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 spot & transporting it to another. This service proves useful in various circumstances where you are unable to operate the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online & need to transport it to a different state, relocating & requiring long-distance vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are not an option.
Luckily, there are numerous auto shipping services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we will explore below.
Varieties Of Vehicle Shipping Services
When it comes to vehicle shipping services, there are several crucial choices you must make. Initially, you need to decide where you want your automobile picked up from & delivered to, whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or shipping a car to a different state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is a possibility, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this option is typically more affordable, it 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 whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or simply shipping a car to a nearby state. This option is more convenient as it eliminates the need to collect your automobile from a separate location, which can be challenging without your vehicle.
Vehicle transport services can be categorized into two main types: having someone operate your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for shipping.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
Employing someone to operate your vehicle to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether you need to transport a car across the country or to a different state. This method 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 approach that lead some individuals to opt for other vehicle transport options. Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be significant when shipping a car across the country, although less so when shipping to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of harm to your vehicle during the drive. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals buying or selling automobiles online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Automobile On A Trailer
Utilizing a trailer to transport your vehicle is a safer option that guarantees a higher level of protection compared to having someone operate your automobile. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile.
Single trailers are often more expensive as they only transport one vehicle at a time, but they are an excellent choice for moving expensive or classic automobiles that you want to protect from potential damage. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, although this is the most expensive option.
Multi-car transporters, which can carry several automobiles at once, come in a few variants:
Open vehicle 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 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 & prolonged 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 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 on our platform or one with experience in overseas vehicle shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Vehicle?
The cost 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 & 500 miles, & $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles.
These figures are just averages, & your vehicle transport cost may be higher or lower depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to obtain vehicle shipping quotes from various vehicle transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
To get a better idea of what factors can influence the price of vehicle transport services, take a look at the information below.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
While we all want affordable vehicle transport, several factors & variables can impact the cost of your vehicle shipping. Here are the main ones to consider:
Distance: As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of your vehicle transport. Cross-state & cross-country journeys are more expensive than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the most affordable option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases, so you won't be paying excessively for longer distances.
International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always more expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance the automobile must travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container.
Route: Along with distance, the route taken to transport your vehicle from its pick-up spot to its delivery location can affect the pricing of your vehicle carrier service. Routes with known higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more than quieter roads due to the additional time required. Unforeseen circumstances, like major roadworks, could also incur extra costs from the vehicle moving companies or necessitate a longer alternative route.
Shipping Dates: The speed at which you need your vehicle transportation service to operate can also impact the price. If you have flexibility in your timings, you may find that your vehicle shipping service charges less, as they can fit your automobile delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads, passing the savings on to you. However, if you require auto transport within a strict timeframe (known as expedited shipping), it will typically cost more, as the vehicle transport company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver specifically for your delivery.
Vehicle Size: The height, length, & width of your automobile will all affect the cost of transport. Vehicle shippers will require larger trailers for bigger automobiles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. Be sure to inform the auto transport company about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on the vehicle, as these can change the size of the trailer required for the delivery.
Vehicle Condition: If your automobile is not in a drivable condition, it may increase the cost of auto transport. This is because extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, may be needed to load & unload your vehicle from the trailer. For example, if your automobile has a locked wheel, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto & off the trailer, requiring more time, effort, & machinery to complete the delivery compared to a standard vehicle transport service. Most vehicle carriers consider an automobile that can brake, roll, & steer to be in good enough condition for easy shipping.
Auto Transport Service Type: The type of auto transport service you choose will also affect the cost of your vehicle shipping. Having someone operate your automobile to its destination is always the most affordable option, as you are essentially just paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single vehicle trailers & enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive, as they require extra equipment. Enclosed vehicle shipping is always the most expensive method of shipping an automobile, as it means your vehicle travels alone & still needs specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
Locations Of Pickup & Delivery: The locations where you need the vehicle picked up & dropped off can also increase the price of shipping an automobile. Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services in close proximity, & if it is a common destination route, you will generally get affordable vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. If a pick-up 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 vehicle shipping cost.
Auto Transport Insurance: While all auto transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance, as it is not legally required. If a vehicle transport company does not offer cargo insurance, it is highly recommended that you seek out & acquire some for your automobile during its transit. As with all insurance policies, make sure you are clear on what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, what parts of the vehicle are covered by the insurance, & any other questions you may have.
