What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also known as car shipping or auto transport, is a service offered by auto transport companies that involves collecting your vehicle from one location & transporting it to another. It's beneficial for shipping a car in various situations where you're unable to drive the vehicle yourself. For instance, you might be buying or selling a used car online and need to transport it to another state, or maybe you've recently moved and need to ship your car across the country. Auto transport services can also be extremely useful when you need to transport your vehicle overseas and ferries aren't available, requiring you to depend on a car shipping company to manage the task.
Luckily, there are several vehicle transport services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we'll discuss below.
Types Of Car Shipping Services
When it comes to car shipping services, there are a few options to consider. It's crucial to comprehend the different types of auto transportation services available so you can select the one that best suits your needs, whether you're seeking cross-country vehicle transport or shipping a car to another state.
The first decision you'll need to make is where you want your vehicle picked up from & delivered to. Terminal-to-terminal car delivery is an option, where designated collection and drop-off points are used, often at the auto transport company's stores or operating bases. While terminal-to-terminal car delivery is typically less expensive, it does require more effort on your part to get the vehicle home.
Most people, however, opt for a door-to-door car transport delivery service, regardless of whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or just shipping a car to another state. With this option, your vehicle is collected and dropped off right at your doorstep. This is often more convenient as you don't need to arrange transportation to collect your vehicle - something that can be challenging without your car in the first place!
Auto transport services are typically divided into two categories: having someone drive your vehicle to its destination or loading it onto a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Drive Your Vehicle
One straightforward solution for vehicle shipping is to hire someone to drive your car to its destination, whether you need to transport a car across the country or to another state. The benefits of this car transport method include lower costs, as trailers and an extra vehicle aren't required, and faster delivery due to the simplicity of the shipping process.
However, there are some drawbacks to this method offered by auto transport companies that lead some people to choose other types of vehicle transport. Firstly, mileage is added to your vehicle during the journey, which can be significant when shipping a car across the country, though less so when shipping a car to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your vehicle while it's 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 same condition as advertised.
Put Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Placing your vehicle on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection compared to having someone drive your car to its destination. When it comes to auto shipping trailers, there are several options available depending on the value and size of your vehicle.
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're a great choice if you're moving an expensive or classic car that you don't want to risk damaging. The safest way to transport a vehicle is to place it in a shipping container, but this is by far the most costly option.
The other option is a multi-car transporter, which can move many vehicles at once. There are a few variants of multi-car transporters:
Open vehicle shipping by any auto transport company is the most affordable and common option for transporting a car. 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 the drive, so car shipping companies may not recommend this method for highly valuable vehicles. Additionally, long journeys in open trailers pose a greater risk of damage and expose your vehicle to the elements for extended periods, even though it may be the cheapest way to ship a car cross country.
Enclosed car transport involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier, but they are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, and debris during transit. This is often the preferred choice for more expensive or newer vehicles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during auto transport.
If you need to move your vehicle 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 Ship A Vehicle?
The cost of shipping a vehicle varies based 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 for journeys between 200 and 500 miles, and $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles.
However, these are just averages for vehicle moving companies, and your car transport may cost more or less depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to obtain vehicle shipping quotes from multiple car transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
If you want to get a rough idea of how much you can expect your vehicle delivery to cost, consider the factors that can affect the price of car transport services, which we'll discuss below.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Car Transport
While we all want cheap vehicle transport, several factors and variables can impact the cost of your car shipping. Let's explore the main ones so you can get a general idea of whether your auto transport requirements will be expensive or affordable.
As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of your vehicle transport. Cross-state and cross-country journeys will cost more than interstate car delivery, which is often the cheapest option.
Although longer distances do cost more, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases, ensuring you're not paying excessively.
International shipping will always result in expensive vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring a car overseas and the distance it needs to travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your vehicle.
Route - Along with distance, the route required to take your vehicle from its pick-up spot to its delivery location can affect the pricing of your car carrier service. Routes with known higher traffic, such as in LA, may end up costing 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 car transportation service to operate can also impact the price. If you have flexibility in timings, you may find that your vehicle shipping service charges significantly less. This is because they can fit your vehicle delivery into their schedule and reduce overheads, passing the savings on to you. However, if you require auto transport within a strict timeframe (often referred to as expedited shipping), it will typically cost more due to the car transport company likely having to dedicate a trailer and driver solely for your delivery.
Vehicle Size - The height, length, and width of the vehicle will all affect the cost of transporting your vehicle. Car shippers will require larger trailers for bigger vehicles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. It's essential to 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 car is not in a drivable condition, it may increase the cost of your auto transport. This is because it may require additional equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load and 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 and off again, requiring more time, effort, and machinery to complete the delivery compared to a standard car transport service. Most car carriers consider a vehicle that can brake, roll, and steer to be in good enough condition for easy shipping.
Auto Transport Service Type - The type of auto transport service you choose will also affect the cost of your vehicle shipping. Having someone drive your car to its destination will always be the most affordable option, as you're essentially just paying for the driver's time and fuel. On the other hand, single car trailers and enclosed transport will likely be more expensive, as they require specialized equipment. Enclosed vehicle shipping is always the most expensive method of shipping a car, as it means your vehicle travels alone and still requires specialized equipment for loading, unloading, and protection during transport.
Locations Of Pickup And Delivery - The locations of the vehicle's pick-up and drop-off points can also impact the price of shipping a car. Urban areas typically have car shipping services in close proximity, and if it's a common destination route, you'll generally find cheap vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes and 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 vehicle, which can also increase the car shipping cost.
