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 operating the vehicle yourself is not practical, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online, relocating to a new residence, or moving your automobile overseas. Vehicle shipping services provide a practical solution for individuals who need to transfer their vehicles without the inconvenience of driving long distances.
Auto transport companies provide a variety of services to accommodate different requirements, including terminal-to-terminal delivery, door-to-door delivery, and international shipping. Terminal-to-terminal delivery involves designated collection and drop-off points, typically at the car transport company's stores or operating bases, which can be more cost-effective but requires extra effort on the customer's part. Door-to-door delivery, in contrast, is more convenient as the automobile is collected and dropped off at the customer's doorstep, regardless of the distance.
When it comes to the actual transportation method, vehicle shipping services generally fall into two categories: having someone operate your car to the destination or placing it on a trailer. Hiring a driver is often more affordable as it eliminates the need for additional equipment, but it does add mileage to your automobile and carries a slight risk of damage during the journey. Transporting your vehicle on a trailer offers a higher level of safety, with options such as single trailers for expensive or classic cars, shipping containers for maximum protection, and multi-car transporters, which can be open or enclosed.
Types Of Vehicle Transport Services
When considering vehicle shipping, it's crucial to understand the various auto transport services available to ensure you select the best option for your needs. Whether you require cross-country car transport, shipping a car to another state, or even international vehicle transportation, there are several factors to consider.
Open car shipping is the most common and cost-effective option, where your automobile is securely placed on an open carrier and driven to its destination. While this method exposes your car to the elements during transit, it remains a popular choice for many individuals. Enclosed auto transport, on the other hand, offers added protection by securing multiple cars in an enclosed carrier, shielding them from dust, weather, and debris. This option is often preferred for more expensive or newer vehicles to minimize the risk of damage during transport.
For those needing to move their vehicles overseas, specialized auto transport companies with experience in international car shipping can provide tailored advice and services. These companies are well-versed in the complexities of international vehicle transportation and can guide you through the process, ensuring your car arrives safely at its destination.
How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Vehicle?
The cost of transporting 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 per mile for distances between 200 and 500 miles, and $0.78 per mile for trips over 1,000 miles. However, these figures are just averages, and the actual cost of your vehicle transport may differ based on your specific circumstances.
To get an accurate estimate of your vehicle shipping costs, it's best to collect quotes from multiple car transport companies. Shiply makes this process easy by allowing you to compare quotes from various providers in one place. By understanding the factors that influence auto transport pricing, you can better anticipate the cost of your vehicle delivery.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
Several variables can impact the cost of your vehicle shipping, including distance, international shipping requirements, route, shipping dates, vehicle size, vehicle condition, auto transport service type, pickup and delivery locations, insurance, and seasonality.
Distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of car transport, with cross-state and cross-country journeys being more expensive than interstate car delivery. However, the average price per mile decreases as the distance increases, ensuring that you're not paying excessively for longer trips.
International shipping is always more costly due to the logistics of transferring a car overseas and the distance it must travel. The route taken by the car carrier service can also affect pricing, with higher traffic areas or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks potentially leading to additional costs or longer transit times.
The flexibility of your shipping dates can impact the price, with expedited shipping generally costing more than deliveries that can be scheduled around the car transport company's existing commitments. Vehicle size and condition also play a role, as larger vehicles or those in non-drivable condition may require specialized equipment and incur higher costs.
The type of auto transport service you choose, such as open or enclosed shipping, can significantly influence the price, with enclosed car shipping being the most expensive option. Pickup and delivery locations, particularly in rural or hard-to-access areas, may also increase costs due to the extra mileage and effort required.
While auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, additional cargo insurance may be necessary to ensure your vehicle is fully protected during transit. Seasonality can also impact car shipping costs, with winter months often being more expensive due to potential delays caused by ice, snow, and blizzard conditions.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
With numerous car transport companies available, finding the right one for your needs can be overwhelming. Searching through countless websites and phone books, and individually requesting quotes from each provider, can be a time-consuming and frustrating process.
This is where Shiply comes in, simplifying the process of finding and comparing auto transport services. By filling out a simple form with your vehicle details, pickup and delivery locations, and desired shipping dates, you can quickly receive quotes from multiple car shipping companies.
