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 operating the vehicle yourself is not practical, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online, relocating to a new residence across the nation, or moving your automobile overseas. Vehicle shipping companies provide a variety of auto transport services to accommodate different requirements.
Categories Of Auto Transport Services
When selecting an auto transport service, the initial choice you must make is where you want your vehicle collected from & delivered to. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an alternative where designated collection & drop-off points, frequently the car transport company's facilities or operating bases, are utilized. While this alternative is typically less expensive, it necessitates more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. However, most individuals prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery, where their automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country car transport or simply moving a car to another state.
Vehicle transport services can be broadly classified into two categories: having someone operate your vehicle to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transportation.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
Employing someone to operate your vehicle to its destination is a straightforward solution for car shipping, whether you need to transport a car across the country or to another state. This approach is often less expensive as it doesn't necessitate trailers or an additional vehicle, & it can be quicker due to its simplicity. However, there are some drawbacks to consider. Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be significant when transporting a car across the country. Secondly, there is a slight risk of harm to your vehicle during the drive. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals purchasing 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 vehicle on a trailer provides a higher level of safety compared to having someone operate it. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile. Single trailers, which transport only one vehicle at a time, are more expensive but are a great choice for moving expensive or classic cars that you want to protect from potential damage. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, but this is also the most expensive option.
Multi-car transporters, which can carry several automobiles at once, come in different variants:
- Open car shipping: The most affordable & common option, where your vehicle is placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all cars 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.
- Enclosed auto transport: Multiple vehicles are secured on a carrier but are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles where minimizing the risk of damage is a priority.
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 to 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, 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.
To get an accurate estimate of how much your vehicle delivery will cost, it's best to collect car shipping quotes from multiple vehicle transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply. Below are some factors that can affect the price of vehicle transport services:
- 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.
- International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always more expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance traveled. It may also require special enclosed trailers or a shipping container.
- 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 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 lead to lower costs, 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.
- 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. Accessories such as bike racks or roof racks can also change the required trailer size.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may incur higher auto transport costs due to the need for extra equipment like winches or forklifts to load & unload the automobile. Most vehicle carriers consider a car in good enough condition to ship easily if it can brake, roll, & steer.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the most affordable option, while single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the specialized equipment required. Enclosed vehicle shipping is the most expensive method, as it involves transporting your automobile alone while still needing specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transit.
- Collection & delivery locations: Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services nearby, & common destination routes often offer cheap car shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more due to deviations from normal routes & extra mileage. Unusual or hard-to-access collection or drop-off points may require extra steps to load your automobile, increasing the cost.
- Auto transport insurance: While auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance. If cargo insurance is not provided, it's highly recommended to acquire it for your automobile during transit. Ensure you understand what type of damage is covered, any deductibles, & which parts of the vehicle are insured.
- Time of year: Seasonality affects vehicle shipping prices, with winter being the most expensive due to ice, snow, & blizzard conditions causing delays & reduced speeds. December is difficult for shipping due to driver holidays, while January sees increased costs as many travel to warmer states. Spring is a great time to ship, with improved weather, longer days, & more available drivers. Summer is the prime season for shipping cars, with June, July, & August being busy months. Fall offers slightly cheaper prices, with less busy companies & more driver availability after the summer rush.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
With hundreds of vehicle transport companies available, finding the right one can be overwhelming. Searching on Google or through phone books can be time-consuming, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without individual quotes.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding the right vehicle shipping service. To get started, fill out a simple form with your automobile's make & model, collection & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the vehicle. This information allows auto transport providers on Shiply to provide accurate quotes for your job.
Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & email. We recommend keeping email notifications on to know immediately 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 a few quotes, ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure your automobile. It's important to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected experience.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is a valuable resource when selecting a company to ship your automobile. You can view previous customers' experiences & overall scores to make an informed decision.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Auburn, Washington, US
Auburn, Washington, is a growing city located in the Seattle metropolitan area. Many people move to Auburn for its affordable housing, strong job market, & proximity to Seattle. As a result, there is a high demand for vehicle shipping services to & from Auburn.
People often move automobiles to Auburn when relocating for work or family reasons. The city's diverse economy, which includes manufacturing, healthcare, & technology sectors, attracts professionals from various industries. Additionally, Auburn's lower cost of living compared to Seattle makes it an appealing choice for those looking to save money while still being close to the city.
