What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also known as car shipping or auto transport, is a service offered by auto transport companies that involves collecting your vehicle from one location & transporting it to another. It's beneficial for moving a car in various situations where you can't drive the automobile yourself. For instance, you might be buying or selling a used vehicle online & need to transport it to another state, or perhaps you've recently moved & need to ship your car across the country. Auto transport services can also be incredibly useful when you need to relocate your vehicle overseas & ferries aren't available, requiring you to rely on a car shipping company to manage the task.
Luckily, there are numerous vehicle transport services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we'll discuss below.
Types Of Car Shipping Services
There are various car shipping services available, summarized below. It's advantageous to read through & determine the precise type of auto transportation service you require or prefer for transporting your vehicle.
The first decision you need to make is where you want your automobile picked up from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or moving a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection & drop-off points are used, often at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. Terminal-to-terminal car delivery is usually more affordable but requires more effort on your part to get the automobile home. However, most people require a door-to-door car transport delivery service, where their vehicles are picked up & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country auto transport or just shipping a car to another state. This is often preferable as it eliminates the need to travel to collect your automobile, which can be challenging without your vehicle in the first place!
Vehicle transport services are generally divided into two categories: having someone drive your car to the destination or putting it on a trailer & shipping it.
Have Someone Drive Your Automobile
This is a straightforward solution to vehicle shipping that involves hiring someone to drive your car to the desired location, whether you need to transport a car across the country or to another state. The advantages of this car transport method are that it's often more affordable, as trailers & an extra vehicle aren't required, & it can be faster due to the straightforward nature of the shipping.
However, there are some drawbacks to this method offered by auto transport companies that lead some people to choose other types of vehicle shipping. Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be significant when moving a car across the country, less so when transporting a car to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your vehicle while it's being driven from point A to point B. These concerns are particularly relevant for people buying or selling automobiles online who want to ensure the car arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Put Your Automobile On A Trailer
Putting your vehicle in a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone drive your car to its destination. With auto shipping trailers, there are multiple options available depending on the value & size of your automobile.
Firstly, you need to decide whether you want a single trailer for your vehicle. These are often more expensive as they only transport one car at a time but are a great choice if you're moving an expensive or classic automobile that you don't want to risk getting damaged. The safest way to ship a car is to put it in a shipping container, but this is by far the most expensive option. The other option is a multi-car transporter, which can move many vehicles at once & comes in a few variants:
Open vehicle shipping by any auto transport company is the cheapest & most common option when moving a car. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. All cars are securely fastened, but as the name suggests, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so vehicle shipping companies may not recommend this for highly valuable automobiles. Furthermore, while it may be the cheapest way to transport a car cross-country, long journeys in open trailers obviously pose a higher risk of damage & leave your vehicle exposed to the elements for extended periods.
Enclosed car transport involves securing multiple automobiles on a carrier, but they are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather & debris during transit. This is often preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during auto shipping.
If you need to move your automobile overseas through a car transport 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.
Why People Often Move Automobiles To & From Tigard, Oregon, US
Tigard, Oregon, US, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. Many people relocate to Tigard for job opportunities, as the city is home to several major employers in the technology, healthcare & manufacturing sectors. Additionally, Tigard's proximity to Portland makes it an attractive location for those who want to live in a smaller city while still having access to the amenities of a larger metropolitan area. People also move cars to & from Tigard for personal reasons, such as attending college, retiring or being closer to family. The city's mild climate & scenic beauty also make it a desirable place to live, leading to an influx of new residents & a corresponding demand for auto transport services. Whether you're moving to Tigard for work, family or lifestyle reasons, vehicle shipping companies can help ensure your automobile arrives safely & efficiently at its new home in this charming Oregon city.
How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Car?
There are several variables to consider when trying to determine the cost of moving a vehicle, but on average, car shipping companies in the US 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 figures are just averages for automobile moving companies & your vehicle transport may cost more or less depending on the circumstances. The best way to find out how much car shipping will cost you is to collect auto transport quotes from vehicle shipping companies, which is very easy to do on Shiply.
If you want to get an idea of how much you can expect your automobile delivery to cost, take a look below at the factors that can affect the price of car transport services.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Car Shipping
We all want affordable vehicle transport, but several factors & variables can affect how much your auto shipping will cost. Below, we'll outline the main ones so you can get a rough idea of whether your car transport requirements will be expensive or cheap.
As mentioned above, distance is one of the factors that will play a significant role in how much your vehicle shipping will cost, with cross-state & cross-country journeys costing much more than an interstate automobile delivery, which is often the cheapest car transport option.
While longer distances do cost more, thankfully, the average price per mile drops the longer the journey is, meaning you aren't paying over the odds.
International shipping will always result in expensive auto transport quotes due to the logistics of transferring a vehicle overseas & the distance it needs to travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your automobile.
Route - Along with distance, the route needed to take your car from its pick-up spot to its delivery spot can affect the pricing of your vehicle carrier service. Routes with known higher traffic, such as in LA, may end up costing more than quieter roads due to the time this can add to a journey. Likewise, unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could also incur extra costs from the automobile moving companies or require a different route that may take longer.
Shipping Dates - How quickly you need your vehicle transportation service to operate can also affect the price. For example, if you can be flexible with timings, you may find that your auto shipping service charges significantly less. This is because they can fit your automobile delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads for themselves, passing the savings on to you. However, if you require car transport within a strict timeframe (often known as expedited shipping), this will typically end up costing you more, as the vehicle shipping company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver just for your delivery.
