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 and transporting it to another. This service proves useful in various circumstances where you are unable to drive the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online and needing to transport it to a different state, relocating and requiring long-distance vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are unavailable. Luckily, there are numerous auto transport services available to cater to your specific requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Shipping Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, the initial choice you must make is where you want your automobile collected from and delivered to, whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or shipping a car to a different state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection and drop-off points, frequently the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are utilized. This alternative 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 and dropped off at their doorstep, irrespective of the distance.
Vehicle shipping services are generally categorized into two types: having someone drive your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Engage Someone To Drive Your Vehicle
Engaging someone to drive your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether it's across the country or to a different state. The advantages of this approach include lower costs, as trailers and additional vehicles are not necessary, and quicker delivery due to the simplicity of the transport. However, there are some drawbacks to this method that lead some individuals to opt for other types of vehicle transport. Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be substantial when shipping a car across the country. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your vehicle while it is being driven. 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 automobile on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone drive it to its destination. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value and 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 that can carry several automobiles at once. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, but this is also the most expensive option.
Multi-car transporters come in a few variants:
Open vehicle shipping is the most affordable and common option offered by vehicle shipping companies. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier and driven to its destination. While all vehicles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making this option less suitable for highly valuable automobiles. Additionally, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage and prolonged exposure to the elements.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier that is enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, and debris during transit. This option is often preferred for more expensive or newer automobiles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during transport.
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, as they can 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, auto transport companies in the US 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 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.
Elements That Can Impact The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
Several elements can influence the cost of vehicle shipping, including:
Distance: Cross-state and cross-country journeys cost significantly 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 expensive due to the logistics involved and 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, 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: The speed at which you need your vehicle transported can impact the price. Flexible timings often result in lower charges, as vehicle shipping companies can fit your delivery into their schedule and reduce overheads. However, expedited shipping within a strict timeframe typically costs more, as it may require a dedicated trailer and driver.
Vehicle Size: The height, length, and width of the automobile affect the cost of transport. Larger automobiles, such as SUVs, generally cost more to transport than sedans. Always 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 require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load and unload them from the trailer, taking more time, effort, and machinery compared to a standard vehicle transport service. Most vehicle carriers consider a car that can brake, roll, and steer to be in good enough condition for easy shipping.
Auto Transport Service Type: The type of auto transport service you choose affects the cost of vehicle shipping. Having someone drive your automobile to its destination is the most affordable option, as you are essentially paying for the driver's time and fuel. Single vehicle trailers and 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 while still needing specialist equipment for loading, unloading, and protection during transport.
Locations Of Pickup And Delivery: The collection and drop-off locations can also influence the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services nearby, and common destination routes often offer affordable vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes and extra mileage for the company. Unusual or hard-to-access collection or drop-off points may necessitate extra steps to load your automobile, increasing the vehicle shipping cost.
Auto Transport Insurance: While all auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance, as it is not legally required. If a vehicle transport company does not provide cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you obtain some for your automobile during transit. When considering insurance policies, ensure you understand what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, which parts of the automobile are covered, and any other relevant details.
Time Of Year: Seasonality can also affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more to ship a car in the winter due to ice and snow slowing the routes. Here is a quick breakdown of how each season can impact auto transport costs:
Winter: Often the most expensive season to ship your automobile due to potential delays caused by ice, snow, and blizzard conditions, which can also reduce the maximum speed of vehicle delivery services. December is typically challenging, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased automobile shipping costs. However, February is usually quiet, and great rates are often available from vehicle shipping services during this month.
Spring: An excellent time to ship your automobile, with improved weather conditions, longer days, and more available drivers, often resulting in affordable rates and high availability for moving your vehicle. March is generally better for shipping than April or May, as there is often a rush to move vehicles from colder to warmer states.
Summer: The prime season for shipping vehicles, with the longest days of the year, students traveling home from universities, employees taking vacations, and a popular time for moving house. June, July, and August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, and affordable vehicle shipping is less likely during the summer.
