What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also referred to as car shipping or auto transport, is a service offered by car shipping companies that involves collecting your automobile from one location & transporting it to another. It's beneficial for shipping a vehicle in various circumstances where you're unable to drive 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. Car shipping services can also be extremely useful when you need to transport your car overseas & ferries aren't an option, requiring you to depend on an auto transport company to manage the job.
Luckily, there are numerous car transport services available to fulfill your specific requirements, which we'll discuss below.
Types Of Vehicle Transportation Services
Here's an overview of the various vehicle transportation services available. It's advantageous to read through & identify the precise type of car shipping service you need 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 transport or shipping a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated pick-up & drop-off points, often the car transport company's stores or operating bases, are used. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is typically less expensive but requires more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. However, most people need a door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their cars are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country car transport or just moving a vehicle to another state. This is often preferable as it eliminates the need to go somewhere else to retrieve your car, which can be challenging without your automobile in the first place!
Car transport services generally fall into two categories: having someone drive your vehicle to the destination or putting it on a trailer & transporting it.
Have Someone Drive Your Vehicle
This straightforward solution to car shipping involves hiring someone to drive your automobile to the desired location, whether you need to ship a car across the country or to another state. The advantages of this auto transport method are that it's often less expensive, 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 car shipping companies that lead some people to choose other types of car transport. Firstly, mileage is added to your vehicle during the journey, which can be significant when shipping a car across the country, less so when shipping a car to a nearby state. Secondly, there's a slight risk of damage occurring to your automobile 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 exact condition as advertised.
Put Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Putting your automobile in a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone drive your car to its destination. With car shipping trailers, there are multiple options available depending on the value & size of your vehicle.
First, you need to decide whether you want a single trailer for your automobile. These are often more expensive as they only transport one car at a time but are a great choice if you're moving an expensive or classic vehicle that you don't want to risk getting damaged. The safest way to transport a car 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 car shipping by any car shipping company is the least expensive & most common option when transporting a vehicle. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. All cars are securely fastened, but as the name suggests, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so car shipping companies may not recommend this for highly valuable vehicles. Furthermore, while it may be the cheapest way to ship a car cross country, long journeys in open trailers obviously pose a higher risk of damage & leave your automobile exposed to the elements for extended periods.
Enclosed auto transport involves multiple cars 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 vehicles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during auto transport.
If you need to move your vehicle overseas through an auto transport company, try to find a specialist service on our platform or one with experience in overseas car shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Vehicle?
Several variables affect the cost of shipping a car, 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 & 500 miles, & $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles.
These figures are just averages for car moving companies, & your car transport may cost more or less depending on the circumstances. The best way to find out how much auto transport will cost you is to collect car shipping quotes from car transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
If you want to estimate how much you can expect your car 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 Vehicle Transportation
We all want cheap car transport, but several factors & variables can impact the cost of your car shipping. Here are the main ones to consider:
As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of your car transport, with cross-state & cross-country journeys costing much more than interstate car delivery, which is often the cheapest car shipping option.
While longer distances do cost more, fortunately, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases, ensuring you're not paying excessively.
International shipping always results in expensive car shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring a vehicle overseas & the distance it needs to travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your automobile.
Route - Along with distance, the route required to take your car from its pick-up spot to its delivery spot 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 added time. Similarly, unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could also incur extra costs from the car moving companies or necessitate a different, longer route.
Shipping Dates - How quickly you need your car transportation service to operate can also affect the price. If you can be flexible with timings, you may find that your car shipping service charges significantly less. This is because they can fit your vehicle 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 car 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 vehicle. Car shippers will require larger trailers for bigger vehicles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. Additionally, always inform the auto transport company about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on the car, as these can also change the size of the trailer required for the delivery.
Vehicle Condition - If your automobile 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 & unload your car from the trailer. For example, if your vehicle has a locked wheel, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto a trailer & off again, requiring more time, effort & machinery to complete the delivery compared to a standard car transport service. Most car carriers consider a car that can brake, roll & steer to be in good enough condition to ship easily.
Auto Transport Service Type - The type of auto transport service you select will also affect the cost of your car shipping. Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination will always be the least expensive option, as you're 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 car shipping is always the most expensive method of shipping a car, as it means your automobile travels alone & still needs specialist equipment to load, unload & protect it during transport.
Locations Of Pickup & Delivery - The pickup & drop-off locations can also impact the price of shipping a car. Urban areas usually have car shipping services in close proximity, & if it's a common destination route, you'll tend to get cheap car shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. If a pick-up or drop-off point is in an unusual or hard-to-access space, extra steps may be needed 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 doesn't offer cargo insurance, it's highly recommended that you seek out & acquire some for your vehicle during its transit. As with all insurance policies, make sure you understand what type of damage is covered, whether there's 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 car shipping, with many services costing more to ship a car in the winter due to ice & snow slowing the routes. Here's a quick breakdown of how each season can affect auto transport costs:
Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your vehicle. Ice, snow & blizzard conditions can all cause delays on the roads & reduce the maximum speed at which the car delivery service can transport cars. December is typically a difficult 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 a great time to ship your vehicle with a car 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 car. 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 cars - the days are the longest in the year, students are traveling home from universities, employees take vacations & it's 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 cheap car shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship a car if you're looking for a slightly cheaper price. Car shipping companies are less busy & 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 know more about what car shipping & a car shipping service are & what sort of auto transport service you need, you probably want to go ahead & find a car transport service that's right for you.
