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 proves useful in various circumstances where you are unable to drive the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online & requiring it to be shipped to another state, relocating & needing cross-country 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 & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country car shipping or transporting a vehicle to another state. One option is terminal-to-terminal auto delivery, where designated collection & drop-off points, frequently the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are utilized. Although this option is typically more affordable, it demands more effort on your part to get the automobile home. However, the majority of individuals prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their vehicles are collected & 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 transportation. Employing someone to drive your vehicle is a straightforward solution that is often more economical as it doesn't necessitate trailers or an additional vehicle. It can also be quicker due to the uncomplicated nature of the transport. However, this approach has some drawbacks, such as increasing the mileage on your vehicle, particularly when shipping a car across the country, & the minor risk of damage during the journey. These concerns are especially relevant for individuals buying or selling automobiles online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a more secure option that guarantees a higher degree of protection than having someone drive your vehicle. There are various trailer options available, depending on the worth & dimensions of your automobile. Single trailers, while more costly, are perfect for transporting expensive or classic cars that require extra care. The most secure way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, but this is also the most expensive option. Multi-car transporters, which can transport several automobiles at once, come in different variants:
Open car shipping is the most economical & common option provided by vehicle shipping companies. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. Although all vehicles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making this option less suitable for highly valuable automobiles. Long journeys in open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage & prolonged exposure to the elements.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier that is enclosed, shielding 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 transport.
If you need to transport your vehicle overseas, it's best to find a specialist service on our platform or one with experience in overseas car shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
What Is The Cost Of Transporting 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 optimal way to determine the cost of auto transport is to gather vehicle shipping quotes from various companies, which is easily done on Shiply.
Several factors can influence the expense of auto transport, including:
Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost significantly more than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the most economical option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases.
International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always costly due to the logistics involved & 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 impact 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: Flexibility in timings can result in lower charges, as vehicle shipping companies can fit your delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. Expedited shipping, where you require auto transport within a strict timeframe, typically costs more as it may require a dedicated trailer & driver.
Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of the vehicle affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles like SUVs generally cost more to transport than sedans. It's essential to inform the auto transport company about any accessories such as bike racks or roof racks, as they can change the required trailer size.
Vehicle condition: If your automobile is not drivable, it may increase the cost of auto transport. Non-operational vehicles require extra equipment like winches or forklifts to load & unload them from the trailer, taking more time, effort, & machinery compared to a standard vehicle transport service. Most car carriers consider a vehicle in good enough condition to ship easily if it can brake, roll, & steer.
Auto transport service type: The type of auto transport service you choose affects the cost. Having someone drive your vehicle is the most economical 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 car shipping is the most costly method, as it involves your vehicle traveling alone while still needing specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
Pickup & delivery locations: The location of the collection & drop-off points can impact the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services nearby, & common destination routes tend to offer cheap car shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. Unusual or hard-to-access collection or drop-off points may also require extra steps to load your vehicle, 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 seek & acquire additional coverage for your automobile during transit. When considering insurance policies, ensure you understand what type of damage is covered, the deductible, the parts of the vehicle covered, & any other relevant details.
Time of year: Seasonality can affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more in the winter due to ice & 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 vehicle due to potential delays caused by ice, snow, & blizzard conditions, which also reduce the maximum speed at which vehicle delivery services can operate. December is typically challenging as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased vehicle shipping costs. February, however, is usually quiet, & great rates are often available from vehicle shipping services during this month.
Spring: An excellent time to ship your vehicle, with improved weather conditions, longer days, & more available drivers, often resulting in cheap rates & high availability. March is generally better 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, & a popular time for moving house. June, July, & August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, so don't expect cheap vehicle shipping during the summer.
Fall: A good time to ship a vehicle if you're looking for slightly cheaper 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 vehicles to university.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
Now that you have a better understanding of vehicle shipping, the types of vehicle shipping services available, & what kind of auto transport service you need, you're probably ready to find a vehicle transport service that suits your requirements. The challenge lies in the fact 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 vehicle shipping company at the best price, & the same is true if you were to go through phone books. Moreover, many of these companies are reluctant to provide pricing upfront, 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 the numerous options & variables involved in finding a vehicle shipping service, the search for the right one 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 require from you is the make & model of the vehicle that needs shipping, the collection & delivery locations, & 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 & 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 a few minutes of posting your listing, but we always suggest waiting for a few to come through before making a decision, giving you multiple options to choose from.
