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 & delivering it to another. This service is beneficial in various situations where you cannot operate the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online, relocating to a new residence, or transporting a vehicle across the country. Auto transport services can also be useful when you need to ship your car overseas, and unless ferry services are available, you will need to depend on a vehicle transport company to manage the task for you.
Luckily, there are several vehicle transport services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we will discuss below.
Types Of Vehicle Transport Services
When it comes to vehicle transport services, there are a few choices to consider. The first decision you need to make is where you want your car collected from and delivered to, whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or shipping a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection and drop-off points are used, often at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is generally more affordable, it requires more effort on your part to get the vehicle home.
Most people, however, prefer a door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their vehicles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or just shipping a car to another state. This option is more convenient as it eliminates the need to travel to collect your car, which can be challenging without your vehicle in the first place!
Vehicle transport services are typically divided into two categories: having someone operate your car to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
One straightforward solution to vehicle shipping is hiring someone to operate your car to its destination, whether you need to transport a vehicle across the country or to another state. The benefits of this auto transport method include lower costs, as trailers and an extra vehicle are not required, and faster delivery due to the simplicity of the transport process.
However, there are some drawbacks to this method offered by vehicle shipping companies that lead some people to choose other types of vehicle transport. Firstly, mileage is added to your car during the journey, which can be significant when transporting a vehicle across the country, although less so when shipping a car to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your vehicle while it is being operated 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 car on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection compared to having someone operate your vehicle to its destination. When it comes to vehicle shipping trailers, there are several options available depending on the value and size of your car.
Firstly, you 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 valuable or classic vehicle that you don't want to risk damaging. The safest way to transport a car is to place it in a shipping container, but this is by far the most expensive option.
The other option is a multi-car transporter, which can ship several vehicles at once. There are a few variants of multi-car transporters:
Open vehicle shipping is the cheapest and most common option when transporting a car. Your vehicle is placed on an open carrier and 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 option for highly valuable vehicles. Additionally, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage and expose your car to the elements for extended periods.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple cars on a carrier, but they are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, and debris during transit. This option is often preferable 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 car overseas, it's best to find a specialist service on our platform or one with experience in overseas vehicle shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Vehicle?
The cost of shipping a vehicle varies depending on several factors, but on average, auto 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 figures are just averages, and your vehicle transport cost may be higher or lower depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to obtain vehicle shipping quotes from multiple vehicle transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
To get an idea of what factors can affect the price of vehicle transport services, take a look at the information below.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Auto Transport
While we all want affordable vehicle transport, several factors and variables can impact the cost of vehicle shipping. Let's explore the main ones to help you understand whether your auto transport requirements will be expensive or affordable.
As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of vehicle transport, with cross-state and cross-country journeys being more expensive than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the cheapest option.
Although longer distances cost more, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases, ensuring that you aren't paying excessively.
International shipping always results 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.
The route required to transport your car from its collection spot to its delivery location can also 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 incur extra costs from the vehicle moving companies or necessitate a different, longer route.
The speed at which you need your vehicle transportation service to operate can also impact the price. If you are flexible with timings, you may find that your vehicle shipping service charges less, as they can fit your car delivery into their schedule and 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, as the vehicle transport company may need to dedicate a trailer and driver specifically for your delivery.
The height, length, and width of the car will all affect the cost of transporting your vehicle. Vehicle shippers will require larger trailers for bigger cars, 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 change the size of the trailer required for the delivery.
If your car is not in drivable condition, it may increase the cost of your auto transport. This is because it may require extra 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 vehicle transport service. Most vehicle carriers consider a car that can brake, roll, and steer to be in good enough condition to ship easily.
The type of auto transport service you select will also affect the cost of your vehicle shipping. Having someone operate your car to its destination will always be the cheapest option, as you are essentially just paying for the driver's time and fuel. Single vehicle trailers and enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive, as they require extra equipment. Enclosed vehicle shipping is always the most expensive method of shipping a car, as it means your vehicle travels alone and still requires specialist equipment to load, unload, and protect your car during transport.
