What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also referred to as auto shipping or car transport, is a service offered by vehicle shipping companies that involves collecting your automobile from one spot & transporting it to another. It's beneficial for moving a vehicle in various situations where you can't operate the car yourself. For instance, you might be buying or selling a used automobile online & require shipping it to another state, or maybe you've recently moved & need to transport your vehicle across the nation. Vehicle transportation services can also be extremely helpful when you need to relocate your car overseas & ferries aren't available, necessitating you to depend on an auto shipping company to manage the job.
Luckily, there are several vehicle transport services available to fulfill your specific requirements, which we'll discuss below.
Types Of Car Shipping Services
When it comes to car shipping services, there are a few choices to consider. It's crucial to carefully review these options & determine the type of auto transportation service that best suits your needs for transporting your vehicle.
The first decision you'll need to make is where you want your automobile picked up from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or moving a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal car delivery is one option, where designated collection & drop-off points are used, often at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While terminal-to-terminal car delivery is typically more affordable, it does require more effort on your part to get the automobile home. However, most people prefer a door-to-door car shipping delivery service, where their vehicles are picked up & dropped off right at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country auto transport or just moving a car to another state. This option is often more convenient as it eliminates the need for you to travel to collect your car, which can be challenging without your vehicle in the first place!
Vehicle transportation services generally fall into two categories: having someone operate your car to the destination or loading it onto a trailer for shipping.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
One straightforward solution for vehicle shipping is to hire someone to drive your automobile to its destination, whether you need to transport a car across the country or to another state. The advantages of this car shipping method include lower costs, as trailers & an additional vehicle are not required, & faster delivery due to the simplicity of the transportation process.
However, there are some drawbacks to this method offered by auto shipping companies that lead some individuals to choose other types of vehicle transport. Firstly, mileage is added to your car during the journey, which can be significant when moving a vehicle across the country, although less so when transporting a car to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage occurring to your automobile while it is being driven from point A to point B. These concerns are particularly relevant for people buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the exact condition as advertised.
Put Your Automobile On A Trailer
Placing your vehicle on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection compared to having someone operate your car to its destination. When it comes to auto shipping trailers, there are several options available depending on the value & size of your automobile.
First, you'll need to decide whether you want a single trailer for your vehicle. These are often more expensive as they only transport one car at a time, but they are an excellent choice if you are moving a costly or classic automobile that you don't want to risk getting damaged. The safest way to ship a car is to use a shipping container, but this is by far the most expensive option. The other choice is a multi-car transporter, which can move many vehicles simultaneously & comes in a few variations:
Open vehicle shipping by any auto shipping company is the most affordable & common option for transporting a car. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. While all cars are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so vehicle shipping companies may not recommend this method for highly valuable automobiles. Additionally, while it may be the cheapest way to transport a car cross-country, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage & expose your vehicle to the elements for extended periods.
Enclosed car transport involves securing multiple automobiles on a carrier, but they are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is often preferred for more expensive or newer vehicles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during car shipping.
If you need to relocate your automobile overseas through a car transport company, it's best to find a specialist service on our platform or one with experience in overseas vehicle shipping. They can provide tailored advice based on your specific requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Vehicle?
The cost of transporting a vehicle varies based on several factors, but on average, car shipping 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 figures are just averages for automobile moving companies, & your vehicle transport cost may be higher or lower depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of car shipping is to obtain auto transportation quotes from multiple vehicle transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
If you want to get an idea of how much you can expect your automobile delivery to cost, consider the factors that can impact the price of car shipping services, which we'll discuss below.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Car Transport
While we all desire affordable vehicle transport, several factors & variables can influence the cost of your car shipping. Let's explore the main ones to give you a rough idea of whether your auto transportation requirements will be costly or inexpensive.
As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of your vehicle transport. Cross-state & cross-country journeys are typically more expensive than interstate automobile delivery, which is often the cheapest car shipping option.
Although longer distances do cost more, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases, ensuring that you're not paying excessively.
International shipping always results in costly car shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring a vehicle overseas & the distance it needs to travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your automobile.
