure you understand what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, which parts of the vehicle are covered, & any other relevant details.
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: Often the most expensive season to ship your automobile due to potential delays caused by ice, snow, & blizzard conditions, which can also reduce the maximum speed of transport. December is typically a difficult time for vehicle shipping, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased costs. February, however, is usually quiet, & great rates are often available during this month.
Spring: A great time to ship your automobile, with improved weather conditions, longer days, & more available drivers, often resulting in inexpensive rates & high availability. March is generally a better time to ship than April or May, as there is often a rush to move cars from colder to warmer states.
Summer: The prime season for shipping cars, with the longest days of the year, students traveling home from universities, employees taking vacations, & a popular time for moving house. June, July, & August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, & inexpensive vehicle shipping is less likely during the summer.
Fall: A good time to ship a car if you're looking for slightly cheaper prices. Vehicle shipping companies are less busy, & there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. October or November are better options than September, which is peak time for students shipping their cars to university.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
With hundreds of vehicle transport companies available, finding the right one can be a daunting task. Searching on Google can result in scrolling through numerous pages to find the best vehicle shipping company at the best price, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without an individual quote application, which can be time-consuming.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding the right vehicle shipping service. To get started, simply fill out a simple form with the make & model of the car that needs shipping, the 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 & via email. We recommend keeping email notifications on so you can be immediately informed when a new quote arrives. Quotes can start coming in within minutes of posting your listing, but it's advisable 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 (if a time frame is given), insurance coverage, & how they would secure your vehicle. We recommend asking these questions to any company you consider to ensure a smooth & expected process.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is another valuable resource when selecting a vehicle shipping company. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company & their overall score, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Often Move Cars To & From Kensington, Connecticut
Kensington, a census-designated place in the town of Berlin, Connecticut, is a popular location for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. Many people move to Kensington for its small-town charm, excellent schools, & proximity to major cities like Hartford & New Haven. The area's growing job market, particularly in the healthcare & education sectors, also attracts new residents who may need to ship their cars.
Additionally, Kensington is home to several colleges & universities, such as Central Connecticut State University & Tunxis Community College. Students attending these institutions often require vehicle shipping services at the beginning & end of the academic year, or when studying abroad.
Residents of Kensington may also need to ship their cars when selling or buying automobiles online, or when relocating for work or personal reasons. The town's location along major highways, like Interstate 91 & Route 9, makes it a convenient spot for vehicle shipping companies to pick up & deliver automobiles.
When looking for vehicle shipping services in Kensington, it's essential to consider factors such as the company's reputation, insurance coverage, & pricing. Researching & comparing quotes from multiple providers can help you find the best option for your specific needs & budget. Shiply can assist in this process by connecting you with reliable vehicle shipping companies & providing a platform to easily compare quotes & services.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Kensington
Time-Saving - Instead of submitting a quotation request each time you require a precise cost for transporting your automobile, on our platform you only complete one form & then can receive estimates based on the information you supply from various businesses. This could save you hours that you would've spent contacting companies and completing forms.
Communication with these businesses is all possible through our platform as well, allowing you to keep all of your car shipping kensington details in one location.
Price Comparison - The Crucial Aspect
When it comes down to it, the price of the car shipping estimate is the most significant factor in deciding which auto transport company to use to transport your vehicle. The challenging part is that, while most businesses happily provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually receive a firm car transport quote without providing information and filling in details. While this is understandable, it does mean that price comparison & getting a car transport quote isn't exactly a simple task.
Utilizing Shiply allows you to obtain genuine, final price estimates from kensington car shipping businesses & compare them all together, giving you the ability to message them individually to ask any questions & ultimately choose the best one for you.
Affordable Car Shipping - The Environmentally-Friendly Option
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 looking to fill empty space on trips they are already making & have already paid for the expense. 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 carrier making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots filled, & they are just looking to ensure they aren't 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 utilizing our service!
Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it's also better for the environment. In the above example, if your car didn't get on that multi-car carrier & instead you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire journey would be needed just for your car.
Similarly, many car 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 cars in the other direction. Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are looking to fill their trailers on return journeys too, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users!
Preparing Your Vehicle For Transport
If you've chosen an auto transport company to transport your vehicle & feel confident about using them, then it's time to prepare your car for shipping. We recommend following these steps:
Documents - It's crucial to ensure any docs 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's also highly recommended that you clean your vehicle before transport as this will allow you to see 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's in running condition. This means ensuring that there's 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.
Photo Evidence - One very important thing to do when prepping your vehicle for the car delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality pics 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.
After Delivery Checklist
Once the car 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 right away to ensure that the car is in the expected condition, as well as enable you to immediately raise concerns with the car delivery service should anything not be working properly.
Exterior Condition - You can compare the exterior of the vehicle to the photos taken of it before to see whether any extra damage has occurred. Shipping a car can, in rare cases, cause damage, & 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 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 car shipping services with the same peace of mind!
FAQ - Common Questions
Below we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about car shipping:
How much to ship a car? Car shipping prices can vary a lot 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 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 need a trailer then a multi-car transporter will be your best option in regards to the most affordable way to ship a car.
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 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 & 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, & 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 & 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.
