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 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. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an alternative where designated collection & drop-off points, frequently the car transport company's facilities or operating bases, are utilized. While this option is typically more affordable, it demands more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. However, most individuals prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery, where their automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country car transport or simply moving a car to another state.
Car transport services can be broadly classified into two categories: 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 you need to move a car across the country or to another state. This approach is often more affordable as it doesn't necessitate trailers or an additional vehicle, & it can be quicker due to its simplicity. However, there are some drawbacks to consider, such as the addition of mileage to your automobile, especially when moving 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. 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, but this is also the most costly option.
Multi-car transporters, which can carry several automobiles at once, come in different variants:
- Open car shipping: The most affordable & 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 transit, 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 cars 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 vehicles.
For overseas vehicle transportation, it's best to find specialist services or companies with experience in overseas car shipping to receive tailored advice based on your requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Move A Vehicle?
The cost of moving 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 obtain quotes from vehicle transport companies, which is easily done on Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Auto Transport
While everyone wants affordable car transport, several factors can impact the cost of vehicle shipping services:
1. Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate car delivery, which is often the most affordable option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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, where you require auto transport within a strict timeframe, typically costs more.
5. 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.
6. 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 automobile. Cars that can brake, roll, & steer are considered in good enough condition for easy shipping.
7. Auto transport service type: 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. Enclosed car shipping is the most costly method.
8. Collection & delivery locations: Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services nearby, & common destination routes often offer affordable 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.
9. 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 automobile during transit. Clarify the type of damage covered, deductibles, & parts of the vehicle included in the insurance policy.
10. Time of year: Seasonality affects car shipping prices, with winter being the most expensive due to ice, snow, & blizzard conditions causing delays & reduced speeds. Spring is a great time for affordable rates & high availability, while summer is the busiest season with higher prices. Fall offers slightly cheaper prices, especially in October & November.
How To Move A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport 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 individual quotes.
This is where Shiply can help simplify the process. By filling out a simple form with your vehicle's make & model, collection & delivery locations, & desired dates, you can easily collect quotes from auto transport providers on Shiply. Quotes start coming in 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 availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure your vehicle. Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores, helping you make an informed decision.
Vehicle Shipping in Miles City, Montana
Miles City, located in eastern Montana, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to its central location & proximity to major highways. Many people move cars to & from Miles City for various reasons, such as relocating for work, purchasing or selling automobiles online, or transporting classic cars to events.
As a hub for agriculture, energy, & tourism, Miles City sees a significant amount of vehicle transport activity. Its location along Interstate 94 makes it easily accessible for car shipping companies, ensuring competitive rates & reliable service. Whether you're moving a vehicle to or from Miles City, you can find reputable auto transport providers on Shiply to meet your needs.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Miles City
Time-Saving - Instead of completing a quote form each time you desire an exact price from a business on transporting your automobile, on our platform you simply complete one quote form & then can receive quotes based on the information you supply from several companies. This can save you hours of time you would have had to spend phoning companies and filling out forms.
Communication with these businesses is all possible through our platform too, meaning you can store all of your car shipping info in one location.
Price Comparison - The Essential Factor
When it comes down to it, the price of the car shipping quote is the most important factor in choosing which auto transport company to utilize to ship your vehicle. The challenging thing is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't actually be given a firm car transport quote without having to provide details & fill in information. While this is reasonable, it does mean that price comparison and getting a car transport quote isn't exactly a simple task.
Using Shiply allows you to receive genuine, final price quotes from car shipping companies 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 company for you.
Affordable Car Shipping in Miles City
Auto transport businesses on Shiply are typically able to offer their services for a lower cost than if you went direct 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 move your automobile there. On Shiply, a company may already have a multi-car transporter making that journey 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.
Better For The Environment
Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it is also better for the environment. In the above example, if your car didn't get on that multi-car transporter and instead you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be needed just for your automobile.
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 lots of people who could have used that transporter to move their cars 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 cheap transport for our users.
Preparing For Your Car To Be Shipped
If you have decided on an auto transport company to move your car and feel secure using them, then it's time to prepare your automobile 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 vehicle.
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 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.