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, or when relocating & require long-distance vehicle shipping. Car shipping companies can also be useful when you need to transport your automobile overseas, particularly if ferries are not available.
Luckily, there are numerous auto transport services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we will discuss below.
Categories Of Car Shipping Services
When it comes to car shipping services, there are a few crucial decisions you need to make. First, you must determine where you want your vehicle 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 an option, where designated collection & drop-off points are used, often at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this option is generally more affordable, it requires more effort on your part to get the automobile home.
Most individuals, however, prefer a door-to-door car shipping delivery service, where their vehicles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or just shipping a car to another state. This option is more convenient as it eliminates the need to collect your automobile from a separate location, which can be challenging without your vehicle.
Vehicle transport services can be divided into two main categories: having someone drive your automobile to the destination or putting it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Drive Your Vehicle
One straightforward solution to vehicle shipping is hiring someone to drive your automobile to its destination, whether it's shipping a car across the country or to another state. This method is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an extra vehicle, & it can be faster due to its simplicity.
However, there are some drawbacks to this method that lead some individuals to choose 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, although less so when shipping to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your vehicle during the drive. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the automobile arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Put 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 it to its destination. Car shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your vehicle.
You can choose between a single trailer for your automobile, which is more expensive as it only transports one vehicle at a time but is ideal for moving expensive or classic cars that you don't want to risk damaging. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, but this is by far the most expensive option.
Alternatively, you can opt for a multi-car transporter, which can transport several automobiles at once. There are a few variants of multi-car transporters:
Open vehicle shipping is the most affordable & most common option when transporting a car. 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, 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.
Enclosed auto 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 transport.
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 Ship A Vehicle?
The cost of shipping a vehicle varies depending on several factors, but on average, car 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. The best way to determine the cost of car transport services is to collect vehicle shipping quotes from various auto transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
To get an idea of what factors can affect the price of vehicle transport services, take a look at the following section.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Car Transport
While we all want affordable vehicle transport, several factors & variables can impact the cost of car shipping. Here are the main ones to consider:
Distance: As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of vehicle transport. Cross-state & cross-country journeys are more expensive than interstate car delivery, which is often the most affordable option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases, so you won't be paying excessively for longer distances.
International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas will always result in expensive car shipping quotes due to the logistics involved & the distance the automobile needs to travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container.
Route: Along with distance, the route taken to transport your vehicle from its collection spot to its delivery location can affect the pricing of your car carrier service. Routes with known 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 different, longer route.
Shipping Dates: The speed at which you need your vehicle transportation service to operate can also impact the price. If you can be flexible with timings, you may find that your car shipping service charges less, as they can fit your automobile delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. However, if you require car transport within a strict timeframe (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.
Vehicle Size: The height, length, & width of the automobile will all affect the cost of transport. Car shippers will require larger trailers for bigger vehicles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. Make sure 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 delivery.
Vehicle Condition: If your automobile is not in drivable condition, it may increase the cost of car transport. This is because it may require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load & unload your vehicle from the trailer. If your car has a locked wheel, for example, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto & off a trailer, & it will take more time, effort, & machinery to complete the delivery compared to a standard vehicle transport service. Most car carriers consider an automobile that can brake, roll, & steer to be in good enough condition to ship easily.
Auto Transport Service Type: The type of car transport service you choose will also affect the cost of vehicle shipping. Having someone drive your automobile to its destination will always be the most affordable option, as you are essentially just paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single car trailers & enclosed transport will likely be more expensive, as they require extra equipment. Enclosed vehicle shipping is always the most expensive method of shipping a car, as it means your automobile travels alone & still needs specialist equipment to load, unload, & protect it during transport.
Locations Of Pickup & Delivery: The locations of the collection & drop-off points can also increase the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas usually have car shipping services in close proximity, & if it's a common destination route, you will generally 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 in an unusual or hard-to-access space, extra steps may be needed to load your automobile, which can also increase the car shipping cost.
