What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also referred to as car shipping or auto transport, is a service offered by car 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 transporting your automobile overseas. Car shipping services provide a convenient solution when ferries are unavailable & you must depend on an auto transport company to relocate your vehicle.
Fortunately, there are numerous car transport services available to accommodate your specific requirements, which we will discuss below.
Types Of Auto Transport Services
When it comes to auto transport services, there are several options to consider. The first decision you'll need to make is where you want your vehicle collected from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country car transport or shipping an automobile to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, often at the car transport company's stores or operating bases. While this option is typically less expensive, it requires more effort on your part to get the vehicle home.
Most individuals, however, prefer a door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country car transport or just relocating a vehicle to another state. This option eliminates the need to arrange transportation to collect your automobile, which can be challenging without your vehicle.
Car transport services can be categorized into two main types: having someone operate your vehicle to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
Hiring someone to operate your vehicle to its destination is a straightforward solution for car shipping, whether you need to ship an automobile across the country or to another state. This method is often less expensive since it doesn't require trailers or an additional vehicle, & it can be faster due to its simplicity.
However, there are some drawbacks to this method that lead some individuals to choose other car transport options. Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be significant when shipping a vehicle across the country, although less so when shipping to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your car during the drive. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals buying or selling automobiles online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Using a trailer to transport your automobile is a safer option that guarantees a higher level of protection compared to having someone operate your vehicle. Car 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 vehicle at a time, but they are an excellent choice for relocating expensive or classic cars that you want to protect from potential damage. The safest way to transport an automobile is in a shipping container, although this is the most expensive option.
Multi-car transporters, which can relocate several automobiles at once, come in a few variants:
Open car shipping is the least expensive & most common option offered by car shipping companies. Your vehicle is placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all automobiles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so this may not be recommended for highly valuable vehicles. Additionally, long journeys in open trailers 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 preferred for more expensive or newer vehicles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during auto transport.
If you need to relocate your automobile overseas, it's best to find a specialist service on our platform or one with experience in overseas car shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Vehicle?
The cost of shipping 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.
These figures are just averages, & your car transport cost may be higher or lower depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to obtain car shipping quotes from various car transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
To get a better idea of what factors can influence the price of car transport services, take a look at the information below.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Auto Transport
While we all want inexpensive car transport, several factors & variables can impact the cost of car shipping. Here are the main ones to consider:
Distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of car transport, with cross-state & cross-country journeys being more expensive than interstate car delivery, which is often the least expensive option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases, so you won't be paying excessively for longer distances.
International shipping always results in expensive car shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring a vehicle overseas & the distance it needs to travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your automobile.
Route - Along with distance, the route required to take your vehicle from its collection spot to its delivery location can affect the pricing of your car carrier service. Routes with known higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more than quieter roads due to the additional time it can add to the journey. Unforeseen circumstances, like major roadworks, could also incur extra costs from the car moving companies or require a different, longer route.
Shipping Dates - The speed at which you need your car transportation service to operate can also impact the price. If you have flexibility in timings, you may find that your car shipping service charges less, as they can fit your vehicle delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads, passing the savings on to you. However, if you require auto transport within a strict timeframe (often known as expedited shipping), it will typically cost more, as the car transport company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver specifically for your delivery.
Vehicle Size - The height, length, & width of the automobile will all affect the cost of transport. Car shippers will require larger trailers for bigger vehicles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. It's essential to inform the auto transport company about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on the vehicle, as these can change the size of the trailer required for the delivery.
Vehicle Condition - If your automobile is not in a drivable condition, it may increase the cost of auto transport. This is because it may require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load & unload your vehicle from the trailer. For example, if your car has a locked wheel, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto & off a trailer, requiring more time, effort, & machinery to complete the delivery compared to a standard car transport service. Most car carriers consider a vehicle that can brake, roll, & steer to be in good enough condition for easy shipping.
Auto Transport Service Type - The type of auto transport service you choose will also affect the cost of your car shipping. Having someone operate your vehicle to its destination will always be the least expensive option, as you are essentially just paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single car trailers & enclosed transport will likely be more expensive, as they require extra equipment. Enclosed car shipping is always the most expensive method of shipping a vehicle, as it means your automobile travels alone & still needs specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
Locations Of Pickup & Delivery - The pickup & drop-off locations can also increase the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas usually have car shipping services in close proximity, & if it's a common destination route, you'll tend to get inexpensive car shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. If a pick-up or drop-off point is in an unusual or hard-to-access space, extra steps may be needed to load your automobile, which can also increase the car shipping cost.
Auto Transport Insurance - While all auto transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance, as it is not legally required. If a car transport company does not offer cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you seek out & acquire some for your automobile during its transit. As with all insurance policies, make sure you are clear on what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, which parts of the vehicle are covered by the insurance, & any other questions you may have.
Time Of Year - Seasonality can also affect the price of car shipping, with many services costing more to ship a vehicle in the winter due to ice & snow slowing the routes. Here's a quick breakdown of how each season can affect auto transport costs:
Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your automobile. Ice, snow, & blizzard conditions can all cause delays on the roads & reduce the maximum speed at which the car delivery service can transport vehicles. December is typically a difficult time to have an automobile shipped, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased vehicle shipping costs. However, February is usually quiet, so great rates are often available from car shipping services during this month.
