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 drive the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online & need to transport it to another state, relocating & requiring long-distance vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are not an option.
Luckily, there are numerous auto shipping services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we will explore below.
Varieties Of Vehicle Shipping Services
When it comes to vehicle shipping services, there are several crucial choices you need to make. Firstly, you must decide where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or shipping a car to another 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 option 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 a car to another state. This option is more convenient as it eliminates the need to collect your automobile from a separate location, which can be challenging without your vehicle.
Vehicle transport services can be categorized into two main types: having someone drive your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Drive Your Vehicle
Employing someone to drive your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether you need to transport a car across the country or to another state. This method is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an additional 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 automobile during the journey, which can be significant when shipping a car across the country. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your vehicle while it's being driven. 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.
Put Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone drive your vehicle. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile.
Single trailers are often more expensive as they only transport one vehicle 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 an automobile is in a shipping container, but this is also the most expensive option.
Multi-car transporters can carry many vehicles at once & come in a few variants:
Open vehicle shipping is the most affordable & most common option offered by vehicle shipping companies. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all cars are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so this may not be recommended for highly valuable vehicles. Additionally, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage & exposure to the elements.
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.
How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Vehicle?
The cost of transporting 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 cost may be higher or lower depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to obtain vehicle shipping quotes from various vehicle transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
To get a rough idea of what to expect, consider the factors that can affect the price of vehicle transport services, which we will discuss below.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
While we all want affordable vehicle transport, several factors & variables can impact the cost of your vehicle shipping. Let's explore the main ones to help you understand 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. Cross-state & cross-country journeys are generally more expensive than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the most affordable option.
Although longer distances cost more, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases, ensuring you're not paying excessively.
International shipping always results in expensive vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring an automobile overseas & the distance it must travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your vehicle.
The route required to take your automobile from its pick-up spot to its delivery location can also affect the pricing of your vehicle carrier service. Routes with known higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more than quieter roads due to the added time. Similarly, unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could incur extra costs from the vehicle moving companies or necessitate a longer alternative route.
The shipping dates can also impact the price. If you're 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, passing the savings on to you. 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.
The size of your vehicle, including its height, length, & width, will 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.
If your automobile is not in drivable condition, it may increase the cost of your auto transport. This is because it may require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load & unload your vehicle from the trailer. For example, if your automobile has a locked wheel, 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 to ship easily.
The type of auto transport service you select will also affect the cost of your vehicle shipping. Having someone drive your automobile to its destination will always be the most affordable option, as you're essentially just paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single vehicle trailers & enclosed transport are likely to 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 specialist equipment to load, unload, & protect it during transport.
The pickup & delivery locations can also increase the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services in close proximity, & if it's a common destination route, you'll tend to get affordable vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. If a pick-up or drop-off point is in an unusual or hard-to-access space, extra steps may be needed to load your vehicle, which can also increase the vehicle shipping cost.
While all auto transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance, as it's not required by law. If a vehicle transport company does not offer cargo insurance, it's highly recommended that you seek out & acquire some for your automobile during its transit. As with all insurance policies, make sure you are clear on what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, what parts of the vehicle are covered by the insurance, & any other questions you may have.
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 the routes. Here's a quick breakdown of how each season can affect auto transport costs:
Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your vehicle. Ice, snow, & blizzard conditions can all cause delays on the roads & reduce the maximum speed at which the vehicle delivery service can transport automobiles. December is typically a difficult time to have a vehicle shipped, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased vehicle shipping costs. However, February is usually quiet, so great rates are often available from vehicle shipping services during this month.
Spring is a great time to ship your vehicle 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 automobile. March is often a better time to ship than April or May, as there is often a rush to move vehicles 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's also a very popular time to move house. This means that June, July, & August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, & you should not expect affordable vehicle shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship an automobile if you're looking for a slightly more affordable price. Vehicle shipping companies are less busy, & there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. However, you're better off looking to move your vehicle in October or November rather than September, as this is peak time for students shipping their automobiles to university.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
Now that you know more about what vehicle shipping & a vehicle shipping service are & what sort of auto transport service you need, you probably want to go ahead & find a vehicle transport service that's right for you.
The issue is that there are hundreds of vehicle transport companies out there. Trying to find them on Google can result in scrolling through numerous pages trying to find the best vehicle shipping company for 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, 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 all the 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 are the make & model of the vehicle that needs shipping, the pickup location & delivery location, & the dates you need to move the automobile. This gives the auto transport providers on Shiply enough information to provide you with an accurate quote for your job.
Once your listing is live, you will receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & to your email. We recommend keeping email notifications turned on so that you can know immediately when a new quote comes through. Quotes can start coming through within a few minutes of posting your listing, but we always recommend waiting for a few to come through before making a decision so that you have multiple options to choose from.
Once you have a few quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as when they are available (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 looking at before selecting a quote to ship your vehicle. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company, as well as their overall score.
Chaparral, New Mexico, US - Vehicle Shipping Destination
Chaparral, New Mexico, is a popular destination for people moving their automobiles to & from the area. Located in Doña Ana County, Chaparral is a growing community that attracts many new residents each year. People often move to Chaparral for its affordable housing, proximity to El Paso, Texas, & the beautiful surrounding desert landscape.
When moving to or from Chaparral, many people choose to use vehicle shipping services to transport their automobiles. This is especially true for those moving long distances or across state lines. By using a vehicle shipping company, residents can save time & effort, as well as ensure that their vehicles arrive safely at their new homes.
Shiply makes it easy for people moving to or from Chaparral to find reliable & affordable vehicle shipping services. By connecting customers with a network of trusted auto transport providers, Shiply helps streamline the process of shipping an automobile to or from Chaparral, New Mexico.
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The Benefits of Using Shiply for Automobile Transportation in Chaparral
Time-Efficient - Rather than submitting a quotation form each instance you desire an accurate cost from an organization 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 supply. This can conserve you hours of effort that you would have spent phoning businesses and completing forms. Communication with these organizations is also feasible through our platform, allowing you to store all your Chaparral automobile shipping details in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the automobile shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in selecting which auto transport company to employ for your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most companies willingly provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't receive a definite car transport quote without supplying information and filling in details. Although this is understandable, it means that comparing prices and obtaining a car transport quote is not a simple task. Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final price estimates from automobile 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 Automobile Shipping - Auto transport companies on Shiply can typically provide 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 car there, a company on Shiply might 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 affordable but also more eco-friendly! In the previous example, if your car 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 trip 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 harmful to the environment as there are many people who could have utilized that transporter to move their cars in the opposite direction! Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are also looking to fill their trailers on return trips, 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 get your car ready for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Documents - Ensure that any necessary documents are available at pick-up or drop-off, especially if you are selling your vehicle.
Cleaning - Remove all personal belongings from your vehicle before shipping to avoid the risk of them getting lost or damaged in transit. It is also highly recommended to clean your vehicle before transport 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, ensure that it is in running condition. This means checking fluid levels, battery charge, and tire pressure. This can also help you better evaluate the condition of the vehicle upon arrival.
Photographic Evidence - One crucial step 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 in case anything happens to it during transport.
Post-Delivery Steps
Once the car shipping company you selected has completed their delivery, there are a few things you should do:
Check Vital Signs - Inspect lights, brakes, and engines immediately to ensure that the car is in the expected condition and to promptly raise any concerns with the car delivery service if anything is not functioning properly.
Exterior Condition - Compare the exterior of the vehicle to the photos taken before to determine whether any additional damage has occurred. Shipping a car can, in rare instances, 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 aligns 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.
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