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. Auto shipping services are especially useful when you need to transport a vehicle to another state or across the nation.
Luckily, there are numerous car transport services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we will explore below.
Varieties Of Car Transport Services
When it comes to transporting your automobile, there are a few crucial decisions you'll need to make. First, you'll need to determine where you want your vehicle collected from & delivered. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection and delivery points are utilized, often at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this option is typically more affordable, it requires more effort on your part to get the automobile home.
Most individuals, however, opt for door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their vehicles are collected and delivered at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country car transport or just shipping a vehicle to another state. This option is more convenient as you don't need to go anywhere to collect your automobile, which can be challenging without your car in the first place.
Vehicle transport services generally fall into two categories: having someone drive your automobile to its destination or putting it on a trailer and transporting it that way.
Have Someone Drive Your Automobile
Hiring someone to drive your vehicle to its destination is a straightforward solution for car shipping, whether you need to ship a car across the country or to another state. This method is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an extra vehicle, and it can be faster due to its simplicity.
However, there are some drawbacks to this method 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 while it's being driven. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Put Your Automobile On A Trailer
Placing your vehicle on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone drive your automobile. Car shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value and size of your vehicle.
Single trailers are often more expensive as they only transport one vehicle at a time, but they are a great choice for moving expensive or classic cars that you don't want to risk damaging. The safest way to transport an automobile is in a shipping container, but this is also the most expensive option.
Multi-car transporters can carry many vehicles at once and come in a few variants:
- Open car shipping is the most affordable and common option. Your vehicle is placed on an open carrier and driven to its destination. While all cars are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so this may not be recommended for highly valuable vehicles. Long journeys in open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage.
- Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple cars on a carrier, but they are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, and debris during transit. This option is often preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles.
If you need to move your vehicle overseas, it's best to find a specialist service or a company with experience in overseas car shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Vehicle?
The cost of shipping 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 find out how much auto transport will cost you is to collect car shipping quotes from various companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
To get an idea of what factors can affect the price of vehicle transport services, take a look at the following section.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Car Transport
While we all want affordable vehicle transport, several factors can influence the cost of shipping your automobile. Here are the main ones to consider:
- Distance: As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of vehicle transport. Cross-state and cross-country journeys cost more than interstate car delivery, which is often the most affordable option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey gets longer.
- International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always more expensive due to the logistics involved and the distance the automobile needs to travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or a shipping container.
- Route: The route taken to transport your vehicle from its collection spot to its delivery location can affect the 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.
- Shipping dates: The speed at which you need your vehicle transported can also impact the price. Flexible timings may result in lower charges, as vehicle shipping companies can fit your delivery into their schedule and reduce overheads. However, if you require expedited shipping within a strict timeframe, it will typically cost more.
- Vehicle size: The height, length, and width of your automobile will affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles like SUVs generally cost more to transport than sedans, as they require larger trailers. Always inform the auto transport company about any accessories on your car, such as bike racks or roof racks, as they can change the size of the trailer needed.
- Vehicle condition: If your automobile is not in drivable condition, it may increase the cost of car transport. Non-operational vehicles may require extra equipment like a winch or forklift to load and unload them from the trailer, taking more time, effort, and machinery than a standard vehicle transport service. Most car carriers consider a vehicle that can brake, roll, and steer to be in good enough condition to ship easily.
- Auto transport service type: The type of car transport service you choose will also affect the cost. Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is always the most affordable option, as you're essentially just paying for the driver's time and fuel. Single car trailers and enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive due to the extra equipment required. Enclosed car shipping is typically the most expensive method, as it involves your vehicle traveling alone and still needing specialist equipment for loading, unloading, and protection during transport.
- Pickup and delivery locations: The locations of pickup and delivery can also impact the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas usually have car shipping services nearby, and common destination routes tend to offer affordable vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes and extra mileage for the company. If a pickup or drop-off point is in an unusual or hard-to-access space, extra steps may be needed to load your automobile, which can also increase the cost.
- Auto transport insurance: While all car transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance. If a vehicle transport company doesn't provide cargo insurance, it's highly recommended that you acquire some for your automobile during transit. Make sure you understand what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, which parts of the vehicle are covered, and any other relevant details.
