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 vehicle transport services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we will explore below.
Varieties Of Vehicle Shipping Services
When it comes to vehicle shipping services, there are several crucial decisions you need to make. Firstly, you must decide where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or shipping a car to a different state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is a possibility, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this option is typically more affordable, it demands more effort on your part to get the automobile home.
However, most individuals prefer a door-to-door vehicle transport delivery service, where their automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or simply shipping a car to a different state. This option is more convenient as it eliminates the need to collect your vehicle from a separate location, which can be challenging without your automobile.
Vehicle transport services can be categorized into two main types: having someone operate your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Operate Your Automobile
Employing someone to operate your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether you need to ship a car across the country or to a different state. This method is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an additional vehicle, & it can be quicker due to its simplicity.
However, there are some drawbacks to this approach that lead some individuals to choose other vehicle transport options. Firstly, mileage is added to your vehicle during the journey, which can be significant when shipping a car across the country, although less so when shipping to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your automobile during the drive. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the automobile arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Automobile On A Trailer
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone operate your vehicle to its destination. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile.
Single trailers are often more expensive as they only transport one automobile at a time, but they are a great choice for moving expensive or classic cars that you want to protect from damage. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, but this is also the most expensive option.
Multi-car transporters can carry many automobiles at once & come in a few variants:
- Open vehicle shipping is the most affordable & most common option, where your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. While all cars are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so this may not be recommended 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 automobiles on a carrier that is enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is often preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage.
If you need to move your vehicle overseas, it's best to find a specialist service or a company with experience in overseas vehicle shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship An Automobile?
The cost of shipping an automobile 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 be higher or lower depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to collect vehicle shipping quotes from various vehicle transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
To get a rough idea of what to expect, consider the following factors that can affect the price of vehicle transport services:
- 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 for longer journeys.
- International shipping: Transporting an automobile 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 impact 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 transport 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 vehicle affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles like SUVs cost more to transport than sedans. Accessories like bike racks or roof racks can also change the required trailer size.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable automobiles may cost more to transport, as they require extra equipment like winches or forklifts to load & unload. An automobile that can brake, roll, & steer is considered in good enough condition for easy shipping.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your automobile is the most affordable option, while single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the specialized equipment needed.
- Collection & delivery locations: Urban areas with common destination routes often have more affordable vehicle shipping services. Rural deliveries or hard-to-access spaces may incur extra costs due to additional mileage & loading requirements.
- Auto transport insurance: While auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional cargo insurance. It's highly recommended to acquire extra insurance for your vehicle during transit, & be clear on the coverage details.
- Time of year: Seasonality affects vehicle shipping prices, with winter being the most expensive due to ice, snow, & holiday-related delays. Spring & fall offer better rates & availability, while summer is the busiest season with higher costs.
How To Ship An Automobile - Finding A Vehicle 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 quote applications.
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, collection & delivery locations, & desired shipping dates, you can easily collect quotes from auto transport providers on Shiply.
Once your listing is live, quotes will be sent to your Shiply inbox & email. It's recommended to keep email notifications on to receive immediate updates. Quotes can start arriving within minutes, but it's best to wait for a few options before making a decision.
You can ask the transport companies any questions you may have, such as availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure automobiles. It's important to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected experience.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores for each company, which is highly recommended before selecting a quote to ship your vehicle.
Why People Often Move Automobiles To & From Mililani Town, Hawaii
Mililani Town, located in Honolulu County, Hawaii, is a popular residential area known for its well-planned community & family-friendly atmosphere. Many individuals choose to move to Mililani Town for its excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, & convenient access to amenities.
When relocating to or from Mililani Town, residents often need to transport their vehicles. Vehicle shipping services are in high demand for those moving to the mainland United States or other parts of Hawaii. Some reasons people ship their automobiles to or from Mililani Town include:
- Military relocation: With several military bases nearby, service members & their families often require vehicle shipping when transferring to or from the area.
- Job relocation: As individuals move to Mililani Town for work or leave the area for new opportunities, they may need to ship their automobiles to their new homes.
- College students: Students attending universities on the mainland or in other parts of Hawaii may need to ship their automobiles when starting or ending their studies.
- Snowbirds: Some residents of Mililani Town may have second homes on the mainland & require vehicle shipping services to transport their automobiles between locations.
- Classic car enthusiasts: Collectors & enthusiasts may need to ship their classic or vintage vehicles to or from Mililani Town for events, shows, or storage.
When shipping an automobile to or from Mililani Town, it's essential to choose a reputable & experienced vehicle shipping company that can handle the unique challenges of transporting vehicles to & from Hawaii. By using a platform like Shiply, residents can easily compare quotes & find the best vehicle shipping service for their needs.
The Advantages of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport
Time-efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate cost from a business for transporting a vehicle, on our platform you complete one quotation form & can then obtain quotes from various companies based on the information you supply. This can conserve you hours of time you would have spent phoning companies & entering details. Communication with these businesses is also feasible through our platform, allowing you to store all your car shipping mililani town data in a single 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 challenge is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't receive a definite mililani town car shipping quote without having to give information & complete details. While this is understandable, it means that comparing prices & getting a vehicle transport estimate is not exactly a simple process. Utilizing Shiply enables you to receive authentic, final price estimates from vehicle shipping companies & compare them in one place, offering the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the optimal company for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping - Auto transport businesses on Shiply can usually 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 & have already invested the cost for. For instance, if you were relocating 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 occupied, & 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 utilizing our service.
Environmentally Friendly - Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more economical, 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 Shipping
If you have 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 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 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 determine 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 assess 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, & 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, & 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 & 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 most economical 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 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.
