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 spot & transporting it to another. This service proves useful in numerous situations where you are unable to operate the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online & need to transport it to a different state, relocating & requiring long-distance vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are unavailable.
Luckily, there are various auto shipping services accessible to cater to your particular requirements, which we will explore below.
Varieties Of Car Shipping Services
When it comes to car shipping services, there are several crucial choices you must make. Initially, you need to decide where you want your vehicle collected from & delivered to, whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or shipping an automobile to a different state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is a possibility, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this choice is typically more affordable, it demands more effort on your part to get the automobile home.
However, most individuals prefer a door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their vehicles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or simply shipping an automobile to a different state. This choice is more convenient as it eliminates the need to collect your car from a separate location, which can be challenging without your vehicle.
Vehicle transport services can be categorized into two main groups: having someone operate your car to the destination or placing it on a trailer for shipping.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
One straightforward solution to vehicle shipping is hiring someone to operate your car to its destination, whether it's shipping an automobile across the country or to a different state. This approach is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an extra vehicle, & it can be quicker due to its simplicity.
However, there are some drawbacks to this approach that lead some individuals to choose other vehicle transport options. Firstly, mileage is added to your car during the journey, which can be significant when shipping an automobile across the country. Secondly, there is a slight risk of harm to your vehicle while it's being operated. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals buying or selling automobiles online who want to ensure the car arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Automobile On A Trailer
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone operate your vehicle. With car shipping trailers, there are several options available depending on the value & size of your car.
You can choose between a single trailer for your automobile, which is more expensive as it only transports one vehicle at a time but is ideal for moving costly or classic cars, or a multi-car transporter that can carry multiple vehicles simultaneously. The safest way to transport an automobile is in a shipping container, but this is also the most expensive option.
Multi-car transporters come in a few variants:
- Open vehicle shipping: The most affordable & common choice, where your car is placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all automobiles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during transit, making this option less suitable for highly valuable vehicles.
- Enclosed auto transport: Multiple automobiles are secured on a carrier but are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This choice is preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage.
If you need to move your car 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.
How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Vehicle?
The cost of transporting a vehicle varies depending on several factors, but on average, auto shipping 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 be higher or lower depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto shipping services is to obtain vehicle shipping quotes from various companies, which is easily done through Shiply.
To get a rough idea of what to expect, consider the following factors that can affect the price of vehicle transport services:
- 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 & distance involved.
- Route: Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks can increase costs.
- Shipping dates: Flexibility in timings can lead to lower costs, while expedited shipping is more expensive.
- Vehicle size: Larger automobiles like SUVs 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 car shipping is the most expensive.
- Pickup & delivery locations: Urban areas are usually more affordable, while rural or hard-to-access locations can increase costs.
- Auto transport insurance: Additional cargo insurance is recommended & can affect the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality plays a role, with winter being the most expensive & summer being the busiest.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Shipping Service
With hundreds of vehicle 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 a detailed quote request.
This is where Shiply can help simplify the process.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Shipping Companies?
Shiply makes it easy to find the right vehicle shipping service by allowing you to fill out a simple form to start collecting quotes. All you need to provide is the make & model of the automobile, the pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the vehicle. This information enables 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 & via email. It's recommended to keep email notifications on so you can be immediately notified 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.
After receiving a few quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure automobiles during transport. It's important to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected experience.
Shiply also has a feedback & ratings system that allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company & their overall score, which is highly recommended to review before selecting a quote.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From St. Peters, Missouri, US
St. Peters, Missouri, is a growing city located in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Many individuals move automobiles to & from St. Peters for various reasons, such as relocating for work, family, or education. The city's proximity to St. Louis & its affordable cost of living make it an attractive destination for those looking to move to the area.
Additionally, St. Peters is home to several large employers, including Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital, Citigroup, & Amazon, which may require employees to relocate & ship their vehicles. The city's central location within the United States also makes it a convenient hub for vehicle shipping companies, as it is easily accessible from many major highways.
When moving an automobile to or from St. Peters, it's essential to choose a reliable vehicle shipping company that offers services in the area. Shiply can help connect you with trusted vehicle shipping st. peters providers, ensuring that your car is transported safely & efficiently. By using Shiply to compare quotes from multiple st. peters vehicle shipping companies, you can find the best deal & service for your specific needs, making your move to or from St. Peters as smooth as possible.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in St. Peters
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate cost from a business for transporting a vehicle, on our site you complete one quotation 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. Peters vehicle shipping details in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in selecting which auto transport company to employ for your vehicle. The challenge is that, while most companies 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, with the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have and ultimately choose the best company for your needs.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping - Auto transport businesses on Shiply can usually offer 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 in. 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 economical 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 empty-handed after a delivery, which is not only expensive for them but also for the environment, as there are many people who could have utilized 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 journeys, resulting in even less wasted CO2 being emitted 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 suggest 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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