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 cross-country vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile abroad when ferries are not available. Vehicle shipping companies provide a variety of auto transport services to accommodate 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 cross-country vehicle transport or shipping a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection & drop-off points, often the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are utilized. While this option is typically less expensive, it requires more effort on your part to get the automobile home. Most individuals, however, prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their vehicles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of the distance.
Vehicle transport services are generally divided into two categories: 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 is often less expensive as it doesn't require trailers or an additional vehicle. It can also be quicker due to the straightforward nature of the transport. However, this method has some drawbacks, such as adding mileage to your automobile (especially when shipping a car across country) & the 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 protection than having someone drive it. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options depending on the value & size of your automobile. Single trailers, while more expensive, are a great choice for transporting expensive or classic cars that you want to protect from any potential damage. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, although this is the most costly option.
Multi-car transporters can carry many vehicles at once & come in a few variants. Open vehicle shipping is the cheapest & most common option, where your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. While all cars are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making this option less suitable for highly valuable vehicles. Long journeys in open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage & exposure to the elements. Enclosed auto transport, on the other hand, involves multiple cars secured on a carrier but enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is often preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles.
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 to 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 platforms like Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
Several factors can impact the cost of vehicle shipping, including:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the cheapest 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 affect pricing. Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks may incur extra costs or require longer alternative routes.
- Shipping dates: Flexibility in timings can lead to lower costs, as vehicle shipping companies can fit your delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. Expedited shipping within a strict timeframe typically costs more.
- Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of the automobile affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles like SUVs cost more to transport than sedans. Accessories like bike racks or roof racks can also change the required trailer size.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may incur higher costs due to the need for extra equipment like winches or forklifts for loading & unloading.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone drive your vehicle is the cheapest option, while single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the specialized equipment required.
- Collection & delivery locations: Urban areas with common destination routes often have cheaper vehicle shipping services. Rural deliveries or hard-to-access locations may cost more due to extra mileage & loading challenges.
- Auto transport insurance: While auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, additional cargo insurance is recommended & may affect the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality plays a role in vehicle shipping costs. Winter is often the most expensive due to weather-related delays, while spring & fall offer better rates. Summer is the busiest season, with higher demand & prices.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding A Vehicle 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 personalized quote. This is where platforms like Shiply can help simplify the process.
How Can Shiply Assist In Finding Vehicle Transport Companies?
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a vehicle shipping service. To get started, simply fill out a form with your vehicle's make & model, collection & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the automobile. This information allows auto transport providers on Shiply to provide accurate quotes for your specific job.
Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & via email. It's recommended to keep email notifications on to stay informed about new quotes, which can start arriving within minutes of posting your listing. To ensure you have multiple options, wait for a few quotes before making a decision.
When you have received several quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure vehicles during transport. It's crucial to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected experience.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is another valuable resource 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 Often Move Vehicles To & From Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, US
Harrisburg, the capital city of Pennsylvania, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. As the state capital, Harrisburg is home to many government offices & agencies, attracting professionals who may need to relocate for work. The city's central location within Pennsylvania also makes it a convenient hub for vehicle shipping to & from other parts of the state.
Harrisburg's proximity to major cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, & Baltimore makes it an attractive option for those moving to or from these areas. Many people choose to ship their vehicles to Harrisburg when relocating for job opportunities, education, or personal reasons.
Additionally, Harrisburg is home to several universities & colleges, such as Harrisburg University of Science & Technology, Penn State Harrisburg, & Widener University Commonwealth Law School. Students attending these institutions often require vehicle shipping services when moving to or from the city for their studies.
The city's diverse economy, which includes industries like healthcare, manufacturing, & logistics, also contributes to the demand for vehicle shipping services in Harrisburg. As professionals move to the area for work, they often need to transport their automobiles as well.
Furthermore, Harrisburg's rich history & cultural attractions, such as the Pennsylvania State Capitol, the National Civil War Museum, & the Susquehanna Art Museum, draw visitors from across the country. Some of these visitors may choose to ship their vehicles to Harrisburg to explore the city & its surroundings at their own pace.
In summary, Harrisburg's status as the state capital, its central location, proximity to major cities, educational institutions, diverse economy, & cultural attractions all contribute to the frequent need for vehicle shipping services to & from the city.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Harrisburg
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 submit from several companies. This can conserve you hours of effort you would have spent phoning businesses & inputting details.
Communication with these businesses is also feasible via our platform, allowing you to store all your Harrisburg 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 costs & rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite vehicle transport quote without supplying information & filling in specifics. Although this is reasonable, it means that cost comparison & getting a vehicle transport quote isn't precisely a simple process.
Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final price estimates from vehicle shipping businesses & compare them in one place, offering the capability to message them individually to inquire about any questions you might have & ultimately decide on the optimal company for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping Harrisburg - Auto transport businesses on Shiply can usually provide their services for 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 making & have already invested the expense for. For instance, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to move your vehicle there, a company on Shiply might already have a multi-car transporter making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots occupied, & they are just 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-Friendlier - 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 required just for your vehicle.
Likewise, 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 utilized 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 emitted into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Getting Ready For Your Vehicle To Be Transported
If you have chosen 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 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 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 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 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.
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 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 vehicle? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the cheapest way to ship a vehicle, 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 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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