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 you are unable to drive the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online & need to transport it to a different 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 decisions you need to make. Firstly, you must determine where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or shipping a car to a different state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, often 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 shipping 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 a different 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 shipping services are generally divided into two categories: having someone drive your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Drive Your Vehicle
Hiring 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 a different 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 method 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 individuals buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place 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 want to protect from damage. The safest way to transport a vehicle 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 & common option, where your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all vehicles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making this option less suitable 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.
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 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 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 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 shipping is to obtain vehicle shipping quotes from various companies, which is easily done 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 Affect The Cost Of Vehicle Shipping
While we all want affordable vehicle transport, several factors & variables can impact 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 vehicle transport. Cross-state & cross-country journeys are more expensive than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the most affordable option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases.
- International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always more expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance the automobile must travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or a shipping container.
- Route: Along with distance, the route taken to transport your vehicle from its collection spot to its delivery location can affect the pricing. Routes with higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more than quieter roads due to the added time. Unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could also incur extra costs or require a different, longer route.
- Shipping dates: The speed at which you need your vehicle transported can also impact the price. Flexibility in timings may result in lower charges, as vehicle moving companies can fit your delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. However, if you require expedited shipping within a strict timeframe, it will typically cost more as the company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver specifically for your delivery.
- Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of your automobile will affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles like SUVs generally cost more to transport than sedans, as they require larger trailers. Be sure to inform the auto shipping company of any accessories like bike racks or roof racks, as they can change the size of the trailer needed.
- Vehicle condition: If your automobile is not in drivable condition, it may increase the cost of auto transport. Non-operational vehicles may require extra equipment like a winch or forklift to load & unload them from the trailer, taking more time, effort, & machinery compared to a standard vehicle transport service. Most vehicle carriers consider a car that can brake, roll, & steer to be in good enough condition for easy shipping.
- Auto transport service type: The type of auto shipping service you choose will also affect the cost. Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the most affordable option, as you're essentially paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single vehicle trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the extra equipment required. Enclosed vehicle shipping is the most expensive method, as your automobile travels alone & still needs specialized equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
- Pick-up & delivery locations: The locations of your vehicle's collection & drop-off points can also impact the cost of shipping. Urban areas typically have vehicle shipping services nearby, & common destination routes often offer affordable vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries may cost more as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. If the collection or drop-off point is in an unusual or hard-to-access location, additional steps may be needed to load your automobile, increasing the cost.
- Auto transport insurance: While all auto shipping companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance as it's not legally required. If a company doesn't offer cargo insurance, it's highly recommended that you obtain some for your automobile during transit. When considering insurance policies, make sure you understand what type of damage is covered, if there's 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. Many services cost more 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 potential delays caused by ice, snow, & blizzard conditions, which can also reduce the maximum speed of transport. December is typically challenging as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased shipping costs. However, February is usually quiet, & great rates are often available during this month.
- Spring: A great time to ship your automobile, with improved weather conditions, longer days, & more available drivers. March often offers better rates than April or May, as there is usually a rush to move vehicles from colder to warmer states.
- Summer: The prime season for shipping cars, with the longest days, students traveling home from universities, employees taking vacations, & a popular time for moving house. June, July, & August are busy months for the auto transport industry, so don't expect affordable 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 cars to university.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Shipping Service
Now that you have a better understanding of what vehicle shipping entails & the types of auto transport services available, you may be wondering how to find the right vehicle transport service for your needs.
The challenge lies in the fact that there are hundreds of vehicle transport companies out there. Searching for them on Google can result in scrolling through countless 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'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 Auto Shipping Companies?
Given the numerous options & variables involved in finding a vehicle shipping service, the task can seem daunting. This is where Shiply can help.
On Shiply, you simply need to fill out a simple form to start collecting quotes. All we require 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 minutes of posting your listing, but we always suggest waiting for a few to come through before making a decision, so you have multiple options to choose from.
After receiving 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 offer, & how they would secure your vehicle. We recommend asking these questions to any company you consider using to ensure a smooth & expected process.
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.
Grants, New Mexico, US & Vehicle Shipping
Grants, a city in Cibola County, New Mexico, is a popular destination for individuals moving their vehicles to & from the area. Many people relocate to Grants for various reasons, such as job opportunities, family, or a change of scenery. When moving to or from Grants, shipping a vehicle is often necessary, especially if the distance is significant or if driving the automobile is not feasible.
Vehicle shipping companies play a crucial role in facilitating these moves, offering a range of services to transport automobiles safely & efficiently. Whether you're moving to Grants from another state or relocating from Grants to a different part of the country, auto transport providers can help ensure your vehicle arrives at its destination in the same condition as when it was picked up.
When considering vehicle shipping to or from Grants, it's essential to research & compare different auto transport companies to find the one that best suits your needs & budget. Factors to consider include the type of transport (open or enclosed), door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal delivery, insurance coverage, & the company's reputation & customer reviews.
By using a platform like Shiply, you can easily connect with multiple vehicle shipping companies serving the Grants area, allowing you to obtain competitive quotes & make an informed decision based on your specific requirements.
The Fantastic Advantages of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport
Time-efficient - Rather than completing quote forms each and every instance you require a precise price from businesses to transport your vehicle, on our platform you simply complete one form & then receive quotes based on the information you supply from various transporters. This can save you a great deal of time you would've spent contacting companies & filling out forms.
Communication with these businesses is all feasible through our platform as well, allowing you to maintain all your vehicle shipping information in a single location.
Price Comparison - The Crucial Aspect
When it comes down to it, the expense of the vehicle shipping quote is the most significant factor in choosing which auto transport company to utilize to ship your automobile. The challenging aspect is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually obtain a firm vehicle transport quote without supplying info & completing details. While this is understandable, it does mean that price comparison & getting a precise quote isn't exactly simple.
Utilizing Shiply allows you to obtain real, final price quotes from vehicle shipping companies & compare them all together, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions & ultimately decide on the best one for you.
Inexpensive Vehicle Shipping - Save Big $$$
Auto transport businesses on Shiply are typically able to offer their services for significantly less than if you went direct to them. This is because they are often looking to fill empty space on journeys they are already making & have already paid for. Say, for example, you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to move your vehicle there. On Shiply, a company may already have a multi-car transporter making that journey with 5 of the 6 spots filled, & they are just looking to ensure they aren't wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, & pick-up/drop-off locations work for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service.
Better For The Environment - Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Not only is using Shiply for auto transport less expensive, but it is also significantly better for the environment! In the above example, if your vehicle didn't get on that multi-car transporter & 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 automobile.
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 lots of people who could have used that transporter to move their vehicles in the other direction! Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are looking to fill their trailers on return journeys too, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued inexpensive transport for our users.
Preparing For Your Vehicle To Be Shipped
If you have decided on an auto transport company to move your vehicle & feel secure using them, then it's time to prepare your automobile for shipping. We recommend following these steps:
Documents - It is important to ensure that any documents you may need are available at pick up or drop off, especially if you are selling your vehicle.
Cleaning - You should take care to remove all personal items 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 see 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 judge 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 photos 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 see 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 grants with the same peace of mind.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have answered some of the most asked questions about grants 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.