Spring is a great time to ship your automobile with a car transportation service. With improved weather conditions, longer days, & more drivers ready to work, Spring can often mean inexpensive rates & high availability when it comes to moving your vehicle. March is often a better time to ship than April or May, as there is often a rush to move cars from colder to warmer states.
Summer is the prime season for shipping vehicles - the days are the longest in the year, students are traveling home from universities, employees take vacations, & it is also a very popular time to move house. This means that June, July, & August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, & you should not expect inexpensive car shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship a vehicle if you are looking for a slightly less expensive price. Car shipping companies are less busy, & there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. However, you are better off looking to move your automobile in October or November rather than September, as this is peak time for students shipping their cars to university.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
Now that you have a better understanding of what car shipping & a car shipping service entail, as well as the type of auto transport service you need, you probably want to go ahead & find a car transport service that suits your requirements.
The challenge is that there are hundreds of car transport companies out there. Trying to find them on Google can result in scrolling through numerous pages to find the best car shipping company at the best price, & the same is true if you were to go through phone books. Moreover, many of these companies are reluctant to provide pricing, meaning you will likely need to apply for a quote & fill out details with each of them individually, which can be very time-consuming.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Given all the options & variables involved in finding a car shipping service, searching for & finding the right one can seem like a daunting task, & this is where Shiply can help.
On Shiply, you simply need to fill out a simple form to start collecting quotes. All we need from you are the make & model of the vehicle that needs shipping, the pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the automobile. This information allows the auto transport providers on Shiply to provide you with an accurate quote for your job.
Once your listing is live, you will receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & via email. We recommend keeping email notifications turned on so that you can be immediately notified when a new quote comes through. Quotes can start coming through within a few minutes of posting your listing, but we always recommend waiting for a few to come through before making a decision, so that you have multiple options to choose from.
Once you have a few quotes, you can ask the providers any questions you may have, such as their availability (if a time frame is given), what insurance they have, & how they would secure your vehicle. We recommend asking any company you may use these questions to ensure that everything goes smoothly & as expected.
Shiply has a feedback & ratings system that we highly recommend reviewing before selecting a quote to ship your automobile. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company, as well as their overall score.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Caldwell, Idaho, US
Caldwell, Idaho, US is a city that has seen significant growth in recent years, with many individuals relocating to the area for various reasons. As a result, there is a high demand for car shipping services to & from Caldwell.
One of the main reasons individuals move to Caldwell is for employment opportunities. The city has a thriving economy, with a diverse range of industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, & healthcare. Many individuals relocate to Caldwell for work & need to have their automobiles shipped to their new home.
Another reason individuals move to Caldwell is for its affordable cost of living. Compared to other cities in the region, Caldwell offers lower housing costs, making it an attractive option for families & individuals looking to stretch their budget further. When relocating to Caldwell, many individuals choose to ship their vehicles rather than drive them, as it can be more convenient & cost-effective.
Caldwell is also known for its excellent schools & family-friendly community, which attracts many families to the area. When relocating with children, shipping a vehicle can be a more practical option, as it allows the family to focus on settling into their new home without the added stress of a long drive.
In addition to individuals relocating to Caldwell, there are also many reasons why individuals may need to ship a vehicle from Caldwell to another location. For example, college students from Caldwell may need to ship their automobiles to their new campus, or individuals may need to relocate for work or personal reasons.
Overall, the growing population & diverse range of reasons for relocating to & from Caldwell create a strong demand for reliable car shipping services in the area. By using a platform like Shiply, individuals can easily find & compare quotes from trusted car shipping companies, ensuring a smooth & stress-free move for their automobile.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Caldwell
Time-Efficient - Instead of completing a quotation form each time you desire a precise cost from a company on transporting a vehicle, on our platform you fill out one quotation form & can then receive estimates based on the information you supply from several businesses. This can save you a significant amount of time that you would have spent phoning companies & providing details.
Communication with these firms is also possible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your Caldwell vehicle shipping information in a single location.
Cost Comparison - The Primary Consideration
Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most significant factor in selecting which auto transport firm to employ to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most companies are willing to offer average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite vehicle shipping Caldwell quotation without providing information & completing specifics. Although this is reasonable, it means that price comparison & obtaining a vehicle transport estimate is not exactly straightforward.
Utilizing Shiply enables you to obtain genuine, final price estimates from vehicle shipping firms & compare them in one location, giving you the opportunity to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately choose the best company for your needs.
Inexpensive Vehicle Shipping - The Cost-Effective Option
Auto transport companies on Shiply can often provide their services at a lower cost than if you approached them directly. This is because they are frequently seeking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already invested the cost for. For example, if you were moving 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 journey with 5 of the 6 spots filled, & they are simply looking to ensure they aren't wasting any empty 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 using our service.
More Environmentally Friendly - The Eco-Conscious Choice
Using Shiply for auto transport is not only less expensive but also more environmentally friendly! In the previous example, if your vehicle didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire journey would be necessary 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 individuals who could have used that transporter to relocate their vehicles in the opposite direction! Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are also looking to fill their trailers on return trips, resulting in even less wasted CO2 being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
