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 proves useful in various circumstances 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 transporting your automobile overseas. Vehicle shipping gering services can be incredibly beneficial when ferries are unavailable & you must depend on an auto transport company to transport your vehicle.
Fortunately, there are numerous vehicle transport services available to accommodate your specific requirements, which we will explore below.
Varieties Of Auto Transport Services
When it comes to auto transport services, there are several choices to consider. The initial decision you'll need to make is where you want your vehicle collected from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or shipping an automobile to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is one possibility, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this choice is generally less expensive, it does necessitate more effort on your part to get the vehicle home.
Most individuals, however, favor a door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their vehicles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or simply moving an automobile to another state. This option is more convenient as it eliminates the need to collect your vehicle from a separate location, which can be challenging without your automobile.
Vehicle transport services generally fall into two categories: having someone operate your vehicle to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
One straightforward solution to vehicle shipping is hiring someone to operate your automobile to its destination, whether it's shipping a car across the country or to another state. This method is often less expensive as it doesn't require trailers or an additional vehicle, & it can be quicker due to the simplicity of the transport.
However, there are some drawbacks to this approach that lead some individuals to choose other types of vehicle transport offered by car shipping companies. Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be significant when shipping a car across the country, although less so when shipping a car to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your vehicle during the drive. These concerns are particularly relevant for people buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the automobile arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Placing your vehicle on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone operate your automobile to its destination. With vehicle shipping trailers, there are several options available depending on the value & size of your automobile.
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 automobile at a time, but they are a great choice for moving expensive or classic cars that you don't want to risk damaging. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, but this is by far the most expensive option.
The other option is a multi-car transporter, which can move many vehicles at once. There are a few variants of multi-car transporters:
Open vehicle shipping is the least expensive & most common option when transporting an automobile. Your vehicle is placed on an open carrier & driven 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 option for highly valuable automobiles. Additionally, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage & exposure to the elements, even though it may be the least expensive way to ship a car cross country.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier, but they are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is often preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during auto transport.
If you need to move your vehicle overseas, it's best to find a specialist service on our platform or one with experience in overseas vehicle shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
Gering, Nebraska, US: A Popular Destination for Vehicle Shipping
Gering, a city in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, has become a popular destination for vehicle shipping. Many individuals relocate to Gering for its small-town charm, affordable cost of living, & proximity to natural attractions like Scotts Bluff National Monument. As a result, there is a high demand for vehicle shipping gering services, with many individuals & families relocating to the area & needing to transport their automobiles.
Vehicle shipping companies in Gering offer a range of services to meet the needs of those moving to or from the city. Whether you require door-to-door delivery, terminal-to-terminal transport, or specialized services for classic or luxury automobiles, you can find a reliable vehicle shipping gering provider to assist you.
When choosing a vehicle shipping company in Gering, it's essential to consider factors such as their experience, reputation, insurance coverage, & pricing. By comparing quotes from multiple providers & reading customer reviews, you can find a vehicle shipping gering service that offers the best value for your specific needs & budget.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Vehicle?
The cost of shipping 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 per mile for journeys between 200 & 500 miles, & $0.78 per mile 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 get an accurate estimate is to collect vehicle shipping quotes from multiple vehicle transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
To help you understand what factors can impact the cost of your vehicle shipping, we've outlined the main ones below.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Auto Transport
While everyone wants inexpensive vehicle transport, several factors & variables can influence the cost of your vehicle shipping. Here are the main ones to consider:
Distance: As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of your vehicle transport. Cross-state & cross-country journeys will cost more than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the least expensive option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases, so you won't be paying excessively for longer distances.
International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas will always result in expensive vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics involved & the distance the automobile needs to travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container.
Route: Along with distance, the route taken to transport your vehicle from its pick-up spot to its delivery location can affect the pricing. Routes with known higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more than quieter roads due to the additional time required. Unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could also incur extra costs or necessitate a longer alternative route.
Shipping dates: The speed at which you need your vehicle transportation service can also impact the price. If you can be flexible with timings, you may find that your vehicle shipping service charges less, as they can fit your automobile delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. However, if you require auto transport within a strict timeframe (known as expedited shipping), it will typically cost more, as the vehicle transport company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver specifically for your delivery.
Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of your automobile will all affect the cost of transport. Vehicle shippers will require larger trailers for bigger automobiles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. Always inform the auto transport company about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on the vehicle, as these can change the size of the trailer required for the delivery.
