What is Car Shipping?
Car Shipping, also known as Car transportation or vehicle relocation, is a service provided by car shipping companies that will collect your car from one location and transport it to another. It's useful in various situations where you are unable to drive the car yourself, such as buying or selling a pre-owned vehicle online and needing to transport it to another state, or after a house move and needing to relocate a car across the country.
Another situation where Car Shipping services can be beneficial is when you need to transport your vehicle internationally, and unless ferry services are available, you will need to rely on an auto transport company to carry this out for you. Fortunately, there is a range of car transport services available to cater to your needs in Chicago, Illinois, US.
Types of Auto Transport Services
There are several auto transport services available, which have been summarized below. It can be helpful to read through and determine exactly what type of vehicle transportation service you need to move your Car from or to Chicago, IL.
The first decision you need to make is where you want your car picked up from and delivered to, whether it's a cross-country Car shipping or transporting a Car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, meaning that designated pick-up and drop-off points are used, which are often the car transport company's stores or operating bases in Chicago.
However, the majority of people require a door-to-door auto transport delivery service so that their cars are picked up and dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it is a cross-country Car shipping in Chicago or just to transport a car to another state. This is often preferred as it means you do not need to travel to collect your vehicle – something that can be challenging without your vehicle in the first place!
Car transport services are generally split into two categories: either having someone drive your Car to its destination or placing it on a trailer and transporting it there.
Why Choose Car Shipping Chicago?
There are several reasons why you might choose Chicago Car Shipping services. Located in the state of Illinois, US, Chicago is a major city and transportation hub, making it an ideal place to ship cars from or to. If you are moving house, buying a new Car, or relocating abroad, Chicago Car Shipping companies can help make the process easier.
The demand for Car Shipping Chicago services has increased due to the rising housing market, tourism, and other factors contributing to the need for reliable auto transport services to and from Chicago. With this increase in demand comes the growth of more Car Shipping Chicago companies, which means there are now more options available to those wishing to ship their Car in Chicago.
Have Someone Drive Your Car
This is a straightforward solution to Car Shipping that involves hiring someone to drive your Car to its destination – whether the need is to ship a Car across the country or to another state from Chicago. The benefits of this auto transport method are that it is often more affordable, as trailers and an extra vehicle are not required, and that it can also be faster due to the straightforward nature of the transport in Chicago.
However, there are some downsides to this method offered by Car Shipping companies in Chicago that may lead some people to opt for other types of car transport. The first is that mileage is obviously added to your vehicle during the journey, meaning that if you are shipping a Car across the country from Chicago, there will be significant miles added – less so when simply shipping a Car to another state (as long as it is close by).
Put Your Car On A Trailer
Placing your Car on a trailer is a safe way to guarantee a higher level of safety than having someone drive your Car to its destination in Chicago. With Car Shipping trailers, there are multiple options available, depending on the value and size of your vehicle in Illinois.
First, you need to decide whether you want a single trailer for your Car. These are often more expensive, as they only transport one Car at a time, but are a great option if you are relocating an expensive or classic Car that you don’t want to risk getting damaged during the Car Shipping journey in Illinois.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Auto Transport From Chicago
We all want affordable Car Shipping, but there are several factors and variables that can affect how much your Car Shipping will cost to and from Chicago. Below, we will outline the main ones so that you can get a rough idea of whether your auto transport requirements will be expensive or affordable.
As mentioned above, distance is one of the factors that will play a big part in how much your Car transport to or from Chicago will cost, with cross-state and cross-country journeys in Illinois costing a lot more than an interstate Car delivery, which is often the cheapest Car Shipping method in and around Chicago.
International shipping will always result in expensive Car Shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring a Car overseas and the distance it will need to travel. It can also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your vehicle when shipping to or from Chicago.
Route – Along with distance, the route needed to take your Car from its pick-up spot to its delivery spot can affect the pricing of your Car carrier service. Routes with known higher traffic, in Chicago for example, may end up costing more than quieter roads due to the time this can add to a journey. Likewise, unforeseen circumstances such as major roadworks could also incur extra costs from the Car moving companies in Illinois or mean that a different route is required that may take longer.