Quotes start arriving in your Shiply inbox and email within minutes of posting your listing, allowing you to compare options and make an informed decision. It's essential to ask potential providers questions about their availability, insurance coverage, and how they secure vehicles during transport to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience.
Shiply's feedback and ratings system provides valuable insights into previous customers' experiences with each company, helping you choose a reliable and trustworthy auto transport service.
Why People Often Move Cars To & From Minnetonka, Minnesota
Minnetonka, a vibrant city in Minnesota, US, is a popular destination for individuals relocating for various reasons, such as job opportunities, family, or a change of scenery. As a result, many people find themselves in need of car shipping services to or from Minnetonka.
One of the primary reasons people move to Minnetonka is its strong economy and diverse job market. With numerous Fortune 500 companies and a thriving business community, Minnetonka attracts professionals from across the country. When relocating for work, many individuals choose to ship their vehicles to Minnetonka to ensure a smooth transition and avoid the hassle of long-distance driving.
Family ties are another common reason for moving to or from Minnetonka. Whether it's to be closer to loved ones or to pursue new opportunities, relocating often involves transporting personal vehicles. Car shipping services provide a convenient solution, allowing individuals to focus on other aspects of their move while ensuring their cars arrive safely at their new home.
Minnetonka's picturesque landscapes, excellent schools, and high quality of life also draw people to the area. When moving to Minnetonka for a change of pace or to raise a family, shipping a car can alleviate the stress of a long-distance move and enable a smoother transition to life in this charming Minnesota city.
Whether you're moving to or from Minnetonka, car shipping services offer a reliable and efficient way to transport your vehicle, making your relocation experience more manageable and less stressful.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Minnetonka
Time-Saving - Instead of completing a quote form every single time you need to obtain an accurate price from a company on transporting a vehicle, on our platform you fill out one quote form & then can receive quotes based on the info you provide from several firms. This can save you hours of time you would have had to spend calling up businesses & filling in forms.
Communication with these firms is all possible through our platform too, meaning you can keep all of your minnetonka car shipping details in one location.
Price Comparison - When it comes down to it, the cost of the car shipping quote is the most important factor in deciding which auto transport company to use to transport your vehicle. The challenging thing is that, while most businesses are happy to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't actually be given a firm car shipping minnetonka quote without having to provide information and complete details. While this is understandable, it does mean that price comparison and getting a car transport quote isn't exactly a simple task.
Using Shiply allows you to receive genuine, final price quotes from car shipping firms and compare them in one place, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the best company for you.
Affordable Car Shipping
Auto transport businesses on Shiply are typically able to offer their services for a lower cost than if you went direct to them. This is because they are often looking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already sunk the cost for. Say, for example, you were moving from Los Angeles to New York & needed to move your automobile there. On Shiply, a firm may already have a multi-car transporter making that journey with 5 of the 6 spots filled, and they are just looking to ensure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, and 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
Not only is using Shiply for auto transport cheaper, but it is also better for the environment. In the above example, if your vehicle 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 automobile.
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 vehicles 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 cheap transport for our users.
Preparing For Your Vehicle To Be Shipped
If you have decided on an auto transport firm to move your automobile & feel secure using them, then it's time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. We recommend following these steps.
Documents - It is important 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 automobile 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 and tire pressure levels. Again this can also help you better judge the condition of the automobile upon arrival.
Photographic Evidence - One very important thing to do when preparing your vehicle for the car delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photographs of all parts of the automobile. 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 firm 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 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 of it before to ascertain whether any extra damage has occurred. Shipping a car 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 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 auto transport firm 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 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, and if the journey is over 1,000 miles then this drops to $0.78.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car. Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the cheapest 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 auto transport. This is down to each individual auto transport firm on Shiply & is something you should discuss with your chosen car delivery service before confirming the delivery. Most firms will be flexible with payment options, however.
Can I track my car transport online. Each car shipping firm 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 firms to confirm that this is possible with them.
Does someone have to be present for pickup and delivery. In most cases, the car shipping firm will require you to be in attendance for the pickup & delivery of the vehicle. This is because there are likely to be release forms that you need to sign, as well as handing over the car keys.
Can I keep items in my vehicle during my car shipment. Most car transport firms 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 & 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.