Auto Transport Insurance - While all auto transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance, as it's not legally required. If a car transport company does not provide cargo insurance, it's highly recommended that you seek out and acquire coverage for your vehicle during 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 vehicle are covered by the insurance, and any other relevant questions you may have.
Time Of Year - Seasonality can also affect the price of car shipping, with many services costing more to ship a vehicle in the winter due to ice and snow slowing down routes. Here's a quick breakdown of how each season can impact auto transport costs:
Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your vehicle. Ice, snow, and blizzard conditions can cause delays on the roads and reduce the maximum speed at which the car delivery service can transport vehicles. December is typically a challenging time to have a vehicle 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 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, and more drivers ready to work, Spring often means affordable rates and high availability when it comes to moving your vehicle. 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, and it's also a very popular time to move house. This means that June, July, and August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, and you should not expect cheap vehicle shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship a car if you're looking for slightly cheaper prices. Car shipping companies are less busy, and there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. However, you're better off looking to move your vehicle in October or November rather than September, as this is peak time for students shipping their cars to university.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
Now that you have a better understanding of what car shipping and a car shipping service entail, as well as the type of auto transport service you need, you're probably ready to find a vehicle transport service that's right for you.
The challenge is that there are hundreds of car transport companies out there. Trying to find them on Google can result in scrolling through countless pages to find the best car 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'll likely need to apply for a quote and 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 and variables involved in finding a car shipping service, searching for and 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 and model of the vehicle that needs shipping, the pickup location and delivery location, and the dates you need to move the vehicle. This provides the auto transport providers on Shiply with enough information to provide you with an accurate quote for your job.
Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox and to your email. We recommend keeping email notifications turned on so you can be immediately notified when a new quote comes through. Quotes can start coming in within a few minutes of posting your listing, but we always recommend 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 have, and how they would secure your vehicle. We recommend asking any company you may use these questions to ensure that everything goes smoothly and as expected.
Shiply has a feedback and 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, as well as their overall score.
Vehicle Shipping Attleboro
Attleboro, Massachusetts, US is a popular location for people to move their vehicles to and from. Many individuals relocate to Attleboro for work, family, or personal reasons, and they often need to transport their cars as well. Attleboro vehicle shipping services are in high demand, as they provide a convenient and safe way to move cars to and from the city.
When looking for vehicle shipping in Attleboro, it's essential to choose a reputable and experienced company. Shiply can help you find reliable Attleboro vehicle shipping providers who can ensure your car arrives at its destination safely and on time. Whether you're moving to or from Attleboro, our platform makes it easy to compare quotes and find the best car shipping service for your needs.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Car Shipping in Attleboro
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form every time you desire an accurate price from an attleboro car shipping company, on our platform, you complete a single quote form and can then obtain quotes from various companies based on the information you submit. This can save you hours of time that you would have spent contacting companies and completing forms. Communication with these companies is also possible through our platform, allowing you to keep all your car shipping details in one location.
Price Comparison - Ultimately, the cost of the car shipping quote is the most crucial factor in selecting which auto transport company to use for shipping your vehicle. The challenge is that while most companies are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't receive a definite car transport quote without supplying information and filling in details. Although this is understandable, it means that comparing prices and obtaining a car transport quote is not a simple task. Using Shiply enables you to receive genuine, final price quotes from car shipping companies and compare them in one place, offering the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have and ultimately choose the best company for your needs.
Affordable Attleboro Car Shipping - Auto transport companies on Shiply can usually offer their services at 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 and have already invested in the cost. For example, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York and needed to transport your car there, a company on Shiply might already have a multi-car transporter making that journey with 5 of the 6 spots filled, and they are simply looking to ensure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, and pick-up/drop-off locations are suitable for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by utilizing our service.
Environmentally Friendly - Using Shiply for auto transport is not only more economical but also more environmentally friendly! In the previous example, if your car didn't get on that multi-car transporter and instead, you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire journey would be required just for your vehicle. Similarly, many car transporters return empty-handed after a delivery, which is not only expensive for them but also harmful to the environment, as there are many people who could have utilized that transporter to move their cars in the opposite direction! Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are also looking to fill their trailers on return trips, resulting in even less wasted CO2 being emitted into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Preparing Your Car for Shipping
If you have chosen an auto transport company to transport your car and feel confident using them, it's time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. We recommend 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 during transit. It is also highly recommended that you clean your vehicle before transport, as this will allow you to assess its condition and 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 checking fluid levels, battery charge, and tire pressure. Again, this can also help you better evaluate the condition of the vehicle upon arrival.
Photographic Evidence - One very important step 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, and engines should all be checked immediately to ensure that the car is in the expected condition and to enable you to promptly 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 before to determine whether any additional damage has occurred. Shipping a car can, in rare cases, cause damage, and 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 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 commonly asked questions about car shipping:
How much does it cost to ship a car? Car shipping prices can vary significantly 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 and 500 miles, and if the journey is over 1,000 miles, this drops to $0.78.
What is the most economical way to ship a car? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the most economical way to ship a car. However, if you require a trailer, then a multi-car transporter will be your best option in terms of the most economical way to ship a car.
How do I pay for my auto transport? This is dependent on each individual auto transport company on Shiply and 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 and delivery? In most cases, the car shipping company will require you to be in attendance for the pickup and 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, and 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 and 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 and 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 and has the right equipment to safely carry it out.
,378 words
