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. Car shipping elyria is a well-known service for those who require the transportation of their vehicles to or from Elyria, Ohio, US.
Luckily, there are numerous auto transport services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we will discuss below.
Categories Of Vehicle Transport Services
When it comes to vehicle transport services, there are a few crucial decisions you need to make. Firstly, you must determine the collection and delivery locations for your automobile, whether it's a cross-country car transport or shipping a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection and drop-off points are used, often at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this option is typically more affordable, it requires more effort on your part to get the vehicle home.
Most individuals, however, prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their vehicles are collected and delivered at their doorstep, regardless of the distance. This is often the most convenient option, as it eliminates the need to arrange transportation to collect your automobile.
Vehicle transport services can be categorized into two main types: having someone drive your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Drive Your Automobile
Hiring someone to drive your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether you need to ship a car across the country or to another state. This method is often more affordable, as it does not require trailers or an additional vehicle, and it can be faster due to its simplicity.
However, there are some drawbacks to this method that may lead some individuals to choose other types of vehicle transport. 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 while it is being driven. These concerns are particularly relevant for those buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Automobile On A Trailer
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone drive your vehicle to its destination. When it comes to vehicle shipping trailers, there are several options available, depending on the value and size of your automobile.
Single trailers are often more expensive, as they only transport one vehicle at a time, but they are an excellent choice for moving expensive or classic cars that you want to protect from potential damage. The safest way to transport a vehicle is by placing it in a shipping container, although this is the most expensive option.
Multi-car transporters, which can carry several vehicles at once, come in a few variants:
Open car shipping is the most affordable and common option offered by vehicle shipping companies. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier and driven to its destination. While all vehicles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making this option less suitable for highly valuable automobiles. Additionally, longer journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage and prolonged exposure to the elements.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier that is enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, and debris during transit. This option is often preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles, where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during auto 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.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Vehicle?
The cost of shipping a vehicle varies depending on several factors, but on average, auto transport companies in the US charge around $2.92 per mile for journeys less than 200 miles, $0.93 for journeys between 200 and 500 miles, and $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles.
However, these figures are just averages, and 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 vehicle shipping quotes from various vehicle transport companies, which is easily done on Shiply.
To get a better idea of what factors can influence the price of vehicle transport services, please refer to the section below.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
While everyone wants affordable vehicle transport, several factors and variables can impact the cost of your vehicle shipping. Here are the main ones to consider:
Distance: As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of your vehicle transport. Cross-state and cross-country journeys are more expensive than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the most affordable option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases, ensuring that you don't pay excessively for longer distances.
International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas always results in expensive vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics involved and the distance the automobile must travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container.
Route: Along with distance, the route taken to transport your vehicle from its collection spot to its delivery location can affect the pricing of your vehicle carrier service. Routes with higher traffic, such as those in LA, may cost more than quieter roads due to the additional time required. Unforeseen circumstances, like major roadworks, could also incur extra costs or necessitate a longer alternative route.
Shipping Dates: The speed at which you need your vehicle transportation service to operate can also impact the price. If you have flexibility in your timings, you may find that your vehicle shipping service charges less, as they can fit your automobile delivery into their schedule and reduce overheads. However, if you require auto transport within a strict timeframe (known as expedited shipping), it will typically cost more, as the vehicle transport company may need to dedicate a trailer and driver specifically for your delivery.
Vehicle Size: The height, length, and width of your automobile will all affect the cost of transport. Vehicle shippers will require larger trailers for bigger automobiles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. Always inform the auto transport company about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on the vehicle, as these can change the size of the trailer required for the delivery.
Vehicle Condition: If your automobile is not in a drivable condition, it may increase the cost of auto transport. This is because extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, may be required to load and unload your vehicle from the trailer. Most vehicle carriers consider an automobile that can brake, roll, and steer to be in good enough condition to ship easily.
Auto Transport Service Type: The type of auto transport service you choose will also affect the cost of your vehicle shipping. Having someone drive your automobile to its destination is always the most affordable option, as you are essentially paying for the driver's time and fuel. Single vehicle trailers and enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive, as they require specialized equipment. Enclosed vehicle shipping is the most expensive method of shipping an automobile, as it involves transporting your vehicle alone while still needing specialist equipment for loading, unloading, and protection during transit.
Locations Of Pickup And Delivery: The pickup and delivery locations can also impact the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services in close proximity, and if it is a common destination route, you will generally find affordable vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes and extra mileage for the company. If a pick-up 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 vehicle shipping cost.
