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 services provide a practical solution for individuals who need to transfer their vehicles across states or even nations.
There are several types of car transport services available to accommodate different needs and preferences. Whether you require cross-country vehicle shipping, transporting a car to another state, or even international automobile transportation, vehicle shipping companies can meet your needs. It's crucial to comprehend the various options available to make a well-informed decision when selecting a vehicle shipping service.
Types Of Car Transport Services
When it comes to car transport services, there are two primary categories: having someone operate your vehicle to the destination or shipping it on a trailer. Each approach has its benefits and drawbacks, and the choice ultimately depends on your specific requirements and preferences.
If you choose for someone to operate your automobile, it can be a straightforward and often more affordable solution. This method eliminates the need for trailers and an additional vehicle, making it a quick and efficient option. However, it's important to consider the added mileage to your car, especially if you're transporting a vehicle across the country. Additionally, there is a slight risk of damage occurring during the journey, which may be a concern for those purchasing or selling automobiles online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
On the other hand, shipping your automobile on a trailer offers a higher level of safety and protection. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value and size of your car. For expensive or classic automobiles, a single trailer is often recommended to minimize the risk of damage. The safest option is to use a shipping container, although it is the most costly choice. Multi-car transporters are another popular option, with variants such as open vehicle shipping and enclosed auto transport.
Open vehicle shipping is the most common and affordable option, where your automobile is securely placed on an open carrier and driven to the destination. While this method exposes your car to the elements during transit, it remains a cost-effective choice for many. Enclosed auto transport, on the other hand, provides added protection by enclosing the vehicles in a trailer, shielding them from dust, weather, and debris. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles.
If you need to move your vehicle overseas, it's crucial to find a specialist service or a company with experience in overseas vehicle shipping. These providers can offer tailored advice based on your specific requirements, ensuring a smooth and efficient international automobile transportation process.
How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Vehicle?
The cost of transporting a vehicle varies depending on several factors, but on average, car transport companies in the US charge around $2.92 per mile for journeys less than 200 miles, $0.93 for distances between 200 and 500 miles, and $0.78 for trips over 1,000 miles. However, these figures are just averages, and your vehicle transport cost may differ based on your specific circumstances.
To get an accurate estimate of how much your vehicle shipping will cost, it's best to collect quotes from multiple automobile transport companies. Shiply makes this process easy by allowing you to compare quotes from various providers in one place. By considering the factors that affect the cost of car transport, you can better understand what to expect in terms of pricing.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Car Transport
Several variables can impact the cost of your vehicle shipping, including:
1. Distance: Cross-state and cross-country journeys will cost more than interstate automobile delivery, which is often the cheapest option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the distance increases.
2. International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always more expensive due to the logistics involved and the distance traveled. It may require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container.
3. Route: The route taken from the pick-up spot to the delivery location can affect pricing. Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks may incur extra costs or require alternative, longer routes.
4. Shipping dates: Flexibility in timings can lead to lower costs, as vehicle transport companies can fit your delivery into their schedule, reducing overheads. Expedited shipping, on the other hand, typically costs more due to the need for dedicated resources.
5. Vehicle size: The height, length, and width of the automobile, as well as any accessories like bike racks or roof racks, can change the size of the trailer required, affecting the cost.
6. Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load and unload, increasing the cost of car transport.
7. Car transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is usually the cheapest option, while single automobile trailers and enclosed transport are more expensive due to the specialized equipment needed.
8. Pickup and delivery locations: Urban areas typically have vehicle shipping services in close proximity, resulting in cheaper rates. Rural deliveries may cost more due to deviations from normal routes and extra mileage.
9. Car transport insurance: While liability insurance is mandatory for auto transport companies, additional cargo insurance is recommended. The type of coverage, deductibles, and parts covered can affect the overall cost.
10. Time of year: Seasonality plays a role in vehicle shipping costs, with winter being the most expensive due to potential delays caused by ice, snow, and blizzard conditions. Spring and fall are generally more affordable, while summer is the busiest season, leading to higher prices.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding An Car Transport Service
With numerous vehicle transport companies available, finding the right one can be overwhelming. Searching through Google or phone books can be time-consuming, and many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without a detailed quote request.
This is where Shiply comes in. By filling out a simple form with your automobile's make and model, pickup and delivery locations, and desired dates, you can easily collect quotes from multiple car transport providers. Shiply's platform allows you to compare quotes, ask questions, and view feedback and ratings from previous customers, helping you make an informed decision.
When selecting a vehicle shipping service, it's essential to inquire about availability, insurance coverage, and how they secure automobiles during transport. Shiply's feedback and ratings system provides valuable insights into companies' past performance, ensuring a smooth and reliable vehicle shipping experience.
Why People Often Move Automobiles To & From Gainesville, Georgia, US
Gainesville, Georgia, is a vibrant city located in the northern part of the state, approximately 50 miles northeast of Atlanta. Many people find themselves moving automobiles to and from Gainesville for various reasons.
One of the primary reasons for vehicle shipping to Gainesville is relocation. As a growing city with a strong economy, Gainesville attracts individuals and families seeking new job opportunities or a change of scenery. When moving to Gainesville, many people opt for automobile shipping services to ensure their vehicles arrive safely and conveniently at their new home.
Another reason for vehicle shipping in Gainesville is the presence of educational institutions, such as the University of North Georgia and Brenau University. Students attending these schools often require automobile shipping services to transport their vehicles to and from Gainesville at the beginning and end of each semester or during breaks.
Gainesville is also a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, thanks to its proximity to Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee National Forest. Many people visit the area for recreational activities like boating, fishing, hiking, and camping. In some cases, visitors may choose to ship their cars to Gainesville to enjoy these activities without the need to drive long distances.
Furthermore, Gainesville's location along major transportation routes, such as I-985 and U.S. Route 129, makes it a convenient hub for vehicle shipping. Car transport companies frequently serve the area, providing easy access to automobile shipping services for residents and visitors alike.
In conclusion, people often move automobiles to and from Gainesville, Georgia, for reasons such as relocation, education, recreation, and the city's strategic location. With the help of reliable vehicle shipping services, individuals can ensure their cars are transported safely and efficiently to and from this thriving community in northern Georgia.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Gainesville
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 Gainesville 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 car transport quote without having to give information and fill in details. While this is understandable, it means that comparing prices and obtaining a Gainesville car shipping 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 businesses on Shiply can usually offer 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 and have already invested the cost for. For example, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York and needed to transport your car there, a company on Shiply 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 more affordable, but it is also more environmentally friendly. 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 Transport - If you have chosen an auto transport company to relocate your vehicle and feel confident using them, then it's time to prepare your car for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Documents - It is 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 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.
