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 numerous situations where you are unable to operate the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online, relocating to a new residence, or transporting your automobile overseas. Vehicle shipping companies provide a variety of auto transport services to accommodate your unique requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Transport Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, you must determine where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country car shipment or transporting a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is a choice, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the car transport company's stores or operating bases. This choice is typically more affordable but demands more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. However, most individuals prefer a door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of the distance.
Vehicle transport services are generally categorized into two types: having someone operate your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for shipment.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
Employing someone to operate your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether it's a cross-country or interstate relocation. This approach is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an additional vehicle. It can also be quicker due to the straightforward nature of the transport. However, there are some drawbacks to this approach. Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be significant for cross-country shipping. Secondly, there is a slight risk of harm to your car during the drive. 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 Vehicle On A Trailer
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer way to transport it compared to having someone operate it. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile. You can choose between a single trailer for your car, which is more expensive but ideal for transporting expensive or classic automobiles, or a multi-car transporter, which can carry many vehicles at once.
Open car shipping is the most affordable & most common option for transporting a vehicle. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. While all cars are safely secured, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making this option less suitable 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 automobiles on a carrier that is enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during transport.
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. They can provide tailored advice based on your specific requirements.
What Is The Cost To Transport A Vehicle?
The cost of transporting a vehicle varies depending 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 may cost more or less depending on your specific circumstances.
To get an accurate estimate of how much your vehicle shipping will cost, it's best to collect quotes from car transport 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 car delivery.
- International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always more expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance traveled.
- Route: Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks can increase the cost.
- Shipping dates: Flexible timings can result in lower costs, while expedited shipping is more expensive.
- Vehicle size: Larger automobiles like SUVs cost more to transport than sedans.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may require extra equipment, increasing the cost.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the most affordable option, while enclosed car shipping is the most expensive.
- Pickup & delivery locations: Urban areas are usually cheaper, while rural or hard-to-access locations can increase the cost.
- Auto transport insurance: Additional cargo insurance may be necessary, affecting the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality can impact prices, with winter being the most expensive & spring being the most affordable.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding A Vehicle Transport 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 a detailed quote application.
How Can Shiply Assist In Finding Vehicle Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding a vehicle shipping service. To get started, fill out a simple form with the make & model of the automobile, pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the vehicle. This information allows auto transport providers on Shiply to provide accurate quotes for your job.
Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & email. It's recommended to keep email notifications on so you can be immediately notified of new quotes. 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.
Before selecting a quote, ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure automobiles during transport. Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Frequently Move Vehicles To & From Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. As a major tourist hub, many people visit Miami for extended periods & prefer to have their own automobiles for convenience. Additionally, Miami's port is a common entry point for imported vehicles, which often need to be transported to other parts of the country. The city's vibrant car culture, with events like the Miami International Auto Show, also contributes to the demand for vehicle shipping services. Furthermore, Miami's growing population & thriving economy attract new residents who may need to ship their automobiles when relocating. With its strategic location & diverse transportation needs, Miami is a significant market for the vehicle shipping industry.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transportation in Miami
Time-Efficient - Instead of completing a quotation form each time you require an exact cost from a business for transporting a vehicle, on our platform you complete one quotation form and can then receive estimates 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 and filling out forms. Communication with these businesses is also possible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your Miami car shipping information in one location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto transport company to employ to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most companies are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite Miami car shipping quote without having to give information and fill in details. While this is understandable, it means that comparing prices and obtaining a car transport quote is not exactly a simple task. Using Shiply allows you to receive genuine, final price quotes from car shipping companies and compare them in one place, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have and ultimately decide on the best company for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping - Auto transport companies on Shiply are typically able to offer their services for a lower fee than if you went direct to them. This is because they are often looking to fill space on journeys they are already making and have already sunk the cost for. Say, for example, you were moving from Los Angeles to New York and needed to move your car there. On Shiply, a company may already have a multi-car transporter making that journey with 5 of the 6 spots filled, and they are just looking to ensure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, and pick-up/drop-off locations work for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service.
Environmentally Friendly - Not only is using Shiply for auto transport cheaper, but it is also better for the environment! In the above example, if your car didn't get on that multi-car transporter and instead you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire journey would be needed just for your car. Similarly, many car 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 cars in the other direction! Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are looking to fill their trailers on return journeys too, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued cheap transport for our users.
Readying Your Vehicle for Transportation - If you have decided on an auto transport company to move your car and feel secure using them, then it's time to prepare your car for shipping. We recommend following these steps:
Paperwork - 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 vehicle.
Washing - 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 and notice any damages that may occur during delivery.
Operational 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 and tire pressure levels. Again this can also help you better judge the condition of the vehicle upon arrival.
Photographic Documentation - One very important thing to do when preparing your vehicle for the car delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photographs 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.
Actions to Take After Delivery - Once the car shipping company you selected has completed their delivery, there are a few things you should do:
Examine Vital Functions - Lights, brakes, and engines should all be checked immediately to ensure that the car is in the expected condition, as well as enable you to immediately raise concerns with the car delivery service should anything not be working as it should.
Exterior State - 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 car can, in rare cases, cause damage, and you want to be sure your car transport service has not done so.
Verify 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 asked questions about car shipping:
How much to ship a car? Car 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 and 500 miles, and if the journey is over 1,000 miles then this drops to $0.78.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the cheapest way to ship a car, 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 car.
How do I pay for my auto transport? This is down to each individual auto transport company on Shiply and 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 and delivery? In most cases, the car shipping company will require you to be in attendance for the pickup and 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, and 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 and 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 and 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 and has the right equipment to safely carry it out.