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 operating the vehicle yourself is not practical, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online, relocating to a new residence across the nation, or moving your automobile overseas. Vehicle shipping companies provide a variety of auto transport services to accommodate different requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Transport Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, the initial choice you must make is where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an alternative where designated collection & drop-off points, frequently the car transport company's facilities or operating bases, are utilized. While this alternative is typically more affordable, it necessitates more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. However, most individuals prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery, where their automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country car transport or simply moving a car to another state.
Vehicle transport services can be classified into two primary categories: having someone operate your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Engage Someone To Operate Your Vehicle
Engaging someone to operate your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether you need to transport a car across the nation or to another state. This approach is often more affordable as it doesn't necessitate trailers or an additional vehicle, & it can be quicker due to its simplicity. However, there are some drawbacks to consider, such as the addition of mileage to your automobile, especially when transporting a car across the country, & the slight risk of damage during the journey. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals purchasing or selling automobiles online who want to ensure the car arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Automobile On A Trailer
Placing your automobile on a trailer provides a higher level of security compared to having someone operate it. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile. Single trailers, while more costly, are ideal for moving 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 expensive option.
Multi-car transporters, which can carry several automobiles at once, come in different variants:
Open car shipping is the most affordable & common option, where your vehicle is placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all automobiles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during transit, making this option less suitable for highly valuable vehicles. Long journeys in open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage.
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 automobiles where minimizing the risk of damage is a priority.
For overseas vehicle transportation, it's best to find specialist services or companies with experience in overseas car shipping to receive 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 & 500 miles, & $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles. However, these are just averages, & your vehicle transport cost may differ based 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 through platforms like Shiply.
Elements That Can Influence The Expense Of Vehicle Transport
Several elements can impact the expense of vehicle shipping, including:
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.
International shipping: Moving a vehicle overseas is always more costly due to the logistics involved & the distance traveled. It may also require special enclosed trailers or shipping containers.
Route: The route taken from the collection spot to the delivery location can affect pricing. Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks may incur extra costs or require longer alternative routes.
Shipping dates: Flexibility in timings can lead to lower costs, as vehicle shipping companies can fit your delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. Expedited shipping within a strict timeframe typically costs more.
Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of the automobile impact the cost of transport. Larger vehicles like SUVs generally cost more to transport than sedans. Accessories such as bike racks or roof racks can also change the required trailer size.
Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may incur higher transport costs due to the need for extra equipment like winches or forklifts for loading & unloading.
Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the most affordable option, while single car trailers & enclosed transport are more costly due to the specialized equipment required.
Pickup & delivery locations: Urban areas with vehicle shipping services in close proximity & common destination routes often result in cheaper car shipping. Rural deliveries or hard-to-access locations may increase costs.
Auto transport insurance: While auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, additional cargo insurance is recommended & may affect the overall cost.
Time of year: Seasonality plays a role in vehicle shipping costs, with winter being the most expensive due to weather-related delays. Spring & fall offer better rates, while summer is the busiest season.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding A Vehicle Transport Service
With numerous vehicle transport companies available, finding the right one can be overwhelming. Searching on Google or through phone books can be time-consuming, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without individual quote applications.
How Can Shiply Assist In Finding Vehicle Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding a vehicle shipping service. By filling out a simple form with your automobile's make & model, pickup & delivery locations, & required dates, you can easily collect quotes from auto transport providers. Quotes start arriving in your Shiply inbox & email within minutes of posting your listing, allowing you to compare multiple options before making a decision.
Before selecting a quote, it's essential to ask questions about availability, insurance, & vehicle securing methods to ensure a smooth & expected experience. Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores, helping you make an informed choice.
Why People Frequently Move Vehicles To & From Meriden, Connecticut, US
Meriden, a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. As a growing city with a diverse economy, Meriden attracts people relocating for job opportunities, leading to an increased demand for vehicle shipping services. The city's proximity to major highways, such as Interstate 91 & Route 15, makes it easily accessible for vehicle transport companies, contributing to its popularity as a car shipping destination.
Additionally, Meriden's central location within Connecticut makes it a convenient hub for vehicle shipping to & from other parts of the state, as well as neighboring states like Massachusetts, Rhode Island, & New York. Many people moving to or from Meriden for personal or professional reasons rely on vehicle shipping companies to transport their automobiles safely & efficiently, making Meriden car shipping a sought-after service in the region.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Meriden
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 based on the information you supply from several companies. This can save you a significant amount of time that you would have spent phoning companies & providing details. Communication with these businesses is also feasible via our platform, allowing you to store all of your Meriden vehicle transport data in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle transport estimate is the most crucial aspect in choosing which auto shipping company to employ to transport your vehicle. The challenge is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't receive a definite vehicle transport quote without having to give information & complete details. While this is reasonable, it means that comparing prices & getting a vehicle transport estimate is not a simple process. Using Shiply enables you to receive authentic, final price estimates from vehicle transport companies & compare them in one location, with the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately choose the best company for your needs.
Affordable Vehicle Transport - Auto shipping businesses on Shiply can usually provide their services at a lower cost than if you went directly to them. This is because they are frequently seeking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already invested the cost for. For instance, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your vehicle there, a company on Shiply may already have a multi-car transporter making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots occupied, & they are simply looking to ensure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, & pick-up/drop-off locations are convenient for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service.
Environmentally Friendly - Using Shiply for auto transport is not only less expensive but also more environmentally friendly. In the previous example, if your vehicle did not get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate vehicle shipper, the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be required just for your vehicle. Similarly, many vehicle transporters return from a delivery empty-handed, which is not only expensive for them but also for the environment, as there are many people who could have used 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 trips, resulting in even less wasted CO2 being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Getting Your Vehicle Ready for Transport
If you have selected an auto transport company to ship your vehicle & feel confident using them, it's time to get your vehicle ready 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 & 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 most affordable way to ship a vehicle? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the most affordable 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 affordable 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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