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 operate the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online & need to transport it to another state, relocating & requiring long-distance vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are not an option. Luckily, there are numerous auto transport services available to cater to your specific requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Shipping Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, the initial choice you need to make is where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or shipping a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is a possibility, where designated collection & drop-off points, frequently the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are utilized. While this option is typically more affordable, it demands more effort on your part to get the automobile home. However, most individuals prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their vehicles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, irrespective 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 transport.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
Employing someone to operate your vehicle to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether it's across the country or to another state. The advantages of this method include lower costs, as trailers & extra vehicles are not necessary, & quicker delivery due to the simplicity of the transport. However, there are some drawbacks to this approach that lead some individuals to opt for other types of vehicle transport. 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 is being operated. These concerns are especially relevant for individuals buying 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 is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone operate it to its destination. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile. You can choose between a single trailer for your vehicle, which is more expensive but ideal for transporting expensive or classic cars, or a multi-car transporter that can carry several automobiles at once. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, but this is also the most expensive option.
Multi-car transporters come in a few variants:
- Open vehicle shipping: The most affordable & common option, where 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 the drive, making this option less suitable for highly valuable vehicles.
- Enclosed auto transport: Multiple cars are secured on a carrier but are 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.
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 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 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. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to collect vehicle shipping quotes from various companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
Several factors can impact the cost of vehicle shipping, including:
- 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 affect pricing. Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks may incur extra costs or require longer alternative routes.
- 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.
- 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 like bike racks or roof racks can change the required trailer size.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may cost more to transport, as they require extra equipment like winches or forklifts for loading & unloading.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the most affordable option, while single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the specialized equipment needed.
- Pickup & delivery locations: Urban areas with common destination routes often have more affordable vehicle shipping, while rural deliveries or hard-to-access spaces may incur extra costs.
- Auto transport insurance: While all auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, additional cargo insurance is recommended & may affect the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality can impact vehicle shipping prices, with winter being the most expensive due to weather-related delays. Spring & fall offer better rates, while summer is the busiest season.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding A Vehicle Transport Service
With numerous 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 a personalized quote. This is where Shiply can help simplify the process.
How Can Shiply Help Find Vehicle Transport Companies?
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a vehicle shipping service by allowing you to fill out a simple form with your automobile's make & model, pickup & delivery locations, & desired shipping dates. This information enables auto transport providers on Shiply to provide accurate quotes for your specific needs.
Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & via email. It's recommended to keep email notifications on to stay informed about new quotes, which can start arriving within minutes of posting your listing. To ensure you have multiple options, wait for a few quotes before making a decision.
When considering quotes, ask the companies any relevant questions, such as availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure vehicles during transport. Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores, helping you make an informed decision when selecting a vehicle shipping company.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Smyrna, Georgia, US
Smyrna, a vibrant suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, is a popular destination for people relocating for various reasons. Many individuals & families move to Smyrna for its excellent schools, thriving job market, & proximity to Atlanta's amenities. Others may be relocating for work, as Smyrna is home to several major employers, including IBM, Lockheed Martin, & The Home Depot. Additionally, Smyrna's affordable housing options, diverse neighborhoods, & welcoming community make it an attractive place to call home.
When moving to or from Smyrna, many people choose to use vehicle shipping services to transport their automobiles. This is especially true for those moving long distances or across the country, as driving the vehicle themselves may not be feasible or desirable. By using a reputable vehicle shipping company, Smyrna residents can ensure their automobiles arrive at their new home safely & efficiently, allowing them to focus on other aspects of their move.
Smyrna vehicle shipping companies offer a range of services to meet the needs of their customers, from open & enclosed trailers to expedited shipping options. With the help of platforms like Shiply, finding the right vehicle shipping service in Smyrna has never been easier, ensuring a smooth transition for both you & your automobile.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Smyrna
Time-Efficient - Instead of submitting a quotation request each time you require a precise cost for transporting your automobile, on our platform you complete one form & then can receive estimates based on the information you supply from various businesses. This can save you hours you would've spent contacting companies & completing forms.
Communication with these businesses is all feasible through our platform as well, allowing you to store all of your "car shipping smyrna" details in one location.
Cost Comparison
When it comes down to it, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto transport company to utilize to transport your car. The challenging aspect is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't actually be given a definite "smyrna car shipping" quote without having to supply information and fill in details. While this is understandable, it does mean that price comparison and obtaining a vehicle transport quote isn't exactly a simple task.
Utilizing Shiply enables you to receive authentic, final price estimates from vehicle 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 are typically able to offer their services for a lower cost than if you went directly to them. This is because they are often looking to fill space on trips they are already making and have already invested the cost for. Say, for example, you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York and needed to move your vehicle there. On Shiply, a company 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 work 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 automobile.
Similarly, many vehicle transporters return from a delivery empty-handed, which is not only expensive 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 opposite direction! Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are looking to fill their trailers on return trips too, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Readying For Your Vehicle To Be Transported
If you have decided on an auto transport company to move your automobile & feel secure using them, then it's time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. We recommend following these steps:
Documents - 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 automobile.
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 automobile before transport as this will allow you to ascertain 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 and tire pressure levels. Again this can also help you better judge the condition of the automobile 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 automobile. 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 vehicle 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 automobile 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 an automobile 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 automobile 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 vehicle shipping services with the same peace of mind.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have answered some of the most asked questions about vehicle shipping:
How much to ship an automobile? 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 most affordable way to ship an automobile? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the most affordable 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 most affordable way to ship an automobile.
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 vehicle delivery service before confirming the delivery. Most companies will be flexible with payment options, however.
Can I track my vehicle transport online? Each car shipping company on Shiply has different ways of operating, but many offer the ability to track your automobile 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 vehicle shipping company will require you to be in attendance for the pickup & delivery of the automobile. 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 automobile 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 automobile 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 automobile 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 automobile 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 automobile 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.