Vehicle condition: If your automobile is not in drivable condition, it may increase the cost of auto transport. This is because it may require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load & unload your vehicle from the trailer. If your automobile has a locked wheel, for example, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto & off a trailer, requiring more time, effort, & machinery to complete the delivery compared to a standard vehicle transport service. Most vehicle carriers consider an automobile that can brake, roll, & steer to be in good enough condition for easy shipping.
Auto transport service type: The type of auto transport service you choose will also affect the cost of your vehicle shipping. Having someone operate your automobile to its destination will always be the least expensive option, as you are essentially just paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single vehicle trailers & enclosed transport will likely be more expensive, as they require extra equipment. Enclosed vehicle shipping is always the most expensive method of shipping an automobile, as it means your vehicle travels alone & still needs specialized equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
Locations of pickup & delivery: The pickup & drop-off locations can also impact the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services in close proximity, & if it's a common destination route, you will generally get inexpensive vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. If a pickup or drop-off point is in an unusual or hard-to-access location, extra steps may be needed to load your automobile, which can also increase the vehicle shipping cost.
Auto transport insurance: While all auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance, as it is not legally required. If a vehicle transport company does not offer cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you seek out & acquire coverage for your automobile during transit. As with all insurance policies, make sure you understand what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, which parts of the vehicle are covered, & any other relevant details.
Time of year: Seasonality can also affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more to ship an automobile in the winter due to ice & snow slowing down routes. Here's a quick breakdown of how each season can impact auto transport costs:
Winter: Often the most expensive season to ship your automobile due to ice, snow, & blizzard conditions causing delays & reducing maximum transport speeds. December is typically difficult, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased vehicle shipping costs. February, however, is usually quiet, & great rates are often available from vehicle shipping services during this month.
Spring: A great time to ship your automobile, with improved weather conditions, longer days, & more available drivers. March is often better than April or May, as there is often a rush to move vehicles from colder to warmer states.
Summer: The prime season for shipping vehicles, with the longest days, students traveling home from universities, employees taking vacations, & a popular time for moving house. June, July, & August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, so don't expect inexpensive vehicle shipping during the summer.
Fall: A good time to ship a vehicle if you're looking for slightly cheaper prices. Vehicle shipping companies are less busy, & there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. October or November are better options than September, which is peak time for students shipping their automobiles to university.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
Now that you have a better understanding of what vehicle shipping & vehicle shipping services entail, as well as the type of auto transport service you need, you probably want to find a vehicle transport service that suits your requirements.
The challenge is that there are hundreds of vehicle transport companies out there. Searching for them on Google can result in scrolling through numerous pages trying to find the best vehicle shipping company at the best price. The same is true if you were to go through phone books. Furthermore, many of these companies are reluctant to provide pricing upfront, meaning you will 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 Auto Transport Companies?
Given the numerous options & variables involved in finding a vehicle shipping 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 is the make & model of the vehicle that needs shipping, the pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the automobile. This information allows the auto transport providers on Shiply to provide you with accurate quotes for your job.
Once your listing is live, you will receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & via email. We recommend keeping email notifications turned on so that you can be immediately notified when a new quote arrives. 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), insurance coverage, & 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 automobile. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company & their overall score.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate estimate from a business on transporting a vehicle, on our platform, you complete one quotation form and can then receive estimates based on the information you supply from several companies. This can save you hours of time you would have spent phoning enterprises and completing forms. Communication with these businesses is also feasible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your vehicle transport information in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle transport estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto shipping company to employ to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't receive a definite vehicle transport quote without having to give information and fill in details. While this is understandable, it means that price comparison and obtaining a vehicle transport quote is not exactly a straightforward process. Utilizing Shiply enables you to receive authentic, final price estimates from vehicle transport companies and compare them in one place, offering the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have and ultimately decide on the best company for you.
Affordable Vehicle Transport
Auto shipping companies on Shiply can typically 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 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 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 are suitable 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 and instead, you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire journey would be needed 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 people who could have used that transporter to move their vehicles in the other direction. Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are also looking to fill their trailers on return journeys, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Readying Your Vehicle for Shipping
If you have chosen an auto transport company to relocate your vehicle and 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 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 in transit. It is also highly recommended that you clean your vehicle before transport as this will allow you to determine 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 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, 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 determine 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 most affordable 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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