Vehicle Size - The height, length & width of the automobile will all affect how much it will cost to ship your vehicle. Car transporters will require larger trailers for bigger automobiles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to ship than a sedan. Further, you should always inform the vehicle 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 automobile is not in a drivable condition, this may make your car shipping more expensive. This is because it may require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to get your vehicle on & off the trailer. If your car has a locked wheel, for example, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto a trailer & off again, taking more time, effort & machinery to complete the delivery than a standard auto transport service. Most vehicle carriers would consider a car that can brake, roll & steer to be in good enough condition to ship easily.
Car Transport Service Type - The type of vehicle shipping service you select will also affect the cost of your auto transport. Having someone drive your car to its destination will always be the cheapest option, as you are essentially just paying for a driver's time & petrol. In contrast, single car trailers & enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive, as they require extra equipment. Enclosed vehicle shipping will always be the most expensive method of moving a car, as it means not only is your automobile traveling on its own, but it still needs specialist equipment to load, unload & protect your vehicle during transport.
Locations Of Pickup & Delivery - Depending on where you need the automobile picked up from & dropped off, this may also increase the price of transporting a car. Urban areas will usually have auto shipping services in close proximity &, if it is a common destination route, you will tend to get affordable vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. If a pick-up or drop-off point is also in an unusual or hard-to-access space, extra steps may need to be taken to load your automobile, which can also increase the car transport cost.
Car Shipping Insurance - While all vehicle transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer any additional insurance, as it is not required by law. If an auto shipping company does not offer cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you seek out & acquire some for your automobile 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, what parts of the vehicle are covered by the insurance & any other questions you may have.
Time Of Year - Seasonality can also affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more to transport a car in the winter due to ice & snow slowing the routes. Here is a quick breakdown of how each season can affect car shipping costs:
Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your automobile. This is because ice, snow & blizzard conditions can all cause delays on the roads, as well as 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 car shipping costs. However, February is usually quiet, so great rates are often available from auto transport services during this month.
Spring is a great time to ship your automobile with a vehicle transportation service. With improved weather conditions, longer days & more drivers ready to work, Spring can often mean cheap rates & 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 automobiles - the days are the longest in the year, students are traveling home from universities, employees take vacations & it is also a very popular time to move house. This means that June, July & August are all busy months for the car transport industry & you should not expect affordable vehicle shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship a car if you are looking for a slightly cheaper price. Auto transport companies are less busy & 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 Transport A Car - Finding A Vehicle Shipping Service
Now that you know a bit more about what auto shipping & a vehicle transportation service are & what sort of car transport service you need, you probably want to go ahead & actually try to find an automobile shipping service that is going to be right for you.
The issue is that there are hundreds of vehicle transport companies out there. Trying to find them on Google can end up resulting in scrolling through hundreds of pages trying to find the best auto shipping company for the best price & the same is true if you were going to go through phone books. Further, many of these companies are reluctant to give you pricing, meaning you will most likely need to apply for a quote & fill out details with each of them individually, which can become very time-consuming.
How Can Shiply Help Find Car Transport Companies?
Given all of the options & variables involved with finding a vehicle shipping service, actually searching for & finding the right one can seem like a daunting task & this is where Shiply can help.
On Shiply, you simply need to fill out a simple form to get started with collecting quotes. All we need from you are the make & model of the automobile that needs shipping, the pickup location & delivery location & the dates that you need to move the vehicle. This gives the car transport providers on Shiply enough information to be able to provide you with an accurate quote for your job.
Once your listing is live, you will receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & to your email. We recommend keeping email notifications turned on so that you can know immediately 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 pick from.
Once you have a few, you can ask them any questions you may have, such as when they are available (if a time frame is given), what insurance they have & how they would secure your automobile. We recommend asking any company you may use these questions to ensure that everything goes smoothly & as expected.
Shiply has a feedback & ratings system which we also highly recommend looking at before selecting a quote to ship your vehicle. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company, as well as view their overall score.
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The Advantages of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport
Time-efficient - Rather than completing a quotation form each instance you desire to obtain a precise cost from an organization on transporting a vehicle, on our platform you complete one quotation form & then can receive estimates based on the information you supply from several companies. This can save you hours of time you would have had to invest calling up organizations & filling in forms. Communication with these businesses is all feasible through our platform as well, signifying you can maintain all of your vehicle shipping details in one location.
Cost Comparison - When it comes down to it, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto transport company to utilize to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most organizations are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually be given a definite vehicle transport estimate without having to supply information & complete details. While this is reasonable, it does mean that cost comparison & getting a vehicle transport estimate isn't precisely a simple task. Using Shiply allows you to receive genuine, final price estimates from vehicle shipping companies & compare them in one place, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the best organization for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping - Auto transport businesses on Shiply are typically able to provide their services for a lower cost than if you went direct to them. This is because they are often looking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already invested the cost for. Say, for instance, you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to move 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 work 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 costly for them but also for the environment as there are lots of people who could have used that transporter to move their vehicles in the other direction. Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are looking to fill their trailers on return trips too, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Getting Ready For Your Vehicle To Be Transported
If you have decided on an auto transport company to move your vehicle & feel secure using them, then it's time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. We recommend following these steps:
Documents - It is important to ensure that any documents you may need 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 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 ascertain 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 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.
If you're looking for reliable & affordable car shipping tigard or tigard car shipping services, Shiply is the perfect platform to connect with top-rated auto transport companies. With our user-friendly interface & competitive pricing, shipping your vehicle has never been easier or more cost-effective. Get started today & experience the benefits of utilizing Shiply for all your vehicle transport needs.
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