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, relocating to a new residence, or transporting your automobile overseas. Vehicle shipping companies provide a variety of services to accommodate your unique requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Transport Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, you must determine where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country car shipment or transporting a vehicle to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, 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 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 drive your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for shipment.
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 another state. 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 to this method. 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 while it's being driven. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the automobile arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer way to transport it compared to having someone drive it. 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 that can carry several automobiles at once.
Open car shipping is the most affordable & most common option offered by vehicle shipping companies. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all cars are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during transit, 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 involves securing multiple cars on a carrier that is enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles 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 To Transport A Vehicle?
The expense 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. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to collect vehicle shipping quotes from various auto transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
Elements That Can Influence The Expense Of Vehicle Transport
Several elements can impact the expense of vehicle shipping, including:
1. Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the most affordable option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases.
2. International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always more expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance traveled. It may require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your automobile.
3. 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 different, longer route.
4. Shipping dates: The flexibility of your shipping dates can impact the price. If you can be flexible with timings, vehicle shipping services may charge less as they can fit your delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. However, if you require expedited shipping within a strict timeframe, it will typically cost more as the auto transport company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver specifically for your delivery.
5. Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of the automobile affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles like SUVs generally cost more to transport than sedans, as they require larger trailers. Always inform the vehicle transport company about any accessories on the car, such as bike racks or roof racks, as they can change the size of the trailer needed.
6. Vehicle condition: If your automobile is not in drivable condition, it may increase the cost of vehicle transport. Non-operational vehicles may require extra equipment like a winch or forklift to load & unload them from the trailer, taking more time, effort, & machinery compared to a standard vehicle transport service. Most car carriers consider an automobile that can brake, roll, & steer to be in good enough condition for easy shipping.
7. Vehicle transport service type: The type of vehicle transport service you choose affects the cost. Having someone drive your automobile is the most affordable option, as you're essentially paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the extra equipment required. Enclosed vehicle shipping is the most expensive method, as your automobile travels alone & still needs specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
8. Collection & delivery locations: The locations of collection & delivery can impact the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services nearby, & common destination routes tend to offer affordable vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. If a collection or drop-off point is in an unusual or hard-to-access space, extra steps may be needed to load your automobile, increasing the vehicle shipping cost.
9. Vehicle transport insurance: While all vehicle transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance as it's not legally required. If an auto transport company doesn't offer cargo insurance, it's highly recommended that you seek out & acquire 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 vehicle are covered, & any other relevant details.
10. Time of year: Seasonality can affect the price of vehicle shipping. Many services cost more in the winter due to ice & snow slowing down routes. Here's a quick breakdown of how each season can impact vehicle transport costs:
- Winter: Often the most expensive season to ship your automobile due to potential delays caused by ice, snow, & blizzard conditions, which can also reduce the maximum speed of transport. December is typically challenging as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased vehicle shipping costs. However, February is usually quiet, & great rates are often available during this month.
- Spring: An excellent time to ship your automobile, with improved weather conditions, longer days, & more available drivers. March often offers better rates than April or May, as there is usually a rush to move cars from colder to warmer states.
- Summer: The prime season for shipping cars, with the longest days of the year, students traveling home from universities, employees taking vacations, & a popular time for moving house. June, July, & August are all busy months for the vehicle transport industry, so don't expect affordable vehicle shipping during the summer.
- Fall: A good time to ship a vehicle if you're looking for slightly more affordable prices. Vehicle shipping companies are less busy, & there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. October or November are better options than September, which is peak time for students shipping their cars to university.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding A Vehicle Transport Service
With hundreds of auto transport companies available, finding the right one can be overwhelming. Searching on Google can lead to scrolling through numerous pages to find the best vehicle shipping company at the best price, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without a quote application & detailed information, which can be time-consuming.
How Can Shiply Help Find Vehicle Transport 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 automobile that needs shipping, the pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the vehicle. This information allows vehicle transport providers on Shiply to provide accurate quotes for your job.
Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & via email. We recommend keeping email notifications on so you can be immediately informed 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.
When you have several quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability (if a time frame is given), insurance coverage, & how they would secure your automobile. We recommend asking these questions to any company you consider to ensure a smooth & expected process.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is a valuable resource when selecting a quote to ship your vehicle. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company & their overall score.
Why People Often Move Cars To & From Simpsonville, South Carolina
Simpsonville, a city in Greenville County, South Carolina, has become a popular destination for people moving their automobiles for various reasons. One of the main factors is the city's growing population & expanding job market. As more people relocate to Simpsonville for work opportunities, they often need to transport their vehicles from their previous location.
Another reason people move cars to & from Simpsonville is the city's proximity to major highways, such as Interstate 385 & Interstate 85. This makes it a convenient location for vehicle shipping companies to pick up & deliver automobiles, as well as for individuals who need to transport their cars for personal reasons, such as buying or selling a vehicle online.
Additionally, Simpsonville's mild climate & relatively low cost of living compared to other parts of the country make it an attractive destination for retirees & families. As people move to the area, they often need to ship their automobiles from their previous homes.
Simpsonville's growing automotive industry also contributes to the demand for vehicle shipping services. With several car dealerships & auto repair shops in the area, businesses may need to transport automobiles to & from Simpsonville for various reasons, such as inventory management or customer service.
Overall, the combination of Simpsonville's growing population, convenient location, attractive living conditions, & thriving automotive industry has led to an increased demand for vehicle shipping services to & from the city.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Car Shipping in Simpsonville
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 a single quote form and can then obtain estimates based on the information you supply from several companies. This can save you a significant amount of time that you would have otherwise spent phoning enterprises and completing forms. Communication with these businesses is also feasible via our platform, allowing you to store all of your Simpsonville car shipping details in one location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the car shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto transport company to employ to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most companies are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite car transport quote without having to give information and fill in details. While this is understandable, it means that price comparison and obtaining a car transport quote is not exactly a straightforward process. Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final price estimates from car 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 Car Shipping - Auto transport businesses on Shiply are typically able to offer their services for a lower fee than if you went directly to them. This is because they are often looking to fill space on journeys 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 move your car there, on Shiply, a company 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 work for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service.
Environmentally Friendly - Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it is 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 car shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire journey would be needed just for your car. Similarly, many car 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 other direction. Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are looking to fill their trailers on return journeys too, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Readying Your Vehicle for Shipping
If you have chosen an auto transport company to relocate your car and feel confident using them, then it's time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Documents - It is crucial to ensure that any documents you may need are available at pick up or drop off, especially if you are selling your vehicle.
Cleaning - You should take care to remove all personal items from your vehicle prior to 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 ascertain 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, then 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 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 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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