Auto Transport Insurance: 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 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, & any other questions you may have.
Time Of Year: Seasonality can also affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more to ship a car in the winter due to ice & snow slowing the routes. Here's 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 an automobile shipped, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased vehicle shipping costs. February, however, is usually quiet, so great rates are often available from car 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, as there is often a rush to move vehicles from colder to warmer states.
Summer is the prime season for shipping vehicles - 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 vehicle if you are looking for a slightly more affordable price. Car 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 shipping their cars to university.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding A Car Transport Service
Now that you know more about what vehicle shipping & a car shipping service are & what sort of car 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 vehicle transport companies out there. Trying to find them on Google can result in scrolling through numerous pages trying to find the best car shipping company for the best price, & the same is true if you were to go through phone books. Furthermore, 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 of the options & variables involved with finding a vehicle 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 car 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 quotes, you can ask the companies 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 their overall score.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Menomonee Falls, located in Wisconsin, US, is a popular destination for individuals moving automobiles to & from the area. Many people & families relocate to Menomonee Falls for various reasons, such as job opportunities, a change in lifestyle, or to be closer to family & friends. When moving to a new city, it's often necessary to transport your automobile, which is where vehicle shipping services come in handy.
Car shipping companies in Menomonee Falls offer a convenient way to transport your automobile to your new home without the hassle of driving it yourself. This is especially useful if you are moving a long distance or if you have multiple vehicles that need to be transported. By using a vehicle shipping service in Menomonee Falls, you can ensure that your automobile arrives at your new home safely & on time.
Similarly, when individuals move away from Menomonee Falls, they often need to transport their vehicles to their new location. Whether you are moving across the state or across the country, car shipping services in Menomonee Falls can help you get your automobile to its destination quickly & efficiently.
In addition to relocating, individuals may also need to ship their vehicles to or from Menomonee Falls for other reasons, such as buying or selling an automobile online, attending a car show or event, or even for repairs or maintenance at a specific shop in the area.
Regardless of the reason for shipping your vehicle to or from Menomonee Falls, it's important to choose a reliable & experienced car shipping company to ensure that your automobile is transported safely & securely. By using a trusted vehicle shipping service in Menomonee Falls, you can have peace of mind knowing that your car will arrive at its destination in the same condition as when it was collected.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Menomonee Falls
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 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 spent phoning businesses & inputting details. Communication with these firms is also feasible via our platform, allowing you to store all your Menomonee Falls vehicle transport data in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle transport estimate is the most crucial aspect in choosing which auto shipping company to employ to transport your vehicle. The challenge is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average costs & rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite vehicle transport quote without having to input information & complete details. Although this is reasonable, it means that cost comparison & getting a vehicle transport estimate isn't precisely a simple process. Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final price estimates from vehicle transport businesses & compare them in one place, offering the capability to message them individually to inquire about any questions you might have & ultimately decide on the optimal company for you.
Affordable Vehicle Transport - Auto shipping businesses 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 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 transporter making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots occupied, & they are simply looking to ensure they aren't 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 shipping by utilizing our service.
Eco-Friendlier - Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it is also more environmentally friendly. In the previous example, if your vehicle didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged shipping from a separate vehicle transporter, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be required just for your vehicle. Similarly, many vehicle transporters return from a delivery empty-handed, which is not only expensive for them but also for the environment as there are many individuals who could have utilized that transporter to move their vehicles 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.
Readying Your Vehicle for Shipping
If you have chosen an auto transport company to ship your vehicle & feel confident using them, then it's time to ready your vehicle for transport. We suggest following these steps:
Paperwork - It is crucial to ensure that any documents you may require are accessible at pick up or drop off, particularly 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 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.
Operational 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 operational condition. This means ensuring that there is sufficient 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 Proof - 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 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 vehicle shipping company you selected has completed their delivery, there are a few things you should do.
Check Essential Functions - 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 State - 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 Odometer - 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 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 vehicle shipping services with the same peace of mind.
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