Time Of Year: Seasonality can also affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more to ship an automobile in the winter due to ice & snow slowing the routes. Here is a quick breakdown of how each season can affect auto transport costs:
Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your automobile. Ice, snow, & blizzard conditions can all cause delays on the roads & reduce the maximum speed at which the vehicle delivery service can transport automobiles. December is typically a difficult time to have a vehicle shipped, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased vehicle shipping costs. However, February is usually quiet, so great rates are often available from vehicle shipping services during this month.
Spring is a great time to ship your automobile with a vehicle transportation service. With improved weather conditions, longer days, & more drivers ready to work, Spring can often mean affordable rates & high availability when it comes to moving your vehicle. March is often a better time to ship than April or May, as there is often a rush to move automobiles from colder to warmer states.
Summer is the prime season for shipping vehicles - the days are the longest in the year, students are traveling home from universities, employees take vacations, & it is also a very popular time to move house. This means that June, July, & August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, & you should not expect affordable vehicle shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship an automobile if you are looking for a slightly more affordable price. Vehicle shipping companies are less busy, & there is typically more driver availability after the summer rush. However, you are better off looking to move your automobile in October or November rather than September, as this is peak time for students shipping their vehicles to university.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
Now that you know more about what vehicle shipping & a vehicle shipping service are & what sort of auto transport service you need, you probably want to go ahead & find a vehicle transport service that is right for you.
The issue is that there are hundreds of vehicle transport companies out there. Trying to find them on Google can result in scrolling through numerous pages trying to find the best vehicle shipping company for the best price, & the same is true if you were to go through phone books. Furthermore, many of these companies are reluctant to provide pricing, meaning you will likely need to apply for a quote & fill out details with each of them individually, which can be very time-consuming.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Given all of the options & variables involved with finding a vehicle shipping service, actually searching for & finding the right one can seem like a daunting task, & 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 are the make & model of the vehicle that needs shipping, the pickup location & delivery location, & the dates that you need to move the automobile. This gives the auto transport providers on Shiply enough information to provide you with an accurate quote for your job.
Once your listing is live, you will receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & to your email. We recommend keeping email notifications turned on so that you can know immediately when a new quote comes through. Quotes can start coming through within a few minutes of posting your listing, but we always recommend waiting for a few to come through before making a decision so that you have multiple options to choose from.
Once you have a few quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as when they are available (if a time frame is given), what insurance they have, & how they would secure your vehicle. We recommend asking any company you may use these questions to ensure that everything goes smoothly & as expected.
Shiply has a feedback & ratings system, which we highly recommend looking at before selecting a quote to ship your automobile. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company, as well as their overall score.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Gallatin, Tennessee
Gallatin, Tennessee, is a growing city located in the Nashville metropolitan area. Many people move to Gallatin for its affordable housing, strong job market, & proximity to Nashville's amenities. As a result, there is a significant demand for vehicle shipping services to & from Gallatin.
People moving to Gallatin often need to ship their automobiles from their previous location, whether it's from another state or across the country. Similarly, those leaving Gallatin may require vehicle shipping services to transport their automobiles to their new homes. This demand for vehicle shipping in Gallatin has led to an increase in the number of auto transport companies serving the area.
When looking for vehicle shipping gallatin or gallatin vehicle shipping services, it's essential to choose a reputable company with experience in the area. By using a platform like Shiply, you can easily compare quotes from multiple vehicle shipping companies & read reviews from previous customers to ensure you find the best service for your needs.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Gallatin
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 estimates based on the information you supply from several companies. This can conserve you hours of effort you would have spent phoning businesses & inputting details. Communication with these firms is also feasible via our platform, allowing you to store all your Gallatin vehicle shipping details in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial aspect in choosing which auto transport company to employ to transport your vehicle. The challenge is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite vehicle transport quote without having to input information & complete details. While this is reasonable, it means that cost comparison & obtaining a vehicle transport quote isn't exactly simple. Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final price estimates from vehicle shipping companies & compare them in one place, offering the ability to contact them individually to inquire about any concerns you may have & ultimately choose the ideal company for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping - Auto transport businesses on Shiply can usually provide their services at a lower cost than if you approached them directly. This is because they are frequently seeking to fill 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 vehicle there, a company on Shiply may already have a multi-car transporter making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots occupied, & they are simply looking 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 auto transport by utilizing our service.
Eco-Friendlier - Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it is also more environmentally friendly! In the above scenario, if your vehicle didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate car 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 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, 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 selected an auto transport company to transport your vehicle & feel confident using them, then it's time to get your vehicle ready 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 proof 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.
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