What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also referred to as car shipping or auto transport, is a service offered by vehicle shipping companies that involves collecting your automobile from one location & transporting it to another. This service is beneficial in various circumstances where you are unable to drive the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online & need to transport it to another state, relocating & requiring cross-country vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are not an option.
Luckily, there are numerous vehicle transport services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we will explore below.
Categories Of Vehicle Shipping Services
When it comes to vehicle shipping services, there are several crucial decisions you need to make. Firstly, you must decide where you want your automobile collected from & 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 & drop-off points are used, often at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this alternative is typically less expensive, it requires more effort on your part to get the automobile home.
However, most individuals 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 simply shipping a car to another state. This option is more convenient as it eliminates the need to collect your automobile from a separate location, which can be challenging without your vehicle.
Vehicle transport services can be categorized into two main types: having someone drive your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Drive Your Vehicle
Hiring someone to drive your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether you need to ship a car across the country or to another state. This approach is often less expensive as it doesn't require trailers or an extra vehicle, & it can be quicker due to its simplicity.
However, there are some drawbacks to this approach that lead some individuals to choose other vehicle transport options. Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be significant when shipping a car across the country, although less so when shipping to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your vehicle during the drive. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Put Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Using a trailer to transport your automobile is a safer option that guarantees a higher level of protection compared to having someone drive your vehicle. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile.
Single trailers are often more expensive as they only transport one vehicle at a time, but they are an excellent choice for moving expensive or classic cars that you want to protect from potential damage. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, although this is the most expensive option.
Multi-car transporters, which can carry several vehicles at once, come in a few variants:
Open vehicle shipping is the cheapest & most common option offered by vehicle shipping companies. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all vehicles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making this option less suitable for highly valuable automobiles. Additionally, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage & prolonged exposure to the elements.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier that is enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during auto transport.
If you need to move your automobile 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, US auto transport companies 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 are just averages, & 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 various vehicle transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
To get a better 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 Vehicle Transport
While we all want cheap vehicle transport, several factors & variables can impact the cost of your vehicle shipping. Here are the main ones to consider:
Distance: As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of vehicle transport. Cross-state & cross-country journeys are more expensive than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the cheapest option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases, so you won't be paying excessively for longer distances.
International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always more expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance the automobile needs to travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container.
Route: Along with distance, the route taken to transport your vehicle from its pick-up spot to its delivery location can affect the pricing of your vehicle carrier service. Routes with higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more than quieter roads due to the additional time required. Unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could also incur extra costs or necessitate a longer alternative route.
Shipping Dates: The speed at which you need your vehicle transportation service to operate can also impact the price. If you have flexibility in your timings, you may find that your vehicle shipping service charges less, as 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 (known as expedited shipping), it will typically cost more, as the vehicle transport company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver specifically for your delivery.
Vehicle Size: The height, length, & width of your automobile will all affect the cost of transport. Vehicle shippers will require larger trailers for bigger automobiles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. Be sure to inform the auto transport company about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on your vehicle, as these can change the size of the trailer required for delivery.
Vehicle Condition: If your automobile is not in drivable condition, it may increase the cost of auto transport. This is because extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, may be needed to load & unload your vehicle from the trailer. For example, if your vehicle has a locked wheel, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto & off the trailer, requiring more time, effort, & machinery to complete the delivery compared to a standard vehicle transport service. Most vehicle 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 auto transport service you choose will also affect the cost of your vehicle shipping. Having someone drive your automobile to its destination is always the cheapest option, as you are essentially just paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single vehicle trailers & enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive, as they require extra equipment. Enclosed vehicle shipping is the most expensive method of shipping an automobile, as it involves your vehicle traveling alone & still requires specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
Locations Of Pickup & Delivery: The locations where you need your vehicle picked up & dropped off can also impact the price of shipping. Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services in close proximity, & if it's a common destination route, you'll often find cheap vehicle 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 space, extra steps may be needed to load your automobile, which can also increase the vehicle shipping cost.
Auto Transport Insurance: While all auto transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance, as it is not legally required. If a vehicle transport company does not offer cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you seek out & acquire some for your automobile 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, & any other relevant details.
