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 operate the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online, relocating to a new residence, or transporting your automobile overseas. Vehicle shipping companies provide a variety of services to accommodate your unique requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Transport Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, you must determine where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a long-distance car transport or shipping a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the car transport company's stores or operating bases. This option is typically more affordable but requires more effort on your part to get the vehicle 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 the distance.
Vehicle transport services are generally categorized into two types: having someone operate your vehicle to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Engage Someone To Operate Your Vehicle
Engaging someone to operate your vehicle to its destination is a straightforward solution for car shipping, whether it's a cross-country or interstate relocation. This approach is often more affordable as it doesn't necessitate trailers or an additional vehicle. It can also be quicker due to the straightforward nature of the transport. However, there are some drawbacks to this approach. Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be substantial for cross-country shipping. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your vehicle during the drive. These concerns are especially relevant for individuals purchasing or selling vehicles 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 is a safer way to transport it compared to having someone operate it. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile. You can choose between a single trailer for your vehicle, which is more expensive but ideal for transporting costly or classic vehicles, or a multi-car transporter that can carry several automobiles at once.
Open car shipping is the most affordable & common option for transporting a vehicle. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. While all vehicles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, which may not be recommended for highly valuable automobiles. Long journeys in open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage & exposure to the elements.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier that is 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 during transport.
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. They can provide tailored advice based on your specific requirements.
What Is The 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 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 get an accurate estimate is to collect vehicle shipping quotes from various auto transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
Several factors can impact the cost of your vehicle shipping, including:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate auto delivery.
- International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always more expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance traveled.
- Route: Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks can increase the cost.
- Shipping dates: Flexible timings can result in lower costs, while expedited shipping is more expensive.
- Vehicle size: Larger automobiles like SUVs cost more to transport than sedans.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable vehicles 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 cheaper, while rural or hard-to-access locations can increase the cost.
- Auto transport insurance: Additional cargo insurance may be necessary & can affect the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality plays a role, with winter being the most expensive time to ship a vehicle.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding A Vehicle Transport Service
With numerous 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.
How Can Shiply Assist In Finding Vehicle Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding a vehicle shipping service. By filling out a simple form with your vehicle's make & model, pickup & delivery locations, & desired shipping dates, you can receive 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.
Before selecting a quote, ask the company about their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure vehicles during transport. Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Frequently Move Vehicles To & From Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln, the capital city of Nebraska, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. As the second-largest city in the state, Lincoln attracts many individuals who are relocating for work, education, or family reasons. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a major public research university, draws students from across the country who may need to ship their vehicles to the city. Additionally, Lincoln's growing economy & affordable cost of living make it an appealing place to move to, resulting in an increased demand for vehicle shipping services to & from the city.
The Advantages of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Lincoln
Time-Saving - Instead of submitting a quotation request each time you require a precise cost for transporting your automobile, on our platform, you only complete one form & then can receive estimates based on the information you supply from various businesses. This could save you hours that you would've spent phoning companies and completing forms.
Communication with these auto transport providers is all possible through our platform as well, allowing you to maintain all of your Lincoln car shipping information in one location.
Effortless Price Comparison
When it comes down to it, the cost of the car transport quote is the most significant factor in deciding which auto shipping company to employ for your vehicle. The challenging part is that, while most are willing to provide rough estimates, you won't actually receive a firm Lincoln car shipping quote without first providing information. While this is understandable, it does mean that price comparison & obtaining an accurate quote isn't exactly straightforward.
Utilizing Shiply enables you to obtain genuine, final quotes from car transport businesses & compare them all together, giving you the ability to message them individually with any inquiries and ultimately select the best one for you.
Affordable Car Shipping Lincoln Options
Auto transporters on Shiply can usually offer their services for less than if you went to them directly. This is because they're often seeking to fill unused space on trips they're already making. Say you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your car there. On Shiply, a company may already have a multi-car carrier making that route with 5 of the 6 spots filled, & they just want to ensure they aren't wasting any room. As long as the dates, times, and locations are convenient for you, you can save up to 75% on Lincoln car shipping by using our service!
More Environmentally Friendly
Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it's also more eco-friendly! In the example above, if your car didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged shipping from a separate company, then the emissions would've doubled since another entire trip would be required just for your vehicle.
Similarly, many car carriers return empty-handed after a dropoff, which isn't just expensive for them but also harmful to the planet with all the wasted CO2 being released. A lot of the auto shippers on Shiply are looking to fill their trailers on return trips too, meaning even fewer emissions & continued affordable transport for users.
Readying Your Car for Shipping
If you've selected an auto transport company & feel confident about using them, then it's time to prepare your car for shipping. We recommend:
Documents - Ensure you have any docs you might need available for pickup/dropoff, especially if selling the vehicle.
Cleaning - Remove all personal belongings from your car before shipping, so nothing gets lost/damaged. It's also wise to clean it so you can inspect the condition & notice any new damages after delivery.
Running Condition - If it'll be driven during shipping/dropoff, ensure it's running with sufficient fluids, charged battery, & proper tire pressure. This also helps evaluate the condition upon arrival.
Photos - Capture high-quality pics of all angles before pickup as evidence of the car's pre-shipping condition in case any issues occur during transport.
After Delivery Checklist
Once the car shipping company finishes delivery:
Check Vitals - Test lights, brakes, engine etc. immediately to ensure expected working condition & report any issues to the transporter right away.
Exterior - Compare exterior to your pre-shipping photos to see if any new damage happened during transit.
Mileage - More relevant for services where the car is driven, but checking mileage can confirm the proper route was taken.
We'd really appreciate if you could leave a review of the auto transport company you used through Shiply so others can browse with confidence!
FAQ - Common Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about car shipping:
How much to ship a car? Prices can vary a lot, but on average expect around $2.92/mile for under 200 miles, $0.93 for 200-500 miles, & $0.78 for over 1,000 miles.
What's the most economical way? Having someone drive it is most affordable, but if you need a trailer then a multi-car transporter is your best budget-friendly option.
How do I pay? Up to each company, so discuss payment options with your chosen shipper before confirming.
Can I track it online? Some offer tracking & updates, but check with individual companies if you need this.
Presence required for pickup/dropoff? Usually yes, to sign paperwork & hand off keys.
Can I leave belongings inside? Some personal items are typically fine, but they aren't covered by insurance & may affect the shipping cost due to added weight.
How much gas? Around 1/4 tank is recommended - enough for loading/unloading but not too much extra weight.
Can I ship an inoperable vehicle? Yes, but it'll cost more since special equipment is needed for loading/unloading.
Modified vehicles ok? Yes, with so many transport providers available on Shiply, there's always someone equipped to safely ship your modified ride.
