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 numerous situations where operating the vehicle yourself is not practical, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online, relocating to a new residence, or moving your automobile overseas. Auto shipping services provide a practical solution for people who require their vehicle to be transported to another state or across the nation.
Luckily, there are various car transport services available to accommodate your unique requirements. These services include terminal-to-terminal auto delivery, where designated collection and drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the vehicle transport company's facilities or operating bases. While this choice is typically more affordable, it necessitates more effort on your part to get the automobile home. Alternatively, most individuals select door-to-door auto transport delivery, where their vehicles are collected and dropped off at their doorstep, irrespective of the distance involved.
Automobile 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.
Types Of Car Transport Services
When it comes to transporting your automobile, you have two main choices: hiring someone to operate your vehicle to its destination or having it moved on a trailer. Each approach has its benefits and drawbacks, which we will investigate below.
Hiring someone to operate your vehicle to its destination is a straightforward solution for automobile shipping. This approach is often more affordable as it eliminates the need for trailers and an additional vehicle. It can also be quicker due to the simplicity of the transport process. However, there are some disadvantages to consider. Firstly, your vehicle will accumulate mileage during the journey, which can be significant when shipping a car across the country. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage occurring to your automobile while it is being operated. This is particularly concerning for individuals buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection compared to having someone operate it. Car shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value and size of your vehicle. You can choose between a single trailer, which is more expensive but ideal for transporting expensive or classic cars, or a multi-car transporter, which can carry multiple vehicles at once.
Multi-car transporters have several variants, including open car shipping and enclosed auto transport. Open car shipping is the most affordable and common option, where your vehicle is placed on an open carrier and 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 vehicles. On the other hand, enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple cars on a carrier that is fully enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, and debris during transportation. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage.
If you need to move your vehicle overseas, it is recommended 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 expense of transporting an automobile varies depending on several factors, but on average, car transport companies in the US charge around $2.92 per mile for journeys less than 200 miles, $0.93 per mile for distances between 200 and 500 miles, and $0.78 per mile for trips over 1,000 miles. However, these figures are just averages, and your vehicle transport cost may differ based on your specific circumstances.
To get an accurate estimate of how much it will cost to ship your automobile, it is best to gather vehicle shipping quotes from multiple car transport companies. This process is made easy on platforms like Shiply, where you can quickly compare quotes from various providers.
Factors That Can Influence The Expense Of Car Transport
Several factors can impact the expense of car transport, including:
- Distance: Cross-state and cross-country journeys will cost more than interstate vehicle delivery.
- International shipping: Transporting an automobile overseas is more expensive due to the logistics involved and the distance traveled.
- Route: Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks can increase the cost of vehicle shipping.
- Shipping dates: Flexible timings can result in lower costs, while expedited shipping will typically be more expensive.
- Vehicle size: Larger vehicles, such as SUVs, will cost more to transport than sedans.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may require extra equipment, increasing the cost of car transport.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the cheapest option, while enclosed car shipping is the most expensive.
- Locations of pickup and delivery: Urban areas tend to have lower vehicle shipping costs, while rural or hard-to-access locations may increase the price.
- Auto transport insurance: Additional cargo insurance can add to the overall cost of shipping your vehicle.
- Time of year: Seasonality can affect vehicle shipping prices, with winter being the most expensive and spring offering more affordable rates.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding A Car Transport Service
With numerous vehicle transport companies available, finding the right one for your needs can be overwhelming. Searching through Google or phone books can be time-consuming, and many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without a detailed quote request.
How Can Shiply Help Find Car Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding an automobile shipping service by connecting you with multiple providers through a single platform. To get started, simply fill out a form with your vehicle's make and model, pickup and delivery locations, and the dates you need to move the automobile. This information allows car transport providers on Shiply to provide you with accurate quotes for your specific job.
Once your listing is live, you will receive quotes in your Shiply inbox and via email. It is recommended to keep email notifications turned on so that you can be promptly informed when a new quote arrives. Quotes can start coming in within minutes of posting your listing, but it is advisable to wait for a few options before making a decision.
Before selecting a quote, you can ask the providers any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, and how they would secure your vehicle. It is crucial to ask these questions to ensure a smooth and expected transport process.
Shiply also features a feedback and ratings system, which allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company and their overall score. It is highly recommended to review this information before choosing a provider to ship your vehicle.
Why People Often Move Automobiles To & From Slidell, Louisiana
Slidell, Louisiana, is a vibrant city located in the southeastern part of the state, just a short drive from New Orleans. Many people find themselves moving automobiles to and from Slidell for various reasons. One common reason is relocation, whether it's for work, family, or a change of scenery. Slidell's proximity to New Orleans makes it an attractive option for those who want to enjoy the benefits of a smaller city while still being close to the amenities and opportunities of a larger metropolitan area.
Another reason people move vehicles to and from Slidell is for leisure. The city is known for its outdoor recreational activities, such as fishing, boating, and hiking. Many people choose to bring their automobiles to Slidell to explore the natural beauty of the area, including the nearby Honey Island Swamp and the Pearl River Wildlife Management Area.
Additionally, Slidell is home to several auto dealerships, making it a popular destination for those looking to purchase a new or used vehicle. Whether you're buying a car from a dealership in Slidell or selling your automobile to someone in the area, vehicle shipping services can help facilitate the process, ensuring that your vehicle arrives at its destination safely and efficiently.
When moving an automobile to or from Slidell, it's essential to choose a reputable car shipping company that has experience navigating the unique challenges of the region, such as the humid climate and potential for heavy traffic in and around New Orleans. By working with a trusted car transport provider, you can have peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is in capable hands during its journey to or from Slidell, Louisiana.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Automobile Transport in Slidell & Car Shipping in Slidell
Time-Saving - Instead of completing a quote form each time you desire an exact price from a company on transporting your automobile, on our platform you only complete one quote form & then can receive quotes based on the information you give from several businesses. This can save you hours of time you would've had to spend phoning companies & filling out forms.
Communication with these businesses is all possible through our platform too, allowing you to store all of your automobile shipping info in one location.
Price Comparison - When it comes down to it, the price of the car shipping quote is the most important factor in choosing which auto transport company to use to ship your vehicle. The tricky part is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & general figures, you won't actually receive a definite car transport quote without having to give info & complete 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 get real, final price quotes from car shipping companies & compare them in one place, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the best company for you.
Affordable Car Shipping
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 looking 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 move 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 cheaper, 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 journey would be needed just for your car.
Similarly, many car 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 move their cars in the other 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 cheap transport for our users.
Preparing For Your Car To Be Shipped
If you have decided on an auto transport company to move your car & feel secure using them, then it's time to prepare your car 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 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.
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 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, & 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.