After receiving a few quotes, you can ask the providers any questions you may have, such as their availability (if a time frame is given), insurance coverage, & how they would secure your vehicle. We recommend asking these questions to any company you consider using to ensure that everything goes smoothly & as expected.
Shiply has a feedback & ratings system that we highly recommend reviewing before selecting a quote to ship your vehicle. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company & their overall score, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Tuckahoe, Virginia, US
Tuckahoe, Virginia, is a small town located in Henrico County, just outside of Richmond. Many people move vehicles to & from Tuckahoe for various reasons, such as relocating for work, attending college, or simply seeking a change of scenery. The town's proximity to Richmond, the state capital, makes it an attractive location for those who want to live in a quieter area while still having access to the amenities of a larger city.
When moving to or from Tuckahoe, many residents opt for vehicle shipping services to transport their automobiles safely & conveniently. Tuckahoe vehicle shipping companies offer a range of services to meet the needs of their clients, whether they require cross-country vehicle transport or simply need to ship a vehicle to another state. By using a reliable vehicle shipping service, Tuckahoe residents can ensure that their automobiles arrive at their new homes in the same condition as when they left, without the added mileage & potential wear & tear that comes with driving the vehicle themselves.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Tuckahoe
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate cost from a company on Tuckahoe vehicle transport, on our platform you complete one quotation form & then can obtain quotes based on the information you supply from several companies. This can save you hours of time you would have had to invest calling companies and completing forms. Communication with these businesses is also feasible 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 & general figures, you won't actually receive a definite vehicle transport estimate without having to give information & fill in details. While this is reasonable, it does mean that cost comparison and getting a vehicle transport estimate isn't exactly a simple task. Utilizing Shiply allows you to receive authentic, final cost estimates from vehicle shipping companies & compare them in one place, offering the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the best company for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping - Auto transport businesses on Shiply are usually able to provide their services for a lower cost than if you went directly to them. This is because they are often seeking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already invested the cost for. For instance, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to move your vehicle there, on Shiply, a company may already have a multi-car transporter making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots filled, & they are just looking to ensure they are not 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 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 vehicle didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate vehicle shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be needed just for your vehicle. Similarly, many vehicle 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 trips too, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released 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 & 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 belongings 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 & 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 vehicle delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photographs of all parts of the vehicle. This provides you with evidence of the vehicle's condition before shipping should anything happen to it during transport.
What to Do After Delivery
Once the vehicle 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 vehicle is in the expected condition, as well as enable you to immediately raise concerns with the vehicle 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 vehicle can, in rare cases, cause damage, & you want to be sure your vehicle transport service has not done so.
Check Mileage - This is more relevant to vehicle shipping services where the vehicle is driven to the destination but it can help to check the mileage to ensure that it matches up with the trip 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 vehicle shipping services with the same peace of mind.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have answered some of the most asked questions about vehicle shipping:
How much to ship a vehicle?
Vehicle shipping prices can vary drastically depending on the circumstances, but on average a trip should cost you around $2.92 per mile if the trip is less than 200 miles, $0.93 if the trip is between 200 & 500 miles, & if the trip is over 1,000 miles then this drops to $0.78.
What is the most affordable way to ship a vehicle?
Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the most affordable way to ship a vehicle, however, if you need a trailer then a multi-car transporter will be your best option with regard to the most affordable way to ship a vehicle.
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 vehicle delivery service before confirming the delivery. Most companies will be flexible with payment options, however.
Can I track my vehicle transport online?
Each vehicle shipping company on Shiply has different ways of operating, but many offer the ability to track your vehicle shipment, with some even able to provide personal updates. If you require tracking, you should message individual vehicle transport companies to confirm that this is possible with them.
Does someone have to be present for pickup & delivery?
In most cases, the vehicle 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 vehicle keys.
Can I keep items in my vehicle during my vehicle shipment?
Most vehicle 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 vehicle 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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