Route - Along with distance, the route required to transport your car from its pick-up location to its delivery spot can affect the pricing of your vehicle carrier service. Routes with known higher traffic, such as in LA, may end up costing more than quieter roads due to the additional time it can add to the journey. Similarly, unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could also incur extra costs from the automobile moving companies or necessitate a different route that may take longer.
Shipping Dates - The speed at which you need your vehicle transportation service to operate can also impact the price. If you have flexibility in terms of timings, you may find that your car shipping service charges significantly less. This is because they can fit your automobile delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads for themselves, passing the savings on to you. However, if you require car transport within a strict timeframe (often referred to as expedited shipping), it will typically cost you more as the vehicle transport company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver solely for your delivery.
Vehicle Size - The height, length, & width of the automobile will all affect the cost of transporting your car. Vehicle shippers will require larger trailers for bigger cars, with SUVs generally costing more on average to transport than sedans. It's important to inform the car transport company about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on the vehicle, as these can also change the size of the trailer required for the delivery.
Vehicle Condition - If your automobile is not in a drivable condition, it may increase the cost of your car transport. This is because it may require additional equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load & unload your vehicle from the trailer. For example, if your car has a locked wheel, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto a trailer & off again, requiring more time, effort, & machinery to complete the delivery compared to a standard automobile transport service. Most vehicle carriers consider a car that can brake, roll, & steer to be in good enough condition for easy shipping.
Car Transport Service Type - The type of car transport service you choose will also affect the cost of your vehicle shipping. Having someone operate your automobile to its destination will always be the most affordable option, as you are essentially just paying for the driver's time & fuel. On the other hand, single car trailers & enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive, as they require specialized equipment. Enclosed vehicle shipping is always the most costly method of transporting a car, as it means your automobile travels alone & still requires specialized equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
Locations Of Pickup & Delivery - The locations of the vehicle's pick-up & drop-off points can also impact the price of shipping a car. Urban areas typically have auto shipping services in close proximity, & if it's a common destination route, you'll often find affordable car shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. If a pick-up or drop-off point is in an unusual or hard-to-access location, additional steps may be necessary to load your automobile, which can also increase the vehicle shipping cost.
Car Transport Insurance - While all car transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance, as it is not legally mandated. If a vehicle transport company does not provide cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you seek out & acquire coverage for your automobile during its transit. As with all insurance policies, make sure you understand what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, which parts of the car are covered by the insurance, & any other relevant questions you may have.
Time Of Year - Seasonality can also affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more to transport a car in the winter due to ice & snow slowing down the routes. Here's a quick breakdown of how each season can impact auto transportation costs:
Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your automobile. Ice, snow, & blizzard conditions can cause delays on the roads & reduce the maximum speed at which the vehicle delivery service can transport cars. December is typically a challenging time to have a car shipped, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased automobile shipping costs. However, February is usually quiet, & great rates are often available from car shipping services during this month.
Spring is an excellent time to ship your vehicle with a car transportation service. With improved weather conditions, longer days, & more drivers ready to work, Spring often means affordable rates & high availability when it comes to moving your automobile. March is generally a better time to ship than April or May, as there is often a rush to move cars from colder to warmer states.
Summer is the prime season for shipping vehicles - the days are the longest in the year, students are traveling home from universities, employees take vacations, & it is also a very popular time to move house. This means that June, July, & August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, & you should not expect affordable car shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship a vehicle if you're looking for slightly cheaper prices. Vehicle shipping companies are less busy, & there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. However, you're better off looking to move your automobile in October or November rather than September, as this is peak time for students shipping their cars to university.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding A Car Shipping Service
Now that you have a better understanding of what vehicle shipping & a car transportation service entail, as well as the type of auto transport service you need, you're probably ready to find a vehicle transport service that suits your requirements.
The challenge is that there are hundreds of automobile transport companies out there. Searching for them on Google can result in scrolling through countless pages trying to find the best vehicle shipping company at the best price, & the same is true if you were to go through phone books. Moreover, many of these companies are reluctant to provide pricing upfront, meaning you'll likely need to apply for a quote & fill out details with each of them individually, which can be very time-consuming.
How Can Shiply Help Find Car Transport Companies?
Given all the options & variables involved in finding a vehicle shipping service, the search for the right one can seem daunting, & this is where Shiply can help.
