What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also known 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. It's beneficial for moving 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 & require it to be shipped to another state, or maybe you've recently moved & need to transport your vehicle across the nation. Auto shipping services can also be extremely useful when you need to relocate your car overseas & ferries aren't an option, necessitating you to depend on a vehicle transport company to manage the job.
Luckily, there are numerous vehicle shipping services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we'll discuss below.
Types Of Vehicle Shipping Services
When it comes to vehicle shipping services, there are a few choices to consider. It's crucial to thoroughly assess these options & determine the type of auto transportation service that best meets your needs for transporting your automobile.
The first decision you'll need to make is where you want your vehicle collected from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country car shipping or moving a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is one choice, where designated collection & drop-off points are used, often at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is usually less expensive, it does require more effort on your part to get the automobile home. However, most people prefer a door-to-door vehicle shipping delivery service, where their cars are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country car shipping or just transporting a vehicle to another state. This option is often more convenient as it eliminates the need to travel to collect your automobile, which can be challenging without your car in the first place!
Vehicle shipping services generally fall into two categories: having someone drive your automobile to the 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 automobile to its destination, whether you need to ship a car across the country or to another state. The advantages of this auto transport method include lower costs, as trailers & an additional vehicle aren't required, & 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 individuals to choose other types of auto transport. 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 moving a vehicle to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage occurring to your car while it's being driven from point A to point B. These concerns are particularly relevant for people buying or selling automobiles online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Put Your Automobile 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 automobile to its destination. When it comes to car shipping trailers, there are several options available depending on the value & size of your vehicle.
First, you'll need to decide whether you want a single trailer for your automobile. These are often more expensive as they only transport one vehicle at a time, but they're an excellent choice if you're moving an expensive or classic car that you don't want to risk damaging. The safest way to transport an automobile is to place it in a shipping container, but this is by far the most costly option. The other choice is a multi-car transporter, which can move multiple vehicles simultaneously & comes in a few variations:
Open vehicle shipping by any auto transport company is the most affordable & common option for transporting a car. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. While all vehicles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so vehicle shipping companies may not recommend this method for highly valuable automobiles. Additionally, while it may be the cheapest way to ship a car cross-country, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage & expose your vehicle to the elements for extended periods.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier, but they are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is often preferred for more expensive or newer automobiles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during vehicle transport.
If you need to move your automobile overseas through a vehicle transport company, it's best to find a specialist service on our platform or one with experience in overseas car 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, 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.
However, these figures are just averages for vehicle moving companies, & your auto transport costs may be higher or lower depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of vehicle transport is to obtain car shipping quotes from multiple auto shipping 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 impact the price of auto transport services, which we'll discuss below.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
While we all want cheap vehicle transport, several factors & variables can influence the cost of your car shipping. Let's explore the main ones to give you 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 & cross-country journeys are typically more expensive than interstate vehicle 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 that you're not paying excessively.
International shipping always results in expensive vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring an automobile overseas & 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 transport your automobile from its pick-up location to its delivery spot can affect the pricing of your vehicle 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 vehicle 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 automobile delivery into their schedule & 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 vehicle 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 automobiles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. It's important 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 automobile 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 & 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 & off again, 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 will always be the most affordable option, as you're essentially just paying for the driver's time & fuel. On the other hand, single vehicle trailers & enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive, as they require specialized equipment. Enclosed vehicle shipping is always the most expensive method of shipping an automobile, as it means your car travels alone & still requires specialized equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
Locations Of Pickup & Delivery - The locations of your automobile's pick-up & drop-off points can also impact the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas typically 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 location, additional steps may be necessary 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's not legally mandated. If a vehicle transport company does not provide cargo insurance, it's highly recommended that you seek out & acquire coverage 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 by the insurance, & any other relevant questions you may have.
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 impact auto transport costs:
Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your automobile. Ice, snow, & blizzard conditions can cause delays on the roads & reduce the maximum speed at which the vehicle delivery service can transport cars. 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 automobile shipping costs. However, February is usually quiet, so great rates are often available from vehicle shipping services during this month.
Spring is an excellent time to ship your automobile with a vehicle transportation service. With improved weather conditions, longer days, & more drivers ready to work, Spring often means affordable rates & 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 automobiles from colder to warmer states.
Summer is the prime season for shipping vehicles - the days are the longest of 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 vehicle shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship an automobile if you're looking for slightly cheaper prices. Vehicle shipping companies are less busy, & there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. However, you're better off looking to move your automobile 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 vehicle shipping & a vehicle 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 vehicle transport companies out there. Trying to find them on Google can result in scrolling through countless pages to find the best vehicle 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 & 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 vehicle shipping service, 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 automobile that needs shipping, the pickup location & delivery location, & 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 & 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 arriving 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, & how they would secure your automobile. 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.
Richfield, Minnesota, US - Vehicle Shipping Destination
Richfield, Minnesota, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping services. Located in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area, Richfield is a vibrant city with a strong economy & diverse population. Many people move to Richfield for job opportunities, education, or to be closer to family & friends.
When relocating to or from Richfield, vehicle shipping services can make the process much easier. Instead of driving long distances or dealing with the hassle of selling & buying a new automobile, you can simply have your vehicle transported by a professional vehicle shipping company. This is especially convenient if you're moving across the country or overseas.
Richfield vehicle shipping companies offer a range of services to meet your needs, whether you require door-to-door delivery, terminal-to-terminal shipping, or specialized transport for classic or luxury automobiles. By using a reliable vehicle shipping service in Richfield, you can ensure that your automobile arrives at its destination safely & on time, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your move.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transportation
Time-efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each instance you desire an accurate cost from a business on transporting a vehicle, on our site you complete one quotation form & then can obtain quotes based on the information you supply from several companies. This can conserve you hours of effort you would have had to invest phoning companies & inputting details.
Communication with these businesses is all feasible through our site as well, allowing you to maintain all of your vehicle shipping details in one location.
Cost Comparison - When it comes down to it, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto transport company to utilize to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average costs & rough estimates, you won't actually be given a definite vehicle transport estimate without having to supply information & fill in details. While this is understandable, it does mean that cost comparison & getting a vehicle transport estimate isn't exactly a simple task.
Utilizing Shiply allows you to receive genuine, final cost estimates from vehicle shipping businesses & compare them in one location, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the best company for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping - Auto transport businesses on Shiply are typically able to provide 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 invested the cost for. Say, for example, you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to move your vehicle there. On Shiply, a company may already have a multi-vehicle 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 work for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service.
Eco-Friendly - Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it is also more eco-friendly. In the above example, if your vehicle didn't get on that multi-vehicle transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate vehicle shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be needed just for your vehicle.
Similarly, many vehicle 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 affordable transport for our users.
Getting Your Vehicle Ready To Be Transported
If you have decided on an auto transport company to move your vehicle & 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 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 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, & 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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, & 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.
If you're looking for reliable & affordable car shipping Richfield or Richfield car shipping services, Shiply is your go-to platform. With a wide network of trusted auto transport companies, you can easily compare quotes, choose the best provider for your needs, & have your vehicle delivered to your desired destination hassle-free.
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