What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also known as car shipping or auto transport, is a service offered by auto transport companies that involves collecting your vehicle from one location & transporting it to another. It's beneficial for moving a car in various situations where you can't operate the vehicle yourself. For instance, you might be buying or selling a used car online & need to transport it to another state, or maybe you've recently moved & need to ship your vehicle across the country. Auto transport services can also be extremely useful when you need to transfer your car overseas & ferries aren't available, requiring you to depend on a car shipping company to manage the task.
Luckily, there are several vehicle transport services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we'll discuss below.
Types Of Car Shipping Services
When it comes to car shipping services, there are a few choices to consider. It's crucial to carefully review these options & determine the type of auto transportation service that best suits your needs for transporting your vehicle.
The first decision you'll need to make is where you want your car collected from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or moving a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is one option, where designated collection & drop-off points are used, often at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While terminal-to-terminal car delivery is usually cheaper, it does require more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. However, most people prefer a door-to-door car transport delivery service, where their vehicles are collected & dropped off right at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or just moving a car to another state. This option is often more convenient as it eliminates the need for you to travel to collect your car, which can be challenging without your vehicle in the first place!
Vehicle transport services generally fall into two categories: having someone operate your car to the destination or loading it onto a trailer for shipping.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
One straightforward solution for vehicle shipping is to hire someone to operate your car to its destination, whether you need to transport a vehicle across the country or to another state. The advantages of this car transport method include lower costs, as trailers & an additional vehicle aren't required, & faster delivery due to the simplicity of the shipping process.
However, there are some drawbacks to this method offered by vehicle shipping companies that lead some individuals to choose other types of auto transport. Firstly, mileage is added to your car during the journey, which can be significant when transporting a vehicle across the country, although less so when moving a car to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage occurring to your vehicle while it's being operated from point A to point B. These concerns are particularly relevant for people buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the exact condition as advertised.
Put Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Placing your car on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection compared to having someone operate your vehicle to its destination. When it comes to auto shipping trailers, there are several options available depending on the value & size of your car.
First, you'll need to decide whether you want a single trailer for your vehicle. These are often more expensive as they only transport one car at a time, but they're an excellent choice if you're moving an expensive or classic vehicle that you don't want to risk damaging. The safest way to ship a car is to place it in a shipping container, but this is by far the most costly option. The other option is a multi-car transporter, which can move multiple vehicles simultaneously & comes in a few variations:
Open vehicle shipping by any auto shipping company is the most affordable & common option for transporting a car. Your vehicle is placed on an open carrier & operated to the destination. While all cars are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so vehicle shipping companies may not recommend this method for highly valuable vehicles. Additionally, while it may be the cheapest way to transport a car cross-country, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage & expose your vehicle to the elements for extended periods.
Enclosed car transport involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier, but they are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is often preferred for more expensive or newer cars where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during auto shipping.
If you need to transfer your car overseas through a car transport company, it's best to seek out specialist services on our platform or one with experience in overseas vehicle shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your specific requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Vehicle?
The cost of transporting a vehicle varies based on several factors, but on average, car 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 figures are just averages for vehicle moving companies, & your auto transport costs may be higher or lower depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of car shipping is to obtain auto transport quotes from multiple vehicle shipping companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
If you want to get a rough idea of how much you can expect your vehicle delivery to cost, consider the factors that can impact the price of auto transport services, which we'll discuss below.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Car Shipping
While we all want cheap vehicle transport, several factors & variables can influence the cost of your car shipping. Let's explore the main ones to give you a general idea of whether your auto transport requirements will be expensive or affordable.
As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of your vehicle transport, with cross-state & cross-country journeys being more expensive than interstate car delivery, which is often the cheapest option.
Although longer distances do cost more, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases, ensuring that you're not paying excessively.
International shipping always results in expensive auto shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring a vehicle overseas & the distance it needs to travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your car.
Route - Along with distance, the route required to ship your vehicle from its collection location to its delivery spot can affect the pricing of your auto carrier service. Routes with known higher traffic, such as in LA, may end up costing more than quieter roads due to the additional time it can add to the journey. Similarly, unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could also incur extra costs from the vehicle moving companies or necessitate a different, longer route.
Shipping Dates - The speed at which you need your vehicle transportation service to operate can also impact the price. If you have flexibility in terms of timings, you may find that your auto shipping service charges significantly less. This is because they can fit your car delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads for themselves, passing the savings on to you. However, if you require car transport within a strict timeframe (often referred to as expedited shipping), it will typically cost you more, as the vehicle shipping company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver solely for your delivery.
Vehicle Size - The height, length, & width of the car will all affect the cost of transporting your vehicle. Auto shippers will require larger trailers for bigger vehicles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to ship than sedans. It's important to inform the car transport company about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on the vehicle, as these can also change the size of the trailer required for the delivery.
Vehicle Condition - If your car is not in a drivable condition, it may increase the cost of your vehicle transport. This is because it may require additional equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load & unload your vehicle from the trailer. For example, if your car has a locked wheel, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto a trailer & off again, requiring more time, effort, & machinery to complete the delivery compared to a standard auto transport service. Most vehicle carriers consider a car that can brake, roll, & steer to be in good enough condition for easy shipping.
