What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also referred to as auto shipping or car transport, is a service offered by vehicle shipping companies that involves collecting your automobile from one location & transporting it to another. It's beneficial for moving a vehicle in various situations where you can't operate the car yourself. For instance, you might be buying or selling a pre-owned car online & need to transport it to another state, or maybe you've recently moved & need to ship your automobile across the country. Vehicle transportation services can also be extremely useful when you need to relocate your car overseas & ferries aren't available, requiring you to depend on an auto shipping company to manage the job.
Luckily, there are numerous vehicle transport services available to satisfy your specific requirements, which we'll discuss below.
Types Of Car Shipping Services
Here's an overview of the various car shipping services available. It's advantageous to review them & determine the type of automobile transportation service you require or prefer for transporting your vehicle.
The first decision you need to make is where you want your automobile picked up from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or moving 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. Terminal-to-terminal car delivery is typically more affordable but requires more effort on your part to get the automobile home. However, most people require a door-to-door car shipping delivery service, where their vehicles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or just moving a car to another state. This is often preferable as it eliminates the need to travel to collect your automobile, which can be challenging without your car in the first place!
Vehicle transportation services generally fall into two categories: having someone operate your car to the destination or placing it on a trailer for shipping.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
This straightforward solution to vehicle shipping involves hiring someone to operate your car to the desired location, whether you need to transport a vehicle across the country or to another state. The advantages of this car shipping method include lower costs, as trailers & an extra automobile aren't required, & faster delivery due to the simplicity of the transport.
However, there are some drawbacks to this method offered by vehicle transportation companies that lead some people to choose other types of car shipping. Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be significant when moving a vehicle across the country, although less so when transporting a car to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your automobile while it's being operated from point A to point B. These concerns are particularly relevant for people buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Put Your Automobile On A Trailer
Placing your car on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone operate your vehicle to its destination. With automobile shipping trailers, there are several options available depending on the value & size of your car.
First, you need to decide whether you want a single trailer for your automobile. These are often more expensive as they only transport one car at a time but are an excellent choice if you're moving a costly or classic vehicle that you don't want to risk damaging. The safest way to ship a car is to put it in a shipping container, but this is by far the most expensive option. The other option is a multi-car transporter, which can move many automobiles at once & comes in a few variants:
Open vehicle shipping by any car transportation company is the most affordable & most common option for moving a car. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. All cars are securely fastened, but as the name suggests, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so vehicle shipping companies may not recommend this for highly valuable automobiles. Furthermore, while it may be the most affordable way to transport a car cross-country, long journeys in open trailers obviously pose a higher risk of damage & leave your vehicle exposed to the elements for extended periods.
Enclosed car shipping involves securing multiple automobiles on a carrier, but they are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This is often preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during car transportation.
If you need to relocate your automobile overseas through a car shipping company, try to find a specialist service on our platform or one with experience in overseas vehicle transportation, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Vehicle?
Several variables affect the cost of moving a car, but on average, car 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.
These figures are just averages for automobile moving companies, & your vehicle transport may cost more or less depending on the circumstances. The best way to find out how much car shipping will cost you is to collect vehicle transportation quotes from car shipping companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
If you want to estimate how much you can expect your automobile delivery to cost, consider the factors that can affect the price of vehicle transport services, which we'll discuss below.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Car Shipping
We all want affordable vehicle transport, but several factors & variables can impact the cost of your car shipping. Here are the main ones to consider when estimating whether your car transportation requirements will be costly or cheap:
As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of your vehicle transport, with cross-state & cross-country journeys costing much more than interstate car delivery, which is often the most affordable vehicle shipping option.
While longer distances do cost more, fortunately, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases, ensuring you're not paying excessively.
International shipping always results in costly vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring a car overseas & the distance it needs to travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your automobile.
Route - Along with distance, the route required to take your car from its collection spot to its delivery spot can affect the pricing of your vehicle carrier service. Routes with known higher traffic, such as in LA, may end up costing more than quieter roads due to the added time. Similarly, unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could also incur extra costs from the automobile moving companies or necessitate a different, longer route.
Shipping Dates - The speed at which you need your vehicle transportation service to operate can also affect the price. For example, if you can be flexible with timings, you may find that your car shipping service charges significantly less. This is because they can fit your automobile delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads, passing the savings on to you. However, if you require car transport within a strict timeframe (often known as expedited shipping), it will typically cost more due to the vehicle shipping company likely having to dedicate a trailer & driver solely for your delivery.
Vehicle Size - The height, length, & width of the automobile will all affect the cost of transporting your car. Vehicle shippers will require larger trailers for bigger cars, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. Additionally, always inform the car shipping company about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on the vehicle, as these can also change the size of the trailer required for the delivery.
Vehicle Condition - If your car is not in drivable condition, it may increase the cost of your vehicle transport. This is because it may require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load & unload your automobile from the trailer. For example, if your car has a locked wheel, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto a trailer & off again, requiring more time, effort, & machinery to complete the delivery compared to a standard vehicle transportation service. Most car carriers consider an automobile that can brake, roll, & steer to be in good enough condition for easy shipping.
