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 operating the vehicle yourself is not practical, 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 different requirements.
Categories Of Auto Transport Services
When selecting an auto transport service, the initial choice you must make is where you want your vehicle collected from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country car transport or shipping an automobile to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an alternative, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the car transport company's stores or operating bases. While this alternative is typically more affordable, it necessitates more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. Most individuals, however, opt for 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 typically categorized into two types: having someone operate your vehicle to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
Employing someone to operate your vehicle to its destination is a straightforward solution for car shipping, whether it's a cross-country or interstate relocation. This approach is often more affordable as it doesn't necessitate trailers or an additional vehicle, & it can be quicker due to its simplicity. However, there are some drawbacks to consider, such as the added mileage to your automobile, especially when shipping a car across country, & the slight risk of damage during the journey. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals purchasing or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Placing your vehicle on a trailer offers a higher level of safety compared to having someone operate it. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile. Single trailers, while more expensive, are ideal for transporting expensive or classic cars that require extra protection. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, but this is also the most costly option. Multi-car transporters, which can carry several automobiles at once, are available in different variants:
Open car shipping is the most affordable & most common option offered by vehicle shipping companies. 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 transit, 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 cars on a carrier that is enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles where minimizing the risk of damage is a priority.
For overseas vehicle transportation, it's best to find a specialist service or a company with experience in overseas car shipping to receive tailored advice based on your requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Vehicle?
The cost of transporting a vehicle varies depending on several factors, but on average, US auto transport companies charge around $2.92 per mile for journeys under 200 miles, $0.93 for journeys between 200 & 500 miles, & $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles. These figures are just averages, & your vehicle transport cost may differ based 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 easily done through Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Auto Transport
While everyone wants affordable vehicle transport, several factors can influence the price of car shipping services. Distance plays a significant role, with cross-state & cross-country journeys costing more than interstate vehicle delivery. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases. International shipping is always more expensive due to the logistics of transferring a vehicle overseas & the distance involved. It may also require special enclosed trailers or shipping containers.
The route taken from the collection spot to the delivery location can also affect pricing. Routes with higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more due to the added time, while unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could incur extra costs or require a longer alternative route.
Shipping dates can impact the price as well. Flexible timings may result in lower charges, as vehicle shipping companies can fit your automobile delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. However, expedited shipping within a strict timeframe typically costs more, as it may require a dedicated trailer & driver.
Vehicle size, including height, length, & width, affects the cost of transport. Larger automobiles like SUVs generally cost more to ship than sedans, as they require bigger trailers. It's essential to inform the auto transport company about any accessories like bike racks or roof racks, as they can change the trailer size needed.
The condition of your vehicle can also impact the cost. If your automobile is not drivable, it may require extra equipment like a winch or forklift to load & unload it from the trailer, increasing the price. Most car carriers consider a vehicle in good enough condition to ship easily if it can brake, roll, & steer.
The type of auto transport service you choose will also affect the cost. Having someone operate your vehicle is the most affordable option, as you're essentially paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the extra equipment required. Enclosed car shipping is the most costly method, as it involves your vehicle traveling alone while still needing specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transit.
The locations of pickup & delivery can also influence the price. Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services nearby, & common destination routes tend to offer affordable car shipping. Rural deliveries may cost more due to deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. Unusual or hard-to-access collection or drop-off points may require extra steps to load your automobile, increasing the vehicle shipping cost.
While auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance. If a company doesn't provide cargo insurance, it's highly recommended to acquire some for your vehicle during transit. Ensure you understand what type of damage is covered, any deductibles, which parts of the automobile are insured, & any other relevant details.
Seasonality can also affect car shipping prices. Winter tends to be the most expensive season, as ice, snow, & blizzard conditions can cause delays & reduce the maximum speed of transport. December is a challenging time to ship a vehicle due to drivers being on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased shipping costs. Spring is a great time to ship, with improved weather, longer days, & more available drivers, often resulting in affordable rates & high availability. Summer is the prime season for shipping cars, with the longest days, students traveling home, employees taking vacations, & a popular time for moving houses. Fall can offer slightly more affordable prices, with less busy vehicle shipping companies & more driver availability after the summer rush.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
With hundreds of vehicle transport companies available, finding the right one can be daunting. Searching on Google or through phone books can be time-consuming, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without individual quotes, requiring you to fill out details with each one.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding the right vehicle shipping service. By filling out a simple form with your automobile's make & model, pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the vehicle, you can easily collect quotes from auto transport providers on Shiply.
Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & email. It's recommended to keep email notifications on to know 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.
After receiving quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they would secure your vehicle. It's crucial to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected experience.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company & their overall score, which is highly recommended to review before selecting a quote to ship your automobile.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Brunswick, Georgia, US
Brunswick, Georgia, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to its strategic location & thriving port. As a major hub for auto imports & exports, many people move cars to & from Brunswick for various reasons. The Port of Brunswick is the largest auto port in the United States, handling over 600,000 automobiles annually. This high volume of vehicle traffic makes Brunswick an ideal location for car shipping companies to operate, offering competitive rates & efficient services.
People often move cars to Brunswick when relocating to the area, as it is a growing city with a strong economy & attractive quality of life. The city's proximity to major highways & interstates also makes it a convenient location for vehicle shipping. Additionally, many car dealerships & auto auctions in the region rely on car shipping services to transport automobiles to & from Brunswick.
When searching for vehicle shipping services in Brunswick, it's essential to use relevant keywords like "vehicle shipping brunswick" or "brunswick vehicle shipping" to find local providers who are familiar with the area & can offer tailored solutions for your needs. By working with a reputable vehicle shipping company in Brunswick, you can ensure your automobile is transported safely & efficiently, whether you're moving to the city or shipping a car elsewhere from this bustling auto transport hub.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transportation in Brunswick
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 only need to fill out one quotation form & then can receive estimates based on the information you submit from several companies. This can save you a significant amount of time that you would have spent phoning companies & providing details. Communication with these businesses is also possible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your vehicle shipping data in a single location.
Cost Comparison for Brunswick Vehicle Transportation - 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 businesses are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite vehicle transport quote without having to submit information and fill in details. Although this is understandable, it means that price comparison and obtaining a vehicle transport quote isn't exactly a simple task. Utilizing Shiply enables you to receive genuine, final price estimates from vehicle shipping companies and compare them in one place, offering 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 Brunswick - 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 and have already invested the cost for. For example, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York and needed to move your vehicle there, a company on Shiply 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 wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, and pick-up/drop-off locations are convenient 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 more affordable, but it is also more environmentally friendly. In the above example, if your vehicle 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 vehicle. 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 many people who could have used that transporter to move their vehicles in the other direction. Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are also looking to fill their trailers on return journeys, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Readying Your Vehicle for Shipping - If you have chosen an auto transport company to transport your vehicle and feel confident using them, then it's time to prepare 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 and 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 and 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 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.
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, 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 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 car can, in rare cases, cause damage, and 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 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.
