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 car yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used vehicle 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 numerous auto transport services available to cater to your specific requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Transport Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, the initial choice you need to 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 requires more effort on your part to get the automobile home. Most individuals, however, opt for 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 divided into two types: having someone drive your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport. Having someone drive your car is a straightforward solution that involves hiring a driver to take your vehicle to its destination. This method is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an extra vehicle, & it can be quicker due to its simplicity. However, there are some drawbacks, such as added mileage to your automobile (especially when shipping a car across country) & a slight risk of damage during the journey.
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer option that guarantees a higher level of protection than having someone drive it. There are multiple trailer options available, depending on the value & size of your vehicle. Single trailers, while more expensive, are ideal for transporting expensive or classic cars that require extra care. The safest way to transport a car is in a shipping container, although this is the most costly option. Multi-car transporters, which can carry several vehicles at once, come in two main variants:
Open vehicle shipping is the most affordable & most 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. Long journeys in open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage.
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 vehicle 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.
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 various 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, 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 also require special enclosed trailers or shipping containers.
Route: The route taken from the collection spot to the delivery location can affect pricing. Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks may incur extra costs or require longer alternative routes.
Shipping dates: Flexibility in timings can lead to lower costs, as vehicle shipping companies can fit your delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. Expedited shipping within a strict timeframe typically costs more.
Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of the vehicle, as well as any accessories like bike racks or roof racks, can change the size of the trailer required & affect the cost.
Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may require extra equipment like winches or forklifts for loading & unloading, increasing the cost of auto transport.
Auto transport service type: Having someone drive your car is the most affordable option, while single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the specialized equipment needed.
Pickup & delivery locations: Urban areas with common destination routes often have more affordable vehicle shipping services, while rural deliveries or hard-to-access spaces may incur extra costs.
Auto transport insurance: While auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, additional cargo insurance is recommended & may affect the overall cost.
Time of year: Seasonality can impact vehicle shipping prices, with winter being the most expensive due to weather-related delays & reduced speeds. Spring & fall offer better rates & availability, while summer is the busiest season.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding A Vehicle Transport Service
With numerous vehicle transport companies available, finding the right one can be overwhelming. 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 Assist In Finding Vehicle Transport Companies?
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a vehicle shipping service by allowing you to fill out a simple form with your automobile's make & model, collection & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the vehicle. This information enables 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 stay informed about new quotes, which can start arriving within minutes of posting your listing. To ensure you have multiple options, wait for a few quotes before making a decision.
When you have received several quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure vehicles 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 & the company's overall score, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Frequently Move Vehicles To & From Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, US
Cuyahoga Falls, located in Ohio, US, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. Many people move to Cuyahoga Falls for job opportunities, as the city has a diverse economy with a mix of manufacturing, healthcare, & retail industries. The city's proximity to Akron & Cleveland also makes it an attractive location for commuters.
Additionally, Cuyahoga Falls is home to several universities & colleges, such as the University of Akron & Fortis College, which attracts students from across the country. These students often require vehicle shipping services to transport their automobiles to & from the city during the academic year.
Retirees also find Cuyahoga Falls appealing due to its affordable cost of living, beautiful parks, & recreational activities. When relocating to the city, many retirees opt for vehicle shipping services to transport their automobiles safely & conveniently.
Furthermore, Cuyahoga Falls hosts various events throughout the year, such as the Riverfront Irish Festival & the Cuyahoga Falls Festival of the Arts, which draw visitors from surrounding areas. Some of these visitors may choose to ship their cars to the city to avoid the hassle of driving long distances.
In conclusion, vehicle shipping cuyahoga falls & cuyahoga falls vehicle shipping are popular services due to the city's thriving economy, educational institutions, attractive living conditions for retirees, & exciting events that draw visitors from near & far.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Cuyahoga Falls
Time-Efficient - Instead of submitting a quotation request each time you require a precise cost for transporting your automobile, on our platform you complete one form & then can receive estimates based on the information you supply from several providers. This can save you significant time you would've spent contacting companies & inputting details.
Communication with these providers is all possible through our platform as well, allowing you to store all of your "cuyahoga falls car shipping" details in a single location.
Rate Comparison - Ultimately, the cost of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most significant factor in deciding which auto transport service to utilize to transport your automobile. The challenging aspect is that, while most providers are willing to offer average rates & approximate estimates, you won't actually receive a definite "car shipping cuyahoga falls" quote without having to provide information & fill in specifics. While this is reasonable, it does mean that rate comparison & obtaining a vehicle transport estimate isn't exactly a straightforward process.
Utilizing Shiply enables you to obtain genuine, final price estimates from vehicle shipping providers & compare them in one place, giving you the capability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately choose the best provider for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping
Auto transport providers on Shiply are typically able to provide their services for a lower cost than if you went directly to them. This is because they are often seeking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already paid for the expense. Say, for instance, you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your vehicle there. On Shiply, a provider may already have a multi-car transporter making that trip 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 are suitable for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by utilizing our service!
Superior For The Environment
Not only is utilizing Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it is also superior 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 vehicle shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be required just for your automobile.
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 individuals who could have utilized that transporter to transport their vehicles in the opposite direction. Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are seeking to fill their trailers on return trips too, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being emitted into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Readying For Your Vehicle To Be Transported
If you have chosen an auto transport provider to transport your vehicle & feel confident using them, then it's time to ready your automobile for shipping. We recommend 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 items from your automobile 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 automobile 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 automobile for the vehicle delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photos of all parts of the automobile. This provides you with evidence of the automobile's condition before shipping should anything happen to it during transport.
What To Do After Delivery
Once the vehicle shipping provider 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 automobile 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 see whether any extra damage has occurred. Shipping an automobile 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 automobile 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 provider 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 an automobile? Vehicle 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 most affordable way to ship an automobile? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the most affordable way to ship an automobile, 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 an automobile.
How do I pay for my auto transport? This is down to each individual auto transport provider on Shiply & is something you should discuss with your chosen vehicle delivery service before confirming the delivery. Most providers will be flexible with payment options, however.
Can I track my vehicle transport online? Each vehicle shipping provider 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 providers to confirm that this is possible with them.
Does someone have to be present for pickup & delivery? In most cases, the vehicle shipping provider 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 automobile keys.
Can I keep items in my vehicle during my vehicle shipment? Most vehicle transport providers 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 automobile 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.