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 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 & transported to, whether it's a cross-country car shipment or moving a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an alternative, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the car transport company's stores or operating bases. While this alternative is typically more affordable, it necessitates 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 generally fall into two categories: having someone operate your vehicle to the destination or placing it on a trailer for shipment.
Hire Someone To Operate Your Vehicle
Employing someone to operate your vehicle to its destination is a straightforward solution for car shipping, whether it's across the country or to another state. The advantages of this method include lower costs, as trailers & extra vehicles are not necessary, & faster delivery due to the simplicity of the transport. However, there are some drawbacks to consider, such as the addition of 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 offers a higher level of safety compared to having someone operate it to its destination. Car 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, come in different variants:
Open car shipping is the most affordable & common option offered by car shipping companies. 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 transit, making this option less suitable for highly valuable automobiles. 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 transport.
If you need to move your automobile overseas, it's best to find a specialist service or a company 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?
The cost of shipping 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 may cost more or less depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to obtain quotes from car transport companies, which is easily done through platforms like Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Auto Transport
While everyone wants inexpensive car transport, several factors can affect the cost of car shipping services. Some of the main factors include:
Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost significantly more than interstate car delivery, which is often the most affordable 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 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 than quieter roads due to the added time. Unforeseen circumstances, like major roadworks, can 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 due to the dedication of a trailer & driver for your delivery.
Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of the automobile affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles, such as SUVs, generally cost more to transport than sedans. Accessories like 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, such as winches or forklifts, to load & unload the automobile. Most car carriers consider a vehicle in good enough condition to ship easily if it can brake, roll, & steer.
Auto transport service type: The chosen auto transport service affects the cost of car shipping. Having someone operate your vehicle is the most affordable option, while single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the specialized equipment required.
Pickup & delivery locations: Urban areas usually have car shipping services in close proximity, & 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 due to the extra steps needed to load your automobile.
Auto transport insurance: While auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance. If cargo insurance is not provided, it's highly recommended to acquire it for your automobile during transit. Ensure you understand what type of damage is covered, any deductibles, & which parts of the vehicle are insured.
Time of year: Seasonality can affect car shipping prices, with winter transport often being more expensive due to ice & snow slowing routes. December is typically challenging due to driver holidays, while January sees increased vehicle shipping costs as many travel 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 Ship 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.
How Can Shiply Assist In Finding Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding a car shipping service. By filling out a simple form with your vehicle's make & model, collection & delivery locations, & required dates, auto transport providers on Shiply can provide accurate quotes for your job. Quotes start arriving in your Shiply inbox & email within minutes of posting your listing, & it's recommended to wait for a few options before making a decision.
Before selecting a quote, ask the companies about their availability, insurance, & how they secure cars during transport. Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Hazelwood, Missouri, US
Hazelwood, Missouri, is a vibrant city located in the heart of the United States. Many people move to Hazelwood for its strong job market, excellent schools, & affordable cost of living. The city's proximity to St. Louis also makes it an attractive option for those seeking a suburban lifestyle with easy access to urban amenities. When relocating to or from Hazelwood, many residents choose to use car shipping services to transport their automobiles safely & conveniently.
Hazelwood car shipping companies offer a range of services to meet the needs of those moving to or from the area. Whether you require cross-country car transport or simply need to ship your vehicle to another state, these companies can provide reliable & efficient solutions. By using a professional auto transport service, you can ensure that your automobile arrives at its destination in the same condition as when it was collected, without the added mileage & potential risks associated with driving it yourself.
In conclusion, car shipping is a valuable service for those moving to or from Hazelwood, Missouri, allowing for a seamless & stress-free relocation experience. With the help of reputable car shipping companies & platforms like Shiply, you can easily find the right auto transport solution to meet your needs & budget.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Hazelwood
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 & can then obtain quotes based on the information you supply from several companies. This can save you a significant amount of time you would have spent phoning companies & providing details. Communication with these businesses is also feasible via our platform, allowing you to store all of your Hazelwood vehicle transport data in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle transport quote is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto shipping company to employ to transport your vehicle. The challenge is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't receive a definite vehicle transport quote without having to give information & complete details. While this is reasonable, it means that cost comparison & obtaining a vehicle transport quote is not a simple task. Utilizing Shiply enables you to receive authentic, final price quotes from vehicle transport companies & compare them in one place, offering the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the best company for you.
Affordable Vehicle Transport - Auto shipping companies on Shiply can usually 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. For instance, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your vehicle there, a company on Shiply may already have a multi-car transporter making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots occupied, & they are just 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 auto transport by using our service.
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 vehicle didn't get on that multi-car 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 expensive for them but also for the environment as there are many people who could have used that transporter to move their vehicles in the opposite direction. Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are also looking to fill their trailers on return trips, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Preparing Your Vehicle for Transport
If you have chosen an auto transport company to move your vehicle & 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 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 before 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 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 vehicle. This provides you with evidence of the vehicle's condition before shipping should anything happen to it during transport.
What to Do After Delivery
Once the vehicle 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 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 determine whether any extra damage has occurred. Shipping a vehicle 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 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 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 a vehicle?
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, & if the trip is over 1,000 miles, then this drops to $0.78.
What is the most affordable way to ship a vehicle?
Having someone drive your vehicle 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 affordable way to ship a vehicle.
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 vehicle delivery service before confirming the delivery. Most companies will be flexible with payment options, however.
Can I track my vehicle transport online?
Each vehicle shipping company 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 companies to confirm that this is possible with them.
Does someone have to be present for pickup & delivery?
In most cases, the vehicle 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 vehicle keys.
Can I keep items in my vehicle during my vehicle shipment?
Most vehicle 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 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 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.
,378 words