What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also known 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. 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 & need to transport it to another state, or maybe you've recently moved & need to ship your vehicle across the country. Auto shipping services can also be extremely useful when you need to transport your car overseas & ferries aren't available, requiring you to rely on a vehicle transport company to manage the task.
Luckily, there are numerous vehicle shipping services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we'll discuss below.
Types Of Vehicle Shipping Services
There are various vehicle transport services available, summarized below. It's advantageous to read through & determine the precise type of auto transportation service you require or prefer for transporting your automobile.
The first decision you need to make is where you want your vehicle collected from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country car shipping or transporting a vehicle to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection & drop-off points are used, often at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is usually more affordable but requires more effort on your part to get the automobile home. However, most people require a door-to-door vehicle transport delivery service, where their cars are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country car shipping or just moving an automobile to another state. This is often preferable as it eliminates the need to travel to collect your vehicle, which can be challenging without your car in the first place!
Vehicle shipping services are generally divided into two categories: having someone operate your car to the destination or putting it on a trailer & transporting it.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
This is a straightforward solution to vehicle shipping that involves hiring someone to operate your car to the desired location, whether you need to transport an automobile across the country or to another state. The advantages of this auto transport method are that it's often more affordable, as trailers & an extra vehicle aren't required, & it can be faster due to the straightforward nature of the transport.
However, there are some drawbacks to this method offered by vehicle shipping companies that lead some people to choose other types of car transport. Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be significant when transporting a car across the country, less so when shipping a vehicle to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your car while it's being operated from point A to point B. These concerns are particularly relevant for people buying or selling automobiles online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Put Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Putting your automobile on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone operate your car to its destination. With vehicle shipping trailers, there are several options available depending on the value & size of your automobile.
Firstly, you need to decide whether you want a single trailer for your vehicle. These are often more expensive as they only transport one automobile at a time but are a great choice if you're moving an expensive or classic car that you don't want to risk damaging. The safest way to ship a vehicle is to put it in a shipping container, but this is by far the most expensive option. The other option is a multi-car transporter, which can move many automobiles at once & comes in a few variants:
Open vehicle shipping by any car transport company is the most affordable & most common option when transporting an automobile. Your car is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. All vehicles are securely fastened, but as the name suggests, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so vehicle shipping companies may not recommend this for highly valuable automobiles. Furthermore, while it may be the most affordable way to ship a car cross-country, long journeys in open trailers obviously pose a higher risk of damage & leave your vehicle exposed to the elements for extended periods.
Enclosed auto transport involves multiple vehicles secured on a carrier, but they are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This is often preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during vehicle transport.
If you need to move your car overseas through a vehicle transport company, try to find a specialist service on our platform or one with experience in overseas auto shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Waterville, Maine, US
Waterville, Maine, US, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. Many people relocate to Waterville for job opportunities, education at Colby College or Thomas College, or to enjoy the scenic beauty of the area. Others may need to ship their automobiles to Waterville for temporary stays, such as extended vacations or seasonal residences. Additionally, some individuals may purchase cars from dealerships or private sellers in Waterville & require vehicle shipping services to transport their new automobiles to their homes in other states or cities. Conversely, people moving out of Waterville may need to ship their vehicles to their new locations, whether for permanent relocation or temporary moves. The presence of reliable vehicle shipping companies in Waterville, like those offering Waterville auto shipping services, makes it convenient for people to transport their cars to & from the city whenever needed.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Vehicle?
There are several variables to consider when determining the cost to ship an automobile, but on average, vehicle 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 figures are just averages for vehicle moving companies, & your car transport may cost more or less depending on the circumstances. The best way to find out the cost of vehicle transport is to obtain auto shipping quotes from car transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
If you want to get an idea of how much you can expect your vehicle delivery to cost, consider the factors that can affect the price of car shipping services, which we'll discuss below.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
While we all want affordable car shipping, several factors & variables can impact the cost of your vehicle transport. Below, we'll outline the main ones to give you a rough idea of whether your auto transport requirements will be expensive or affordable.
As mentioned earlier, distance is one of the primary factors that significantly influences the cost of your vehicle transport, with cross-state & cross-country journeys being more expensive than interstate auto delivery, which is often the most affordable option.
Although longer distances cost more, the average price per mile decreases as the journey lengthens, ensuring you're not paying excessively.
International shipping always results in expensive vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring an automobile overseas & the distance it must travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your car.
Route - Along with distance, the route required to take your automobile from its collection spot to its delivery location can affect the pricing of your vehicle carrier service. Routes with known higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more than quieter roads due to the additional time added to the journey. Similarly, unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could also incur extra costs from the vehicle moving companies or necessitate a different, longer route.
Shipping Dates - The speed at which you need your vehicle transportation service to operate can also affect the price. For example, if you can be flexible with timings, you may find that your vehicle shipping service charges significantly less because they can fit your automobile delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads, passing the savings on to you. However, if you require auto transport within a strict timeframe (often known as expedited shipping), it will typically cost more due to the vehicle transport company likely having 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 automobiles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. Furthermore, always inform the auto 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 vehicle transport. This is because it may require additional equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load & unload your car from the trailer. For example, if your automobile has a locked wheel, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto a trailer & off again, taking more time, effort, & machinery to complete the delivery compared to a standard vehicle transport service. Most car carriers consider an automobile that can brake, roll, & steer to be in good enough condition for easy shipping.
