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, relocating to a new residence, or transporting your automobile overseas. Vehicle shipping companies provide a variety of services to accommodate your unique requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Transport Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, you must determine where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a long-distance car transport or shipping a vehicle to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. This choice is typically more affordable but requires more effort on your part to get the automobile home. However, most individuals prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery, 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 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 it's across the country or to another state. This approach 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, such as increased mileage on your vehicle (especially when shipping a car across country) & the 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.
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. 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, which comes in different variants:
Open car shipping is the most affordable & common option, where your vehicle is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. While all automobiles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making this option less suitable for highly valuable vehicles. Long journeys in open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple automobiles 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.
If you need to transport your vehicle overseas, it's best to find a specialist service or a company with experience in overseas car 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, 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 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 different companies, which is easy to do on 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 car 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 traveled. It may require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container.
Route: The route taken from the pick-up spot to the delivery location can affect 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 urgency of your vehicle transportation can impact the price. Flexible timings may result in lower charges, as vehicle shipping companies can fit your delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. Expedited shipping, where you require auto transport within a strict timeframe, typically costs more due to the dedication of a trailer & driver for your delivery.
Vehicle Size: The height, length, & width of the vehicle affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles, such as SUVs, generally cost more to transport than sedans. Always inform the auto transport company about any accessories like bike racks or roof racks, as they can change the required trailer size.
Vehicle Condition: If your automobile is not drivable, it may increase the cost of auto transport. Non-operational vehicles require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load & unload them from the trailer. Cars that can brake, roll, & steer are considered in good enough condition for easy shipping by most vehicle carriers.
Auto Transport Service Type: The type of auto transport service you choose affects the cost. Having someone drive your automobile is the most affordable option, as you're essentially paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the extra equipment required. Enclosed car shipping is the most expensive method, as it involves your vehicle traveling alone while still needing specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
Locations Of Pickup & Delivery: The pickup & drop-off locations can also influence the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services nearby, & common destination routes tend to offer affordable car shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more due to deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. Unusual or hard-to-access pick-up or drop-off points may require extra steps to load your vehicle, increasing the vehicle shipping cost.
Auto Transport Insurance: While all auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance. If a vehicle transport company doesn't provide cargo insurance, it's highly recommended that you acquire some for your automobile during transit. Clarify what type of damage is covered, the deductible, the parts of the vehicle covered, & any other relevant details.
Time Of Year: Seasonality can affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more in the winter due to ice & snow slowing the routes. Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your automobile, as adverse weather conditions can cause delays & reduce the maximum speed of transport. December is typically challenging due to drivers being on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased vehicle shipping costs. Spring is a great time to ship your automobile, with improved weather, longer days, & more available drivers, often resulting in affordable rates & high availability. Summer is the prime season for shipping cars, with the longest days, students traveling home, employees taking vacations, & a popular time for moving houses. Fall can offer slightly more affordable prices, with vehicle shipping companies being less busy & more driver availability after the summer rush.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
With hundreds of vehicle transport companies available, finding the right one can be daunting. Searching on Google or through phone books can be time-consuming, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without individual quotes. This is where Shiply can help.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding a vehicle shipping service. You only need to fill out a simple form with your automobile's make & model, pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the vehicle. This information allows auto transport providers on Shiply to provide accurate quotes for your job.
Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & email. It's recommended to keep email notifications on to know immediately when a new quote arrives. Quotes can start coming in within minutes of posting your listing, but it's best to wait for a few options before making a decision.
You can ask the auto transport companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure your automobile. It's crucial to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected process.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company & their overall score, which is highly recommended before selecting a quote to ship your vehicle.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Cincinnati, Ohio, US
Cincinnati, Ohio, is a major city in the United States, known for its vibrant culture, strong economy, & excellent quality of life. Many people relocate to Cincinnati for job opportunities, as the city is home to several Fortune 500 companies & a thriving startup scene. Others are attracted to the city's affordable cost of living, diverse neighborhoods, & excellent schools. Cincinnati also offers a wide range of cultural attractions, including museums, theaters, & sports teams, making it an appealing destination for families & individuals alike.
When moving to or from Cincinnati, many people choose to ship their automobiles using auto transport services. This is especially common for those moving long distances, as driving a vehicle across the country can be time-consuming & expensive. Vehicle shipping companies in Cincinnati offer a convenient & safe way to transport automobiles, ensuring they arrive at their destination in the same condition as when they were picked up. Whether moving to Cincinnati for work, family, or personal reasons, using a vehicle shipping service can make the transition smoother & less stressful.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Cincinnati
Time-efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each instance you desire an accurate cost from a business for transporting a vehicle, on our site you complete one quotation form & can then obtain quotes from various companies based on the information you submit. This can conserve you hours of effort that you would have spent phoning companies & inputting details.
Communication with these businesses is also feasible via our platform, allowing you to store all your Cincinnati vehicle shipping details in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial aspect in choosing which auto transport company to employ to transport your vehicle. The challenge is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average costs & rough estimates, you won't receive a definite vehicle transport quote without supplying information & completing details. Although this is reasonable, it means that comparing prices & obtaining a vehicle transport quote is not a simple process.
Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final price estimates from Cincinnati vehicle shipping companies & compare them in one place, offering the opportunity to message them individually to inquire about any concerns you may have & ultimately select the optimal company for your needs.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping - Auto transport businesses 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 & have already invested the expense 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 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 auto transport by utilizing our service.
Eco-Friendly - Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it is also more environmentally friendly! In the above scenario, if your vehicle didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire journey 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 for the environment, as there are many individuals 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, 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 & 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 during transport. It is also highly recommended that you clean your vehicle before transport, as this will allow you to assess 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 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, & 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, & 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 & 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.
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