The locations of pickup and delivery can also impact the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services in close proximity, and if it is a common destination route, you will tend to get affordable vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes and extra mileage for the company. If a collection or drop-off point is in an unusual or hard-to-access space, extra steps may be needed to load your car, which can also increase the vehicle shipping cost.
While all auto transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance, as it is not required by law. If a vehicle transport company does not offer cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you seek out and acquire some for your car during its transit. As with all insurance policies, make sure you are clear on what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, what parts of the vehicle are covered by the insurance, and any other questions you may have.
Seasonality can also affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more to ship a car in the winter due to ice and snow slowing the routes. Here is a quick breakdown of how each season can affect auto transport costs:
Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your car. Ice, snow, and blizzard conditions can all cause delays on the roads and reduce the maximum speed at which the vehicle delivery service can transport cars. December is typically a difficult 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, and great rates are often available from vehicle shipping services during this month.
Spring is a great time to ship your car with a vehicle transportation service. With improved weather conditions, longer days, and more drivers ready to work, Spring can often mean affordable rates and high availability when it comes to moving your vehicle. March is often 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 is 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 affordable vehicle shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship a car if you are looking for a slightly cheaper price. Vehicle shipping companies are less busy, and 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 vehicles to university.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
Now that you have a better understanding of what vehicle shipping and a vehicle shipping service entail, as well as the type of auto transport service you need, you probably want to go ahead and find a vehicle transport service that is right for you.
The challenge 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, and the same is true if you were to go through phone books. Moreover, many of these companies are reluctant to provide pricing, meaning you will 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 vehicle shipping service, searching for and finding the right one can seem like a daunting task, and 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 car. This information allows the auto transport providers on Shiply to provide you with an accurate quote for your job.
Once your listing is live, you will receive quotes in your Shiply inbox and to your email. We recommend keeping email notifications turned on so that you can be immediately notified 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 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 car. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company, as well as their overall score.
Brockton, Massachusetts, US - Vehicle Shipping
Brockton, located in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, is a city with a population of approximately 95,000 people. Many individuals often move vehicles to and from Brockton for various reasons, such as relocating for work, buying or selling a car, or transporting a vehicle to a family member or friend.
When it comes to vehicle shipping in Brockton, there are several options available. Brockton vehicle shipping companies offer a range of services, including open and enclosed transport, door-to-door delivery, and terminal-to-terminal shipping. These services cater to the diverse needs of individuals and businesses in the area.
One of the main reasons people move vehicles to and from Brockton is due to its proximity to major cities like Boston and Providence. Brockton is situated about 25 miles south of Boston and 30 miles northeast of Providence, making it a convenient location for those commuting to these cities for work or leisure.
Additionally, Brockton is home to several colleges and universities, such as Massasoit Community College and Bridgewater State University. Students attending these institutions often require vehicle shipping services when moving to and from the area for the academic year.
When searching for vehicle shipping in Brockton, it's essential to compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best deal and service that suits your needs. Shiply can help simplify this process by connecting you with reliable and experienced Brockton vehicle shipping companies, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience when transporting your car to or from the city.
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The Benefits of Using Shiply for Auto Transport in Brockton
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate estimate from a company on Brockton 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 hours of time you would have spent phoning companies & inputting details. Communication with these businesses is also feasible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your auto shipping details 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 actually receive a definite auto transport quote without having to give information & complete details. While this is understandable, it means that rate comparison & obtaining an auto transport quote is not exactly a simple process. Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, 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 you.
Affordable Auto Shipping - Vehicle transport companies 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 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 filled, & they are just 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 - Not only is using Shiply for vehicle transport more affordable, but it is also more environmentally friendly. In the above example, if your automobile didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate auto shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be needed just for your automobile. 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 transport their automobiles 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 chosen a vehicle transport company to transport your automobile & feel confident using them, then it's time to prepare your automobile 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 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 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 auto 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 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 automobile 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 ascertain whether any extra damage has occurred. Shipping an automobile 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 automobile 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 an automobile? 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 most affordable way to ship an automobile? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the most affordable 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 most affordable way to ship an automobile.
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 auto 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 automobile 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 automobile 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.
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