Auto Transport Service Type - The type of vehicle transport service you choose will also affect the cost of your car 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. In contrast, single car trailers & enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive, as they require extra equipment. Enclosed vehicle shipping is always the most expensive method of transporting a car, as it means your automobile travels alone & still needs specialized equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
Locations Of Pickup & Delivery - The collection & drop-off locations may also increase the price of shipping an automobile. Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services in close proximity, & if it is a common destination route, you will generally get affordable car shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. If a collection or drop-off point is in an unusual or hard-to-access location, extra steps may be needed to load your vehicle, which can also increase the car shipping cost.
Auto Transport Insurance - While all vehicle transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance, as it is not legally required. If a car transport company does not provide cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you seek out & acquire coverage for your automobile during transit. As with all insurance policies, ensure you understand what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, which parts of the vehicle are covered by the insurance, & any other relevant questions.
Time Of Year - Seasonality can also affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more to ship a car in the winter due to ice & snow slowing the routes. Here is a quick breakdown of how each season can impact auto transport costs:
Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your automobile. Ice, snow, & blizzard conditions can all 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 vehicle shipping costs. However, February is usually quiet, so great rates are often available from vehicle shipping services during this month.
Spring is an excellent time to ship your automobile with a vehicle transportation service. With improved weather conditions, longer days, & more drivers ready to work, Spring can often mean affordable rates & high availability when it comes to moving your car. March is generally a better time to ship than April or May; however, there is often a rush to move automobiles 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 an automobile if you are looking for a slightly more affordable price. Vehicle shipping companies are less busy, & there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. However, you are better off looking to move your car in October or November rather than September, as this is peak time for students shipping their automobiles to university.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
Now that you know more about what vehicle shipping & a car transport service are & what sort of auto transport service you need, you probably want to go ahead & find a vehicle shipping service that is right for you.
The issue is that there are hundreds of vehicle transport companies out there. Trying to find them on Google can result in scrolling through numerous pages to find the best vehicle shipping company at the best price, & the same is true if you were to go through phone books. Furthermore, many of these companies are reluctant to provide pricing, meaning you will 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 Auto Transport Companies?
Given all the options & variables involved in finding a vehicle shipping service, searching for & finding the right one can seem like a daunting task, & this is where Shiply can help.
On Shiply, you simply need to fill out a simple form to start collecting quotes. All we need from you are the make & model of the automobile that needs shipping, the collection location & delivery location, & the dates you need to move the vehicle. This gives the auto transport providers on Shiply enough information to provide you with an accurate quote for your job.
Once your listing is live, you will receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & to your email. We recommend keeping email notifications turned on so that you can know immediately when a new quote comes through. Quotes can start coming through within a few minutes of posting your listing, but we always recommend waiting for a few to come through before making a decision so that you have multiple options to choose from.
Once you have a few quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability (if a time frame is given), what insurance they have, & how they would secure your automobile. We recommend asking any company you may use 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 vehicle. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company & see their overall score.
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The Benefits of Using Shiply for Auto Transport in Waterville
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate estimate from a company regarding waterville auto transport, on our platform you complete one quotation form & can then obtain estimates based on the information you supply from several companies. This can save you a significant amount of time that you would have spent phoning companies & providing details. Communication with these businesses is also feasible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your auto shipping data in a single location.
Rate Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the auto shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which vehicle transport company to employ to transport your automobile. The challenging aspect is that, while most companies are willing to provide average rates & rough estimates, you won't receive a definite auto transport quote without having to give information & complete details. While this is reasonable, it means that rate comparison & obtaining an auto transport quote is not a simple task. Utilizing Shiply enables you to receive authentic, final price estimates from auto shipping companies & compare them in one location, offering the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately choose the best company for your needs.
Affordable Auto Shipping - Vehicle transport companies on Shiply can usually provide their services at 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 transport your automobile there, a company on Shiply may already have a multi-car transporter making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots occupied, & they are simply looking to ensure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, & pick-up/drop-off locations are convenient for you, you can often save up to 75% on vehicle transport by using our service.
Environmentally Friendly - Using Shiply for vehicle transport is not only less expensive but also more environmentally friendly! In the previous example, if your automobile did not get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate auto shipper, the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be required just for your vehicle. Similarly, many auto 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 vehicles in the opposite direction! Many of the vehicle transporters on Shiply are also looking to fill their trailers on return trips, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being emitted into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Preparing Your Automobile for Shipping
If you have selected a vehicle transport company to transport your automobile & feel confident using them, it's time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Documents - It is crucial to ensure that any necessary documents 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 determine 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, 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 assess the condition of the vehicle upon arrival.
Photographic Evidence - One very important thing to do when preparing your vehicle for the auto 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 auto 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 auto 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 auto transport service has not done so.
Check Mileage - This is more relevant to auto 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 vehicle transport company you used through Shiply so that others can browse auto shipping services with the same peace of mind.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have answered some of the most asked questions about auto shipping:
How much to ship a car?
Auto 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 most economical way to ship a car.
How do I pay for my vehicle transport?
This is down to each individual vehicle transport company on Shiply & is something you should discuss with your chosen auto delivery service before confirming the delivery. Most companies will be flexible with payment options, however.
Can I track my auto transport online?
Each auto 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 auto transport companies to confirm that this is possible with them.
Does someone have to be present for pickup & delivery?
In most cases, the auto 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 auto shipment?
Most auto 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.
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