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 across the nation, or moving 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 less expensive, it demands more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. Most individuals, however, opt for 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 can be classified into two primary categories: having someone operate your vehicle to the 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, whether it's across the nation or to another state. This approach is often less expensive as it doesn't require trailers or an additional vehicle, & it can be quicker due to its simplicity. However, there are some drawbacks to consider, such as the added 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 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 automobile. Single trailers, which transport only one car at a time, are more expensive but ideal for moving 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 multiple vehicles at once, come in different variants:
- Open car shipping: The most affordable & common alternative, where 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 transit, making this option less suitable for highly valuable automobiles. Long journeys in open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage.
- Enclosed auto transport: Multiple cars are secured on a carrier but are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This alternative is preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles where minimizing the risk of damage is a priority.
For overseas vehicle transportation, 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.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Vehicle?
The expense 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 cost may differ based 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.
Factors That Can Influence The Expense Of Auto Transport
While everyone wants affordable car transport, several factors can impact the cost of car shipping services:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate car delivery, which is often the most affordable alternative. 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 traveled. It may also require special enclosed trailers or shipping containers.
- Route: The route taken from the collection spot to the delivery location can affect pricing. Routes with higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more 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, where you require auto transport within a strict timeframe, typically costs more.
- 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 auto transport costs due to the need for extra equipment like winches or forklifts to load & unload the vehicle. Most car carriers consider a car in good condition if it can brake, roll, & steer.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the most affordable alternative, 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 specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transit.
- Pickup & delivery locations: Urban areas usually have car shipping services nearby, & common destination routes often offer affordable car shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more due to deviations from normal routes & extra mileage. Unusual or hard-to-access collection or drop-off points may also increase costs.
- Auto transport insurance: While auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional coverage. If a company doesn't provide cargo insurance, it's highly recommended to acquire it separately for your vehicle during transit. Clarify 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 being the most expensive due to ice, snow, & blizzard conditions causing delays & reduced speeds. December is challenging as drivers are on holiday, while January sees increased costs due to people traveling to warmer states. Spring & fall offer better rates & availability, with March, October, & November being ideal months. Summer is the busiest season, with higher prices & lower availability.
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 streamlines the search for a car shipping service by allowing you to fill out a simple form to collect quotes. Provide the make & model of the vehicle, collection & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the automobile. This information enables auto transport providers on Shiply to provide 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.
After receiving quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure cars during transport. It's crucial to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected experience.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is a valuable resource when selecting a car shipping company. It allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Independence, Kentucky
Independence, Kentucky, is a growing city located in the northern part of the state, just south of Cincinnati, Ohio. Many people relocate to Independence for its affordable housing, strong job market, & proximity to major cities like Cincinnati & Louisville. The city's location along I-75 makes it a convenient spot for car shipping, as the interstate connects Independence to many other parts of the country.
People often move vehicles to & from Independence when relocating for work, as the city is home to several large employers, including Amazon, Kroger, & St. Elizabeth Healthcare. The city's growing population & expanding business sector also contribute to the demand for car shipping services in the area.
Additionally, Independence's central location within the United States makes it a popular stopover point for cross-country car shipping. Many auto transport companies use the city as a hub for their operations, allowing them to efficiently move vehicles between the East Coast, Midwest, & Southern regions of the country.
When searching for car shipping services in Independence, it's essential to compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best deal. Shiply can help simplify this process by connecting you with reputable car shipping companies that serve the Independence area, ensuring that your vehicle is transported safely & efficiently to its destination.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport Freedom
Time-Saving - Instead of submitting a quote request each time you require a precise cost for transporting your automobile, on our platform you complete one quote form & then can receive quotes based on the information you provide from several companies. This can save you hours of time you would've had to spend calling companies & filling out forms.
Communication with these businesses is all possible through our platform too, allowing you to keep all of your car shipping freedom info in one place.
Price Comparison - Car Shipping Independence
When it comes down to it, the price of the car shipping quote is the most important factor in deciding which auto transport company to use to ship your vehicle. The challenging part is that, while most companies are willing to provide average prices & general estimates, you won't actually receive a definite car transport quote without having to give info & fill in details. While this is understandable, it does mean that price comparison & getting a car transport quote isn't exactly a simple task.
Using Shiply allows you to obtain genuine, final price quotes from car shipping companies & compare them in one spot, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately choose the best company for you.
Affordable Car Shipping Independence
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 often seeking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already invested the cost for. Say, for example, you were moving from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your car 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 using our service.
Better For The Environment
Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it is also better for the environment. 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 trip 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 lots of 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 trips too, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Getting Ready For Your Car To Be Shipped
If you have decided on an auto transport company to move your car & feel confident using them, then it's time to get your car ready for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Documents - It is crucial 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 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 assess 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 checking 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 proof 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 determine 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 most affordable 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 task & has the right equipment to safely carry it out.