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 you are unable to drive 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 unavailable. Luckily, there are numerous auto transport services available to cater to your specific requirements.
Categories Of Car Shipping Services
When selecting a car transport service, the initial choice you need to make is where you want your vehicle collected from & delivered to, whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or shipping an automobile 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 necessitates 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, regardless of the distance.
Vehicle transport services are generally categorized into two types: having someone drive your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transportation.
Engage Someone To Drive Your Vehicle
Engaging someone to drive your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether it's across the country or to another state. The advantages of this approach include lower costs, as trailers & extra vehicles are not necessary, & quicker delivery due to the simplicity of the transport. However, there are some drawbacks to this method that lead some individuals to opt for other types of vehicle transport. Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be significant when shipping a car across the country. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your vehicle during the drive. These concerns are especially relevant for individuals buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the automobile arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone drive your vehicle. 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 often more expensive but are an excellent choice for moving expensive or classic cars that you want to safeguard from damage. The safest way to transport an automobile is in a shipping container, but this is also the most costly option.
Multi-car transporters, which can carry several vehicles at once, come in a few variants:
- Open vehicle shipping: The most affordable & common option, where 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. Long journeys in open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage & prolonged exposure to the elements.
- Enclosed auto transport: Multiple vehicles are secured on a carrier but are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is often preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during transport.
If you need to move your vehicle overseas, it's best to find a specialist service or a company with experience in overseas vehicle shipping to provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
What Is The Cost Of Shipping A Vehicle?
The expense of shipping an automobile 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 easy to do on Shiply.
Elements That Can Influence The Expense Of Auto Transport
While everyone wants affordable vehicle transport, several factors can impact the cost of car shipping services:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost significantly 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 an automobile overseas is always expensive 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 affect 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 lead to lower charges, as vehicle shipping companies can fit your delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. Expedited shipping within a strict timeframe typically costs more, as it may require a dedicated trailer & driver.
- 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 transport costs due to the need for extra equipment like winches or forklifts to load & unload the automobile. Most car carriers consider a vehicle in good condition if it can brake, roll, & steer.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone drive your automobile 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.
- Pick-up & delivery locations: Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services nearby, & common destination routes often offer affordable 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 a company does not provide cargo insurance, it is highly recommended to acquire it separately 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. Spring & fall offer better rates & availability, while summer is the busiest season, with higher demand & prices.
How To Ship 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. This is where Shiply can help simplify the process.
How Can Shiply Assist In Finding Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply makes it easy to collect quotes from auto transport providers. Simply fill out a form with your vehicle's make & model, collection & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the automobile. This information allows providers to give you 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 several quotes, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure your vehicle. It's important to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected experience.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company & their overall score, which we highly recommend checking before selecting a quote to ship your automobile.
Why People Frequently Move Vehicles To & From Morgantown, West Virginia
Morgantown, located in West Virginia, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to several factors. As the home of West Virginia University, many students need to transport their automobiles to & from Morgantown at the beginning & end of each semester. The city's growing economy & job market also attract new residents who require car shipping services when relocating.
Additionally, Morgantown's proximity to major cities like Pittsburgh, PA & Washington, D.C. makes it a convenient location for people who need to ship their vehicles for work or personal reasons. The city's scenic beauty & outdoor recreation opportunities also draw visitors who may need to transport their automobiles for extended stays.
When searching for vehicle shipping services in Morgantown, it's essential to look for companies that offer "vehicle shipping morgantown" or "morgantown vehicle shipping" to ensure they serve the area. By using Shiply to compare quotes & reviews from multiple providers, you can find the best option for your specific needs & budget when shipping an automobile to or from Morgantown, West Virginia.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Car Shipping in Morgantown
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate price from a company for morgantown car shipping, on our platform 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 contacting companies & providing details. Communication with these companies is also possible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your car shipping details in a single location.
Rate Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the car shipping estimate is the most crucial factor when choosing which auto transport company to employ for shipping your vehicle. The challenge is that, while most companies are willing to provide average prices & general estimates, you won't receive a definite car transport quote without supplying information & completing details. Although this is understandable, it means that comparing prices & obtaining a car transport quote is not a simple task. Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final price estimates from car shipping companies & compare them in one place, with the ability to contact them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately select the most suitable company for your needs.
Affordable Car Shipping - Auto transport companies on Shiply can usually offer their services at a lower cost than if you approached them directly. This is because they are often seeking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already invested in the cost. 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 occupied, & they are simply 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 utilizing our service.
Environmentally Friendly - Using Shiply for auto 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 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 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 cars in the opposite direction. Many of the auto 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.
Preparing Your Car for Shipping
If you have chosen an auto transport company to transport your car & feel confident using them, it's time to get your car 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 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. Again, this can also help you better evaluate 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 promptly 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 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.
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