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 & need to transport it to another state, relocating & requiring cross-country vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile abroad when ferries are not an option.
Luckily, there are numerous vehicle transport services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we will explore below.
Varieties Of Vehicle Transport Services
When it comes to vehicle transport services, there are several crucial decisions you need to make. Firstly, you must determine where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or shipping a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection & drop-off points are used, often at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this option is typically more affordable, it requires 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 cross-country vehicle transport or just shipping a car to another state. This option is more convenient as it eliminates the need to collect your automobile from a separate location, which can be challenging without your vehicle.
Vehicle transport services are generally divided into two categories: having someone drive your automobile to the destination or putting it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Drive Your Automobile
Hiring someone to drive your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether you need to ship a car across the country or to another state. This method is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an extra vehicle, & it can be faster due to its simplicity.
However, there are some drawbacks to this method that lead some individuals to choose 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 damage to your vehicle while it's being driven. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Put Your Automobile On A Trailer
Putting 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 are often more expensive as they only transport one vehicle at a time, but they are a great choice for moving expensive or classic cars that you want to protect from damage. The safest way to transport a vehicle 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 & most common option, where your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all vehicles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so this may not be recommended for highly valuable automobiles. 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 automobile 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 Ship A Vehicle?
The cost of shipping 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 obtain 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 collection spot to the delivery location can impact pricing. Routes with higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more due to the added time. Unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks can also incur extra costs or require a longer alternative route.
- 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, as it may require a dedicated trailer & driver.
- Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of the automobile affect the cost of transport. Larger automobiles like SUVs cost more to transport than sedans, as they require larger trailers. Accessories such as bike racks or roof racks can also change the trailer size needed.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may cost more to transport, as they require extra equipment like winches or forklifts to load & unload. A vehicle that can brake, roll, & steer is considered in good enough condition for easy shipping.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone drive your automobile is the most affordable option, while single vehicle trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the specialized equipment required. Enclosed vehicle shipping is the most expensive method, as it involves transporting your automobile alone with protective equipment.
- Pick-up & delivery locations: Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services nearby, & common destination routes often offer affordable vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more due to deviations from normal routes & extra mileage. Unusual or hard-to-access collection or drop-off points may also increase costs due to additional loading steps.
- Auto transport insurance: While all auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional coverage. If a company doesn't provide cargo insurance, it's highly recommended to acquire your own policy for your automobile during transit. Clarify what type of damage is covered, any deductibles, & which parts of the vehicle are insured.
- Time of year: Seasonality affects vehicle shipping prices, with winter being the most expensive due to ice, snow, & blizzard conditions causing delays & reduced speeds. December is difficult for shipping due to driver holidays, while January sees increased costs as many travel to warmer states. Spring is a great time for affordable rates & high availability, with March being better than April or May. Summer is the busiest season, with longer days, student travel, vacations, & house moves, so expect higher prices in June, July, & August. Fall offers slightly more affordable prices, with less busy companies & more driver availability after the summer rush. October & November are better for shipping than September, which is peak time for students shipping cars to university.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
Now that you have a better understanding of vehicle shipping, the types of auto transport services available, & the factors that affect pricing, you may be wondering how to find the right vehicle transport service for your needs.
With hundreds of vehicle transport companies out there, searching for the best one at the best price can be overwhelming. Scrolling through countless pages on Google or phone books is time-consuming, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without a detailed quote application, which can be tedious to complete for each provider.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Given the numerous options & variables involved in finding a vehicle shipping service, Shiply can help simplify the process.
To get started on Shiply, simply fill out a simple form with the make & model of the vehicle 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 you with accurate quotes for your job.
Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & via email. We recommend keeping email notifications on so you can be immediately alerted 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 (if a time frame is given), insurance coverage, & how they would secure your vehicle. It's important to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected process.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is another valuable resource when selecting a quote to ship your automobile. 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 Vehicles To & From Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida, is a popular city for vehicle shipping due to several factors. As the largest city in Florida & the southeastern United States, Jacksonville attracts many new residents each year. The city's strong job market, affordable cost of living, & pleasant weather make it an appealing destination for those looking to relocate.
Additionally, Jacksonville's port is one of the busiest in the nation, serving as a major hub for automobile imports & exports. Many car dealerships & manufacturers rely on Jacksonville's port to ship their automobiles, leading to a high demand for vehicle shipping services in the area.
The city's location along the East Coast also makes it a convenient stop for vehicle carriers traveling between the Northeast & Southeast regions of the country. This strategic position contributes to the frequency of vehicle shipping to & from Jacksonville.
Furthermore, Jacksonville's large military presence, with several naval bases in the area, results in a significant number of military personnel relocating to & from the city, often requiring vehicle shipping services.
In summary, Jacksonville's growing population, thriving port, strategic location, & military presence all contribute to the high demand for vehicle shipping services in the area, making it a common destination for automobile transport.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Jacksonville
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 from various companies based on the information you submit. This can conserve you hours of effort that you would have spent phoning companies & inputting details. Communication with these businesses is also feasible via our platform, allowing you to store all your Jacksonville vehicle shipping details in a single location.
Rate Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial aspect in choosing which auto transport company to employ for transporting your vehicle. The challenge is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average costs & rough estimates, you won't receive a definite vehicle transport quote without supplying information & filling in specifics. Although this is reasonable, it means that comparing prices & getting a vehicle transport estimate isn't precisely a simple process. Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final price estimates from vehicle shipping companies in Jacksonville & compare them in one place, offering the opportunity to message them individually to inquire about any concerns you may have & ultimately select the ideal company for your needs.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping - Auto transport businesses on Shiply can usually provide their services at a lower cost than if you approached them directly. This is because they are frequently seeking to occupy 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 transport your vehicle there, a company on Shiply might already have a multi-car transporter making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots occupied, & they are simply aiming to ensure they aren't wasting 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 utilizing our service.
Eco-Friendly - Using Shiply for auto transport is not only more economical but also more environmentally friendly! In the previous example, if your vehicle didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire journey would be required just for your vehicle. Similarly, many car transporters return empty-handed after a delivery, which is not only expensive for them but also for the environment, as there are many individuals who could have utilized 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 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, it's time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Documents - It's 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 during transit. It's also highly recommended to 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, you should ensure that it's in running condition. This means checking fluid levels, battery charge, & tire pressure. Again, this can also help you better evaluate the condition of the vehicle upon arrival.
Photographic Evidence - One very important step when preparing your vehicle for the car delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photos 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.
What to Do After Delivery
Once the car shipping company you selected has completed their delivery, there are a few things you should do:
Check Vital Signs - Lights, brakes, & engine should all be checked immediately to ensure that the car is in the expected condition, as well as enable you to promptly raise concerns with the car delivery service should anything not be working as it should.
Exterior Condition - You can compare the exterior of the vehicle to the photos taken before to determine whether any additional 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 - Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have answered some of the most common questions about car shipping:
How much does it cost to ship a car?
Car shipping prices can vary significantly 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, this drops to $0.78.
What is the most economical method to transport a vehicle?
Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the most economical way to ship a car. However, if you require a trailer, then a multi-car transporter will be your best option in terms of the most affordable way to ship a car.
How do I pay for my auto transport?
This depends on 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 & 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 task & has the right equipment to safely carry it out.
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