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 need to 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 option, 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. This is more convenient as it eliminates the need to arrange transportation to collect your vehicle.
Car transport services generally fall into two categories: 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 move. This method is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an additional vehicle. It can also be quicker due to its simplicity. However, there are some drawbacks to consider. Firstly, the journey will add mileage to your automobile, which can be significant for cross-country shipping. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your car during the drive. These concerns are particularly relevant for people buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Utilizing a trailer to transport your vehicle offers a higher level of safety compared to having someone operate it. Car 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 as they minimize the risk of damage. The safest option is to use a shipping container, although it is the most costly. Multi-car transporters, which can carry several vehicles at once, are another option with a few variants:
Open car shipping is the most affordable & most common method used by car shipping companies. Your vehicle 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 automobiles. Long journeys using open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage due to prolonged 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 vehicles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage.
For overseas vehicle transportation, it's best to find a specialist service or a company with experience in international car 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 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 & 500 miles, & $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles. These figures are just averages, & your car transport cost may differ based on your specific circumstances. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to collect car shipping quotes from multiple vehicle transport companies, which is easily done through Shiply.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Auto Transport
While everyone wants affordable car transport, several factors can influence the cost of vehicle shipping services:
Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate car delivery, which is often the most affordable option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the distance increases.
International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance traveled. It may require special enclosed trailers or shipping containers.
Route: The route taken from the collection spot to the delivery location can affect 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 result in lower charges, 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 vehicles like SUVs cost more to transport than sedans. Accessories such as bike racks or roof racks can also change the required trailer size.
Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may incur higher transport costs due to the need for extra equipment like winches or forklifts to load & unload the automobile. Cars that can brake, roll, & steer are considered in good enough condition for easy shipping.
Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the most affordable option, as you only pay for the driver's time & fuel. Single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the specialized equipment required. Enclosed car shipping is the most expensive method, as it involves transporting your vehicle alone while still needing specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transit.
Pick-up & delivery locations: Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services nearby, & common destination routes often offer affordable car 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 require extra steps for loading, increasing the cost.
Auto transport insurance: While auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional coverage. If cargo insurance is not provided, it's highly recommended to acquire it separately for your vehicle during transit. Clarify the type of damage covered, deductibles, & parts of the automobile included in the insurance policy.
Time of year: Seasonality affects car shipping prices, with winter being the most expensive due to ice, snow, & blizzard conditions causing delays & reduced speeds. December is challenging as drivers are on holiday, while January sees increased demand for shipping to warmer states. Spring is a great time for affordable rates & high availability, especially in March. Summer is the busiest season, with longer days, students traveling, & peak moving times, so expect higher prices. Fall offers slightly cheaper prices, particularly in October & November, as demand decreases 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 overwhelming. Searching on Google or through phone books can be time-consuming, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without individual quotes.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding a vehicle shipping service. By filling out a simple form with your car's make & model, collection & delivery locations, & desired shipping dates, you can easily collect quotes from auto transport providers. Quotes start arriving in your Shiply inbox & email within minutes of posting your listing. It's recommended to wait for a few quotes before making a decision to have multiple options.
Once you have quotes, you can ask the companies questions about availability, insurance, & vehicle securing methods to ensure a smooth & expected process. Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Often Move Cars To & From Dalton, Georgia, US
Dalton, Georgia, US, is a city known for its carpet industry, earning it the nickname "Carpet Capital of the World." Many people move to Dalton for job opportunities in the flooring industry, which often requires relocating their automobiles. Additionally, Dalton's proximity to major highways like I-75 & I-24 makes it a convenient location for vehicle shipping companies to collect & deliver vehicles. The city's central location in the Southeast also contributes to its popularity as a car shipping destination, as it is easily accessible from many parts of the region. Whether moving to Dalton for work or shipping a vehicle through the area, car shipping Dalton services & Dalton car shipping companies are readily available to assist with the process.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Dalton
Time-Efficient - Instead of completing a quotation form each time you require a precise cost from a company on transporting a vehicle, on our platform you fill out one quotation form & can then receive estimates based on the information you submit from several businesses. This can save you a significant amount of time that you would have spent phoning companies & providing details.
Communication with these firms is also possible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your Dalton vehicle shipping information in one location.
Cost Comparison - The Crucial Aspect
Ultimately, the price of the Dalton vehicle shipping estimate is the most significant factor in deciding which auto transport firm to use to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most companies are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite vehicle transport quote without having to provide information & complete specifics. While this is understandable, it means that cost comparison & obtaining a vehicle transport quote is not exactly a simple task.
Utilizing Shiply enables you to obtain genuine, final price estimates from vehicle shipping firms & compare them in one location, giving you the opportunity to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately choose the best company for your needs.
Inexpensive Vehicle Shipping - A Significant Advantage
Auto transport companies on Shiply are often able to provide their services at a lower cost than if you went directly to them. This is because they are frequently looking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already invested the cost for. For example, if you were moving from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your vehicle there, a company on Shiply may already have a multi-car transporter making that trip 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, & pick-up/drop-off locations are convenient for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service!
More 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 & instead you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be needed just for your vehicle.
Similarly, many car 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 also looking to fill their trailers on return trips, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users!
Readying Your Vehicle For Transport
If you've chosen an auto transport company to transport your vehicle & feel confident using them, then it's time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Documents - It's 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 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 see 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 car delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photographs of all parts of the vehicle. This provides you with evidence of the car's condition before shipping should anything happen to it during transport.
Post-Delivery Steps
Once the car 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 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 see whether any extra 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 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 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 & 500 miles, & 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 & 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 job & has the right equipment to safely carry it out.