Car Shipping Service Type - The type of vehicle transportation service you select will also affect the cost of your car shipping. Having someone operate your automobile to its destination will always be the most affordable option, as you're essentially just paying for the driver's time & fuel. In contrast, single car trailers & enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive, as they require extra equipment. Enclosed vehicle shipping is always the most costly method of moving a car, as it means your automobile travels alone & still needs specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
Locations Of Pickup & Delivery - The collection & drop-off locations can also increase the price of moving a vehicle. Urban areas usually have car 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 collection or drop-off point is in an unusual or hard-to-access space, extra steps may be needed to load your automobile, which can also increase the car shipping cost.
Car Transportation Insurance - While all vehicle shipping companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance, as it's not legally required. If a car transport company doesn't 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 understand what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, which parts of the vehicle are covered by the insurance, & any other relevant questions.
Time Of Year - Seasonality can also affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more to move a car in the winter due to ice & snow slowing the routes. Here's a quick breakdown of how each season can affect car transportation costs:
Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your automobile. Ice, snow, & blizzard conditions can all cause delays on the roads & reduce the maximum speed at which the vehicle delivery service can transport cars. December is typically a difficult time to have a car shipped, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased automobile shipping costs. However, February is usually quiet, so great rates are often available from car transportation services during this month.
Spring is a great time to ship your automobile with a vehicle shipping 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 car. 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 cars - 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 car shipping industry, & you should not expect affordable vehicle transportation during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship a car if you're looking for a slightly cheaper 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 automobile in October or November rather than September, as this is peak time for students shipping their cars to university.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding A Car Shipping Service
Now that you know more about what vehicle shipping & a car transportation service are & what sort of auto transport service you need, you probably want to go ahead & find a vehicle shipping 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 to find the best car 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'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 Car Shipping Companies?
Given all the options & variables involved in finding a vehicle transportation 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 car that needs shipping, the collection location & delivery location, & the dates you need to move the automobile. This gives the car transport providers on Shiply enough information to provide you with an accurate quote for your job.
Once your listing is live, you'll 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 car. 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 reviewing before selecting a quote to ship your vehicle. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company & their overall score.
Why People Often Move Cars To & From Mandan, North Dakota, US
Mandan, a city in Morton County, North Dakota, United States, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. Many people relocate to Mandan for job opportunities, as the city has a diverse economy with industries such as healthcare, education, & manufacturing. Additionally, Mandan's proximity to Bismarck, the state capital, makes it an attractive location for those working in government or related sectors.
Mandan is also known for its high quality of life, with a low cost of living, excellent schools, & a variety of recreational activities. The city's location along the Missouri River provides opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, while its rich history & cultural attractions draw in visitors & new residents alike.
Furthermore, Mandan's central location within North Dakota makes it a convenient hub for vehicle shipping. Whether people are moving to or from Mandan, car transportation companies often serve this area due to its accessibility & the frequent need for automobile transport services.
When searching for vehicle shipping services in Mandan, it's essential to consider factors such as the company's reputation, experience with car transportation in Mandan, & their ability to provide door-to-door service. By using platforms like Shiply, you can easily compare quotes from multiple vehicle shipping companies serving the Mandan area & choose the one that best suits your needs & budget.
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The Benefits of Using Shiply for Auto Transport in Mandan
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate estimate from a company regarding mandan auto transport, on our platform you complete one quotation form & can then obtain estimates based on the information you supply from several companies. This can save you a significant amount of time that you would have spent phoning companies & providing details. Communication with these businesses is also feasible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your auto shipping data in one location.
Rate Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the auto shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which vehicle transport company to employ to transport your automobile. The challenging aspect is that, while most companies are willing to provide average rates & rough estimates, you won't receive a definite auto transport quote without having to give information & complete details. While this is reasonable, it means that rate comparison & obtaining an auto transport quote is not a simple process. Using Shiply enables you to receive authentic, final price estimates from auto shipping companies & compare them in one location, providing the opportunity to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately choose the best company for your needs.
Affordable Auto Shipping - Vehicle transport companies on Shiply can usually provide their services at 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 automobile there, a company on Shiply may already have a multi-car transporter making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots occupied, & they are simply looking to ensure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, & pick-up/drop-off locations are convenient for you, you can often save up to 75% on vehicle transport by using our service.
Environmentally Friendly - Using Shiply for vehicle transport is not only less expensive but also more environmentally friendly. In the previous example, if your automobile did not get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate auto shipper, the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be required just for your vehicle. Similarly, many auto 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 used that transporter to move their vehicles in the opposite direction. Many of the vehicle 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 Automobile for Shipping
If you have selected a vehicle transport company to transport your automobile & feel confident using them, it's time to get your vehicle ready for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Documents - It is crucial to ensure that any necessary documents 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 before 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, 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 auto 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 auto 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 auto 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 car can, in rare cases, cause damage, & you want to be sure your auto transport service has not done so.
Check Mileage - This is more relevant to auto 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 vehicle transport company you used through Shiply so that others can browse auto shipping services with the same peace of mind.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have answered some of the most asked questions about auto shipping:
How much to ship a car? Auto 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 vehicle transport company on Shiply & is something you should discuss with your chosen auto delivery service before confirming the delivery. Most companies will be flexible with payment options, however.
Can I track my car transport online? Each auto 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 auto transport companies to confirm that this is possible with them.
Does someone have to be present for pickup & delivery? In most cases, the auto 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 auto 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.
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