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 moving your automobile overseas. Vehicle shipping companies provide a variety of auto transport services to accommodate different requirements.
Categories Of Auto Transport Services
When selecting an auto transport service, the initial choice you must 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 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, opt for a door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of the distance.
Car transport services can be classified into two primary types: having someone operate your vehicle to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transportation.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
Employing someone to operate your vehicle to its destination is a straightforward solution for car shipping, whether it's across the nation or to another state. This approach 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 vehicle on a trailer is a safer alternative that guarantees a higher level of protection compared to having someone operate your car. Car shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile. Single trailers, which transport only one vehicle at a time, are more expensive but ideal for moving expensive or classic cars that require extra care. 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, come in different variants:
- Open car shipping: The least expensive & most common option, where your vehicle is placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all cars are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making this option less suitable for highly valuable automobiles. Long journeys in open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage.
- Enclosed auto transport: Multiple vehicles are secured on a carrier but are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This alternative is preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles where minimizing the risk of damage is a priority.
For overseas vehicle transportation, it's best to find a specialist service or a company with experience in overseas car shipping to provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Vehicle?
The expense of transporting 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 car transport cost may differ based on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to collect car shipping quotes from various companies, which is easily done on platforms like Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence The Expense Of Auto Transport
While everyone wants inexpensive car transport, several factors can affect the cost of car shipping services:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate car delivery, which is often the least expensive option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases.
- International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always more expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance traveled. It may also require special enclosed trailers or shipping containers.
- Route: The route taken from the collection 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: Flexibility in timings can lead to lower costs, 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.
- Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of the automobile affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles like SUVs generally cost more to transport than sedans. Accessories such as bike racks or roof racks can also change the required trailer size.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may incur higher auto transport costs due to the need for extra equipment like winches or forklifts to load & unload the vehicle. Most car carriers consider a car in good condition if it can brake, roll, & steer.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the least expensive option, while single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the specialized equipment required. Enclosed car shipping is the most costly method, as it involves transporting your vehicle alone while still needing specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transit.
- Pick-up & delivery locations: Urban areas usually have car shipping services nearby, & common destination routes often offer inexpensive car shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more due to deviations from normal routes & extra mileage. Unusual or hard-to-access collection or drop-off points may also increase costs.
- Auto transport insurance: While auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional coverage. If cargo insurance is not provided, it's highly recommended to acquire it separately for your vehicle during transit. Clarify the type of damage covered, deductibles, & parts of the vehicle included in the insurance policy.
- Time of year: Seasonality affects car shipping prices, with winter being the most expensive due to ice, snow, & blizzard conditions causing delays & reduced speeds. December is challenging as drivers are on holiday, while January sees increased demand for vehicle shipping to warmer states. Spring & fall offer better rates & availability, with March, October, & November being ideal months. Summer is the busiest season, with higher prices & lower availability.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
With hundreds of car transport companies available, finding the right one can be overwhelming. Searching on Google or through phone books can be time-consuming, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without individual quotes. This is where Shiply can help simplify the process.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a car shipping service. To get started, simply fill out a form with the make & model of the vehicle, collection & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the automobile. This information allows auto transport providers on Shiply to provide accurate quotes for your job.
Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & email. It's recommended to keep email notifications on to be immediately informed of new quotes. Quotes can arrive 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 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 is a valuable resource when selecting a company to ship your automobile. It allows you to view previous customers' experiences & the company's overall score, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Madison, Mississippi
Madison, Mississippi, is a popular city for car shipping due to its growing population & thriving economy. Many individuals relocate to Madison for job opportunities, retirement, or to be closer to family, often requiring the transportation of their automobiles. Additionally, car enthusiasts in Madison may purchase vehicles from other states or countries, necessitating reliable car shipping services to bring their new acquisitions home. With its central location in the state, Madison also serves as a hub for car shipping companies, making it a convenient collection & drop-off point for those moving vehicles to or from other parts of Mississippi or neighboring states.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Madison
Time-Efficient - Instead of submitting a quotation request each time you require a precise price for transporting your automobile, on our platform you complete one form & then can receive estimates based on the information you submit from several providers. This can save you hours you would've spent contacting companies and completing forms. Communication with these providers is all possible through our platform as well, allowing you to keep all of your vehicle shipping details in one location.
Cost Comparison - Car Shipping Madison When it comes down to it, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most important factor in choosing which auto transport provider to use to transport your automobile. The challenging aspect is that, while most providers are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite vehicle transport quote without having to supply information & complete details. While this is understandable, it does mean that cost comparison and obtaining a vehicle transport estimate isn't exactly a simple task. Utilizing Shiply allows you to obtain genuine, final price estimates from vehicle shipping providers and compare them in one place, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have and ultimately decide on the best provider for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping - Madison Car Shipping Auto transport providers on Shiply are typically able to offer their services for a lower cost than if you went directly to them. This is because they are often looking to fill space on trips they are already making and have already invested the cost for. Say, for example, you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your automobile there. On Shiply, a provider may already have a multi-car transporter making that trip 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.
More Environmentally Friendly Not only is using Shiply for auto 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 and 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 automobile. 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 transport their automobiles 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.
Readying For Your Vehicle To Be Transported If you have decided on an auto transport provider to transport 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 automobile. 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 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 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 vehicle delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photographs of all parts of the automobile. This provides you with evidence of the automobile's condition before shipping should anything happen to it during transport.
What To Do After Delivery Once the vehicle shipping provider 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 automobile is in the expected condition, as well as enable you to immediately raise concerns with the vehicle 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 an automobile can, in rare cases, cause damage, & you want to be sure your vehicle transport service has not done so. Check Mileage - This is more relevant to vehicle 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 trip taken. We would greatly appreciate it if you could also leave a review for the auto transport provider you used through Shiply so that others can browse vehicle shipping services with the same peace of mind.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions Below we have answered some of the most asked questions about vehicle shipping:
How much to ship an automobile? Vehicle 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, and if the trip is over 1,000 miles then this drops to $0.78. What is the most affordable way to ship an automobile? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the most affordable way to ship an automobile, however, if you need a trailer then a multi-car transporter will be your best option with regard to the most affordable way to ship an automobile. How do I pay for my auto transport? This is down to each individual auto transport provider on Shiply & is something you should discuss with your chosen vehicle delivery service before confirming the delivery. Most providers will be flexible with payment options, however.
Can I track my vehicle transport online? Each vehicle shipping provider on Shiply has different ways of operating, but many offer the ability to track your vehicle shipment, with some even able to provide personal updates. If you require tracking, you should message individual vehicle transport providers to confirm that this is possible with them. Does someone have to be present for pickup and delivery? In most cases, the vehicle shipping provider 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 automobile keys. Can I keep items in my vehicle during my vehicle shipment? Most vehicle transport providers 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 automobile 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 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 & has the right equipment to safely carry it out.