Car Shipping Service Type - The type of car shipping service you choose will also affect the cost of your vehicle shipping. Having someone operate your car to its destination will always be the most affordable option, as you're essentially just paying for the driver's time & fuel. On the other hand, single vehicle trailers & enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive, as they require specialized equipment. Enclosed auto shipping is always the most expensive method of transporting a car, as it means your vehicle travels alone & still requires specialized equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
Locations Of Pickup & Delivery - The locations where you need the vehicle collected from & dropped off can also impact the price of shipping a car. Urban areas typically have auto shipping services in close proximity, & if it's a common destination route, you'll generally find cheap vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. If a collection or drop-off point is in an unusual or hard-to-access location, additional steps may be necessary to load your car, which can also increase the auto shipping cost.
Car Transport Insurance - While all car transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance, as it is not legally mandated. If a vehicle shipping company does not provide cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you seek out & obtain coverage for your car during its transit. As with all insurance policies, ensure that you understand what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, which parts of the vehicle are covered by the insurance, & any other relevant questions you may have.
Time Of Year - Seasonality can also affect the price of auto shipping, with many services costing more to transport a vehicle in the winter due to ice & snow slowing down routes. Here's a quick breakdown of how each season can impact car shipping costs:
Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your car. Ice, snow, & blizzard conditions can all cause delays on the roads & reduce the maximum speed at which the vehicle delivery service can transport cars. December is typically a challenging time to have a car shipped, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased auto shipping costs. However, February is usually quiet, so great rates are often available from vehicle shipping services during this month.
Spring is an excellent time to ship your car with a vehicle transportation service. With improved weather conditions, longer days, & more drivers ready to work, Spring can often mean affordable rates & high availability when it comes to moving your vehicle. March is generally a better time to ship than April or May, as there is often a rush to move cars from colder to warmer states.
Summer is the prime season for shipping vehicles - the days are the longest in the year, students are traveling home from universities, employees take vacations, & it is also a very popular time to move house. This means that June, July, & August are all busy months for the car transport industry, & you should not expect cheap auto shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship a vehicle if you're looking for slightly cheaper prices. Auto shipping companies are less busy, & there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. However, you're better off looking to move your car in October or November rather than September, as this is peak time for students shipping their vehicles to university.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding A Car Transport Service
Now that you have a better understanding of what auto shipping & a vehicle shipping service entail, as well as the type of car transport service you need, you're probably ready to find an auto shipping service that suits your requirements.
The challenge is that there are hundreds of vehicle shipping companies out there. Trying to find them on Google can result in scrolling through countless pages to find the best auto shipping company at the best price, & the same is true if you were to go through phone books. Moreover, many of these companies are reluctant to provide pricing upfront, meaning you'll likely need to apply for a quote & fill out details with each of them individually, which can be very time-consuming.
How Can Shiply Help Find Car Shipping Companies?
Given all the options & variables involved in finding an auto transport service, searching for & finding the right one can seem like a daunting task, & this is where Shiply can help.
On Shiply, you simply need to fill out a simple form to start collecting quotes. All we need from you are the make & model of the vehicle that needs shipping, the pickup location & delivery location, & the dates you need to move the car. This provides the car transport providers on Shiply with enough information to provide you with an accurate quote for your job.
Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & to your email. We recommend keeping email notifications turned on so that you can be immediately notified when a new quote comes through. Quotes can start coming in within a few minutes of posting your listing, but we always recommend waiting for a few to come through before making a decision, so you have multiple options to choose from.
Once you have a few quotes, you can ask the providers any questions you may have, such as their availability (if a time frame is given), what insurance they have, & how they would secure your vehicle. We recommend asking any company you may use these questions to ensure that everything goes smoothly & as expected.
Shiply has a feedback & ratings system that we highly recommend reviewing before selecting a quote to ship your car. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company, as well as their overall score.
Vehicle Shipping Beatrice
Beatrice, Nebraska, US is a city that often sees people moving vehicles to & from the area. Many individuals relocate to Beatrice for work or personal reasons, & they often need to ship their cars as part of the moving process. Auto shipping companies in Beatrice offer a range of services to accommodate these needs, whether it's transporting a vehicle across the country or just to a neighboring state.
Beatrice vehicle shipping providers are experienced in handling various types of cars, from standard vehicles to classic or luxury models. They understand the unique requirements of each car & take the necessary precautions to ensure safe & secure transport. Whether you're moving to Beatrice or leaving the city, these auto shipping companies can help make the process of relocating your vehicle as smooth & stress-free as possible.
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The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Beatrice
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 one quotation form & can then obtain quotes from various companies based on the information you submit. This can conserve you hours of effort that you would have spent phoning businesses and completing forms.
Communication with these businesses is also feasible via our platform, allowing you to store all your Beatrice vehicle shipping details in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial aspect in choosing which auto transport company to employ for transporting your vehicle. The challenge is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average costs & rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite vehicle transport quote without supplying information & filling in details. Although this is reasonable, it means that comparing prices & getting a vehicle transport quote isn't precisely a simple process.
Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final price estimates from vehicle shipping businesses & compare them in one location, offering the capability to message them individually to inquire about any questions you might have & ultimately decide on the optimal company for your needs.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping Beatrice - Auto transport businesses on Shiply can usually provide their services at a lower cost than if you contacted them directly. This is because they are frequently seeking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already invested the expense for. For instance, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your vehicle there, a company on Shiply might already have a multi-car transporter making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots occupied, & they are simply looking to ensure they aren't 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 utilizing our service.
Eco-Friendly - Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more economical, but it is also more environmentally friendly! In the above scenario, 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 journey would be required 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 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, meaning even less wasted CO2 is 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 & feel confident using them, then it's time to get your vehicle ready 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 transport. 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 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, & 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 determine whether any extra damage has occurred. Shipping a car can, in rare cases, cause damage, & 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 & 500 miles, & 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 & 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 & delivery?
In most cases, the car 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 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, & 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 & 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.
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