On the other hand, people may need to move vehicles from Auburn when leaving the area for similar reasons, such as job opportunities elsewhere or changes in family circumstances. Students attending colleges or universities in other parts of the country may also require vehicle shipping services from Auburn.
Furthermore, Auburn's location along major transportation routes, including highways & rail lines, makes it a convenient hub for vehicle shipping. Many auto transport companies serve the area, offering various services to meet the needs of residents & businesses alike.
In conclusion, the growing population, strong economy, & strategic location of Auburn, Washington, contribute to the high demand for vehicle shipping services to & from the city. Whether moving to Auburn for work, family, or other reasons, or leaving the area for new opportunities, reliable vehicle shipping companies are essential to ensure a smooth transition for both residents & their automobiles.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Auburn
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 & can then obtain quotes from various companies based on the information you submit. This can conserve you hours of effort that you would have spent phoning companies & inputting details.
Communication with these businesses is also feasible via our platform, allowing you to store all your Auburn vehicle shipping details in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle transport estimate is the most crucial aspect in choosing which car shipping company to employ. The challenge is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average rates & rough estimates, you won't receive a definite vehicle transport quote without supplying information & completing details. Although this is reasonable, it means that comparing prices & getting a vehicle shipping estimate isn't precisely a simple process.
Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final cost estimates from Auburn vehicle transport companies & evaluate them in one place, offering the opportunity to contact them individually to pose any inquiries you might have & ultimately select the optimal company for your needs.
Affordable Vehicle Transport - Car shipping businesses on Shiply can usually provide their services at a reduced rate compared to going directly through them. This is because they are frequently aiming to occupy space on trips they are already making & have previously 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 might already have a multi-car carrier making that journey with 5 of the 6 spots occupied, & they are simply seeking to ensure they aren't squandering 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 car transport by utilizing our service.
Eco-Friendly - Using Shiply for vehicle transport is not only more economical but also more environmentally friendly. In the previous example, if your car didn't get on that multi-car carrier & instead you arranged shipping from a separate vehicle transporter, the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be required solely for your vehicle.
Likewise, many vehicle transporters return empty-handed after a delivery, which is not only expensive for them but also for the environment, as there are many individuals who could have utilized that carrier to transport their vehicles in the opposite direction. Many of the car 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.
Readying Your Vehicle for Shipping
If you have chosen a car transport company to ship your vehicle & feel confident using them, it's time to prepare your car for transport. We suggest following these steps:
Paperwork - It's crucial to ensure that any necessary documents are available at pick-up or drop-off, especially if you are selling your vehicle.
Cleansing - 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 transport. It's also highly recommended that you clean your vehicle before shipping, as this will allow you to assess its condition & notice any damage that may occur during delivery.
Operational 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's in running condition. This means checking fluid levels, battery charge, & tire pressure. Again, this can also help you better evaluate the condition of the vehicle upon arrival.
Photographic Documentation - One very important step when preparing your vehicle for the car delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photos of all parts of the car. This provides you with evidence of the car's condition before shipping in case anything happens to it during transport.
Post-Delivery Steps
Once the car shipping company you selected has completed their delivery, there are a few things you should do:
Inspect Vital Components - Lights, brakes, & engine should all be checked immediately to ensure that the car is in the expected condition, as well as enable you to promptly raise concerns with the car delivery service if anything isn't working as it should.
Exterior State - You can compare the exterior of the vehicle to the photos taken before to determine whether any additional damage has occurred. Shipping a car can, in rare instances, cause damage, & you want to be sure your car transport service hasn't done so.
Verify 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 aligns 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 common questions about car shipping:
How much does it cost to ship a car?
Car shipping prices can vary significantly 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 & 500 miles, & if the journey is over 1,000 miles, this drops to $0.78.
What is the most economical method to ship a car?
Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the most economical way to ship a car. However, if you require a trailer, then a multi-car transporter will be your best option in terms of the most affordable way to ship a car.
How do I pay for my auto transport?
This is up to each individual auto transport company on Shiply & 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 & delivery?
In most cases, the car 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 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, & 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 & 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 task & has the right equipment to safely carry it out.
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