The issue is that there are hundreds of car transport companies out there. Trying to find them on Google can result in scrolling through numerous pages trying to find the best car shipping company for 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 & 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 car shipping service, actually 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 car that needs shipping, the pickup 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'll 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 when they are available (if a time frame is given), what insurance they have & how they would secure your car. We recommend asking any company you may use these questions to ensure that everything goes smoothly & as expected.
Shiply has a feedback & ratings system, which we highly recommend looking at before selecting a quote to ship your vehicle. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company & see their overall score.
Port Huron, Michigan, US - A Popular Destination for Car Shipping
Port Huron, located in Michigan, US, is a popular destination for car shipping. Many people often move cars to & from Port Huron for various reasons. As a border city with Canada, Port Huron sees a lot of vehicle traffic, with people shipping cars across the border for personal or business purposes. Additionally, Port Huron is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors who may need to ship their cars to the city for their stay.
The city's proximity to major highways, such as I-94 & I-69, makes it easily accessible for car shipping companies. This accessibility, combined with the high demand for car shipping services in the area, has made Port Huron a hub for auto transport. Whether you're moving to Port Huron, visiting the city, or need to transport a vehicle across the border, you can easily find reliable car shipping services to & from Port Huron, Michigan, US.
When searching for car shipping services in Port Huron, it's essential to consider factors such as the company's reputation, experience, insurance coverage & pricing. By using platforms like Shiply, you can easily compare quotes from multiple car shipping companies serving the Port Huron area, ensuring that you find the best service for your needs & budget.
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The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Port Huron
Time-Saving - Instead of completing a quotation form each time you desire a precise price from a company on transporting your automobile, on our platform you only complete one quotation form & then can receive quotes based on the information you supply from several businesses. This can save you hours of time you would've had to invest calling up companies & filling in forms.
Communication with these businesses is all possible through our platform as well, allowing you to store all of your car shipping port huron details in one location.
Price Comparison - The Primary Factor
When it comes down to it, the price of the car shipping estimate is the most significant factor in selecting which auto transport company to utilize to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most companies are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite car transport estimate without supplying info & completing details. While this is understandable, it does mean that price comparison & obtaining a car transport estimate isn't exactly a breeze.
Utilizing Shiply allows you to receive genuine, final price estimates from port huron car shipping businesses & compare them in one location, providing you the ability to message them individually to ask any questions & ultimately decide on the best one for you.
Inexpensive Car Shipping - The Budget-Friendly Way
Auto transport businesses on Shiply are typically able to provide their services for 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 & have already invested the cost for. Say, for example, you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your vehicle there. On Shiply, a company may already have a multi-car transporter making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots filled, & they are just looking to ensure they aren't wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, & pick-up/drop-off locations work for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service!
Better For The Environment - The Eco-Friendly Choice
Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it's also better for the environment! In the above example, if your car didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be needed just for your vehicle.
Similarly, many car transporters return from a delivery empty-handed, which is not only costly for them but also for the environment as there are lots of people who could have used that transporter to move their cars in the other direction! Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are looking to fill their trailers on return trips too, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued inexpensive transport for our users.
Readying For Your Car To Be Transported
If you've decided on an auto transport company to move your vehicle & feel secure using them, then it's time to ready your car for shipping. We recommend following these steps:
Documents - It's important to ensure that any documents you may need are available at pick up or drop off, especially if you are selling your car.
Cleaning - You should take care to remove all personal items from your car prior to shipping, for the obvious reason that you don't want to risk them getting lost or damaged in transit. It's also highly recommended that you clean your vehicle before transport as this will allow you to see its condition & notice any damages that may occur during delivery.
Running Condition - If the car will be driven at any point during shipping or driven home from the drop-off location then you should ensure that it's in running condition. This means ensuring that there's enough fluid, as well as checking battery charge & tire pressure levels. Again this can also help you better judge the car's condition upon arrival.
Photographic Evidence - One very important thing to do when readying your car for the car delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photos of all parts of the vehicle. This gives you 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, & engines should all be checked immediately to ensure that the vehicle is in the expected condition, as well as enable you to immediately raise concerns with the car delivery service should anything not be working as it should.
Exterior Condition - You can compare the exterior of the car to the photos taken of it before to see whether any extra damage has occurred. Shipping a vehicle can, in rare cases, cause damage, & 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 vehicle is driven to the destination but it can help to check the mileage to ensure that it matches up with the trip taken.
We would greatly appreciate it if you could also leave a review for the auto transport company you used through Shiply so that others can browse car shipping services with the same peace of mind!
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have answered some of the most asked questions about car shipping:
How much to ship a car? Car shipping prices can vary drastically depending on the circumstances, but on average a trip should cost you around $2.92 per mile if the trip is less than 200 miles, $0.93 if the trip is between 200 & 500 miles, & if the trip is over 1,000 miles then this drops to $0.78.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car? Having someone drive your car to its destination is the most affordable way to ship a vehicle, however, if you need a trailer then a multi-car transporter will be your best option with regard to the most inexpensive way to ship a car.
How do I pay for my auto transport? This is down to each individual auto transport company on Shiply & is something you should discuss with your chosen 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 & delivery? In most cases, the car 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 car 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, & 2. Any items in the car will not be covered by insurance for the transport of the vehicle 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 car 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 car 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 car 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!