On Shiply, you simply need to fill out a simple form to start collecting quotes. All we require from you is the make & model of the automobile that needs shipping, the pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the car. This information allows the car 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 that you can be immediately notified when a new quote arrives. Quotes can start coming in within a few minutes of posting your listing, but we always suggest waiting for a few to come through before making a decision, so you have multiple options to choose from.
Once you have a few quotes, you can ask the providers any questions you may have, such as their availability (if a time frame is given), what insurance they offer, & how they would secure your vehicle. We recommend asking any company you're considering these questions to ensure that everything goes smoothly & as expected.
Shiply has a feedback & ratings system that we highly recommend reviewing before selecting a quote to ship your automobile. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company & see their overall score.
Brewer, Maine, US - A Popular Destination for Vehicle Shipping
Brewer, Maine, US is a city that has become a popular destination for vehicle shipping. Many people often move cars to & from Brewer for various reasons. One of the main reasons is that Brewer is a growing city with a thriving economy, attracting new residents who need to transport their automobiles. Additionally, Brewer is home to several car dealerships, & individuals often ship vehicles to & from these dealerships for purchase or sale.
Another reason why people frequently ship cars to & from Brewer is its proximity to major transportation hubs. Brewer is located near Bangor International Airport & several major highways, making it a convenient location for vehicle shipping. Whether you're moving to Brewer for work, buying a car from a dealership in the city, or selling an automobile to someone in the area, car shipping services can help streamline the process.
When searching for vehicle shipping services in Brewer, it's essential to find a reliable & experienced company. Shiply can help connect you with trusted car shipping providers in the Brewer area, ensuring that your automobile is transported safely & efficiently. By using Shiply to compare quotes & read reviews from previous customers, you can make an informed decision & choose the best vehicle shipping service for your needs in Brewer, Maine, US.
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The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport Brewer
Time-Saving - Instead of completing a quotation form each time you desire a precise price from a company on transporting your automobile, on our platform you simply complete one quotation form & then can receive quotes based on the information you provide from several businesses. 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, meaning you can store all of your vehicle shipping brewer details in one location.
Price Comparison
When it comes down to it, the price of the vehicle shipping quote is the most important factor in choosing which auto transport company to utilize to ship your automobile. The tricky thing is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually be given a solid vehicle transport quote without having to provide info & fill out details. While this is understandable, it does mean that price comparison & getting a vehicle transport quote isn't exactly a simple task.
Utilizing Shiply allows you to get genuine, final price quotes from vehicle 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 business for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping
Auto transport businesses on Shiply are typically able to offer their services for a lower cost than if you went direct to them. This is because they are often looking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already sunk the cost for. Say, for example, you were moving from Los Angeles to New York & needed to move 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 using our service.
Better For The Enviroment
Not only is using Shiply for auto transport cheaper, but it is also better for the enviroment. In the above example, if your automobile didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a seperate 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 enviroment as there are lots of people who could have used that transporter to move their automobiles 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 cheap transport for our users!
Preparing For Your Vehicle To Be Shipped
If you have decided on an auto transport company to move your automobile & feel secure using them, then it's time to prepare your vehicle 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 automobile.
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 ascertain its condition & notice any damages that may occure 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 automobile. This provides you with evidence of the automobile's condition before shipping should anything happen to it during transport.
What To Do After Delivery
Once the vehicle 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 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 ascertain whether any extra damage has occured. Shipping an automobile 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 trip 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 an automobile?
Vehicle shipping prices can vary drastically depending on the circumstances, but on average a trip should cost you around $2.92 per mile if the trip is less than 200 miles, $0.93 if the trip is between 200 & 500 miles, & if the trip is over 1,000 miles then this drops to $0.78.
What is the cheapest way to ship an automobile?
Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the cheapest way to ship an automobile, however, if you need a trailer then a multi-car transporter will be your best option with regard to the cheapest way to ship an automobile.
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 automobile 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 and delivery?
In most cases, the vehicle shipping company will require you to be in attendance for the pickup & delivery of the automobile. This is because there are likely to be release forms that you need to sign, as well as handing over the automobile keys.
Can I keep items in my vehicle during my automobile shipment?
Most vehicle transport companies will be fine with you keeping some personal items in the automobile 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 automobile 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 automobile.
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 automobile.
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.
