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 someone to drive 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 the country, & a slight risk of damage during the journey. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer way to guarantee a higher level of safety compared to having someone drive it. There are multiple options available depending on the value & size of your vehicle. You can choose a single trailer for your automobile, which is more expensive as it only transports one vehicle at a time but is ideal for moving expensive or classic cars that you don't want to risk damaging. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, but this is the most expensive option. Alternatively, you can opt for a multi-car transporter, which comes in a few variants:
Open vehicle shipping is the most affordable & common option, where your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. While all vehicles are safely secured, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making it less suitable for highly valuable automobiles. Long journeys in open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage & exposure to the elements.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier that is enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles 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 one with experience in overseas vehicle shipping to provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
What Is The Cost Of Shipping A Vehicle?
The cost of shipping 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 easy to do on Shiply.
Several factors can affect the cost of auto transport, 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 impact pricing. Routes with higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more than quieter roads due to the added time. Unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could also incur extra costs or require a longer alternative route.
Shipping dates: Flexibility in timings can result in lower charges, as vehicle shipping companies can fit your delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. Expedited shipping, where you require auto transport within a strict timeframe, typically costs more as it may require a dedicated trailer & driver.
Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of the automobile affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles like SUVs generally cost more to transport than sedans. It's important to inform the auto transport company about any accessories like bike racks or roof racks, as they can change the required trailer size.
Vehicle condition: If your automobile is not in drivable condition, it may increase the cost of auto transport. Non-operational vehicles may require extra equipment like a winch or forklift to load & unload, taking more time, effort, & machinery compared to a standard vehicle transport service.
Auto transport service type: The type of auto transport service you choose affects the cost. Having someone drive your vehicle is the most affordable option, while single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the extra equipment required. Enclosed vehicle shipping is the most expensive method as it involves your automobile traveling alone & still needing specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
Pickup & delivery locations: The locations of collection & delivery can impact the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services in close proximity, & common destination routes tend to offer affordable vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. Unusual or hard-to-access collection or drop-off points may also increase the vehicle shipping cost due to the extra steps needed to load your automobile.
Auto transport insurance: While all auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance. If a vehicle transport company does not provide cargo insurance, it's highly recommended to acquire some for your automobile during transit. Make sure to clarify what type of damage is covered, the deductible, the parts of the vehicle covered, & any other relevant questions.
Time of year: Seasonality can affect the price of vehicle shipping. Winter is often the most expensive season due to ice, snow, & blizzard conditions causing delays & reducing the maximum speed of transport. December is a difficult time to ship vehicles as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased shipping costs. Spring is a great time to ship your automobile, with improved weather conditions, longer days, & more available drivers. Summer is the prime season for shipping vehicles, with the longest days, students traveling home, employees taking vacations, & a popular time for moving house, making June, July, & August busy months for the auto transport industry. Fall is a good time to ship a vehicle for a slightly more affordable price, with less busy vehicle shipping companies & more driver availability after the summer rush.
Wilsonville, Oregon, US & Vehicle Shipping
Wilsonville, situated in the state of Oregon, US, is a city that frequently sees individuals moving automobiles to & from the area. As a growing city with a strong economy, many people & families relocate to Wilsonville for job opportunities or a change of lifestyle. This influx of new residents often requires the services of vehicle shipping companies to transport their automobiles to their new homes. Additionally, Wilsonville's proximity to major cities like Portland & Salem makes it a convenient location for individuals to ship their cars when purchasing or selling vehicles online. The city's access to major highways & transportation networks also facilitates the smooth operation of vehicle shipping services in the area. Whether it's for a cross-country move or a local transfer, vehicle shipping in Wilsonville is a common occurrence, with many reliable "vehicle shipping wilsonville" & "wilsonville vehicle shipping" companies available to meet the needs of residents & visitors alike.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding An Auto 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 Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply makes it easy to find the right 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 automobile, the 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 be immediately informed of new quotes. 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 secure automobiles during transport. It's crucial to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected experience.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is a valuable resource when selecting a quote to ship your automobile. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company & their overall score, helping you make an informed decision.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Wilsonville
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 based on the information you supply from several companies. This can conserve you hours of effort you would have spent phoning businesses and completing forms. Communication with these businesses is also feasible via our platform, allowing you to store all your Wilsonville vehicle shipping details in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial aspect in choosing which auto transport company to employ to transport your vehicle. The challenge is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite vehicle transport quote without having to input information & complete details. Although this is reasonable, it means that cost comparison & obtaining a vehicle transport quote isn't precisely a simple process. Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final cost estimates from vehicle shipping businesses & compare them in one place, offering the capability to message them individually to inquire about any concerns you may have & ultimately choose the optimal company for your needs.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping Wilsonville - Auto transport businesses on Shiply can usually provide their services at a reduced rate compared to going directly to them. This is because they are frequently seeking to occupy space on trips they are already making & have already invested the expense 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 occupied, & they are simply aiming 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.
Eco-Friendly - Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it is also more environmentally friendly. In the previous example, if your vehicle didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be required just for your vehicle. Likewise, 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 individuals who could have utilized that transporter to move their vehicles in the opposite direction. Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are also seeking to fill their trailers on return trips, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being emitted into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Preparing Your Vehicle for Shipping
If you have selected an auto transport company to transport your vehicle & feel confident using them, then 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, particularly 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 is also highly recommended that you clean your vehicle prior to transport as this will allow you to assess 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 checking that there is sufficient fluid, as well as verifying battery charge & tire pressure levels. Again, this can also help you better evaluate 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 promptly 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 additional 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.
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