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 across the nation, or transporting your automobile overseas. Vehicle shipping companies provide a variety of auto transport services to accommodate different requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Transport Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, the initial choice you must make is where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country car transport or shipping a vehicle to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the car transport company's stores or operating bases. While this alternative is typically less expensive, it demands more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. Most individuals, however, favor a door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of the distance.
Vehicle transport services can be classified into two primary types: having someone operate your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transportation.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
Employing someone to operate your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether it's across the nation or to another state. This method is often less expensive as it doesn't require trailers or an additional vehicle, & it can be quicker due to its simplicity. However, there are some drawbacks to consider, such as the added mileage to your automobile, especially when shipping a car across the country, & the slight risk of damage during the journey. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals purchasing or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Placing your automobile on a trailer offers a higher level of safety compared to having someone operate it. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile. Single trailers, while more expensive, are ideal for transporting expensive or classic cars that require extra protection. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, although this is the most costly option. Multi-car transporters, which can carry several automobiles at once, are available in different variants:
Open car shipping is the most affordable & common option offered by vehicle shipping companies. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all cars are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during transit, making this option less suitable for highly valuable vehicles. Additionally, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage & prolonged exposure to the elements.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple cars on a carrier that is enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is 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 automobile overseas, it's best to find a specialist service or a company with experience in overseas vehicle shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
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 for journeys between 200 & 500 miles, & $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles. However, these are just averages, & your vehicle transport cost may differ based on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to obtain vehicle shipping quotes from various companies, which is easily done through platforms like Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
While everyone wants inexpensive vehicle transport, several factors can influence the cost of car shipping services. Some of the main factors include:
Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost significantly more than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the cheapest option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases.
International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance traveled. It may require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your automobile.
Route: The route taken from the pick-up spot to the delivery location can affect pricing. Routes with higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more due to the added time. Unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could also incur extra costs or require a longer alternative route.
Shipping dates: The urgency of your vehicle transportation service can impact the price. Flexible timings often result in lower charges, as car shipping companies can fit your delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. Expedited shipping, where you require auto transport within a strict timeframe, typically costs more due to the dedication of a trailer & driver specifically for your delivery.
Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of your automobile affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles, such as SUVs, generally cost more to transport than sedans. Always inform the auto transport company about any accessories like bike racks or roof racks, as they can change the required trailer size.
Vehicle condition: If your car is not drivable, it may increase the cost of auto transport. Non-operational vehicles require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load & unload them from the trailer, taking more time, effort, & machinery compared to a standard vehicle transport service. Most car carriers consider a vehicle in good enough condition to ship easily if it can brake, roll, & steer.
Auto transport service type: The type of auto transport service you choose affects the cost of vehicle shipping. Having someone operate your car is the cheapest option, as you essentially pay for the driver's time & fuel. Single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the extra equipment required. Enclosed car shipping is the most costly method, as your vehicle travels alone & still needs specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
Pickup & delivery locations: The locations of pickup & delivery can increase the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas usually have car shipping services nearby, & common destination routes often offer inexpensive vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries cost more due to deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. Unusual or hard-to-access pick-up or drop-off points may require extra steps to load your automobile, also increasing the vehicle shipping cost.
Auto transport insurance: While all auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance. If a vehicle transport company does not provide cargo insurance, it is highly recommended to acquire some for your automobile during transit. When considering insurance policies, ensure you understand the type of damage covered, the deductible, the parts of the vehicle covered, & any other relevant details.
Time of year: Seasonality can affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more in the winter due to ice & snow slowing the routes. Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your automobile, as ice, snow, & blizzard conditions can cause delays & reduce the maximum speed of vehicle delivery services. December is typically challenging, with drivers on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased vehicle shipping costs. However, February is usually quiet, offering great rates from car shipping services.
Spring is an ideal time to ship your automobile, with improved weather conditions, longer days, & more available drivers, often resulting in inexpensive rates & high availability. March is generally better than April or May, as there is often a rush to move cars from colder to warmer states.
Summer is the peak season for shipping vehicles, with the longest days, students traveling home from universities, employees taking vacations, & a popular time for moving houses. June, July, & August are busy months for the auto transport industry, so expect higher prices during the summer.
Fall offers slightly cheaper prices for vehicle shipping, as companies are less busy & there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. October & November are better options than September, which is peak time for students shipping their cars to university.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
With hundreds of vehicle transport companies available, finding the right one can be overwhelming. Searching on Google or through phone books can result in scrolling through numerous pages to find the best car shipping company at the best price. Many companies are reluctant to provide pricing upfront, requiring you to apply for a quote & fill out details individually, which can be time-consuming.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding the right vehicle shipping service. By filling out a simple form with your car's make & model, pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the automobile, you can easily collect quotes from auto transport providers on Shiply.
Once your listing is live, you will receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & email. We recommend keeping email notifications on to be immediately informed of new quotes. Quotes can start arriving within minutes of posting your listing, but it's best to wait for a few options before making a decision.
After receiving quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure your vehicle. It's crucial to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected experience.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company & their overall score, which we highly recommend checking before selecting a quote to ship your automobile.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Hernando, Mississippi, US
Hernando, a city in DeSoto County, Mississippi, US, is a popular location for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. Many people move to Hernando for its small-town charm, excellent schools, & proximity to Memphis, Tennessee, which is just a 20-minute drive away. The city's growing population & expanding job market also contribute to the demand for vehicle shipping services to & from Hernando.
Additionally, Hernando's central location makes it a convenient hub for vehicle shipping companies, as it is easily accessible from major highways like Interstate 55 & Interstate 69. This accessibility allows for efficient vehicle transport to & from the city, whether it's for personal relocation, business purposes, or online automobile purchases & sales.
As more people discover the benefits of living in Hernando, Mississippi, the need for reliable vehicle shipping services continues to grow. Hernando car shipping companies play a crucial role in facilitating smooth transitions for individuals & families moving to or from the area, ensuring their automobiles arrive safely & promptly at their new destinations.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Auto Transport in Hernando
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate estimate from a company regarding hernando auto transport, on our platform you complete one quotation form & can then obtain estimates based on the information you submit from several companies. This can save you a significant amount of time that you would have otherwise spent contacting companies & providing details. Communication with these businesses is also feasible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your auto shipping data 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 supply 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 select the optimal company for your needs.
Affordable Auto Shipping - Vehicle transport companies on Shiply are usually able to provide their services at 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 occupied, & they are simply looking to ensure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, & pick-up/drop-off locations are suitable for you, you can often save up to 75% on vehicle transport by utilizing 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 required just for your vehicle. 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 individuals who could have utilized that transporter to move their automobiles in the opposite direction. Many of the vehicle transporters on Shiply are also seeking 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 vehicle for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Documents - It is crucial to ensure that any documents you may require 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 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 determine 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 assess 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, & 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, & 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 & 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 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 most economical way to ship a car.
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 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 & 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 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, & 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.
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