What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also referred to as auto shipping or car transport, is a service offered by vehicle shipping companies that involves collecting your automobile from one location & transporting it to another. It's beneficial for moving a vehicle in various situations where you're unable to drive the car yourself. For instance, you might be buying or selling a used automobile online & need to transport it to another state, or maybe you've recently moved & need to ship your vehicle across the country. Auto shipping services can also be extremely useful when you need to transport your car overseas & ferries aren't available, requiring you to rely on a vehicle transport company to manage the task.
Luckily, there are numerous vehicle shipping services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we'll discuss below.
Types Of Vehicle Shipping Services
There are various vehicle transport services available, summarized below. It's advantageous to read through & determine the precise type of auto transportation service you require or prefer for transporting your automobile.
The first decision you need to make is where you want your vehicle collected from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or moving a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection & drop-off points are used, often at the vehicle shipping company's stores or operating bases. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is usually more affordable but requires more effort on your part to get the automobile home. However, most people require a door-to-door vehicle transport delivery service, where their cars are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or just moving a car to another state. This is often preferable as it eliminates the need to go somewhere else to collect your automobile, which can be challenging without your car in the first place!
Vehicle shipping services are generally divided into two categories: having someone drive your automobile to the destination or putting it on a trailer & transporting it.
Have Someone Drive Your Vehicle
This is a straightforward solution to vehicle shipping that involves hiring someone to drive your automobile to the desired location, whether you need to transport a car across the country or to another state. The advantages of this auto transport method are that it's often more affordable, as trailers & an extra vehicle aren't required, & it can be faster due to the simple nature of the transport.
However, there are some drawbacks to this method offered by vehicle shipping companies that lead some people to choose other types of auto transport. Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, meaning that if you're moving a car across the country, significant miles will be added, although less so when transporting a vehicle to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage occurring to your automobile while it's being driven from point A to point B. These concerns are particularly worrisome for people buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Put Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Putting your automobile on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone drive your car to its destination. With vehicle shipping trailers, there are several options available depending on the value & size of your automobile.
Firstly, you need to decide whether you want a single trailer for your vehicle. These are often more expensive as they only transport one automobile at a time but are a great choice if you're moving an expensive or classic car that you don't want to risk getting damaged. The safest way to ship a vehicle is to put it in a shipping container, but this is by far the most expensive option. The other option is a multi-car transporter, which can move many automobiles at once & comes in a few variants:
Open vehicle shipping by any auto transport company is the most affordable & most common option when moving a car. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. All vehicles are securely fastened, but as the name suggests, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so vehicle shipping companies may not recommend this for highly valuable automobiles. Furthermore, while it may be the most affordable way to transport a car cross-country, long journeys in open trailers obviously pose a higher risk of damage & leave your vehicle exposed to the elements for longer periods.
Enclosed auto transport involves multiple vehicles secured on a carrier, but they are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This is often preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during vehicle transport.
If you need to move your automobile overseas through a vehicle transport company, try to find a specialist service on our platform or one with experience in overseas auto shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
Cheat Lake Vehicle Shipping
Cheat Lake, located in West Virginia, US, is a popular destination for people moving automobiles to & from the area. Many individuals relocate to Cheat Lake for its scenic beauty, recreational activities, & proximity to major cities. When moving to or from Cheat Lake, vehicle shipping services are often required to transport automobiles safely & efficiently.
Auto transport companies specializing in Cheat Lake vehicle shipping are well-versed in the unique challenges & requirements of the area. They can provide door-to-door service, ensuring that your automobile is collected & delivered directly to your desired location in Cheat Lake. Whether you're moving to Cheat Lake permanently or need to ship your vehicle for a temporary stay, professional auto transport services can help make the process hassle-free.
How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Vehicle?
There are several variables to consider when trying to determine the cost of moving a vehicle, 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 for vehicle moving companies, & your auto transport may cost more or less depending on the circumstances. The best way to find out how much vehicle transport will cost you is to collect auto shipping quotes from car transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
If you want to get an idea of how much you can expect your vehicle delivery to cost, take a look below at the factors that can affect the price of auto transport services.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
We all want affordable auto transport, but several factors & variables can affect the cost of your vehicle shipping. Below, we'll outline the main ones so you can get a rough idea of whether your vehicle transport requirements will be expensive or affordable.
