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 and need to transport it to another state, relocating and 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 and transported 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 and drop-off points, frequently the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are utilized. This option is typically more affordable but demands more effort on your part to get the automobile home. However, most individuals prefer a 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 types: having someone operate your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport. Having someone operate your vehicle is a straightforward solution that involves hiring a driver to take your automobile to its destination. This method is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an additional vehicle, and 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 country) and a slight risk of damage during the journey.
Placing your vehicle on a trailer is a safer option that guarantees a higher level of protection than having someone operate it. There are multiple trailer options available, depending on the value and size of your automobile. A single trailer is more expensive as it only transports one vehicle at a time but is ideal for moving expensive or classic cars. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, although this is the most costly option. Multi-car transporters, which can carry many vehicles at once, come in a few variants:
- Open vehicle shipping: The most affordable and common option, where your automobile is placed on an open carrier and 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, and debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles.
If you need to move your automobile 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 and 500 miles, and $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles. However, these are just averages, and 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 easy to do on Shiply.
Factors that can influence the expense of auto transport include:
- Distance: Cross-state and cross-country journeys cost more than interstate vehicle delivery.
- International shipping: Always results in expensive vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring an automobile overseas and the distance it needs to travel.
- Route: Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks can increase costs or require longer alternative routes.
- Shipping dates: Flexibility in timings can lead to lower costs, while expedited shipping in strict timeframes typically costs more.
- Vehicle size: Larger automobiles like SUVs cost more to transport than sedans due to the need for bigger trailers.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may require extra equipment, increasing the cost of auto transport.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the most affordable option, while single car trailers and enclosed transport are more expensive due to the need for specialist equipment.
- Locations of pickup & delivery: Urban areas with common destination routes tend to have cheaper vehicle shipping, while rural deliveries can cost more due to extra mileage and unusual or hard-to-access spaces.
- Auto transport insurance: Additional cargo insurance beyond the required liability insurance is highly recommended and can affect the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality can impact vehicle shipping prices, with winter being the most expensive due to ice, snow, and blizzard conditions causing delays and reduced speeds.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
With hundreds of vehicle transport companies available, finding the right one can be a daunting task. Searching on Google or through phone books can be time-consuming, and many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without individual quotes. This is where Shiply can help.
How Can Shiply Assist In Finding Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding a vehicle shipping service by allowing you to fill out a simple form to collect quotes. You only need to provide the make and model of the vehicle, the pickup and delivery locations, and 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 will receive quotes in your Shiply inbox and email. It's recommended to keep email notifications turned on to know immediately when a new quote arrives. Quotes can start coming through 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, and how they would secure your vehicle. It's crucial to ask these questions to ensure a smooth and expected process.
Shiply's feedback and ratings system is another valuable tool when selecting a company to ship your automobile. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences and the company's overall score, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Frequently Move Vehicles To & From Greer, South Carolina, US
Greer, situated in Greenville and Spartanburg counties in South Carolina, is a growing city that attracts many people for various reasons. One of the main reasons people move automobiles to and from Greer is its strong automotive industry presence. BMW Manufacturing Company, one of the largest employers in the area, has a plant in Greer, which draws professionals in the automotive sector. Additionally, the city's proximity to major highways, such as I-85 and I-385, makes it a convenient location for vehicle shipping companies to transport automobiles to and from other parts of the country.
Another reason people move vehicles to Greer is the city's growing population and economy. As more people relocate to Greer for job opportunities or a lower cost of living compared to larger cities, the demand for vehicle shipping services increases. Many new residents may need to transport their automobiles from their previous location to their new home in Greer.
Furthermore, Greer is home to the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), which serves as a hub for air cargo and logistics. This makes the city an attractive location for businesses that require efficient transportation of goods, including vehicles. Vehicle shipping companies may frequently transport cars to and from Greer to serve these businesses and their clients.
In summary, the strong automotive industry presence, growing population and economy, convenient location near major highways, and the presence of the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport all contribute to the frequent movement of vehicles to and from Greer, South Carolina, US.
The Advantages of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Greer
Time-Efficient - Instead of submitting a quotation request each time you require a precise cost for transporting your automobile, on our platform, you only complete one form & can then receive estimates based on the information you supply from various businesses. This could save you hours that you would've spent contacting companies and completing forms.
Communication with these auto shipping providers is all possible through our platform as well, allowing you to maintain all of your "car transport greer" information in one location.
Effortless Price Comparison
When it comes down to it, the cost of the "greer vehicle transport" estimate is the most important factor in deciding which auto shipping company to utilize. The challenging aspect is that, while most are willing to provide rough estimates, you won't actually receive a firm quote without first providing information. While this is understandable, it does mean that price comparison & obtaining a shipping estimate isn't exactly straightforward.
Using Shiply enables you to obtain genuine, final estimates from vehicle transport companies & compare them all together. You can contact them to ask any questions & ultimately select the best one for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping
Auto transporters on Shiply can usually offer lower prices than going direct. This is because they're often seeking to fill empty space on trips they're already taking. For example, if you were relocating from LA to NYC & needed to transport your car there. On Shiply, a company may already have a multi-car carrier making that route with 5 of 6 spots occupied, & they just want to utilize that last spot. As long as dates, times, & locations are convenient for you, you could save up to 75% on shipping using our service!
More Environmentally Friendly
Not only is using Shiply more affordable, but it's also more eco-friendly! In the example above, if your car didn't get on that multi-car hauler & you arranged separate shipping, the emissions would've doubled since another full trip would be required just for your vehicle.
Similarly, many auto transporters return empty-handed, wasting fuel & releasing unnecessary CO2. Many on Shiply are looking to fill trucks on return trips as well, meaning even less wasted emissions & continued affordable shipping for users.
Readying Your Vehicle
If you've selected an auto shipper & feel confident using them, it's time to prepare your car. We suggest:
Documents - Have any paperwork ready for pickup/dropoff, especially if selling.
Cleaning - Remove all personal items, so they don't get lost/damaged. Clean the car so you can check its condition before shipping.
Running Condition - If it'll be driven during shipping, ensure enough fluids, battery charge, & proper tire pressure.
Photos - Take high-quality pics of all angles. This provides evidence of the condition before transport in case anything happens.
After Delivery
Once the shipper completes delivery:
Check Vitals - Test lights, brakes, engine to ensure expected working condition. Raise concerns right away if anything's off.
Exterior - Compare to your photos to see if any new damage occurred during transport.
Mileage - More relevant if driven, but check mileage matches the trip.
We'd appreciate if you leave a review of the shipper you used so others can browse with confidence!
FAQs
How much to ship a car? Prices vary but on average expect around $2.92/mile for 1,000 miles.
Cheapest way to ship? Having someone drive it is cheapest, but for a trailer, a multi-car hauler is most affordable.
How to pay? Up to each shipper, so discuss payment options before confirming.
Can I track shipment? Some offer tracking & updates - message shippers to confirm if needed.
Attend pickup/dropoff? Usually required to sign paperwork & hand off keys.
Items in vehicle? Some personal items may be allowed but could affect cost & aren't covered by insurance.
How much gas? Around 1/4 tank is typical to allow easy loading/unloading.
Non-running vehicles? Can be shipped but costs more since special equipment is needed.
Modified vehicles? Yes, with many providers available, there's usually someone equipped to safely transport any type of vehicle.