Time Of Year: Seasonality can also affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more to ship an automobile in the winter due to ice & snow slowing down routes. Here's a quick breakdown of how each season can affect auto transport costs:
Winter: Often the most expensive season to ship your automobile, as ice, snow, & blizzard conditions can cause delays & reduce the maximum speed at which the vehicle delivery service can transport vehicles. December is typically a difficult time to have an automobile 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, & great rates are often available from vehicle shipping services during this month.
Spring: A great 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 cheap rates & 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 vehicles from colder to warmer states.
Summer: The prime season for shipping vehicles, with the longest days of the year, students traveling home from universities, employees taking vacations, & a popular time to move house. June, July, & August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, so don't expect cheap vehicle shipping during the summer.
Fall: A good time to ship a vehicle if you're looking for a slightly cheaper price. Vehicle shipping companies are less busy, & there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. However, it's better to move your automobile in October or November rather than September, which 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 & vehicle shipping services 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 lies in the fact that there are hundreds of vehicle transport companies out there. Searching for them on Google can result in scrolling through numerous 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 Auto Transport Companies?
Given the numerous options & variables involved in finding a vehicle shipping service, the task of searching for & finding 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 vehicle that needs shipping, the pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the automobile. This information allows the auto transport providers on Shiply to provide you with accurate quotes for your job.
Once your listing is live, you will 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 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 offer, & how they would secure your vehicle. 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 automobile. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company, as well as their overall score.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Muskegon, Michigan
Muskegon, Michigan, is a city located on the shores of Lake Michigan, known for its beautiful beaches, outdoor recreation opportunities, & thriving business community. Many people move vehicles to & from Muskegon for various reasons, including:
Relocation: Muskegon is a popular destination for those looking to relocate, whether for work, family, or a change of scenery. When moving to Muskegon, many people choose to ship their vehicles using vehicle shipping muskegon services to ensure a smooth transition.
Seasonal Living: Some people own second homes or vacation properties in Muskegon & may need to transport their automobiles between their primary residence & Muskegon throughout the year. Muskegon vehicle shipping services make it easy to move vehicles back & forth as needed.
Auto Dealerships: Muskegon is home to several auto dealerships, which may require vehicle shipping services to transport automobiles to & from their locations. This is particularly common when dealerships buy or sell vehicles at auctions or need to move inventory between different dealerships.
College Students: Muskegon is home to Muskegon Community College & is located near other higher education institutions. College students often use vehicle shipping services to transport their automobiles to & from Muskegon at the beginning & end of the academic year, or when studying abroad.
Whether you're moving to Muskegon, own a second home in the area, or need to transport an automobile for any other reason, vehicle shipping muskegon services & muskegon vehicle shipping companies can help make the process easy & stress-free.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Auto Transport in Muskegon
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate price from a company for Muskegon auto transport, on our platform you complete one quotation form and can then obtain quotes from various companies based on the information you submit. This can save you a significant amount 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 of your auto shipping details in one location.
Price Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the auto shipping quote is the most crucial factor in choosing which vehicle transport company to employ to transport your car. The challenge is that, while most companies are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't receive a definite auto transport quote without having to supply information and complete details. Although this is understandable, it means that comparing prices and obtaining an auto transport quote is not a simple task. Utilizing Shiply enables you to receive authentic, final price quotes from auto shipping companies and compare them in one place, providing the opportunity to message them individually to ask any questions you may have and ultimately choose the best company for your needs.
Affordable Auto Shipping in Muskegon - Vehicle transport companies on Shiply can typically 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 the cost for. For instance, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York and needed to transport your car there, a company on Shiply may already have a multi-car transporter making that trip 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 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 more affordable but also more environmentally friendly. In the example above, if your car didn't get on that multi-car transporter and 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 car. 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 cars in the opposite direction. Many of the vehicle 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 selected a vehicle transport company to move your car and feel confident using them, it's time to prepare your car 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 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 ensuring that there is enough fluid, as well as checking battery charge and 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 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, and 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, and 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 and 500 miles, and if the journey is over 1,000 miles, 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 cheapest way to ship a car.
How do I pay for my vehicle transport? This is down to each individual vehicle transport company on Shiply and 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 and delivery? In most cases, the auto 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 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, 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 job and has the right equipment to safely carry it out.
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