As mentioned earlier, distance is one of the factors that significantly impacts the cost of your auto transport, with cross-state & cross-country journeys costing much more than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the most affordable auto shipping option.
While longer distances do cost more, fortunately, the average price per mile drops as the journey lengthens, ensuring you aren't paying excessively.
International shipping always results in expensive auto shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring a vehicle overseas & the distance it needs to travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your automobile.
Route - Along with distance, the route required to take your vehicle from its collection spot to its delivery location can affect the pricing of your auto carrier service. Routes with known higher traffic, such as in LA, may end up costing more than quieter roads due to the added time. Similarly, unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could also incur extra costs from the vehicle moving companies or necessitate a different, longer route.
Shipping Dates - How quickly you need your auto transportation service to operate can also affect the price. For example, if you can be flexible with timings, you may find that your vehicle shipping service charges significantly less. This is because they can fit your automobile delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads, passing the savings on to you. However, if you require vehicle transport within a strict timeframe (often known as expedited shipping), it will typically cost you more, as the auto transport company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver solely for your delivery.
Vehicle Size - The height, length, & width of the automobile will all affect the cost of transporting your vehicle. Auto shippers will require larger trailers for bigger automobiles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. Additionally, always inform the vehicle transport company about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on the car, as these can change the size of the trailer required for the delivery.
Vehicle Condition - If your automobile is not in drivable condition, it may make your vehicle transport more expensive. This is because it may require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load & unload your car from the trailer. For example, if your automobile has a locked wheel, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto a trailer & off again, taking more time, effort, & machinery to complete the delivery than a standard auto transport service. Most vehicle carriers consider a car that can brake, roll, & steer to be in good enough condition to ship easily.
Vehicle Transport Service Type - The type of auto transport service you select will also affect the cost of your vehicle shipping. Having someone drive your automobile to its destination will always be the most affordable option, as you are essentially just paying for a driver's time & petrol. In contrast, single car trailers & enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive, as they require extra equipment. Enclosed vehicle shipping is always the most expensive method of moving a car, as it means your automobile travels alone & still needs specialist equipment to load, unload, & protect your vehicle during transport.
Locations Of Pickup & Delivery - Depending on where you need the vehicle collected from & dropped off, the price of moving a car may increase. Urban areas usually have auto shipping services in close proximity, & if it is a common destination route, you will tend to get affordable vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. If a collection or drop-off point is also in an unusual or hard-to-access space, extra steps may be needed to load your automobile, which can also increase the auto shipping cost.
Vehicle Transport Insurance - While all vehicle transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance, as it is not required by law. If an auto 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 move a car in the winter due to ice & snow slowing the routes. Here is a quick breakdown of how each season can affect vehicle 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 cars. December is typically a difficult time to have an automobile shipped, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased auto 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 car. March is often a better time to ship than April or May; however, there is often a rush to move vehicles from colder to warmer states.
Summer is the prime season for moving cars - 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 vehicle transport industry, & you should not expect affordable auto shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship a vehicle if you are looking for a slightly more affordable price. Auto 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 moving their cars to university.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding A Vehicle Transport Service
Now that you know more about what vehicle shipping & an auto shipping service are & what sort of vehicle transport service you need, you probably want to go ahead & find an auto transport service that is right for you.
The issue is that there are hundreds of auto 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 going to go through phone books. Furthermore, many of these companies are reluctant to give you 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 Vehicle Transport Companies?
Given all of the options & variables involved with finding an auto 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 vehicle 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, you can ask them 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 view their overall score.
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The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Cheat Lake
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate price from a company on cheat lake 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 spent phoning companies & inputting details. Communication with these businesses is also feasible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your vehicle shipping details in one location.
Rate 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 & rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite vehicle transport quote without having to give information & fill in details. While this is understandable, it means that rate comparison & getting a vehicle transport estimate isn't exactly a simple task. Utilizing Shiply allows you to receive authentic, final rate quotes 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 in Cheat Lake - 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 example, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to move your vehicle there, a company on Shiply 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 opposite 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 move 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 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 & 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.
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