What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also known 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. It's beneficial for moving a vehicle in various circumstances where you can't operate the car yourself. For instance, you might be buying or selling a pre-owned car online & require shipping it to a different state, or maybe you've recently moved & need to transport your automobile across the nation. Vehicle shipping services can also be extremely useful when you need to relocate your car overseas & ferries aren't available, necessitating you to depend on an auto transport company to manage the job.
Luckily, there are numerous vehicle transport services available to fulfill your particular requirements, which we'll discuss below.
Types Of Vehicle Shipping Services
When it comes to vehicle shipping services, there are a few choices to consider. It's crucial to carefully review these options & determine the type of automobile transportation service that best suits your needs for relocating your car.
The first decision you'll need to make is where you want your vehicle collected from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country car transport or moving a car to a different state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is one option, where designated collection & drop-off points are used, often at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. This choice is typically more affordable but requires more effort on your part to get the automobile home. However, most people prefer a door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their cars are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or just moving a car to a different state. This is often more convenient as it eliminates the need to travel to collect your car, which can be challenging without your vehicle in the first place!
Vehicle transport services generally fall into two categories: having someone operate your car to the destination or loading it onto a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
One straightforward solution for vehicle shipping is to hire someone to operate your car to its destination, whether you need to move a vehicle across the country or to a different state. The advantages of this auto transport method include lower costs, as trailers & an additional automobile aren't required, & faster delivery due to the simplicity of the transport process.
However, there are some drawbacks to this method offered by vehicle shipping companies that lead some individuals to choose other types of car transport. Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be significant when moving a car across the country, although less so when shipping a vehicle to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage occurring to your car while it's being operated from point A to point B. These concerns are particularly relevant for people buying or selling automobiles online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Put Your Automobile On A Trailer
Placing your car on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection compared to having someone operate your vehicle to its destination. When it comes to vehicle shipping trailers, there are several options available depending on the value & size of your automobile.
First, you'll need to decide whether you want a single trailer for your car. These are often more expensive as they only transport one vehicle at a time, but they're an excellent choice if you're moving a costly or classic automobile that you don't want to risk damaging. The safest way to transport a car is to place it in a shipping container, but this is by far the most expensive option. The other choice is a multi-car transporter, which can move multiple vehicles simultaneously & comes in a few variations:
Open vehicle shipping by any car shipping company is the most affordable & common option for transporting an automobile. Your car is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. While all vehicles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so vehicle shipping companies may not recommend this method for highly valuable automobiles. Additionally, while it may be the cheapest way to move a car cross-country, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage & expose your vehicle to the elements for extended periods.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple cars on a carrier, but they are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This is often preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during vehicle transport.
If you need to relocate your car overseas through an auto transport company, it's best to find a specialist service on our platform or one with experience in overseas vehicle shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your specific requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Move A Vehicle?
The cost of moving 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 for vehicle moving companies, & your car 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 car transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
If you want to get an idea of how much you can expect your vehicle delivery to cost, consider the factors that can affect the price of car transport services, which we'll discuss below.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
While we all want affordable vehicle transport, several factors & variables can impact the cost of your car shipping. Let's explore the main ones to give you a rough idea of whether your auto transport requirements will be costly or inexpensive.
As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of your vehicle transport, with cross-state & cross-country journeys being more expensive than interstate car delivery, which is often the most affordable option.
Although longer distances do cost more, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases, ensuring you're not paying excessively.
International shipping always results in costly vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring a car overseas & the distance it needs to travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your automobile.
Route - Along with distance, the route required to transport your vehicle from its collection location to its delivery spot can affect the pricing of your car carrier service. Routes with known higher traffic, such as in LA, may end up costing more than quieter roads due to the additional time added to the journey. Similarly, unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could also incur extra costs from the vehicle moving companies or necessitate a different, longer route.
