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 operate 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 are utilized, frequently at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this option is typically more affordable, it demands more effort on your part to get the automobile home. However, most individuals 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 categorized into two types: having someone operate 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 a driver to take 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 (particularly when shipping a car across the country) & a slight risk of damage during the journey.
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer option that ensures a higher level of protection than having someone operate it. There are various trailer options available, depending on the value & size of your vehicle. Single trailers are more expensive as they only transport one automobile at a time but are ideal for moving costly or classic cars. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, although this is the most expensive option. Multi-car transporters, which can carry many automobiles at once, come in a few variants:
- Open vehicle shipping: The most affordable & common option, where your automobile 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, making it less suitable for highly valuable automobiles.
- Enclosed auto transport: Multiple vehicles are secured on a carrier but are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles.
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 Transporting A Vehicle?
The expense 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 the circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to gather vehicle shipping quotes from various companies, which is easily done on Shiply.
Factors that can influence the cost of auto transport include:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate vehicle delivery.
- International shipping: Always results in expensive vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics & distance involved.
- Route: Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks can increase costs.
- Shipping dates: Flexibility in timings can lead to lower costs, while expedited shipping is more expensive.
- Vehicle size: Larger automobiles like SUVs cost more to transport than sedans.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may require extra equipment, increasing the cost.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the most affordable option, while enclosed vehicle shipping is the most expensive.
- Locations of pickup & delivery: Urban areas are usually cheaper, while rural or hard-to-access locations can increase costs.
- Auto transport insurance: Additional cargo insurance is recommended, & the type of coverage affects the price.
- Time of year: Seasonality can impact costs, with winter being the most expensive & spring offering better rates.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
Finding the right vehicle transport service can be overwhelming, as there are hundreds of companies to choose from. 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 Assist In Finding Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a 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 vehicle, the pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the automobile. 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 so you can be immediately notified when a new quote arrives. 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 vehicles during transport. It's crucial to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected process.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is another valuable tool 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 Frequently Move Vehicles To & From Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a popular city for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. As a major hub for education, healthcare, & technology, many people relocate to Pittsburgh for work or study, often requiring their automobiles to be shipped. Additionally, Pittsburgh's strategic location makes it a convenient starting point or destination for cross-country moves. The city's proximity to major highways, such as I-76, I-79, & I-70, facilitates efficient vehicle transport to & from the area.
Moreover, Pittsburgh is home to several prestigious universities, including Carnegie Mellon University & the University of Pittsburgh, which attract students from across the country. These students often need their vehicles shipped to the city at the beginning of the academic year & back home during breaks or upon graduation. The city's thriving job market also draws professionals from various industries, who may require vehicle shipping services when relocating to Pittsburgh.
In summary, Pittsburgh's status as an education, healthcare, & technology center, combined with its convenient location & access to major highways, makes it a frequent starting point & destination for vehicle shipping. Whether for work, study, or relocation, many people find themselves in need of reliable vehicle shipping services to or from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Auto Transport in Pittsburgh
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate cost from a company for pittsburgh auto transport, on our platform, you complete one quotation form and can then obtain quotes from various companies based on the information you submit. This can save you hours of time that you would have spent phoning companies and completing forms. Communication with these companies is also possible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your auto shipping details in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the auto shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which vehicle transport company to employ to transport your automobile. The challenging aspect is that, while most companies are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't receive a definite auto transport quote without having to supply information and fill in details. While this is understandable, it means that price comparison and obtaining an auto transport quote is not exactly a simple task. Using Shiply enables you to receive authentic, final price estimates from auto shipping companies and compare them in one place, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have and ultimately decide on the best company for you.
Affordable Auto Shipping - Vehicle transport companies on Shiply can typically offer their services at 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 and have already invested the cost for. For example, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York and needed to transport your car there, a company on Shiply may already have a multi-car transporter making that journey with 5 of the 6 spots filled, and they are just looking to ensure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, and pick-up/drop-off locations are convenient for you, you can often save up to 75% on vehicle transport by using our service.
Environmentally Friendly - Using Shiply for vehicle transport is not only less expensive but also more environmentally friendly. In the above example, if your car didn't get on that multi-car transporter and instead, you arranged transport from a separate auto shipper, the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire journey would be needed just for your car. Similarly, many auto 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 cars in the opposite direction. Many of the vehicle transporters on Shiply are also looking to fill their trailers on return journeys, 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 selected an auto transport company to transport your car and feel confident using them, it's time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. We recommend 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 assess its condition and 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 and 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 auto 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 auto shipping company you selected has completed their delivery, there are a few things you should do:
Check Vital Signs - Lights, brakes, and 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 auto 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 car can, in rare cases, cause damage, and you want to be sure your auto transport service has not done so.
Check Mileage - This is more relevant to auto 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 vehicle transport company you used through Shiply so that others can browse auto shipping services with the same peace of mind.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have answered some of the most asked questions about auto shipping:
How much to ship a car? Auto 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 and 500 miles, and if the journey is over 1,000 miles, this drops to $0.78.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the most affordable 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 vehicle transport? This is down to each individual vehicle transport company on Shiply and is something you should discuss with your chosen auto delivery service before confirming the delivery. Most companies will be flexible with payment options, however.
Can I track my auto transport online? Each auto 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 auto transport companies to confirm that this is possible with them.
Does someone have to be present for pickup and delivery? In most cases, the auto shipping company will require you to be in attendance for the pickup and 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 auto 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, and 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 and 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 and 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 and has the right equipment to safely carry it out.
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