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 and need to transport it to another state, relocating and 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.
Categories Of Vehicle Transport Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, the initial choice you need to make is where you want your automobile collected from and transported 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 and drop-off points, frequently the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are utilized. This option is typically more affordable but requires more effort on your part to get the automobile home. However, most individuals prefer a door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their vehicles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless 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. Having someone operate your vehicle is a straightforward solution that involves hiring a driver to take your automobile to its destination. This method is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an additional vehicle, and it can be quicker due to its simplicity. However, there are some drawbacks, such as added mileage to your automobile (especially when shipping a car across country) and a slight risk of damage during the journey.
Placing your vehicle on a trailer is a safer option that guarantees a higher level of protection than having someone operate it. There are multiple trailer options available, depending on the value and size of your automobile. A single trailer is more expensive as it only transports one vehicle at a time but is ideal for moving expensive or classic cars. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, although this is the most costly option. Multi-car transporters, which can carry many vehicles at once, come in a few variants:
- Open vehicle shipping: The most affordable and common option, where your automobile is placed on an open carrier and driven to the destination. While all vehicles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making it less suitable for highly valuable automobiles.
- Enclosed auto transport: Multiple vehicles are secured on a carrier but are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, and debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles.
If you need to move your automobile overseas, it's best to find a specialist service or one with experience in overseas vehicle shipping to provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
What Is The Cost Of Shipping A Vehicle?
The expense 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 and 500 miles, and $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles. However, these are just averages, and your vehicle transport may cost more or less depending on the 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 affect the cost of auto transport include:
- Distance: Cross-state and cross-country journeys cost more than interstate vehicle delivery.
- International shipping: Always results in expensive vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring an automobile overseas and the distance it needs to travel.
- Route: Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks can increase costs or require longer alternative routes.
- Shipping dates: Flexibility in timings can lead to lower costs, while expedited shipping in strict timeframes typically costs more.
- Vehicle size: Larger automobiles like SUVs cost more to transport than sedans due to the need for bigger trailers.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may require extra equipment, increasing the cost of auto transport.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the most affordable option, while single car trailers and enclosed transport are more expensive due to the need for specialist equipment.
- Locations of pickup and delivery: Urban areas with common destination routes tend to have cheaper vehicle shipping, while rural deliveries can cost more due to extra mileage and unusual or hard-to-access spaces.
- Auto transport insurance: Additional cargo insurance beyond the required liability insurance is highly recommended and can affect the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality can impact vehicle shipping prices, with winter being the most expensive due to ice, snow, and blizzard conditions causing delays and reduced speeds.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
Finding the right vehicle transport service can be an overwhelming task, given the numerous options available. Searching through Google or phone books can be time-consuming, and many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without a detailed quote application. 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 by allowing you to fill out a simple form to start collecting quotes. You only need to provide the make and model of the vehicle, the pickup and delivery locations, and the dates you need to move the automobile. This information enables auto transport providers on Shiply to provide accurate quotes for your job.
Once your listing is live, you will receive quotes in your Shiply inbox and email. It's recommended to keep email notifications turned on to be immediately notified of new quotes. Quotes can start coming in within minutes of posting your listing, but it's advisable to wait for a few options before making a decision.
After receiving a few quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, and how they would secure your vehicle. It's crucial to ask these questions to ensure a smooth and expected process.
Shiply's feedback and ratings system is another valuable tool when selecting a company to ship your automobile. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences and the company's overall score, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Boise, Idaho
Boise, the capital city of Idaho, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. Many people move to Boise for its strong job market, affordable cost of living, and high quality of life. The city's growing tech industry attracts professionals from across the country, often requiring them to ship their automobiles to their new home. Additionally, Boise's proximity to outdoor recreation areas, such as skiing resorts and hiking trails, makes it an appealing location for those who enjoy an active lifestyle.
On the other hand, people also frequently ship vehicles from Boise when relocating for work or personal reasons. As the city continues to grow and develop, some residents may find opportunities elsewhere, necessitating the need to transport their automobiles to their new destination. Furthermore, students attending universities in Boise may require vehicle shipping services when moving to and from the city during school breaks or upon graduation.
The demand for vehicle shipping services in Boise has led to an increase in the number of auto transport companies serving the area. When looking for "vehicle shipping Boise" or "Boise vehicle shipping," it's essential to compare quotes from multiple providers and read customer reviews to ensure you select a reliable and experienced company to handle your automobile transportation needs.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transportation in Boise
Time-Efficient - Instead of completing a quotation form each time you desire a precise cost from a company on transporting your vehicle, on our platform you complete one quotation form & then can receive estimates based on the information you supply from several businesses. This can save you hours of time you would have had to invest calling up businesses & filling in forms.
Communication with these businesses is all feasible through our platform as well, signifying you can maintain all of your Boise vehicle shipping information in one location.
Cost Comparison - The Crucial Factor
When it comes down to it, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most significant factor in choosing which auto transport company to utilize to transport your automobile. The challenging thing is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & rough figures, you won't actually be given a definite vehicle shipping Boise estimate without having to supply information & complete details. While this is understandable, it does signify that cost comparison & getting a vehicle transport estimate isn't exactly a simple task.
Utilizing Shiply allows you to receive authentic, final cost estimates from vehicle shipping companies & compare them in one location, providing the capability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the best business for you.
Inexpensive Vehicle Shipping - The Environmentally-Friendly Way
Auto transport businesses on Shiply are typically able to offer their services for a lower cost than if you went direct to them. This is because they are often looking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already sunk the cost for. Say, for example, you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to move your vehicle there. On Shiply, a business 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 work for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service!
Not only is using Shiply for auto transport less expensive, but it is also better for the environment. In the above example, if your vehicle didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate vehicle 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 costly for them but also for the environment as there are lots of people who could have used that transporter to move their vehicles in the other 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 inexpensive transport for our users.
Readying For Your Vehicle To Be Shipped
If you have decided on an auto transport business to move your vehicle & feel secure using them, then it's time to prepare your automobile 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 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 & 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 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 ascertain 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 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.
