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 spot & transporting it to another. It's beneficial for transporting a vehicle in various circumstances where operating the car yourself isn't practical. For instance, you might be buying or selling a pre-owned automobile online and require shipping it to a different state, or maybe you've recently moved and need nationwide vehicle shipping. Vehicle transportation services can also be incredibly useful when you need to move your car overseas, and unless ferries are available, you'll have to depend on an auto shipping company to manage the job for you.
Luckily, there are several vehicle transport services available to satisfy your particular requirements, which we'll discuss below.
Types Of Car Shipping Services
Before exploring the various types of car shipping services, it's essential to decide where you want your automobile picked up from & delivered to, whether it's a nationwide vehicle transport or transporting a car to a different state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is a choice, where designated collection and drop-off points, often the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are employed. While terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is typically more economical, it necessitates more effort on your part to get the automobile home. However, the majority of individuals prefer door-to-door auto shipping delivery service, ensuring their vehicles are collected and dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a nationwide vehicle transport or just transporting a car to a different state. This choice is often more convenient as it eliminates the need to travel to collect your car, which can be challenging without your vehicle in the first place!
Vehicle transport services are typically divided 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 it's transporting a vehicle across the nation or to a different state. The advantages of this auto transport method include lower costs, as trailers and an extra automobile are not required, and faster delivery due to the simplicity of the shipping process.
However, there are some drawbacks to this method offered by vehicle shipping companies that lead some individuals to choose other types of car transport. Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be significant when transporting a vehicle across the nation, although less so when shipping a car to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your automobile during the drive 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 compared to having someone operate your vehicle to its destination. With vehicle shipping trailers, there are several options available depending on the value & size of your automobile.
Firstly, you need to decide whether you want a single trailer for your car. These are often more expensive as they only transport one vehicle at a time but are an excellent choice for moving expensive or classic automobiles that you don't want to risk damaging. The safest way to ship a car is to place it in a shipping container, but this is by far the most costly option. The other choice is a multi-car transporter, which can ship several vehicles simultaneously. There are a few variants of multi-car transporters:
Open vehicle shipping by any car transport company is the most affordable and common option for transporting an automobile. Your car is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. While all vehicles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so vehicle shipping companies may not recommend this method for highly valuable automobiles. Furthermore, while it may be the cheapest way to transport a car cross-country, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage and prolonged exposure to the elements.
Enclosed auto shipping involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier, but they are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, and debris during transit. This choice 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 car overseas through an auto shipping company, try to find a specialist service on our platform or one 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 based on several factors, but on average, auto shipping 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.
These figures are merely averages for vehicle moving companies, and your car shipping 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 multiple car transport companies, which is easily done on Shiply.
To get a rough idea of what to expect for your vehicle delivery cost, consider the factors that can affect the price of car transport services, which we'll discuss below.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Car Shipping
While we all desire cheap vehicle transport, several factors and variables can impact the cost of your car shipping. Let's explore the main ones to help you gauge whether your auto transport requirements will be expensive or affordable.
As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of your vehicle transport, with cross-state and cross-country journeys being more expensive than interstate car delivery, which is often the cheapest option.
Although longer distances do cost more, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases, ensuring you're not paying excessively.
International shipping always results in expensive vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring a car overseas and the distance it must travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your automobile.
Route - Along with distance, the route required to transport your car from its pick-up spot to its delivery location can affect the pricing of your vehicle carrier service. Routes with known higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more than quieter roads due to the additional time added to the journey. Similarly, unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could also incur extra costs from the vehicle moving companies or necessitate a different, longer 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 timings, you may find that your car shipping service charges significantly less. This is because they can fit your automobile delivery into their schedule and reduce overheads, passing the savings on to you. However, if you require auto transport within a strict timeframe (often referred to as expedited shipping), it will typically cost more due to the car transport company likely having to dedicate a trailer and driver solely for your delivery.
Vehicle Size - The height, length, and width of the automobile will all affect the cost of transporting your vehicle. Car shippers will require larger trailers for bigger vehicles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. Additionally, always inform the auto transport company about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on the car, as these can also change the size of the trailer required for the delivery.
Vehicle Condition - If your car is not in a drivable condition, it may increase the cost of your auto transport. This is because it may require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load and 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 and off again, requiring more time, effort, and machinery to complete the delivery compared to a standard vehicle transport service. Most car 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 select will also affect the cost of your vehicle shipping. Having someone operate your car to its destination will always be the cheapest option, as you are essentially just paying for the driver's time and fuel. In contrast, single car trailers and enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive, as they require extra equipment. Enclosed vehicle shipping is always the most expensive method of shipping a car, as it means your automobile travels alone and still requires specialist equipment to load, unload, and protect your car during transport.
