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 and need to transport it to another state, relocating and requiring long-distance vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are not available. 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 and transported to, whether it's a long-distance vehicle shipping or transporting a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection and drop-off points, frequently the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are used. This option is typically more affordable but requires more effort on your part to get the automobile home. However, most individuals prefer a door-to-door vehicle transport delivery service, where their automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless 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. Having someone drive your automobile is a straightforward solution that involves hiring a driver to take your vehicle to its destination. This method is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an extra vehicle, and it can be quicker due to its simplicity. However, there are some drawbacks, such as added mileage to your vehicle (especially when transporting a car across country) and a slight risk of damage during the journey.
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone drive it. There are multiple options available depending on the value & size of your vehicle. A single trailer is more expensive as it only transports one car at a time but is ideal for moving expensive or classic cars. The safest way to transport a car is in a shipping container, but this is the most costly option. Multi-car transporters, which can carry many cars at once, come in a few variants:
- Open vehicle shipping: The most affordable & most common option, where your automobile is placed on an open carrier and driven to the destination. While all cars are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making it less suitable for highly valuable vehicles.
- Enclosed auto transport: Multiple cars are secured on a carrier but are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, and debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles.
If you need to move your vehicle overseas, it's best to find a specialist service or one with experience in overseas vehicle shipping to 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, & $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles. However, these are just averages, and your vehicle transport may cost more or less depending on the circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to collect vehicle shipping quotes from various companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
Factors that can affect the cost of auto transport include:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate vehicle delivery.
- International shipping: Always results in expensive vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring a car overseas & the distance it needs to travel.
- Route: Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks can increase costs.
- Shipping dates: Flexibility in timings can lead to lower costs, while expedited shipping in a strict timeframe typically costs more.
- Vehicle size: Larger vehicles like SUVs cost more to transport than sedans due to the need for bigger trailers.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may require extra equipment, increasing the cost.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone drive your car is the cheapest option, while single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive.
- Locations of pickup & delivery: Urban areas with common destination routes tend to have cheaper vehicle shipping, while rural or hard-to-access locations can cost more.
- Auto transport insurance: Additional cargo insurance beyond the required liability insurance is recommended & can affect the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality plays a role, with winter being the most expensive due to weather conditions & holiday-related delays.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto 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, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without an individual quote application. This is where Shiply can help simplify the process.
How Can Shiply Assist In Finding Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a vehicle shipping service by allowing you to fill out a simple form to start collecting quotes. You only need to provide the make & model of the car, the pickup & delivery locations, and the dates you need to move the vehicle. This information enables 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 & email. It's recommended to keep email notifications turned on to be immediately notified of new quotes, which can start coming in within minutes of posting your listing. However, it's best to wait for a few quotes before making a decision to have multiple options to choose from.
After receiving a few quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they would secure your car. It's crucial to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected process.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is another valuable tool to consider before selecting a quote. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company & their overall score, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Frequently Move Vehicles To & From Harrington, Delaware
Harrington, a small city in central Delaware, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. Many people move to Harrington for its affordable cost of living, proximity to major cities like Philadelphia & Baltimore, and its quiet, rural atmosphere. The city's growing job market, particularly in the healthcare & education sectors, also attracts new residents who may need to ship their cars.
Additionally, Harrington is home to the Delaware State Fairgrounds, which hosts numerous events throughout the year, including the annual Delaware State Fair. These events draw visitors from across the country who may require vehicle shipping services to attend. The city's central location within the state also makes it a convenient hub for vehicle shipping companies serving the Mid-Atlantic region.
Whether you're moving to Harrington for work, retiring to the area, or attending an event at the fairgrounds, reliable vehicle shipping services like those found on Shiply can help ensure your automobile arrives safely & efficiently. By comparing quotes & reading customer reviews, you can find the best "vehicle shipping harrington" or "harrington vehicle shipping" option to meet your needs & budget.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Harrington
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each instance you desire an accurate cost from a business on Harrington vehicle transport, on our site you complete a single quotation form & can then obtain estimates based on the information you supply from several companies. This can conserve you hours of effort you would have needed to invest phoning businesses & inputting details. Communication with these firms is also feasible via our platform, allowing you to store all of your vehicle shipping details in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto transport firm to employ to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite vehicle transport quote without having to give information & fill in specifics. While this is reasonable, it does mean that cost comparison & getting a vehicle transport quote isn't precisely a simple task. Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final cost estimates from vehicle shipping businesses & compare them in one place, offering the capability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the optimal company for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping - Auto transport firms on Shiply are usually able to provide their services for 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 expense for. For instance, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to move your vehicle there, on Shiply, a company may already have a multi-car transporter making that journey with 5 of the 6 spots filled, & they are just looking to ensure they are not squandering any space. As long as the dates, times, & pick-up/drop-off locations are suitable for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service.
Eco-Friendlier - 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 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 looking to fill their trailers on return trips too, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being emitted into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Preparing Your Vehicle for Shipping
If you have chosen an auto transport company to transport your vehicle & feel confident using them, then it's time to ready your vehicle for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Documents - It is crucial to ensure that any documents you may require are accessible 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 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 determine 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 assess 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 determine 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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