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 numerous situations 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 unavailable. Luckily, there are various auto transport services available to cater to your specific requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Shipping 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 used. While this option is typically more affordable, it demands more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. Most individuals, however, opt for door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of the distance.
Vehicle shipping services are generally categorized into two 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 it's across the country or to another state. The advantages of this method include lower costs, as trailers & extra vehicles are not required, & quicker delivery due to the simplicity of the transport. 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 during the drive, which is particularly concerning for those 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 automobile on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone drive it to its destination. 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 expensive or classic cars, or a multi-car transporter that can carry several automobiles at once.
Open vehicle shipping is the most affordable & 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, making this option less suitable 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 cars on a carrier that is enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles 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, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
What Is The Cost Of Transporting A Vehicle?
The expense of transporting a vehicle varies depending on several factors, but on average, US auto transport companies 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 quotes from vehicle transport companies, which is easily done through Shiply.
Elements That Can Impact The Expense Of Vehicle Transport
While everyone wants affordable vehicle transport, several elements can influence the cost of vehicle shipping services. Some of the main factors include:
1. Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost significantly more than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the cheapest option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases.
2. International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance the automobile must travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or shipping containers.
3. Route: The route taken to transport your vehicle from its collection location to its delivery spot can affect the pricing. Routes with higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more than quieter roads due to the additional time required. Unforeseen circumstances, like major roadworks, can also incur extra costs or necessitate a longer alternative route.
4. Shipping dates: The urgency of your vehicle transportation service can impact the price. Flexible timings often result in lower charges, as vehicle shipping companies can fit your delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. However, expedited shipping within a strict timeframe typically costs more, as the vehicle transport company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver specifically for your delivery.
5. Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of your automobile will affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles, such as SUVs, generally cost more to transport than sedans, as they require larger trailers. It's essential to inform the auto transport company about any accessories on your car, such as bike racks or roof racks, as they can change the size of the trailer needed for the delivery.
6. 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, such as a winch or forklift, to load & unload them from the trailer. A car that can brake, roll, & steer is considered to be in good enough condition for easy shipping by most vehicle carriers.
7. Auto transport service type: The type of auto transport service you choose will also affect the cost of vehicle shipping. Having someone drive your automobile to its destination is the cheapest option, as you are essentially paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the extra equipment required. Enclosed vehicle shipping is the most expensive method, as it involves your automobile traveling alone while still needing specialized equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
8. Pickup & delivery locations: The locations of your vehicle's collection & delivery can also impact the cost of shipping. Urban areas typically have vehicle shipping services in close proximity, & common destination routes often offer affordable vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. Unusual or hard-to-access collection or drop-off points may also require extra steps to load your automobile, increasing the vehicle shipping cost.
9. Auto transport insurance: While all auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance. If a vehicle transport company does not provide cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you obtain additional coverage for your automobile during transit. When considering insurance policies, ensure you understand what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, which parts of the vehicle are covered, & any other relevant details.
10. Time of year: Seasonality can also affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more to ship a car in the winter due to ice & snow slowing the routes. Here is a quick breakdown of how each season can affect auto transport costs:
- Winter: Often the most expensive season to ship your automobile due to potential delays caused by ice, snow, & blizzard conditions. December is typically a difficult time to ship a vehicle, 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 often offers better rates than April or May, as there is often a rush to move cars from colder to warmer states.
- Summer: The prime season for shipping cars, with the longest days of the year, 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, & affordable vehicle shipping is less likely during the summer.
- Fall: A good time to ship a car if you are 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 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 Shiply can help simplify the process.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply streamlines the process of finding the right vehicle shipping service by allowing you to fill out a simple form to start collecting quotes. All you need to provide is the make & model of the vehicle that needs shipping, the collection & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the automobile. This information enables auto transport providers on Shiply to provide 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 it's advisable to wait for a few options before making a decision.
After receiving a few quotes, you can ask the vehicle shipping companies 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 these questions to any company you are considering to ensure a smooth & expected process.
Shiply also offers a feedback & ratings system, which 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, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Often Move Cars To & From Monroe, North Carolina, US
Monroe, a city located in Union County, North Carolina, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. As a growing city with a strong economy, Monroe attracts many new residents who often require vehicle shipping services to relocate their automobiles. Additionally, the city's proximity to Charlotte, the largest city in North Carolina, makes it a convenient location for those moving to or from the Charlotte metropolitan area.
Another reason for the high demand for vehicle shipping in Monroe is the presence of several major employers, such as ATI Specialty Materials, Scott Safety, & Tyson Foods. These companies often hire employees from other states or regions, necessitating the use of vehicle shipping services to transport their automobiles to Monroe.
Furthermore, Monroe is home to South Piedmont Community College, which attracts students from various parts of the country. Many of these students opt to ship their cars to Monroe rather than drive long distances or rely on public transportation.
Lastly, Monroe's location along major highways, such as US-74 & NC-75, makes it a convenient stop for vehicle shipping companies transporting automobiles along the East Coast. This accessibility contributes to the city's popularity as a vehicle shipping destination.
In conclusion, Monroe, North Carolina, experiences a high volume of vehicle shipping due to its growing economy, proximity to Charlotte, major employers, educational institutions, & convenient location along major transportation routes.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Automobile Transport in Monroe
When it comes to monroe automobile shipping, Shiply provides several advantages that make the procedure more convenient, economical, and eco-friendly. Here are some of the primary benefits of utilizing Shiply for your vehicle transport requirements.
Time-Efficient
Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire a precise price from a company on transporting a car, on our platform, you complete one quotation form and can then receive estimates based on the information you supply from various companies. This can save you hours of time you would have spent contacting companies and completing forms.
Communication with these companies is also possible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your automobile shipping details in one location.
Cost Comparison
When it comes down to it, the price of the automobile shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto transport company to use to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most companies are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't actually be given a definite automobile transport quote without having to provide information and fill in details. While this is understandable, it does mean that cost comparison and obtaining an automobile transport quote isn't exactly a straightforward task.
Utilizing Shiply allows you to receive genuine, final price estimates from automobile shipping companies and compare them in one place, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have and ultimately decide on the best company for you.
Affordable Automobile Shipping in Monroe
Auto transport companies on Shiply are typically able to offer their services for a lower cost than if you went directly to them. This is because they are often looking to fill space on journeys they are already making and have already invested the cost for. Say, for example, you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York and 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, 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 work for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service.
More 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 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 affordable transport for our users.
Readying Your Vehicle for Shipping
If you have decided on an auto transport company to move your vehicle and 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 ascertain 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 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 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 ascertain 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 most economical 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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