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 across the nation, or moving 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. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an alternative where designated collection & drop-off points, frequently the car transport company's facilities or operating bases, are utilized. While this option is typically more affordable, it demands more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. However, most individuals prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery, where their automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country car transport or simply moving a car to another state.
Vehicle transport services can be classified into two primary 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 you need to move a car across the country or to another state. 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 addition of mileage to your automobile, particularly when moving a car across the country, & the slight risk of damage during the journey. These concerns are especially 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 provides 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 costly, are ideal for transporting expensive or classic cars that require extra protection. The safest way to move a car is in a shipping container, although this is the most expensive option. Multi-car transporters, which can carry several vehicles at once, are available in different variants:
Open car shipping is the most economical & 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 & 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 during auto transport.
If you need to move your vehicle overseas, it's best to find a specialist service or a company with experience in overseas car shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Move A Vehicle?
The expense of moving 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 cost may differ based on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the expense of auto transport is to obtain vehicle shipping quotes from various companies, which is easily done through platforms like Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence The Expense Of Auto Transport
While everyone wants affordable vehicle transport, several factors can influence the expense of car shipping services. Some of the main factors include:
Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost significantly more than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the most economical option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases.
International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always costly 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, 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 lead to lower costs, as vehicle shipping companies can fit your delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. Expedited shipping, where you require auto transport within a strict timeframe, typically costs more as it may require a dedicated trailer & driver.
Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of the vehicle affect the expense of transport. Larger vehicles like SUVs generally 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 auto transport costs due to the need for extra equipment like winches or forklifts to load & unload the vehicle. Most car carriers consider a car in good enough condition to ship easily if it can brake, roll, & steer.
Auto transport service type: The chosen auto transport service type influences the expense. Having someone operate your vehicle is the most economical option, while single car trailers & enclosed transport are more costly 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.
Pickup & delivery locations: The expense of moving a vehicle may increase depending on the collection & drop-off locations. Urban areas usually have car shipping services nearby, & common destination routes often offer affordable vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can be more costly due to deviations from normal routes & extra mileage. Unusual or hard-to-access collection or drop-off points may require extra steps to load your vehicle, increasing the expense.
Auto transport insurance: While auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance. If a company does not provide cargo insurance, it is highly recommended to acquire it independently for your vehicle during transit. Ensure you understand what type of damage is covered, any deductibles, which parts of the vehicle are insured, & any other relevant details.
Time of year: Seasonality can affect vehicle shipping prices, with winter transport often being more costly due to ice & snow slowing routes. December is typically challenging as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, increasing vehicle shipping costs. Spring is a great time to ship, with improved weather, longer days, & more available drivers. Summer is the prime season for moving cars, with June, July, & August being busy months. Fall offers slightly cheaper prices, with less busy companies & more driver availability after the summer rush.
How To Move 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. This is where Shiply can help simplify the process.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a vehicle shipping service. To get started, simply fill out a form with your vehicle's make & model, collection & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the automobile. 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. We recommend keeping email notifications on to be immediately informed of new quotes. Quotes can arrive within minutes of posting your listing, but it's best to wait for a few options before making a decision.
When you have several quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure vehicles. It's crucial to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected experience.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is a valuable resource when selecting a company to move your vehicle. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & the company's overall score.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Makakilo, Hawaii, US
Makakilo, a growing community in Hawaii, US, has seen an increase in vehicle shipping services due to various reasons. Many people relocate to Makakilo for work or to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, necessitating the transport of their automobiles. Others may need to move a vehicle to Makakilo as a gift for family members or friends residing in the area. Students attending nearby universities or colleges may also require vehicle shipping services to Makakilo. Additionally, some residents might need to move their cars from Makakilo to other parts of the country for extended trips or relocation. The presence of reliable vehicle shipping companies in Makakilo, Hawaii, US, makes it easier for people to transport their automobiles to & from this lovely community.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Makakilo
Time-Efficient - Instead of completing a quotation form each time you require a precise cost from a company for transporting your vehicle, on our platform, you only need to fill out one quote form and can then receive estimates based on the information you supply from various companies. This can save you a significant amount of time that you would have spent calling companies and filling out forms. Communication with these businesses is also possible through our platform, allowing you to store all your vehicle 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 receive a definite car transport quote without having to give information and complete details. Although this is understandable, it means that comparing prices and obtaining a car transport quote is not a simple task. Using Shiply enables you to receive genuine, final price quotes 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 in Makakilo - Auto transport companies on Shiply can typically provide their services at 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 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 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 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 many 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 affordable transport for our users.
Readying Your Vehicle for Transport
If you have selected an auto transport company to transport your vehicle and feel confident using them, then it's time to prepare your car for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Paperwork - It is crucial to ensure that any necessary documents are available at pick up or drop off, especially if you are selling your vehicle.
Cleansing - You should take care to remove all personal belongings from your vehicle before 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 determine 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 assess 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.
What to Do After Delivery
Once the car shipping company you selected has completed their delivery, there are a few things you should do:
Inspect 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 Condition - You can compare the exterior of the vehicle to the photos taken of it before to determine 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 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 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.