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 new residence, or transporting your automobile overseas. Vehicle shipping companies provide a variety of auto transport services to accommodate different requirements.
Categories Of Auto Transport Services
When selecting an auto transport service, the initial choice you must make is where you want your vehicle collected from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country car transport or shipping a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an alternative, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the car transport company's stores or operating bases. While this alternative is typically more affordable, it necessitates more effort on your part to get the vehicle 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.
Car transport services are typically categorized into two types: having someone operate your vehicle to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
Employing someone to operate your vehicle to its destination is a straightforward solution for car shipping, whether it's across the country or to another state. The advantages of this method include lower costs, as trailers & extra vehicles are not necessary, & faster delivery due to the simplicity of the transport. However, there are some drawbacks to consider, such as the addition of mileage to your automobile, especially when shipping a car across the country, & the slight risk of damage during the journey. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals purchasing or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Placing your vehicle on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone operate it to its destination. Car shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile. Single trailers, while more expensive, are ideal for transporting expensive or classic cars that require extra care. 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 several automobiles at once, come in different variants:
Open car shipping is the most affordable & common option offered by car shipping companies. Your vehicle is placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all cars are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making this option less suitable for highly valuable automobiles. Additionally, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage & prolonged exposure to the elements.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple cars on a carrier that is enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & 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 best to find a specialist service or a company 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, US auto transport companies 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 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 various companies, which is easily done on Shiply.
Several factors can affect the cost of auto transport, including:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate car delivery, which is often the cheapest option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases.
- International shipping: Transporting a car overseas is always more expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance traveled. It may also require special enclosed trailers or shipping containers.
- Route: The route taken from the pick-up spot to the delivery location can impact 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 longer alternative route.
- Shipping dates: Flexibility in timings can result in lower charges, as car shipping companies can fit your delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. Expedited shipping within a strict timeframe typically costs more, as it may require a dedicated trailer & driver.
- Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of the vehicle affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles like SUVs generally cost more to transport than sedans. Accessories such as bike racks or roof racks can also change the required trailer size.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may incur higher transport costs due to the need for extra equipment like winches or forklifts to load & unload the vehicle. Cars that can brake, roll, & steer are considered in good enough condition for easy shipping.
- Auto transport service type: The chosen service type impacts the shipping cost. Having someone drive your car is the cheapest option, while 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 car alone while still needing special equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transit.
- Pick-up & delivery locations: Urban areas usually have car shipping services nearby, & common destination routes often offer cheap car shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more due to deviations from normal routes & extra mileage. Unusual or hard-to-access pick-up or drop-off points may require extra steps for loading, increasing the cost.
- Auto transport insurance: While auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional coverage. If cargo insurance is not provided, it's highly recommended to acquire it separately for your vehicle during transit. Ensure you understand what type of damage is covered, any deductibles, & which parts of the vehicle are insured.
- Time of year: Seasonality affects car shipping prices, with winter transport often being the most expensive due to ice, snow, & blizzard conditions causing delays & reduced speeds. December is challenging due to driver holidays, while January sees increased costs as many travel to warmer states. Spring is a great time to ship, with improved weather, longer days, & more available drivers. Summer is the prime season for shipping cars, with June, July, & August being busy months. Fall offers slightly cheaper prices, with less busy companies & more driver availability after the summer rush.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
With hundreds of car transport companies available, finding the right one can be overwhelming. Searching on Google or through phone books can be time-consuming, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without individual quotes. This is where Shiply can help simplify the process.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply makes it easy to collect quotes from auto transport providers. Simply fill out a form with your car's make & model, pick-up & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the vehicle. This information allows providers to give you accurate quotes for your job.
Once your listing is live, quotes will arrive in your Shiply inbox & email. We recommend keeping email notifications on to receive immediate updates when new quotes come in. Quotes can start arriving within minutes of posting your listing, but it's best to wait for a few options before making a decision.
When you have several quotes, you can ask the providers any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure cars during transport. It's important 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 vehicle. You can view previous customers' experiences & overall scores to make an informed decision.
Why People Often Move Cars To & From Merrillville, Indiana
Merrillville, located in Lake County, Indiana, is a thriving city with a population of over 35,000 residents. Its proximity to Chicago & major transportation routes makes it an attractive location for businesses & individuals alike. Many people move to Merrillville for job opportunities, affordable housing, & a high quality of life. As a result, car shipping to & from Merrillville is a common need for those relocating to the area or moving away.
Merrillville car shipping companies offer a range of services to accommodate various needs, whether it's a cross-country move or a shorter distance within the state. When searching for "car shipping Merrillville" or "Merrillville car shipping," residents can find reliable & experienced providers to ensure their vehicles are transported safely & efficiently.
In conclusion, car shipping is a convenient solution for those who need to transport their vehicles over long distances or to different states. By understanding the various types of auto transport services, factors affecting costs, & how to find the right provider, you can make an informed decision when shipping your car. Shiply simplifies the process by connecting you with multiple car shipping companies, allowing you to compare quotes & choose the best option for your needs, whether you're moving to or from Merrillville, Indiana, or anywhere else in the country.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Merrillville
Time-Efficient - Instead of completing a quotation form each time you require a precise cost from a company on transporting your automobile, on our platform you only need to 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 and completing forms.
Communication with these businesses is all feasible through our platform as well, allowing you to maintain all of your Merrillville car shipping details in one location.
Effortless Price Comparison
Ultimately, the expense of the Merrillville car shipping estimate is the most significant aspect in choosing which auto transport company to utilize to transport your vehicle. The challenging part is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite car transport quote without having to give information and complete details. While this is reasonable, it does mean that price comparison and obtaining a car transport quote isn't precisely a simple task.
Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final price estimates from car 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 optimal company for you.
Affordable Car Shipping Alternatives
Auto transport businesses on Shiply are usually able to provide their services for a lower cost than if you went directly to them. This is because they are frequently seeking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already invested the cost for. For instance, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & 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 are convenient for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service!
Superior for the Environment
Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it is also more environmentally friendly. In the above example, if your car didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire journey would be needed just for your car.
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 cars in the opposite direction. Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are looking to fill their trailers on return journeys too, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users!
Readying Your Vehicle for Shipping
If you have chosen an auto transport company to transport your car & feel confident using them, then it's time to ready your vehicle 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 automobile.
Cleaning - You should take care to remove all personal belongings 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 see 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.
Post-Delivery Checklist
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 see 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, 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 & 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 & 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 & 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.
