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 & delivering 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 a vehicle to another state, or when relocating & requiring cross-country vehicle shipping. Auto transport services can also be extremely useful when you need to ship your car overseas, & unless ferry services are available, you will need to depend on a car shipping company to manage this for you.
Luckily, there are numerous vehicle transport services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we will discuss below.
Types Of Car Shipping Services
When it comes to car shipping services, there are several options to consider. The first choice you'll need to make is where you want your vehicle collected from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or shipping a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is one possibility, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, often at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While terminal-to-terminal car delivery is typically more affordable, it does necessitate more effort on your part to get the vehicle home.
Most individuals, however, opt for a door-to-door car shipping delivery service, where their vehicles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or just shipping a car to another state. This choice is more convenient as it eliminates the need to arrange transportation to collect your automobile.
Vehicle transport services can be categorized into two main types: having someone drive your car to the destination or transporting it on a trailer.
Have Someone Drive Your Vehicle
One straightforward solution to vehicle shipping is hiring someone to drive your automobile to the desired location, whether it's shipping a car across the country or to another state. The advantages of this car transport method include lower costs, as trailers & an extra vehicle are not required, & faster delivery due to the simplicity of the shipping process.
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 car during the journey, which can be significant when shipping a vehicle across the country, although less so when shipping a car to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your automobile while it is being driven from point A to point B. These concerns are particularly relevant for people buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Put Your Automobile On A Trailer
Placing your vehicle on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection compared to having someone drive your car to its destination. When it comes to auto 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 car at a time, but they are an excellent choice if you are moving an expensive or classic automobile that you don't want to risk damaging. The safest way to ship a car 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 ship several vehicles at once. There are a few variants of multi-car transporters:
Open vehicle shipping is the cheapest & most common option when transporting a car. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. While all cars are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so this may not be recommended by vehicle shipping companies for highly valuable automobiles. Additionally, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage & exposure to the elements for extended periods.
Enclosed car transport involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier, but they 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 car shipping.
If you need to move your vehicle overseas, it's best to find a specialist service on our platform or one with experience in overseas vehicle shipping, as they can 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, car shipping 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 cost may be higher or lower depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of car shipping is to obtain auto transport quotes from multiple vehicle shipping companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
To get an idea of what factors can affect the price of car transport services, take a look at the information below.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Car Shipping
While we all want affordable vehicle transport, several factors & variables can impact the cost of auto shipping. Let's explore the main ones to help you understand whether your car transport requirements will be expensive or affordable.
As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of vehicle transport, with cross-state & cross-country journeys being more expensive than interstate car delivery, which is often the cheapest option.
Although longer distances do cost more, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases, ensuring that you're not 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.
The route required to transport your car from its pick-up spot to its delivery location can also affect the pricing of your vehicle carrier service. Routes with known higher traffic, such as in LA, may cost more than quieter roads due to the additional time added to the journey. Similarly, unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks could incur extra costs from the car moving companies or necessitate a different, longer route.
The speed at which you need your vehicle transportation service to operate can also impact the price. If you have flexibility in timings, you may find that your auto shipping service charges less, as they can fit your car delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads, passing the savings on to you. However, if you require car transport within a strict timeframe (often known as expedited shipping), it will typically cost more, as the vehicle transport company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver specifically for your delivery.
The height, length, & width of the automobile will all affect the cost of transporting your vehicle. Car shippers will require larger trailers for bigger automobiles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. It's essential to inform the car transport company about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on the vehicle, as these can change the size of the trailer required for the delivery.
If your automobile is not in drivable condition, it may increase the cost of your car transport. This is because it may require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load & unload your vehicle from the trailer. For example, if your car has a locked wheel, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto a trailer & off again, requiring more time, effort, & machinery to complete the delivery compared to a standard vehicle transport service. Most auto carriers consider a car that can brake, roll, & steer to be in good enough condition to ship easily.
