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 situations where you are unable to operate the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online & need to transport it to a different state, relocating & requiring long-distance vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are unavailable.
Luckily, there are various auto transport services accessible to cater to your particular requirements, which we will explore below.
Varieties Of Car Shipping Services
When it comes to car shipping services, there are several crucial choices you must make. Initially, you need to decide where you want your vehicle collected from & delivered to, whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or shipping an automobile to a different state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is a possibility, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this choice is typically more affordable, it demands more effort on your part to get the automobile 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 simply shipping an automobile to a different state. This option proves more convenient as it eliminates the necessity to collect your vehicle from a separate location, which can be challenging without your automobile.
Vehicle transport services are usually categorized into two types: having someone operate your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
Employing someone to operate your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether you need to transport a car across the country or to a different state. This approach is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an additional vehicle, & it can be quicker due to its simplicity.
However, there are some drawbacks to this approach that lead some individuals to opt for 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. Secondly, there is a slight risk of harm to your vehicle while it's being operated. 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.
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 operate your vehicle. 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 vehicle at a time, but they are an excellent choice for moving expensive or classic automobiles that you want to protect from damage. The safest way to transport a car is in a shipping container, but this is also the most expensive option.
Multi-car transporters can carry many vehicles at once & come in a few variants:
- Open vehicle shipping is the most affordable & common option, where 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, so this may not be recommended for highly valuable vehicles. Long journeys in open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage & exposure to the elements.
- Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier that is enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is often preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage.
If you need to move your vehicle overseas, it's best to find a specialist service or a company with experience in overseas vehicle shipping to provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Vehicle?
The cost of transporting a vehicle varies based 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 cost may be higher or lower depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to gather 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:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the most affordable option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases.
- International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always more 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 or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks may incur extra costs or require a longer, alternative route.
- Shipping dates: Flexibility in timings can result in lower costs, as vehicle transport 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, as well as any accessories like bike racks or roof racks, can change the size of the trailer required & affect the cost.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may require extra equipment like winches or forklifts to load & unload, increasing the cost.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the most affordable option, while single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the specialized equipment needed.
- Pick-up & delivery locations: Urban areas with common destination routes often have more affordable vehicle shipping, while rural deliveries or hard-to-access spaces may cost more.
- Auto transport insurance: While liability insurance is required, additional cargo insurance is recommended & may affect the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality can impact vehicle shipping prices, with winter being the most expensive due to weather conditions & holiday-related delays. Spring & fall offer better rates, while summer is the busiest season.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
With hundreds of 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 a detailed quote application.
This is where Shiply can help simplify the process.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply makes it easy to collect quotes from auto transport providers. Simply fill out a form with your vehicle's make & model, pick-up & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the automobile. This information allows providers to give you accurate quotes for your specific job.
Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & email. We recommend keeping email notifications on so you can be alerted immediately 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 a few quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure vehicles during transport. It's important to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected experience.
Shiply also offers a feedback & ratings system, which we highly recommend reviewing before selecting a quote. This system allows you to see previous customers' experiences & the company's overall score, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Bear, Delaware
Bear, Delaware, is a popular location for vehicle shipping due to its proximity to major cities like Philadelphia, Baltimore, & Washington, D.C. Many individuals relocate to Bear for job opportunities, affordable housing, & a lower cost of living compared to nearby metropolitan areas. As a result, there is a high demand for vehicle shipping services to & from Bear.
Additionally, Bear is home to several large car dealerships, which often require automobile transport services to move inventory between locations or to deliver cars to customers who have purchased vehicles online or from out-of-state dealers.
The convenient location & growing population of Bear make it an attractive destination for those looking to relocate or purchase automobiles, leading to an increased need for reliable vehicle shipping services in the area.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transportation
Time-Efficient - Instead of completing a quotation form each time you require a precise cost from a company on transporting your automobile, on our platform you only complete one quotation form & then can receive estimates based on the information you supply from several businesses. This can save you hours of time you would've had to invest calling up companies & filling out forms.
Communication with these businesses is all possible through our platform as well, allowing you to maintain all of your vehicle shipping information in one location.
Cost Comparison - When it comes down to it, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most significant factor in choosing which auto transport company to utilize to ship your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most companies are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually be given a definite vehicle transport quote without having to supply information & complete details. While this is understandable, it does mean that cost comparison & getting a vehicle transport quote isn't exactly a simple task.
Utilizing Shiply allows you to receive genuine, final cost estimates from vehicle shipping businesses & compare them in one place, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the best company for you.
Inexpensive 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 utilizing our service!
Superior For The Environment
Not only is utilizing Shiply for auto transport less expensive, but it is also superior for the environment! 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 utilized that transporter to transport 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 inexpensive transport for our users.
Readying For Your Vehicle To Be Transported
If you have decided on an auto transport company to transport your vehicle & feel secure utilizing them, then it's time to ready 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 automobile.
Cleaning - You should take care to remove all personal items from your automobile 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 automobile before transport as this will allow you to see its condition & notice any damages that may occur during delivery.
Running Condition - If the automobile 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 automobile upon arrival.
Photographic Evidence - One very important thing to do when readying your automobile 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 automobile to the photos taken of it before to see 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 automobile is driven to the destination but it can help to check the mileage to ensure that it matches up with the trip taken.
We would greatly appreciate it if you could also leave a review for the auto transport company you utilized 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 trip should cost you around $2.92 per mile if the trip is less than 200 miles, $0.93 if the trip is between 200 & 500 miles, & if the trip is over 1,000 miles then this drops to $0.78.
What is the cheapest way to ship a vehicle? Having someone drive your automobile 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 automobile. 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 automobile during my vehicle shipment? Most vehicle transport companies will be fine with you keeping some personal items in the automobile when it is transported. However, there are two important things to remember: 1. The weight of the items may affect the price of the automobile shipment, & 2. Any items in the automobile will not be covered by insurance for the transport of the vehicle itself.
How much gas should I have in my automobile during transit? Generally, you should aim to have around a quarter of your tank full. This allows for easy loading & unloading of the automobile but will not add too much extra weight to the automobile.
Can I ship my automobile if it isn't running? You can ship your automobile if it isn't in running condition, however, this will be more expensive as specialist equipment is required to load & unload the automobile.
Can I ship a modified automobile? Almost any type of automobile 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.
