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 operating the vehicle yourself is not practical, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online, relocating to a different state, or moving your automobile overseas. Auto transport services provide a practical solution for people who need to transfer their vehicles without the inconvenience of driving long distances.
Varieties Of Vehicle Transport Services
When it comes to vehicle transport services, there are several choices available to cater to your specific requirements. The first decision you'll need to make is whether you prefer terminal-to-terminal or door-to-door delivery. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery involves designated collection and drop-off points, usually at the car transport company's stores or operating bases. While this option is often more cost-effective, it requires extra effort on your part to get the automobile to its final destination. On the other hand, door-to-door auto transport is the most popular choice, as it ensures that your vehicle is collected & dropped off right at your doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country car transport or just moving a car to another state.
Car transport services can be further categorized into two main types: having someone operate your vehicle to its destination or placing it on a trailer for transportation.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
Employing someone to operate your vehicle to its destination is a straightforward solution for car shipping. This method is often more cost-effective, as it eliminates the need for trailers and additional automobiles. It can also be faster due to the simplicity of the transport process. However, there are some drawbacks to consider. Firstly, your automobile will accumulate mileage during the journey, which can be significant when moving a car across the country. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage occurring to your vehicle while it is being operated. 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 Vehicle On A Trailer
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer alternative that guarantees a higher level of protection compared to having someone operate it. Car shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your vehicle. Single trailers are more expensive as they only transport one automobile at a time, but they are ideal for moving expensive or classic cars that require extra care. The safest way to transport a vehicle is by using a shipping container, although this is the most costly option.
Multi-car transporters are another popular choice, offering several variants:
Open car shipping is the most affordable & common option for transporting a vehicle. Your automobile is securely placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all cars are safely secured, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making this option less suitable 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 cars on a carrier that is fully enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, and debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during transport.
If you need to move your automobile overseas, it's essential to find a specialist service or a company with experience in overseas car shipping. These providers can offer tailored advice based on your specific 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 and 500 miles, & $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles. However, these figures are just averages, & your car transport may cost more or less depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to collect car shipping quotes from multiple companies, which is easily done through platforms like Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
While everyone wants inexpensive car transport, several factors can influence the cost of car shipping services. Some of the main factors include:
Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost significantly more than interstate car delivery, which is often the most affordable option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases.
International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always more expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance the automobile must travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or shipping containers.
Route: The route taken to transport your vehicle from its pick-up spot to its delivery location can affect the pricing. Routes with higher traffic, such as those in LA, may cost more due to the additional time required. Unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks can also incur extra costs or necessitate a longer alternative route.
Shipping dates: The urgency of your car transportation service can impact the price. Flexible timings often result in lower charges, as car moving companies can fit your vehicle delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. However, expedited shipping within a strict timeframe typically costs more, as the car transport company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver specifically for your delivery.
Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of your automobile will affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles like SUVs generally cost more to transport than sedans, as they require larger trailers. It's crucial to inform the auto transport company about any accessories on your car, such as bike racks or roof racks, as they can change the size of the trailer needed for the delivery.
Vehicle condition: If your automobile is not in drivable condition, it may increase the cost of auto transport. Non-operational vehicles require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load & unload them from the trailer. Most car carriers consider a car 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. Having someone operate your vehicle to its destination is the cheapest option, as you are essentially paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the specialized equipment required. Enclosed car shipping is the most costly method, as it involves transporting your vehicle alone while still needing specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transit.
Pickup & delivery locations: The locations of your vehicle's pickup & drop-off points can influence the price of shipping. Urban areas typically have car shipping services in close proximity, & common destination routes often offer inexpensive car shipping. Rural deliveries may cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. Unusual or hard-to-access pickup or drop-off points may also increase the car shipping cost due to the extra steps needed to load your automobile.
Auto transport insurance: While all auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance. If a car transport company does not provide cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you obtain some for your vehicle during transit. When considering insurance policies, ensure you understand what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, which parts of the automobile are covered, & any other relevant details.
Time of year: Seasonality can also affect the price of car shipping. Many services cost more to ship a vehicle in the winter due to ice & snow slowing down routes. Here's a quick breakdown of how each season can impact auto transport costs:
Winter: Often the most expensive season to ship your automobile due to potential delays caused by ice, snow, & blizzard conditions. 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. However, February is usually quiet, & great rates are often available from car shipping services during this month.
Spring: An excellent time to ship your automobile, with improved weather conditions, longer days, & more available drivers. March is often a better time to ship than April or May, as there is usually a rush to move cars from colder to warmer states.
Summer: 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 houses. June, July, & August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, & inexpensive car shipping is less likely during the summer.
Fall: A good time to ship a vehicle if you're looking for slightly cheaper prices. Car shipping companies are less busy, & there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. October & November are better options than September, which is peak time for students shipping their cars to university.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
With hundreds of car transport companies available, finding the right one can be a daunting task. Searching on Google or through phone books can be time-consuming, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without a personalized quote, requiring you to fill out details with each one individually.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding the right car shipping service. To get started, simply fill out a simple form with the make & model of the vehicle that needs shipping, the pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the automobile. This information allows auto transport providers on Shiply to provide you with 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 minutes of posting your listing, but it's best 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 (if a time frame is given), insurance coverage, & how they would secure your vehicle. It's essential to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected experience.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is a valuable resource when selecting a company to ship your automobile. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & the company's overall score, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Often Move Cars To & From Indiana
Indiana, located in the Midwestern United States, is a popular state for car shipping due to several reasons. Many people move to Indiana for job opportunities, particularly in the manufacturing, agriculture, & healthcare sectors. The state's central location also makes it a convenient hub for transportation & logistics companies, leading to an increased demand for car shipping services.
Additionally, Indiana is home to several renowned universities, such as Purdue University & Indiana University, attracting students from across the country who may need to ship their cars to & from the state. The state's diverse landscape, ranging from bustling cities to rural areas, also contributes to the need for reliable car shipping services.
Whether you're moving to Indiana for work, education, or personal reasons, or you need to transport a vehicle out of the state, there are numerous car shipping companies available to assist you. By using platforms like Shiply, you can easily compare quotes & find the best car shipping service to meet your needs, ensuring a seamless & stress-free experience when moving your automobile to or from Indiana.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Indiana
Time-Saving - Instead of completing a quotation form each time you require an exact cost from a business for transporting a vehicle, on our platform you only need to fill out one quotation form & then can receive estimates based on the information you supply from several companies. This can save you a significant amount of time that you would have spent phoning companies and completing forms.
Communication with these businesses is also feasible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your car shipping indiana data in a single location.
Price Comparison - The Crucial Aspect
Ultimately, the expense of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial consideration when selecting which auto transport company to employ to transport your vehicle in indiana. The challenging aspect is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite car transport quote without having to give information and complete details. While this is understandable, it means that price comparison and obtaining a car transport quote isn't exactly a simple task.
Utilizing Shiply enables you to obtain genuine, final price estimates from vehicle shipping companies and compare them in one location, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have and ultimately decide on the best company for you for indiana car shipping.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping in Indiana
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 and have already invested the cost for. For example, if you were relocating from Indianapolis to Evansville & 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 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 are convenient for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service for car shipping indiana.
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 and instead you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be required 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 for indiana car shipping.
Getting Your Vehicle Ready for Shipping
If you have chosen an auto transport company to transport your vehicle and feel confident using them, then it's time to get your vehicle ready for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Documents - It is crucial to ensure that any documents you may require 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 before 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 and 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 and 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, and 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, and 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 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. 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 and delivery? In most cases, the car shipping company will require you to be in attendance for the pickup and 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, 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.
