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 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 shipping companies provide a variety of auto transport services to accommodate your unique requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Transport Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, you must determine where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a long-distance car transport or shipping a vehicle 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. Most individuals prefer 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 transport. Hiring someone to operate your vehicle is often more affordable as it doesn't necessitate trailers or an additional vehicle, & it can be quicker due to the straightforward nature of the transport. However, this method adds mileage to your automobile & there is a slight risk of damage during the journey.
Placing your vehicle on a trailer ensures a higher level of safety compared to having someone operate it. You can choose between a single trailer for your automobile, which is more expensive but ideal for transporting costly or classic cars, or a multi-car transporter. Open car shipping is the most affordable & most common alternative, where your vehicle is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. While all automobiles are safely secured, they are exposed to the elements during the drive. Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier that is enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This alternative is preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles.
If you need to transport your vehicle overseas, it's best to find a specialist service or a company with experience in overseas car shipping to provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
What Is The Cost Of Transporting 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 determine the cost of auto transport is to gather vehicle shipping quotes from different companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
Several factors can impact the cost of vehicle shipping, including:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate vehicle delivery.
- International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is expensive due to logistics & distance.
- Route: Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks can increase costs.
- Shipping dates: Flexible timings can result in lower costs, while expedited shipping is more expensive.
- Vehicle size: Larger automobiles like SUVs cost more to transport than sedans.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable vehicles may require extra equipment, increasing the cost.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the most affordable alternative, while enclosed car shipping is the most expensive.
- Locations of pickup & delivery: Urban areas are usually more affordable, while rural or hard-to-access locations can increase costs.
- Auto transport insurance: Additional cargo insurance may be necessary, affecting the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality can impact prices, with winter being the most expensive & spring offering better rates.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding A Vehicle Transport Service
Finding the right vehicle transport service can be overwhelming, as there are hundreds of companies to choose from. Searching on Google or through phone books can be time-consuming, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without a detailed quote application.
How Can Shiply Assist In Finding Vehicle Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding a vehicle shipping service. To get started, complete a simple form with the make & model of the vehicle, pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to transport the automobile. 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 & email. It's recommended to keep email notifications on to stay informed about new quotes. While quotes can start coming in within minutes, it's best to wait for a few alternatives before making a decision.
Before selecting a quote, ask the companies any questions you may have, such as availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure vehicles during transport. Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Frequently Transport Vehicles To & From Salina, Kansas
Salina, Kansas, is a city located in the heart of the United States, making it a popular destination for vehicle shipping. Many people relocate to Salina for job opportunities, as the city is home to several large employers, including Tony's Pizza, Exide Battery, & Great Plains Manufacturing. Additionally, Salina is a hub for agriculture, with numerous farms & ranches in the surrounding area.
Another reason people ship vehicles to & from Salina is for education. The city is home to Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus, which attracts students from across the country. When students relocate to Salina for school, they often need to transport their automobiles, making vehicle shipping services essential.
Salina's central location also makes it a convenient stopover point for cross-country moves. When individuals or families relocate across the United States, they may choose to ship their vehicles to Salina & pick them up there before continuing their journey. This can be more cost-effective than shipping a vehicle directly to their final destination.
Whether you're relocating to Salina for work, education, or personal reasons, or simply passing through on a cross-country move, vehicle shipping services can help ensure your automobile arrives safely & efficiently. By using a platform like Shiply, you can easily compare quotes from multiple vehicle shipping companies & find the best alternative for your needs & budget.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Salina
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 calling up companies & filling in forms.
Communication with these businesses is all possible through our platform as well, allowing you to store all of your salina vehicle shipping info in one location.
Cost Comparison - The Primary Factor
When it comes down to it, the price of the salina vehicle shipping estimate is the most important factor in deciding which auto transport company to employ to transport your automobile. The challenging aspect is that, while most companies are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually be given a definite vehicle transport estimate without having to provide info & complete particulars. While this is understandable, it does mean that cost comparison & getting a vehicle transport estimate isn't exactly a simple task.
Utilizing Shiply allows you to obtain genuine, final cost estimates from vehicle shipping businesses & compare them in one place, giving you the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately choose the best option for you.
Inexpensive Vehicle Shipping - A Significant Benefit
Auto transport companies on Shiply are typically able to provide their services for a lower cost than if you went direct 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 instance, you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your automobile 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!
Better For The Environment - An Added Benefit
Not only is utilizing Shiply for auto transport less expensive, 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 automobile.
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 used that transporter to transport 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 inexpensive transport for our users.
Readying For Your Vehicle To Be Transported
If you have decided on an auto transport company to transport your vehicle & feel secure using them, then it's time to prepare your automobile 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 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 automobile 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 crucial thing to do when preparing your vehicle for the vehicle delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photographs of all parts of the automobile. This gives you evidence of the vehicle's condition before shipping should anything happen to it during transport.
What To Do After Delivery
Once the vehicle shipping company you chose 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 automobile is in the expected condition, as well as enable you to immediately raise concerns with the vehicle 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 vehicle can, in rare cases, cause damage, & you want to be sure your vehicle transport service has not done so.
Check Mileage - This is more relevant to vehicle shipping services where the automobile 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 vehicle shipping services with the same peace of mind!
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have answered some of the most asked questions about vehicle shipping:
How much to ship a vehicle? Vehicle 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 vehicle? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the cheapest way to ship a vehicle, 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 vehicle.
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 vehicle delivery service before confirming the delivery. Most companies will be flexible with payment options, however.
Can I track my vehicle transport online? Each vehicle shipping company on Shiply has different ways of operating, but many offer the ability to track your vehicle shipment, with some even able to provide personal updates. If you require tracking, you should message individual vehicle transport companies to confirm that this is possible with them.
Does someone have to be present for pickup & delivery? In most cases, the vehicle 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 vehicle keys.
Can I keep items in my vehicle during my vehicle shipment? Most vehicle 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 vehicle 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.