Fall: A good time to ship a vehicle if you are looking for slightly more affordable prices. Vehicle shipping companies are less busy, and there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. However, it is better to move your automobile in October or November rather than September, which is peak time for students shipping their vehicles to university.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
Now that you have a better understanding of vehicle shipping, the types of vehicle shipping services available, and what factors can affect the cost, you may be wondering how to find the right vehicle transport service for your needs. With hundreds of vehicle transport companies out there, searching for the best one at the best price can be overwhelming and time-consuming, whether you're scrolling through countless pages on Google or flipping through phone books. Many companies are reluctant to provide pricing upfront, meaning you'll likely need to apply for quotes and fill out details with each one individually, which can be a tedious process.
How Can Shiply Assist In Finding Auto Transport Companies?
Given the numerous options and variables involved in finding a vehicle shipping service, the task can seem daunting. This is where Shiply can help simplify the process. On Shiply, you only need to fill out a simple form to start collecting quotes. Provide the make and model of the vehicle that needs shipping, the pickup and delivery locations, and the dates you need to move the automobile. This information allows the auto transport providers on Shiply to provide you with accurate quotes for your job.
Once your listing is live, you will receive quotes in your Shiply inbox and via email. We recommend keeping email notifications turned on so that you can be immediately notified when a new quote arrives. Quotes can start coming in within minutes of posting your listing, but we always suggest waiting for a few to come through before making a decision, so you have multiple options to choose from.
After receiving a few quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability (if a time frame is given), insurance coverage, and how they would secure your vehicle. We recommend asking these questions to any company you are considering to ensure a smooth and expected experience.
Shiply has a feedback and ratings system that we highly recommend reviewing before selecting a quote to ship your automobile. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company and their overall score, helping you make an informed decision.
Why Individuals Frequently Transport Vehicles To And From Lexington, South Carolina, US
Lexington, South Carolina, is a thriving city situated in the heart of the Midlands region. Many individuals transport vehicles to and from Lexington for various reasons, such as relocating for employment, family, or education. The city's proximity to major highways, including I-20 and I-26, makes it an attractive location for those who need to commute to nearby cities like Columbia or Charleston. Additionally, Lexington's robust economy, outstanding schools, and high quality of life attract many families to the area, often necessitating the transport of their automobiles. With the assistance of vehicle shipping companies like Lexington Car Shipping, residents can easily and safely move their vehicles to and from Lexington, ensuring a smooth transition during their relocation.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Auto Transport in Lexington
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 and can then obtain quotes from various companies based on the information you submit. This can conserve you significant time that you would have otherwise spent phoning companies and completing forms. Communication with these businesses is also feasible via our platform, allowing you to store all your Lexington auto transport details in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial factor when choosing which car transport company to employ for your vehicle. The challenge is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't receive a definite car transport quote without supplying information and completing details. Although this is reasonable, it means that comparing prices and obtaining a car transport quote is not a simple task. Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final price estimates from auto shipping companies and compare them in one place, with the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have and ultimately select the ideal company for your needs.
Affordable Auto Shipping - Car transport businesses on Shiply can typically provide their services at a lower cost than if you approached them directly. This is because they are often seeking to fill space on trips they are already making and have already invested in. For instance, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York and needed to transport your car there, a company on Shiply might already have a multi-car transporter making that journey with 5 of the 6 spots occupied, and they are simply looking to ensure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, and pick-up/drop-off locations are suitable for you, you can often save up to 75% on car transport by utilizing our service.
Eco-Friendly - Using Shiply for car transport is not only more affordable but also more environmentally friendly! In the previous example, if your vehicle didn't get on that multi-car transporter and instead, you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be required just for your vehicle. Similarly, many car transporters return empty-handed after a delivery, which is not only expensive for them but also harmful to 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, resulting in even less wasted CO2 being emitted into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Preparing Your Vehicle for Shipping
If you have chosen an auto transport company to transport your vehicle and feel confident using them, it's time to prepare your car for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Documents - It's 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 during transit. It's 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 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, 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 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 ascertain whether any extra damage has occurred. Shipping a car can, in rare cases, cause damage, and 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 and 500 miles, and 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 and 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 and delivery? In most cases, the car 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 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, 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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