Shipping Dates – How quickly you need your Car transportation service to operate can also affect the price in Chicago. For example, if you are able to be flexible around timings, you may find that your Car Shipping service charges a lot less, as they can fit your vehicle delivery into their schedule and reduce overheads for themselves, passing the savings on to you in Chicago.
However, if you require auto transport in a strict timeframe (often known as expedited shipping), this will typically end up costing you more, as the Car Shipping company will likely have to dedicate a trailer and driver just for your delivery.
Vehicle Size – The height, length, and width of the vehicle will all affect how much it will cost to transport your vehicle. Car shippers in Chicago will require larger trailers for bigger vehicles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than a sedan. Furthermore, you should always make sure to inform the auto transport company about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on the Car, as these can also change the size of the trailer required for the delivery.
Locations Of Pickup & Delivery – Depending on where you need the Car picked up from and dropped off, this may also increase the price of shipping a Car. Urban areas will usually have Car Shipping services in close proximity, and if it is a common destination route, you will tend to get affordable Car Shipping in Chicago.
Rural deliveries in Illinois can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes and extra mileage for the company. If a pick-up or drop-off point is also in an unusual or hard-to-access space, extra steps may need to be taken to load your vehicle, which can also increase the Car Shipping cost in Chicago.
Auto Transport Insurance – Whilst all auto transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer any additional insurance, as it is not required by law. If a Car transport company does not offer cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you seek out and acquire some for your vehicle during its transit in and around Chicago.
Seasonality can also affect the price of Car shipping in Chicago, with many services costing more to ship a Car in the winter due to ice and snow slowing down the routes.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding A Dependable Chicago Car Shipping Service
Now that you have a better understanding of car shipping Chicago and the type of auto transport service you require, you likely want to find a reliable car transport service that meets your needs. The problem is, there are numerous car transport companies out there. Trying to find them online can result in scrolling through multiple pages to find the best car shipping Chicago company at the best price.
This is where Shiply can assist. On Shiply, you simply need to fill out a straightforward form to begin collecting quotes. All we require from you are the make and model of the Car that needs shipping, the pickup location and delivery location, and the dates that you need to move the vehicle. This provides the auto transport providers on Shiply with enough information to offer you an accurate quote for your job.
Chicago, Illinois, US - A Hub For Car Shipping
Chicago, Illinois, is a major hub for car shipping in the US. Individuals frequently move Cars to and from Chicago for various reasons, including relocation, purchasing a new vehicle, or sending a Car to a distant location for repair or maintenance. As a result, there is a high demand for reliable and efficient car shipping Chicago services.
Shiply can help you find the best Chicago car shipping company for your needs. Our platform allows you to compare quotes from multiple auto transport providers, ensuring you get the best price and service for your Car shipping needs.
The Benefits Of Using Shiply For Car Shipping Chicago
Utilizing Shiply for Car Shipping has several advantages. Firstly, it saves you time and effort in searching for and comparing quotes from multiple auto transport companies. Secondly, it allows you to compare prices and services from multiple providers, ensuring you get the best deal for your Car shipping needs. Finally, it provides you with a platform to communicate with auto transport providers and track your Car shipment.
One of the main benefits of using Shiply is that it allows you to receive genuine, final price quotes from Car shipping companies and compare them in one place. This provides you with the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have and ultimately decide on the best company for you.
Affordable Chicago Car Shipping Options
Auto transport companies on Shiply are typically able to offer their services for a lower fee than if you went direct to them. This is because they are often looking to fill space on journeys they are already making and have already sunk the cost for.
For example, if you were moving from Chicago 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 work for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service.
Preparing Your Car For Shipping
If you have decided on an auto transport company to move your Car and feel secure using them, then it's time to prepare your Car for shipping. We recommend following these steps:
Documents - It is essential 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 Car prior to shipping, for the obvious reason that you don't want to risk them getting lost or damaged in transit.
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.
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 vehicle.
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, and engines should all be checked immediately to ensure that the Car is in the expected condition.
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.
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.
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 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 and is something you should discuss with your chosen Car delivery service before confirming the delivery.
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.
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.
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.
