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 & need to transport it to another state, relocating & requiring long-distance vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are not an option. Luckily, there are numerous vehicle 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 a possibility, where designated collection & drop-off points, frequently the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are utilized. While this option is typically more affordable, it demands more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. However, most individuals prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their automobiles 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. Having someone drive your vehicle is a straightforward solution that involves hiring a driver to take your automobile to its destination. 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 added mileage to your automobile (especially when shipping a car across country) & a slight risk of damage during the journey.
Placing your vehicle 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 automobile. Single trailers, while more expensive, are ideal for transporting expensive or classic cars that require extra care. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, although this is the most costly option. Multi-car transporters, which can carry several automobiles at once, come in two main variants: open & enclosed.
Open vehicle shipping is the most affordable & most common option, where 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 transit, making this option less suitable for highly valuable vehicles. Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple cars on a carrier that is enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during the journey. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles.
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.
What Is The Cost Of Transporting 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 Shiply.
Several factors can affect the cost of auto transport, including:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate vehicle delivery.
- International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always more expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance traveled.
- Route: Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks can increase costs.
- Shipping dates: Flexible timings often result in lower costs, while expedited shipping is more expensive.
- Vehicle size: Larger automobiles, such as SUVs, typically cost more to transport than sedans.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may require extra equipment, increasing the cost.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone drive your vehicle is the most affordable option, while enclosed vehicle shipping is the most expensive.
- Pickup & delivery locations: Urban areas usually have lower costs, while rural or hard-to-access locations can increase the price.
- Auto transport insurance: Additional cargo insurance may be necessary, affecting the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality can impact prices, with winter being the most expensive & spring offering the best rates.
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 Assist In Finding Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a vehicle shipping service by allowing you to fill out a simple form to start collecting quotes. You only need to provide the make & model of the vehicle, the pickup & 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. It's recommended to keep email notifications turned on so you can be immediately informed 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 companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they would secure your vehicle. It's crucial to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected process.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is another valuable tool 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 Delaware
Delaware, a state located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to several factors. One of the main reasons people move automobiles to & from Delaware is its strategic location. Situated along the I-95 corridor, Delaware provides easy access to major cities like Philadelphia, Baltimore, & Washington, D.C., making it a convenient hub for vehicle transport.
Another reason for the popularity of vehicle shipping in Delaware is the state's tax-free status. Delaware does not impose a sales tax on automobile purchases, which attracts many car buyers from neighboring states. This tax advantage often prompts people to purchase vehicles in Delaware & then ship them to their home states, leading to an increased demand for vehicle shipping services.
Additionally, Delaware is home to a significant number of corporate headquarters & businesses, resulting in a high volume of employee relocations. When companies transfer employees to or from Delaware, they often require vehicle shipping services to transport their automobiles, contributing to the state's vehicle shipping industry.
Furthermore, Delaware's proximity to major ports, such as the Port of Wilmington & the Port of Philadelphia, makes it a convenient location for international vehicle shipping. Many people who need to transport their automobiles overseas find Delaware an attractive option due to its well-connected ports & experienced vehicle shipping companies.
In conclusion, Delaware's strategic location, tax-free status, corporate presence, & proximity to major ports make it a popular destination for vehicle shipping. Whether you're moving to or from Delaware, buying a vehicle in the state, or relocating for work, there are numerous vehicle shipping companies available to meet your needs & ensure a smooth transport process.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Car Shipping in Delaware
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 significant time that you would have otherwise spent phoning companies and completing forms. Communication with these businesses is also feasible via our platform, allowing you to store all your Delaware car shipping details in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial factor when choosing which auto transport company to employ for transporting your vehicle. The challenge is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & general estimates, you won't receive a definite car transport quote without supplying information & completing details. Although this is reasonable, it means that comparing prices and obtaining a car transport quote is not a simple task. Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final price estimates from car 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 Car 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 cost for. For instance, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your car there, a company on Shiply may already have a multi-car transporter making that journey 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 suitable for you, you can frequently save up to 75% on auto transport by utilizing our service.
Environmentally Friendly - Using Shiply for auto transport is not only more economical but also more environmentally friendly. In the previous example, if your car 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 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 utilized that transporter to move their cars in the opposite direction. Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are also looking to fill their trailers on return journeys, resulting in even less wasted CO2 being emitted into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Preparing Your Car for Shipping
If you have chosen an auto transport company to transport your car & feel confident using them, it's time to get your car ready for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Documents - It's 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's 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's in running condition. This means checking that there is enough fluid, as well as verifying 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 car delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photographs of all parts of the car. This provides you with proof 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 determine 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.