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 & need to transport it to another state, relocating & requiring long-distance vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are not available. Vehicle shipping companies provide a variety of auto transport services to accommodate your unique requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Transport Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, the initial choice you must make is 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 an option, where designated collection & drop-off points, often the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are utilized. While this option is typically less expensive, it demands more effort on your part to get the automobile home. Most individuals, however, favor 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 automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport. Having someone operate your vehicle is a straightforward solution that is often less expensive as it doesn't require trailers or an additional vehicle. It can also be quicker due to the straightforward nature of the transport. However, this method has some drawbacks, such as increasing mileage on your vehicle, especially when shipping a car across the country, & a slight risk of damage during the journey. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals buying or selling automobiles online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer option that guarantees a higher level of protection than having someone operate your vehicle. Vehicle 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 care. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, although this is the most expensive option. Multi-car transporters, which can transport many vehicles at once, come in different variants:
- Open vehicle shipping: The least expensive & most common option, where your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. While all vehicles are safely secured, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making it less suitable for highly valuable automobiles.
- Enclosed auto transport: Multiple vehicles 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 automobiles.
For overseas vehicle transportation, it's best to find specialist services or companies with experience in overseas vehicle shipping to 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 may cost more or less depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to collect vehicle shipping quotes from various vehicle transport companies, which is easily done on platforms like Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
Several factors can impact the cost of vehicle shipping, including:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate vehicle delivery.
- International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is more expensive due to the logistics & distance involved.
- Route: Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks can increase costs.
- Shipping dates: Flexible timings may 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 cars may require extra equipment, increasing the cost.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the least expensive option, while enclosed vehicle shipping is the most expensive.
- Pickup & delivery locations: Urban areas with common routes offer cheaper vehicle shipping, while rural or hard-to-access locations may increase costs.
- Auto transport insurance: Additional cargo insurance beyond the required liability insurance can affect the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality plays a role, with winter being the most expensive time to ship a vehicle due to weather conditions & holidays.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding A Vehicle Transport Service
With hundreds of vehicle transport companies available, finding the right one can be a daunting task. Searching on Google or through phone books can be time-consuming, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without a detailed quote application. This is where platforms like Shiply can help simplify the process.
How Can Shiply Assist In Finding Vehicle Transport Companies?
Shiply streamlines the process of finding vehicle shipping services by allowing you to fill out a simple form with your automobile's make & model, pickup & delivery locations, & desired shipping dates. This information enables auto transport providers on Shiply to provide accurate quotes for your specific needs.
Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & email. It's recommended to keep email notifications on to stay informed about new quotes, which can start arriving within minutes of posting your listing. Before making a decision, wait for a few quotes to come through to have multiple options to choose from.
When considering quotes, feel free to ask the vehicle shipping companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure automobiles during transport. It's crucial to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected experience.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is another valuable resource when selecting a vehicle shipping company. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Clovis, New Mexico
Clovis, a city in eastern New Mexico, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. As a regional hub for agriculture & commerce, Clovis attracts many people who relocate for work, often requiring vehicle shipping services to transport their automobiles. The city's proximity to Cannon Air Force Base also contributes to the demand for vehicle shipping, as military personnel & their families frequently move to & from the area.
Additionally, Clovis is situated along major transportation routes, such as U.S. Highway 60 & U.S. Highway 84, making it a convenient location for vehicle shipping companies to pick up & deliver automobiles. The city's central location between larger metropolitan areas like Albuquerque & Amarillo also makes it a popular stopover point for vehicle transport services.
Furthermore, Clovis is home to several colleges & universities, including Clovis Community College & Eastern New Mexico University. Students attending these institutions often require vehicle shipping services when moving to & from the city for their studies.
With its diverse economy, military presence, convenient location, & educational institutions, Clovis, New Mexico, experiences a steady demand for vehicle shipping services, making it a common destination for auto transport companies.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Clovis
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each instance you desire an accurate cost from a business on Clovis vehicle transport, on our site you complete one quotation form & can then obtain quotes based on the information you supply from several companies. This can conserve you hours of effort you would have needed to invest phoning businesses and completing forms. Communication with these businesses is also feasible via our platform, allowing you to store all of your vehicle shipping details in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto transport company to employ to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite vehicle transport quote without having to give information & fill in details. While this is reasonable, it does mean that cost comparison and obtaining a vehicle transport quote isn't precisely a simple task. Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final cost estimates from vehicle shipping businesses & compare them in one place, offering the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the optimal company for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping in Clovis - Auto transport businesses on Shiply are usually able to provide their services for a lower cost than if you went directly to them. This is because they are frequently seeking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already invested the cost for. For instance, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your vehicle there, a company on Shiply may already have a multi-car transporter making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots occupied, & they are just looking to ensure they are not squandering 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.
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 & instead you arranged transport from a separate vehicle shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip 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 people who could have utilized that transporter to move their vehicles in the opposite direction. Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are also looking 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 prepare your vehicle for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Documents - It is crucial to ensure that any documents you may require 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 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 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 vehicle delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photographs of all parts of the vehicle. This provides you with evidence of the vehicle's condition before shipping should anything happen to it during transport.
What to Do After Delivery
Once the vehicle 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 vehicle is in the expected condition, as well as enable you to immediately raise concerns with the vehicle 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 vehicle can, in rare cases, cause damage, & you want to be sure your vehicle transport service has not done so.
Check Mileage - This is more relevant to vehicle shipping services where the vehicle is driven to the destination but it can help to check the mileage to ensure that it matches up with the trip 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 vehicle shipping services with the same peace of mind.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have answered some of the most asked questions about vehicle shipping:
How much to ship a vehicle?
Vehicle shipping prices can vary drastically depending on the circumstances, but on average a trip should cost you around $2.92 per mile if the trip is less than 200 miles, $0.93 if the trip is between 200 & 500 miles, & if the trip is over 1,000 miles then this drops to $0.78.
What is the most affordable way to ship a vehicle?
Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the most affordable way to ship a vehicle, however, if you require a trailer then a multi-car transporter will be your best option with regard to the most affordable way to ship a vehicle.
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 vehicle delivery service before confirming the delivery. Most companies will be flexible with payment options, however.
Can I track my vehicle transport online?
Each vehicle shipping company on Shiply has different ways of operating, but many offer the ability to track your vehicle shipment, with some even able to provide personal updates. If you require tracking, you should message individual vehicle transport companies to confirm that this is possible with them.
Does someone have to be present for pickup & delivery?
In most cases, the vehicle 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 vehicle keys.
Can I keep items in my vehicle during my vehicle shipment?
Most vehicle 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 vehicle 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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