Auto Transport Insurance: While all auto transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance, as it is not legally mandated. If a vehicle transport company does not provide cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you seek out and acquire some for your automobile during its transit. As with all insurance policies, ensure that you understand what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, which parts of the automobile are covered, and any other relevant questions.
Time Of Year: Seasonality can also affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more to ship an automobile in the winter due to ice and snow slowing the routes. Here is a quick breakdown of how each season can impact auto transport costs:
Winter: Often the most expensive season to ship your automobile, as ice, snow, and blizzard conditions can cause delays and reduce the maximum speed at which the vehicle delivery service can transport cars. December is typically a difficult time to have an automobile shipped, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased vehicle shipping costs. However, February is usually quiet, and great rates are often available from vehicle shipping services during this month.
Spring: A great time to ship your automobile with a vehicle transportation service. With improved weather conditions, longer days, and more drivers ready to work, Spring can often mean affordable rates and high availability when it comes to moving your vehicle. 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: The prime season for shipping vehicles, as the days are the longest, students are traveling home from universities, employees take vacations, and it is a popular time to move house. June, July, and August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, and you should not expect affordable vehicle shipping during the summer.
Fall: A good time to ship a vehicle if you are looking for a slightly more affordable price. Vehicle shipping companies are less busy, and there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. However, you are better off looking to move your automobile in October or November rather than September, as this is peak time for students shipping their vehicles to university.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
Now that you have a better understanding of what vehicle shipping and a vehicle shipping service entail, and what type of auto transport service you need, you probably want to go ahead and find a vehicle transport service that suits your requirements.
The challenge lies in the fact 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 vehicle shipping company at 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 will likely need to apply for a quote and fill out details with each of them individually, which can be very time-consuming.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Given the numerous options and variables involved in finding a vehicle shipping service, the task of searching for and finding the right one can seem daunting. This is where Shiply can help.
On Shiply, you simply need to fill out a simple form to start collecting quotes. All we require from you is the make and model of the vehicle that needs shipping, the pickup and delivery locations, and the dates you need to move the automobile. This information allows the auto transport providers on Shiply to provide you with accurate quotes for your job.
Once your listing is live, you will receive quotes in your Shiply inbox and 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 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 providers any questions you may have, such as their availability (if a time frame is given), what insurance they offer, and how they would secure your vehicle. We recommend asking any company you may use these questions to ensure that everything goes smoothly and as expected.
Shiply has a feedback and 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 and their overall score.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To And From Elyria, Ohio, US
Elyria, Ohio, US, is a city that sees a significant amount of vehicle shipping activity. Many people move to Elyria for work opportunities, as the city is home to several large employers, such as Invacare Corporation and Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems. Additionally, Elyria's proximity to Cleveland and its affordable housing market make it an attractive option for those looking to relocate.
When moving to or from Elyria, many people choose to ship their vehicles using car shipping elyria services. This is particularly common for those who are moving long distances and don't want to drive their automobiles themselves. Elyria vehicle shipping companies offer a convenient and safe way to transport automobiles, ensuring that they arrive at their destination in the same condition as when they were picked up.
Whether you're moving to Elyria for work, family, or other reasons, using a vehicle shipping service can make the process of relocating your automobile much easier and less stressful.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Elyria
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate estimate from an elyria vehicle transport company, on our site 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 via our platform, allowing you to store all of your vehicle shipping data in one location.
Rate Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in selecting which auto transport company to employ to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most companies are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't receive a definite vehicle transport quote without having to give information & complete details. While this is reasonable, it means that comparing prices & obtaining a vehicle transport quote is not a simple task. Using Shiply enables you to receive authentic, final price estimates from vehicle shipping companies & compare them in one location, with the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately choose the best company for you.
Affordable Elyria Vehicle Shipping - Auto transport businesses on Shiply can usually offer 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 taking & have already invested the cost 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 filled, & 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 using our service.
Environmentally Friendly - Using Shiply for auto transport is not only less expensive but also more environmentally friendly! In the above example, if your vehicle did not get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate vehicle shipper, the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire journey would be required just for your vehicle. Similarly, many vehicle transporters return from a delivery empty-handed, which is not only costly 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 auto transporters on Shiply are also looking to fill their trailers on return journeys, resulting in even less wasted CO2 being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Getting Your Vehicle Ready 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 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 vehicle delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photographs of all parts of the vehicle. This provides you with evidence of the vehicle's condition before shipping should anything happen to it during transport.
What to Do After Delivery
Once the vehicle 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 vehicle 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 determine whether any extra damage has occurred. Shipping a vehicle 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 vehicle 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 vehicle shipping services with the same peace of mind.
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