Locations Of Pickup And Delivery - The locations of the vehicle's pick-up and drop-off points may also increase the price of shipping a car. Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services in close proximity, and if it is a common destination route, you will tend to get cheap car 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 required by law. If a car transport company does not offer cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you seek out and acquire some for your vehicle during its transit. As with all insurance policies, make sure you are clear on what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, which parts of the automobile are covered by the insurance, and any other questions you may have.
Time Of Year - Seasonality can also affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more to ship a car in the winter due to ice and snow slowing the routes. Here is a quick breakdown of how each season can affect auto transport costs:
Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your automobile. Ice, snow, and blizzard conditions can all cause delays on the roads and reduce the maximum speed at which the vehicle delivery service can transport cars. December is typically a difficult time to have a vehicle 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, and great rates are often available from vehicle shipping services during this month.
Spring is 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 cheap rates and high availability when it comes to moving your car. March is often a better time to ship than April or May; however, 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, and it is also a very popular time to move house. This means that June, July, and August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, and you should not expect cheap vehicle shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship a car if you are looking for a slightly cheaper 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 cars to university.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Shipping Service
Now that you have a better understanding of what vehicle shipping and a car transport service entail, as well as the type of auto shipping 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, and the same is true if you were to go through phone books. Moreover, 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 Car Shipping Companies?
Given all the options and variables involved in finding a vehicle shipping service, searching for and finding the right one can seem like a daunting task, and 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 and model of the automobile that needs shipping, the pickup location and delivery location, and the dates you need to move the vehicle. This information allows the auto transport providers on Shiply to provide you with an accurate quote for your job.
Once your listing is live, you will receive quotes in your Shiply inbox and to your email. We recommend keeping email notifications turned on so that you can be immediately notified 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 providers any questions you may have, such as their availability (if a time frame is given), what insurance they have, and how they would secure your automobile. 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 vehicle. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company and their overall score.
Yukon, Oklahoma, US - Vehicle Shipping Destination
Yukon, Oklahoma, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping services. Many people often move cars to and from Yukon for various reasons. One of the main reasons is relocation, as Yukon is a growing city with a strong economy and a high quality of life. People moving to Yukon for work or family reasons often require car shipping services to transport their automobiles to their new home.
Another reason for vehicle shipping to and from Yukon is the purchase or sale of automobiles. With the rise of online car buying and selling platforms, many people find themselves needing to ship a car they purchased from or sold to someone in Yukon. Vehicle shipping companies offer a convenient solution to transport these automobiles safely and efficiently.
Yukon's central location in Oklahoma also makes it a hub for vehicle shipping. Many car transport routes pass through or near Yukon, making it an easy and accessible location for vehicle shipping companies to pick up and drop off automobiles.
When shipping a car to or from Yukon, it's essential to choose a reliable and experienced vehicle shipping company. Shiply can help you find the right auto transport service for your needs, ensuring your automobile arrives at its destination safely and on time.
The Benefits Of Using Shiply For Vehicle Transport in Yukon
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate cost from a company on Yukon vehicle transport, on our platform you complete one quotation form & then can obtain quotes based on the information you supply from several companies. This can save you hours of time you would have spent phoning companies and completing forms. Communication with these companies is also feasible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your vehicle shipping details in one location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing 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 actually receive a definite vehicle transport quote without having to give information & fill in details. While this is understandable, it means that price comparison and obtaining a vehicle transport quote isn't exactly a simple task. Utilizing Shiply allows you to receive authentic, final price estimates from vehicle shipping companies & compare them in one place, offering the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the optimal company for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping - Auto transport companies on Shiply are usually 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 invested the cost for. For instance, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your vehicle there, on Shiply, a company may already have a multi-car transporter making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots filled, & they are just 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 often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service.
Eco-Friendly - Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it is also more environmentally friendly. 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 needed just for your vehicle. 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 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 trips, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released 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, then it's time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. We suggest 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 belongings from your vehicle 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 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 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 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 trip 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.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have answered some of the most asked questions about vehicle shipping:
How much to ship a vehicle? Vehicle shipping prices can vary drastically depending on the circumstances, but on average a trip should cost you around $2.92 per mile if the trip is less than 200 miles, $0.93 if the trip is between 200 & 500 miles, & if the trip is over 1,000 miles then this drops to $0.78.
What is the most affordable way to ship a vehicle? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the most affordable way to ship a vehicle, 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 a vehicle.
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 vehicle delivery service before confirming the delivery. Most companies will be flexible with payment options, however.
Can I track my vehicle transport online? Each vehicle shipping company 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 companies to confirm that this is possible with them.
Does someone have to be present for pickup & delivery? In most cases, the vehicle 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 vehicle keys.
Can I keep items in my vehicle during my vehicle shipment? Most vehicle 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 vehicle 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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