Shipping Dates - The speed at which you need your vehicle transportation service to operate can also impact the price. If you have flexibility in timings, you may find that your car shipping service charges significantly less. This is because they can fit your automobile delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads, passing the savings on to you. However, if you require auto transport within a strict timeframe (often referred to as expedited shipping), it will typically cost more due to the vehicle transport company likely having to dedicate a trailer & driver solely for your delivery.
Vehicle Size - The height, length, & width of the automobile will all affect the cost of transporting your car. Vehicle shippers will require larger trailers for bigger cars, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. It's important to inform the auto transport company about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on the vehicle, as these can also change the size of the trailer required for the delivery.
Vehicle Condition - If your automobile is not in a drivable condition, it may increase the cost of your auto transport. This is because it may require additional equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load & unload your car from the trailer. For example, if your vehicle has a locked wheel, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto a trailer & off again, requiring more time, effort, & machinery to complete the delivery compared to a standard car transport service. Most vehicle carriers consider a car that can brake, roll, & steer to be in good enough condition for easy shipping.
Auto Transport Service Type - The type of auto transport service you choose will also affect the cost of your vehicle shipping. Having someone operate your car to its destination will always be the most affordable option, as you're essentially just paying for the driver's time & fuel. On the other hand, single car trailers & enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive, as they require specialized equipment. Enclosed vehicle shipping is always the most costly method of moving a car, as it means your automobile travels alone & still requires specialized equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
Locations Of Pickup & Delivery - The locations of the vehicle's collection & drop-off points can also impact the price of shipping a car. Urban areas typically have car shipping services in close proximity, & if it's a common destination route, you'll often find affordable vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. If a collection or drop-off point is in an unusual or hard-to-access location, additional steps may be necessary to load your automobile, which can also increase the vehicle shipping cost.
Auto Transport Insurance - While all auto transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance, as it's not legally mandated. If a vehicle transport company does not provide cargo insurance, it's highly recommended that you seek out & acquire coverage for your automobile during transit. As with all insurance policies, make sure you understand what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, which parts of the vehicle are covered by the insurance, & any other relevant questions you may have.
Time Of Year - Seasonality can also affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more to move a car in the winter due to ice & snow slowing down routes. Here's a quick breakdown of how each season can impact auto transport costs:
Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your automobile. Ice, snow, & blizzard conditions can cause delays on the roads & reduce the maximum speed at which the vehicle delivery service can transport cars. December is typically a challenging time to have a car shipped, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased vehicle shipping costs. However, February is usually quiet, & great rates are often available from car shipping services during this month.
Spring is an excellent time to ship your automobile with a vehicle transportation service. With improved weather conditions, longer days, & more drivers ready to work, Spring often means affordable rates & high availability when it comes to moving your car. March is generally a better time to ship than April or May, as there is often a rush to move vehicles from colder to warmer states.
Summer is the prime season for shipping cars - the days are the longest of the year, students are traveling home from universities, employees take vacations, & it's also a very popular time to move house. This means that June, July, & August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, & you should not expect affordable vehicle shipping during the summer.
Fall is 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. However, you're better off looking to move your automobile in October or November rather than September, as this is peak time for students shipping their cars to university.
How To Move A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
Now that you have a better understanding of what vehicle shipping & a car shipping service entail, as well as the type of auto transport service you need, you're probably ready to find a vehicle transport service that's right for you.
The challenge is that there are hundreds of vehicle transport companies out there. Trying to find them on Google can result in scrolling through countless pages to find the best car shipping company at the best price, & the same is true if you were to go through phone books. Moreover, many of these companies are reluctant to provide pricing, meaning you'll likely need to apply for a quote & fill out details with each of them individually, which can be very time-consuming.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Given all the options & variables involved in finding a vehicle shipping service, searching for & finding the right one can seem like a daunting task, & this is where Shiply can help.
On Shiply, you simply need to fill out a simple form to start collecting quotes. All we need from you are the make & model of the vehicle that needs shipping, the pickup location & delivery location, & the dates you need to move the automobile. This provides the auto transport providers on Shiply with enough information to provide you with an accurate quote for your job.
Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & to your email. We recommend keeping email notifications turned on so that you can be immediately notified when a new quote comes through. Quotes can start arriving within a few minutes of posting your listing, but we always recommend waiting for a few to come through before making a decision, so you have multiple options to choose from.
Once you have a few quotes, you can ask the providers any questions you may have, such as their availability (if a time frame is given), what insurance they have, & how they would secure your vehicle. We recommend asking any company you may use these questions to ensure that everything goes smoothly & as expected.
Shiply has a feedback & ratings system that we highly recommend reviewing before selecting a quote to ship your automobile. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company, as well as their overall score.
Why People Often Move Cars To & From Pike Creek, Delaware, US
Pike Creek, located in New Castle County, Delaware, is a popular destination for people moving to & from the area. Many individuals & families relocate to Pike Creek for various reasons, such as job opportunities, a change in lifestyle, or to be closer to family & friends. When moving to or from Pike Creek, one of the essential considerations is how to transport their automobiles.
Vehicle shipping pike creek has become increasingly popular among residents & those moving to the area. Pike creek car shipping services provide a convenient & safe way to transport vehicles, especially when moving long distances or across state lines. By utilizing vehicle shipping companies, people can avoid the stress & potential risks associated with driving their cars themselves during a move.
Moreover, Pike Creek's proximity to major cities like Philadelphia & Baltimore makes it an attractive location for those commuting for work or seeking a suburban lifestyle while still having access to urban amenities. This has led to an increased demand for vehicle shipping services in the area, as people moving to or from Pike Creek often need to transport their automobiles efficiently & safely.
In conclusion, the popularity of Pike Creek as a residential area & its convenient location near major cities has contributed to the growing demand for vehicle shipping services in the region. By opting for pike creek car shipping, residents & those moving to or from the area can ensure that their automobiles are transported with care & professionalism, making their relocation process smoother & less stressful.
The Advantages of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transportation
Time-efficient - Rather than completing a quotation form each instance you desire to obtain a precise cost from an organization on transporting a vehicle, on our platform you complete one quotation form & then can receive estimates based on the information you supply from several companies. This can conserve you hours of effort you would have had to invest phoning companies & inputting details. Communication with these organizations is all feasible through our platform as well, signifying you can maintain all of your vehicle shipping data in one location.
Cost Comparison - When it comes down to it, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto transport company to utilize to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most organizations are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually be given a definite vehicle transport estimate without having to supply information & input details. While this is reasonable, it does mean that cost comparison & getting a vehicle transport estimate isn't precisely a simple task. Using Shiply allows you to receive genuine, final cost estimates from vehicle shipping companies & compare them in one place, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the best organization for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping - Auto transport organizations 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 instance, you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to move your vehicle there. On Shiply, an organization may already have a multi-vehicle transporter making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots filled, & they are just seeking to ensure they are not squandering 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 using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it is also superior for the environment. In the above example, if your vehicle didn't get on that multi-vehicle 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 seeking 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.
Readying For Your Vehicle To Be Transported
If you have decided on an auto transport organization to move your vehicle & feel secure using them, then it's time to ready your vehicle for shipping. We recommend following these steps:
Documents - It is crucial 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 organization 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 organization 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-vehicle 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 organization on Shiply & is something you should discuss with your chosen vehicle delivery service before confirming the delivery. Most organizations will be flexible with payment options, however.
Can I track my vehicle transport online? Each vehicle shipping organization 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 organizations to confirm that this is possible with them.
Does someone have to be present for pickup & delivery? In most cases, the vehicle shipping organization 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 organizations 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.
If you're looking for reliable & affordable vehicle shipping pike creek or pike creek vehicle shipping services, Shiply is the perfect platform to connect with top-rated auto transport organizations. With our user-friendly interface & competitive pricing, shipping your vehicle has never been easier or more cost-effective. Get started today & experience the benefits of using Shiply for all your vehicle shipping needs!
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