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 drive the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online & need to transport it to another state, relocating & requiring long-distance vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are not available. Vehicle shipping companies provide a variety of auto transport services to accommodate your unique 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 & delivered to, whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or shipping a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection & drop-off points, often the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are used. While this option is typically more affordable, it requires more effort on your part to get the automobile home. Most individuals, however, prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their vehicles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of the distance.
Vehicle transport services are generally divided into two categories: having someone drive your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport. Having someone drive your vehicle is a straightforward solution that is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an extra vehicle. It can also be quicker due to the straightforward nature of the transport. However, this method has some drawbacks, such as adding mileage to your automobile, especially when shipping a car across the country, & a slight risk of damage during the journey. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals buying or selling vehicles online who want to ensure the automobile arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Placing your vehicle on a trailer is a safer option that guarantees a higher level of protection than having someone drive your automobile. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options depending on the value & size of your automobile. Single trailers are more expensive as they only transport one vehicle at a time but are 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 expensive option. Multi-car transporters, which can transport many vehicles at once, are another option with a few variants:
- Open vehicle shipping: The most affordable & most common option, where your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. While all vehicles are safely secured, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making it less suitable for highly valuable automobiles.
- Enclosed auto transport: Multiple vehicles are secured on a carrier but are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage.
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 to provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
What Is The Price Of Transporting A Vehicle?
The price 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 may cost more or less depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the price of auto transport is to collect vehicle shipping quotes from various companies, which is easy to do on platforms like Shiply.
Several factors can affect the price of auto transport, including:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate vehicle 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 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 impact pricing. Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks may incur extra costs or require longer alternative routes.
- Shipping dates: Flexibility in timings can lead to lower costs, as vehicle shipping companies can fit your delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. Expedited shipping within a strict timeframe typically costs more.
- Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of the automobile affect the cost of transport. Larger automobiles like SUVs cost more to transport than sedans. Accessories like bike racks or roof racks can also change the required trailer size.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable vehicles may incur higher costs due to the need for extra equipment like winches or forklifts for loading & unloading.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone drive your vehicle is the most affordable option, while single vehicle trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the specialized equipment required.
- Pickup & delivery locations: Urban areas with common destination routes often have more affordable vehicle shipping services, while rural deliveries or hard-to-access spaces may cost more.
- Auto transport insurance: While all auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, additional cargo insurance is recommended & may affect the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality can impact vehicle shipping prices, with winter being the most expensive due to potential delays caused by ice, snow, & blizzard conditions. Spring & fall are generally more affordable, while summer is the busiest season with higher demand.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
With hundreds of vehicle transport companies available, finding the right one can be a daunting task. Searching on Google or through phone books can be time-consuming, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without a personalized quote, requiring you to fill out details with each company individually.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding a vehicle shipping service. By filling out a simple form with your automobile's make & model, pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the vehicle, you can easily collect quotes from auto transport providers on the platform. Quotes start coming through within minutes of posting your listing, & it's recommended to wait for a few options before making a decision.
Once you have received quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure your vehicle during transport. Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores, helping you make an informed decision when selecting a vehicle shipping company.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From St. Louis, Missouri, US
St. Louis, Missouri, is a major city in the United States that sees a significant amount of vehicle shipping activity. Many people move automobiles to & from St. Louis for various reasons, such as relocating for work, buying or selling vehicles online, or transporting classic cars to events or shows. The city's central location in the Midwest makes it a convenient hub for vehicle shipping, with many auto transport companies offering services to & from St. Louis.
Additionally, St. Louis is home to several major employers, including Fortune 500 companies, which often results in employees relocating to the area & requiring vehicle shipping services. The city also has a thriving classic car community, with numerous events & shows throughout the year that attract enthusiasts from across the country. These factors contribute to the high demand for vehicle shipping services in St. Louis, making it a common route for auto transport companies.
When searching for "vehicle shipping st. louis" or "st. louis vehicle shipping," it's essential to compare quotes from multiple providers & read reviews to ensure you find a reliable & experienced company to handle your automobile transport needs. Platforms like Shiply can help streamline this process, connecting you with trusted auto transport companies servicing the St. Louis area.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in St. Louis
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each instance you desire an accurate cost from a business for transporting a vehicle, on our site you complete a single quote form and can then obtain quotes from various companies based on the information you submit. This can save you a significant amount of time that you would have spent contacting companies and completing forms. Communication with these businesses is also feasible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your St. Louis vehicle shipping details in one location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial factor when choosing which auto transport company to employ for transporting your vehicle. The challenge is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't receive a definite vehicle transport quote without supplying information and filling in details. Although this is understandable, it means that comparing prices and obtaining a vehicle transport quote is not a simple task. Utilizing Shiply enables you to receive authentic, final price estimates from vehicle shipping companies and compare them in one place, offering the opportunity to message them individually to ask any questions you may have and ultimately select the ideal company for your needs.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping - Auto transport businesses on Shiply can typically provide their services at a lower cost than if you approached them directly. This is because they are often seeking to fill space on trips they are already making and have already invested the cost for. For instance, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York and needed to transport your vehicle there, a company on Shiply may already have a multi-car transporter making that journey with 5 of the 6 spots occupied, and they are simply looking to ensure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, and pick-up/drop-off locations are suitable for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by utilizing our service.
Environmentally Friendly - Using Shiply for auto transport is not only more affordable but also more environmentally friendly. In the previous example, if your vehicle didn't get on that multi-car transporter and instead, you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire journey would be required just for your vehicle. Similarly, many car transporters return from a delivery empty-handed, which is not only costly for them but also for the environment as there are many individuals who could have utilized that transporter to move their vehicles in the opposite direction. Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are also seeking to fill their trailers on return trips, resulting in even less wasted CO2 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 and feel confident using them, it's time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. We recommend following these steps:
Documents - It is crucial to ensure that any necessary documents 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 during transit. It is also highly recommended that you clean your vehicle before transport as this will allow you to assess 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, you should ensure that it is in running condition. This means ensuring that there is enough fluid, as well as checking battery charge and 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, and 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, and 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 and 500 miles, and 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 and 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 and delivery? In most cases, the car shipping company will require you to be in attendance for the pickup and 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, and 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 and 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 and has the right equipment to safely carry it out.
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