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 you are unable to operate the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online and need to transport it to another state, relocating and requiring long-distance vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are not an option. Luckily, there are numerous vehicle transport services available to cater to your specific requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Transport Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, the initial choice you need to make is where you want your automobile collected from and delivered to, whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or shipping a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is a possibility, where designated collection and drop-off points, frequently the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are utilized. This option is typically more affordable but requires more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. However, most individuals prefer 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 are generally divided into two types: having someone operate your vehicle to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport. Having someone drive your automobile is a straightforward solution that involves hiring a driver to take your vehicle to its destination. This method is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an additional vehicle, and it can be quicker due to its simplicity. However, there are some drawbacks, such as added mileage to your automobile (especially when shipping a car across country) and a slight risk of damage during the journey.
Placing your vehicle on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone operate it. There are multiple options available depending on the value & size of your automobile. A single trailer is more expensive as it only transports one car at a time but is ideal for moving expensive or classic cars. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, but this is the most costly option. Multi-car transporters, which can carry many automobiles at once, come in a few variants:
- Open vehicle shipping: The most affordable & most common option, where your automobile is placed on an open carrier and driven to the destination. While all cars are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making it less suitable for highly valuable vehicles.
- Enclosed auto transport: Multiple automobiles are secured on a carrier but are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, and debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles.
If you need to move your automobile overseas, it's best to find a specialist service or one with experience in overseas vehicle shipping to provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
What Is The Cost Of Transporting 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 and 500 miles, & $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles. However, these are just averages, and your vehicle transport may cost more or less depending on the circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to gather vehicle shipping quotes from various companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
Factors that can influence the expense of auto transport include:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate vehicle delivery.
- International shipping: Always results in expensive vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring an automobile overseas & the distance it needs to travel.
- Route: Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks can increase costs.
- Shipping dates: Flexible timings may result in lower charges, while expedited shipping will cost more.
- Vehicle size: Larger automobiles like SUVs typically cost more to transport than sedans.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may require extra equipment, increasing the cost.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the most affordable option, while enclosed vehicle shipping is the most expensive.
- Locations of pickup & delivery: Urban areas usually have lower costs, while rural deliveries can be more expensive.
- Auto transport insurance: Additional cargo insurance may increase the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality can affect prices, with winter being the most expensive & spring offering better rates.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Locating An Auto Transport Service
Locating the right vehicle transport service can be overwhelming, as there are hundreds of companies to choose from. Searching on Google or through phone books can be time-consuming, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without a detailed quote application. This is where Shiply can help simplify the process.
How Can Shiply Assist In Finding Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply makes it easy to gather quotes from auto transport providers. Simply fill out a simple form with the make & model of the vehicle, pickup and delivery locations, and the dates you need to move the automobile. This information allows the 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 turned on to know immediately when a new quote arrives. Quotes can start coming in within minutes of posting your listing, but it's best to wait for a few options before making a decision.
When you have a few quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure your vehicle. It's important to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected process.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is another valuable tool when selecting a company to ship your automobile. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & the company's overall score, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Frequently Move Vehicles To & From Lee's Summit, Missouri, US
Lee's Summit, Missouri, is a growing city located in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Many people move automobiles to & from Lee's Summit for various reasons, such as relocating for work, family, or education. The city's proximity to Kansas City makes it an attractive option for those who want to live in a smaller, more affordable community while still having access to the amenities of a larger city.
Additionally, Lee's Summit is home to several major employers, including Lees Summit Medical Center, Lees Summit R-7 School District, and Saint Luke's East Hospital, which may require employees to relocate & ship their vehicles. The city's growing population & expanding business sector also contribute to the demand for vehicle shipping services in the area.
When searching for vehicle shipping in Lee's Summit, it's essential to find a reliable & experienced company that can provide door-to-door service, ensuring your automobile is picked up & delivered safely to your new home or office. By using a platform like Shiply, you can easily compare quotes from multiple vehicle shipping companies in Lee's Summit & choose the one that best suits your needs & budget.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Auto Transport in Lee's Summit
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate price from a company on lee's summit vehicle transport, on our platform you complete one quotation form & then can obtain quotes based on the information you supply from several companies. This can save you hours of time you would have spent calling companies & completing forms. Communication with these businesses is also possible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your vehicle shipping details in one location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping quote is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto transport company to employ to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most companies are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite vehicle transport quote without having to give information & fill in details. While this is understandable, it means that price comparison & getting a vehicle transport quote isn't exactly a simple task. Utilizing Shiply enables you to receive authentic, final price quotes from vehicle shipping 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 Shipping - Auto transport businesses on Shiply are usually able to 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 example, 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 filled, & they are just looking to ensure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, & pick-up/drop-off locations are convenient 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 Shipping
If you have chosen an auto transport company to transport 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 belongings 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 assess 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.
,416 words