- Time of year: Seasonality can also affect the price of vehicle shipping. Many services cost more in the winter due to ice and snow slowing down routes. Here's 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. December is typically a difficult time to ship, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased vehicle shipping costs. February, however, is usually quiet, and great rates are often available during this month.
- Spring: A great time to ship your automobile, with improved weather conditions, longer days, and more available drivers. March often offers better rates than April or May, as there is often 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, and a popular time for moving house. June, July, and August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, so don't expect affordable vehicle shipping during the summer.
- Fall: A good time to ship a car if you're looking for slightly cheaper prices. Vehicle shipping companies are less busy, and 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 Ship A Vehicle - Finding A Car Transport Service
Now that you have a better understanding of what vehicle shipping entails and the types of car transport services available, you probably want to find an auto transport service that suits your needs.
The challenge is that there are hundreds of vehicle transport companies out there. Searching for them on Google can result in scrolling through numerous pages trying to find the best car shipping company at the best price. Many of these companies are reluctant to provide pricing upfront, meaning you'll likely need to apply for a quote and fill out details with each of them individually, which can be very time-consuming.
How Can Shiply Help Find Car 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.
On Shiply, you simply need to fill out a simple form to start collecting quotes. All we need from you is 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 car transport providers on Shiply to provide you with accurate quotes for your job.
Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox and via email. We recommend keeping email notifications turned on so you can be immediately notified when a new quote arrives. Quotes can start coming in within a few minutes of posting your listing, but we always recommend waiting for a few to come through before making a decision, so you have multiple options to choose from.
When you have a few quotes, you can ask the providers any questions you may have, such as their availability (if a time frame is given), what insurance they offer, and how they would secure your vehicle. We recommend asking any company you consider these questions to ensure everything goes smoothly and as expected.
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.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a popular city for vehicle shipping due to several factors. Many individuals relocate to Chattanooga for job opportunities, as the city has a growing economy and is home to several major employers, such as Volkswagen, Amazon, and Unum. The city's low cost of living and high quality of life also attract new residents.
Additionally, Chattanooga is a popular destination for retirees, thanks to its mild climate, scenic beauty, and numerous outdoor activities. As a result, many people choose to ship their automobiles to Chattanooga when relocating for retirement.
Chattanooga is also home to several colleges and universities, including the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Chattanooga State Community College. Students often need to ship their vehicles to the city when attending school and back home during breaks.
Furthermore, Chattanooga's central location makes it a convenient hub for vehicle shipping. The city is situated near the borders of Georgia and Alabama, and is served by major highways like I-75, I-24, and I-59. This location allows for easy access to other parts of the country, making it an ideal starting point or destination for car shipping.
In conclusion, Chattanooga's growing economy, attractive quality of life, popularity among retirees and students, and central location all contribute to the city's status as a frequent source and destination for vehicle shipping services.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Chattanooga
When it comes to vehicle transport in Chattanooga, Shiply provides several advantages that simplify the process, reduce costs, and are more eco-friendly. Here are some of the primary benefits of utilizing Shiply for your Chattanooga vehicle shipping requirements.
Efficient
Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you require a precise price from a company for transporting a vehicle, on our platform, you complete one quotation form and can then receive estimates based on the information you supply from various companies. This can save you hours of time that you would have spent contacting companies and completing forms.
Communication with these companies is also possible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your vehicle shipping details in one location.
Cost Comparison
Ultimately, the price of the vehicle 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 vehicle transport quote without having to give information and fill in details. While this is understandable, it means that price comparison and obtaining a vehicle transport quote is not exactly a straightforward process.
Utilizing Shiply allows you to receive authentic, final price estimates from vehicle 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 Vehicle Shipping
Auto transport companies on Shiply are typically able to offer their services for a lower cost 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 vehicle 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.
Eco-Friendly
Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it is also more environmentally friendly! In the above example, if your vehicle 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 vehicle.
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 vehicles 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 vehicle and feel confident using them, then it's time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. We recommend 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 determine 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 determine 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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