The type of car 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 cheapest option, as you are essentially just paying for the driver's time & fuel, whereas single car trailers & enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive due to the extra equipment required. Enclosed vehicle shipping is always the most expensive method of shipping a car, as it means your automobile travels alone & still requires specialist equipment to load, unload, & protect your vehicle during transport.
The locations of pickup & delivery can also impact the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas usually have auto shipping services in close proximity, & if it is a common destination route, you will tend to get affordable car shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. If a pick-up or drop-off point is in an unusual or hard-to-access space, extra steps may be needed to load your automobile, which can also increase the vehicle shipping cost.
While all car transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance, as it is not required by law. If a vehicle 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.
Seasonality can also affect the price of auto shipping, with many services costing more to ship a vehicle in the winter due to ice & snow slowing the routes. Here is a quick breakdown of how each season can affect car 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 a car shipped, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased automobile shipping costs. However, February is usually quiet, & great rates are often available from auto shipping services during this month.
Spring is a great time to ship your vehicle with a car 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 automobile. March is often a better time to ship than April or May, as there is often a rush to move vehicles from colder to warmer states.
Summer is the prime season for shipping 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 car transport industry, & you should not expect affordable vehicle shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship a car if you are looking for a slightly cheaper 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 vehicle in October or November rather than September, as this is peak time for students shipping their cars to university.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding A Car Shipping Service
Now that you have a better understanding of what auto shipping & a vehicle shipping service entail, as well as the type of car transport service you need, you probably want to go ahead & find an auto transport service that is right for you.
The challenge is that there are hundreds of vehicle transport companies out there. Trying to find them on Google can result in scrolling through numerous pages to find the best auto 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, 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 Car Transport Companies?
Given all the options & variables involved in finding an auto shipping service, 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 you need to move the automobile. This information allows the car transport providers on Shiply 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 be immediately notified 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 quotes, you can ask the providers any questions you may have, such as their availability (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 that we highly recommend reviewing before selecting a quote to ship your automobile. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company, as well as their overall score.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Weirton, West Virginia, US
Weirton, located in the northern panhandle of West Virginia, is a city that often sees people moving cars to & from the area. As a hub for the steel industry, Weirton attracts professionals who may need to relocate for work, requiring auto shipping services to transport their automobiles. Additionally, the city's proximity to major highways, such as U.S. Route 22 & West Virginia Route 2, makes it a convenient location for vehicle shipping companies to pick up & deliver cars.
Another reason people may need to ship vehicles to or from Weirton is for personal reasons, such as moving to be closer to family or retiring to the area. Weirton's small-town charm & affordable cost of living make it an attractive destination for those looking to settle down in a quieter setting.
When searching for auto shipping services in Weirton, it's essential to consider companies that offer "vehicle shipping weirton" or "weirton car shipping" to ensure that they serve the area. By working with a reliable car transport company, you can have peace of mind knowing that your automobile will be safely & efficiently transported to or from Weirton, West Virginia.
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The Benefits of Using Shiply for Car Shipping in Weirton
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each instance you desire an accurate cost from a company on Weirton car shipping, on our platform you complete one quotation form & can then obtain quotes based on the information you supply from several companies. This can conserve you hours of effort you would have had to invest phoning companies and completing forms. Communication with these businesses is also feasible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your car shipping details in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the car 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 car transport quote without having to give information & fill in details. While this is reasonable, it does mean that price comparison and obtaining a car transport quote isn't exactly a straightforward process. Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final price estimates from car 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 optimal company for you.
Affordable Car 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 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 occupied, & 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 utilizing our service.
Eco-Friendly - Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it is also more environmentally friendly. In the above example, if your car didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip 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 trips, meaning even less wasted CO2 is 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, then it's time to get your car ready for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Documents - It is crucial to ensure that any documents you may require 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 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 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 of it before to determine whether any extra 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.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have answered some of the most asked questions about car shipping:
How much to ship a car? Car shipping prices can vary drastically 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 then this drops to $0.78.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the cheapest way to ship a car, however, if you need a trailer then a multi-car transporter will be your best option with regard to the cheapest way to ship a car.
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 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 job & has the right equipment to safely carry it out.
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