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 numerous situations where you are unable to operate the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online & need to transport it to another state, relocating & requiring long-distance vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are not an option. Luckily, there are various vehicle transport services available to cater to your specific requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Transport Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, the initial choice you need to make is where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or shipping a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is a possibility, where designated collection & drop-off points, frequently the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are utilized. While this option is typically more affordable, it demands 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, irrespective of the distance.
Vehicle transport services are generally categorized into two types: having someone operate your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport. Having someone drive your vehicle is a straightforward solution that involves hiring a driver to take your automobile to its destination. 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, such as added mileage to your automobile (particularly when shipping a car across country) & a slight risk of damage during the journey.
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer option that ensures a higher level of protection than having someone operate it. There are multiple trailer options available, depending on the value & size of your vehicle. Single trailers, while more costly, are perfect for transporting expensive or classic cars that require extra care. 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 two main variants:
Open car shipping is the most affordable & common option, where your vehicle is placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all automobiles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during transit, making this option less suitable for highly valuable vehicles. Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple cars on a carrier that is enclosed, shielding them from dust, weather, & debris during the journey. 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 or a company with experience in overseas car shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
What Is The Cost Of Shipping A Vehicle?
The expense of shipping 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. However, these are just averages, & your vehicle transport may cost more or less depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to gather vehicle shipping quotes from various companies, which is easily done on platforms like Shiply.
Elements That Can Impact The Expense Of Vehicle Transport
Several elements can influence the expense of vehicle shipping, including:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate vehicle delivery.
- International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is more expensive due to the logistics involved & the distance traveled.
- Route: Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks can increase costs.
- Shipping dates: Flexible timings can result in lower costs, while expedited shipping is more expensive.
- Vehicle size: Larger automobiles, such as SUVs, typically cost more to transport than sedans.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may require extra equipment, increasing the cost.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the most affordable option, while enclosed car shipping is the most expensive.
- Pickup & delivery locations: Urban areas are usually cheaper, while rural or hard-to-access locations can increase costs.
- Auto transport insurance: Additional cargo insurance may be necessary, affecting the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality can impact prices, with winter being the most expensive & spring offering the best rates.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Locating A Vehicle 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 a detailed quote application. This is where Shiply can help simplify the process.
How Can Shiply Assist In Finding Vehicle Transport Companies?
Shiply streamlines the process of finding a vehicle shipping service by allowing you to fill out a simple form with your automobile's make & model, pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the vehicle. This information enables 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. It's recommended to keep email notifications on so you can be immediately alerted 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.
Before selecting a quote, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure vehicles during transport. Shiply also has a feedback & ratings system that allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores for each company.
Why Individuals Frequently Transport Vehicles To & From Kent, Washington, US
Kent, situated in Washington state, is a popular city for vehicle shipping due to its proximity to Seattle & its thriving economy. Many people relocate to Kent for job opportunities in the technology, aerospace, & manufacturing industries, often requiring them to ship their automobiles from other parts of the country. Additionally, Kent's central location makes it a convenient hub for vehicle shipping companies, as they can easily transport automobiles to & from other major cities in the Pacific Northwest region.
The city's growing population & expanding residential areas also contribute to the demand for vehicle shipping services in Kent. As more people relocate to the area, they often need to transport their automobiles from their previous homes. Furthermore, Kent's diverse community & attractive living conditions make it a desirable place for retirees & families, who may need to ship their cars when moving to the city.
Kent's favorable weather conditions also play a role in its popularity for vehicle shipping. The city experiences mild temperatures & limited snowfall compared to other parts of the country, making it easier & more cost-effective for vehicle shipping companies to operate in the area year-round.
In summary, Kent's strong economy, central location, growing population, & favorable weather make it a popular destination for vehicle shipping, with many people moving their automobiles to & from the city for various reasons.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Auto Transport in Kent
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate price from a company for kent auto transport, on our website you complete one quote form & can then obtain quotes from various companies based on the information you submit. This can save you a significant amount of time that you would have spent phoning companies & completing forms. Communication with these businesses is also possible via our platform, allowing you to store all of your vehicle shipping details in a single location.
Rate Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the auto shipping quote is the most crucial factor when choosing which vehicle transport company to employ to transport your automobile. The challenging aspect is that, while most companies are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't receive a definite car transport quote without supplying information & filling in details. Although this is understandable, it means that comparing prices & getting a car transport quote is not a simple task. Utilizing Shiply enables you to receive authentic, final price quotes from auto shipping companies & compare them in one place, offering the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately choose the best company for your needs.
Affordable Auto Shipping in Kent - Vehicle transport companies on Shiply can usually provide their services at a lower cost than if you went directly to them. This is because they are frequently 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 transport your car there, a company on Shiply may already have a multi-car transporter making that journey with 5 of the 6 spots filled, & they are simply looking to ensure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, & pick-up/drop-off locations are convenient for you, you can often save up to 75% on vehicle transport by using our service.
Environmentally Friendly - Using Shiply for vehicle transport is not only less expensive but also more environmentally friendly. In the previous example, if your car didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire journey would be required just for your vehicle. Similarly, many car transporters return empty-handed after a delivery, which is not only expensive for them but also for the environment, as there are many people who could have used that transporter to move their cars in the opposite direction. Many of the vehicle transporters on Shiply are also looking to fill their trailers on return journeys, resulting in even less wasted CO2 being emitted into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Getting Your Vehicle Ready for Shipping
If you have selected an auto transport company to transport your vehicle & feel confident using them, it's time to prepare your car 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 during transit. It is also highly recommended that you clean your vehicle before transport, as this will allow you to assess 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, you should ensure that it is in running condition. This means checking fluid levels, battery charge, & tire pressure. This can also help you better evaluate the condition of the vehicle upon arrival.
Photographic Evidence - One very important step 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, & 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 before to determine whether any additional 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.