What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also referred to as car shipping or auto transport, is a service offered by vehicle transportation 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, relocating to a new residence, or transporting your automobile overseas. Vehicle transportation companies provide a variety of services to cater to your specific requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Transportation Services
When selecting a vehicle transportation service, you must determine where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a long-distance car transport or shipping a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the car transport company's stores or operating bases. This alternative 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 automobiles 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 transportation.
Have Someone Operate Your Automobile
Employing someone to operate your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether it's across the country or to another state. This approach is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an additional vehicle. It can also be quicker due to the straightforward nature of the transportation. However, there are some drawbacks to this approach. Firstly, mileage is added to your vehicle during the journey, which can be significant when shipping a car across the country. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your automobile while it's being operated. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals purchasing or selling automobiles online who want to ensure the car 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 it to its destination. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile. You can choose between a single trailer for your car, which is more expensive but ideal for transporting expensive or classic automobiles, or a multi-car transporter that can carry many vehicles at once.
Open car shipping is the most affordable & most common option for transporting an automobile. 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, which 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 alternative is preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during transportation.
If you need to move your vehicle overseas, it's best to find a specialist service or one with experience in overseas car shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Vehicle?
The cost of transporting 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 may cost more or less depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to find out the cost of auto transport is to collect vehicle shipping quotes from different companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Vehicle Transportation
Several factors can impact the cost of vehicle shipping, including:
1. Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate car delivery, which is often the most affordable option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey gets longer.
2. International shipping: Transporting an automobile overseas is always more expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance traveled. It may require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your vehicle.
3. Route: The route taken to transport your automobile from its collection spot to its delivery location can affect the pricing. Routes with higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more than quieter roads due to the added time. Unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could also incur extra costs or require a different, longer route.
4. Shipping dates: The speed at which you need your automobile transported can impact the price. Flexible timings may result in lower charges, as the vehicle shipping service can fit your vehicle delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. However, if you require expedited shipping within a strict timeframe, it will typically cost more, as the car transport company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver just for your delivery.
5. Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of your vehicle will affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles like SUVs typically cost more to transport than sedans, as they require larger trailers. It's important to inform the auto transport company about any accessories on the car, such as bike racks or roof racks, as they can change the size of the trailer required.
6. Vehicle condition: If your automobile is not in drivable condition, it may increase the cost of auto transport. Non-operational vehicles may require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load & unload them from the trailer. Most car carriers consider an automobile that can brake, roll, & steer to be in good enough condition for easy shipping.
7. Auto transport service type: The type of auto transport service you choose will affect the cost of vehicle shipping. Having someone operate your automobile to its destination is the most affordable option, as you're essentially just paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single car trailers & enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive, as they require specialized equipment. Enclosed car shipping is the most expensive method, as it involves transporting your automobile alone while still needing specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transit.
8. Pickup & delivery locations: The locations of pickup & delivery can also impact the price of shipping an automobile. Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services in close proximity, & common destination routes tend to offer cheap car shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. If a pickup or drop-off point is in an unusual or hard-to-access space, extra steps may be needed to load your vehicle, which can increase the vehicle shipping cost.
9. Auto transport insurance: While all auto transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance. If a car transport company does not provide cargo insurance, it's highly recommended that you seek out & acquire some for your vehicle during transit. Make sure you understand what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, which parts of the vehicle are covered, & any other relevant details.
10. Time of year: Seasonality can affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more in the winter due to ice & snow slowing down routes. Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your vehicle, as ice, snow, & blizzard conditions can cause delays & reduce the maximum speed at which the car delivery service can operate. December is typically a difficult time to have a vehicle shipped, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased vehicle shipping costs. February, however, is usually quiet, & great rates are often available from car shipping services during this month.
Spring is a great time to ship your vehicle, with improved weather conditions, longer days, & more drivers ready to work. March is often a better time to ship than April or May, as there is often a rush to move automobiles from colder to warmer states.
Summer is the prime season for shipping cars, with the longest days of the year, students traveling home from universities, employees taking vacations, & a popular time for moving house. June, July, & August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, & you should not expect cheap car shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship an automobile if you're looking for a slightly cheaper price. Vehicle shipping companies are less busy, & there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. However, it's better to move your vehicle in October or November rather than September, as this is peak time for students shipping their automobiles to university.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
With hundreds of vehicle transport companies out there, finding the right one can be a daunting task. Searching on Google can result in scrolling through numerous pages trying to find the best vehicle shipping company at the best price, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without a quote application, which can be time-consuming.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding the right vehicle shipping service. To get started, fill out a simple form with the make & model of the automobile that needs shipping, the pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the vehicle. 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 & via email. We recommend keeping email notifications turned on so you can be immediately notified when a new quote arrives. Quotes can start coming in within a few minutes of posting your listing, but it's best to wait for a few options before making a decision.
When you have a few quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they would secure your automobile. It's important to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected process.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is a valuable resource when selecting a vehicle shipping company. It allows you to view previous customers' experiences & the company's overall score.
Why People Often Move Automobiles To & From Decatur, Illinois, US
Decatur, Illinois, is a city located in the heart of the state, known for its rich history, vibrant community, & diverse economy. Many people move automobiles to & from Decatur for various reasons, including:
1. Relocation: Decatur is home to several major employers, such as Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Caterpillar, & Tate & Lyle. As a result, many people move to the city for work, often requiring vehicle shipping services to transport their automobiles.
2. Education: Decatur is home to Millikin University, a private liberal arts college, & Richland Community College. Students attending these institutions may need to ship their automobiles to & from Decatur at the beginning & end of each semester.
3. Snowbirds: Some retirees & older residents of Decatur may choose to spend the colder months in warmer climates, such as Florida or Arizona. These "snowbirds" often use vehicle shipping services to transport their automobiles between their primary residence in Decatur & their winter home.
4. Classic car events: Decatur hosts several classic car shows & events throughout the year, such as the Decatur Celebration & the Mowequa Fall Festival. Enthusiasts may use vehicle shipping services to transport their classic automobiles to & from these events to avoid putting unnecessary miles on their prized possessions.
5. Online vehicle purchases: With the rise of online vehicle marketplaces, many people in Decatur may purchase automobiles from out-of-state sellers. In these cases, vehicle shipping services are essential for delivering the automobile to its new owner in Decatur.
Whether you're relocating for work, attending college, enjoying retirement, participating in classic car events, or purchasing a vehicle online, vehicle shipping services play a crucial role in transporting automobiles to & from Decatur, Illinois.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Decatur
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 & then can receive estimates based on the information you supply from several businesses. This can save you hours of time you would've had to invest in contacting companies & inputting details.
Communication with these businesses is all possible through our platform as well, allowing you to maintain all of your Decatur vehicle shipping info in one location.
Cost Comparison
When it comes down to it, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most important factor in choosing which auto transport company to utilize to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite Decatur vehicle shipping quotation without having to supply information & complete details. While this is understandable, it does mean that cost comparison & obtaining a vehicle transport estimate isn't exactly a simple task.
Utilizing Shiply enables you to receive genuine, 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 best business for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping
Auto transport businesses on Shiply are typically able to provide their services for 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. Say, for example, you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your vehicle there. On Shiply, a company 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 utilizing our service!
More 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 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 vehicle.
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 utilized 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 affordable transport for our users!
Readying For Your Vehicle To Be Shipped
If you have decided on an auto transport company to move your vehicle & feel secure using them, then it's time to prepare your vehicle 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.
