What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also referred to as car shipping or auto transport, is a service offered by vehicle transportation companies that involves collecting your automobile from one location & transporting it to another. This service is beneficial in numerous situations where you are unable to operate the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online, relocating to a new residence, or transporting your automobile overseas. Vehicle transportation companies provide a variety of services to accommodate your unique requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Transportation Services
When selecting a vehicle transportation service, you must determine where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a nationwide car transport or shipping a vehicle to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is a choice, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. This choice is typically more affordable but requires 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 typically categorized into two types: having someone operate your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transportation.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
Employing someone to operate your vehicle to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether it's across the country or to another state. The advantages of this approach include lower costs, as trailers & extra vehicles are not necessary, & faster delivery due to the straightforward nature of the transport. However, there are some drawbacks to this approach that lead some individuals to choose other types of vehicle transport. Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be significant when shipping a car across the country. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your vehicle during the drive. These concerns are especially relevant for individuals buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Placing your vehicle on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone operate your automobile to its destination. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile. You can choose between a single trailer for your vehicle, which is more expensive but ideal for transporting expensive or classic cars, or a multi-car transporter, which can transport many vehicles at once.
Open car shipping is the most affordable & most common option when transporting a vehicle. 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, which may not be recommended for highly valuable automobiles. Long journeys in open trailers also run 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 often preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during auto transport.
If you need to move your automobile overseas, it's best to find a specialist service or one with experience in overseas vehicle shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
What Is The Cost To Transport A Vehicle?
The cost of transporting a vehicle varies depending on several factors, but on average, auto transport 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 are just averages, & your vehicle transport may cost more or less depending on your specific circumstances.
To get an accurate estimate of how much your vehicle delivery will cost, it's best to collect vehicle shipping quotes from various vehicle transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply. Factors that can affect the cost of auto transport include:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate vehicle delivery.
- International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always more expensive due to logistics & distance.
- Route: Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks can increase costs.
- Shipping dates: Flexible timings can result in 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 more affordable than rural or hard-to-access locations.
- Auto transport insurance: Additional cargo insurance may increase the overall cost.
- Time of year: Shipping costs are typically higher in winter due to weather conditions & holiday seasons.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding A Vehicle Transportation 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, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without a detailed quote application.
How Can Shiply Help Find Vehicle Transportation Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding the right vehicle shipping service. To get started, fill out a simple form with the make & model of the vehicle, pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the automobile. This information allows 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 turned on to know immediately when a new quote arrives. Quotes can start coming in within minutes of posting your listing, but it's best to wait for a few options before making a decision.
Before selecting a quote, ask the companies any questions you may have, such as availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure your vehicle during transport. Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Hilton Head Island, located in South Carolina, is a popular destination for vacationers & retirees alike. Many individuals choose to move their automobiles to & from Hilton Head Island for various reasons. Some may be relocating permanently to enjoy the island's beautiful beaches, golf courses, & laid-back lifestyle. Others may be bringing their vehicles for extended vacations or seasonal stays. Additionally, car enthusiasts may transport their classic or luxury automobiles to Hilton Head Island for events or to store them in a more favorable climate. Whatever the reason, vehicle shipping services to & from Hilton Head Island are in high demand, making it essential to find a reliable & experienced auto transport company to ensure your automobile arrives safely at its destination.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Auto Transport in Hilton Head Island
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 from various companies based on the information you supply. This can conserve you hours of effort that you would have spent phoning companies & inputting details. Communication with these businesses is also feasible via our platform, allowing you to store all your Hilton Head Island vehicle shipping details in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the auto shipping estimate is the most crucial aspect in choosing which vehicle transport company to employ for moving your automobile. The challenge is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average rates & rough estimates, you won't receive a definite car transport quote without supplying information & completing details. Although this is reasonable, it means that comparing prices & getting a car transport estimate isn't precisely a simple process. Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final cost estimates from auto shipping companies & compare them in one place, offering the opportunity to message them individually to pose any inquiries you might have & ultimately select the optimal company for your needs.
Affordable Auto Shipping - Vehicle transport businesses on Shiply can usually provide their services at a reduced rate compared to going directly through them. This is because they are frequently aiming 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 automobile there, a company on Shiply might already have a multi-car transporter making that journey with 5 of the 6 spots occupied, & they are simply seeking 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 vehicle transport by utilizing our service.
Eco-Friendlier - Not only is using Shiply for vehicle transport more economical, but it is also more environmentally friendly. In the previous example, if your car didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate auto shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be required just for your vehicle. Similarly, 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 cars in the opposite direction. Many of the vehicle 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.
Preparing Your Vehicle for Shipping
If you have chosen a vehicle transport company to move your automobile & feel confident using them, then it's time to prepare your car 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, 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 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 determine 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.
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