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 proves useful in numerous situations 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 cross-country vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile abroad when ferries are unavailable. 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 cross-country vehicle transportation or shipping a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an alternative, where designated collection & drop-off points, frequently the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are utilized. While this alternative is typically more affordable, it demands more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. However, most individuals prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, irrespective 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.
Have Someone Drive Your Vehicle
Employing 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, & faster delivery due to the simplicity of the transport. However, there are some drawbacks to this approach 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 substantial when shipping a car across the country. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your vehicle while it is being driven. These concerns are especially relevant for individuals buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle 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 it to its destination. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile. You can choose between a single trailer for your vehicle, which is more expensive but ideal for transporting expensive or classic cars, or a multi-car transporter that can carry several automobiles at once.
Open vehicle shipping is the most affordable & common option offered by vehicle shipping companies. 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. Additionally, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage & prolonged exposure to the elements.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier that is enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. 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 move your automobile overseas, it's best to find a specialist service or a company 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, auto 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 auto transport is to obtain vehicle shipping quotes from multiple companies, which is easily done through Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
Several factors can impact the cost of vehicle shipping, including:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate vehicle delivery.
- International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always 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 drive your vehicle is the cheapest option, while enclosed vehicle shipping is the most expensive.
- Pickup & delivery locations: Urban areas usually have lower costs, while rural or hard-to-access locations can increase the price.
- 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 better rates.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
With numerous 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.
How Can Shiply Assist In Finding Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding a vehicle shipping service. By filling out a simple form with your vehicle's make & model, pickup & delivery locations, & desired shipping dates, you can easily collect quotes from auto transport providers. Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & email. It's recommended to wait for a few quotes before making a decision, giving you multiple options to choose from.
Before selecting a quote, ask the company questions about their availability, insurance, & how they secure vehicles during transport. Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Frequently Move Vehicles To & From Waukesha, Wisconsin
Waukesha, situated in southeastern Wisconsin, is a popular city for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. Many individuals relocate to Waukesha for job opportunities, as the city is home to several large corporations & a thriving business community. Others move to Waukesha for its excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, & high quality of life. The city's proximity to Milwaukee & Chicago also makes it an attractive option for those who want to reside in a smaller city while still having access to the amenities of larger metropolitan areas.
When moving to or from Waukesha, many individuals opt to ship their vehicles using auto transport services. This is especially true for those moving long distances, as driving a vehicle across the country can be time-consuming & expensive. By using a vehicle shipping service, people can have their automobiles delivered to their new home in Waukesha or shipped from Waukesha to their new destination without the hassle of driving it themselves.
Additionally, Waukesha is home to several classic car enthusiasts & collectors. These individuals often use vehicle shipping services to transport their valuable automobiles to car shows, auctions, or other events across the country. Classic car owners prioritize the safety & security of their vehicles during transport, making enclosed vehicle shipping a popular choice among this group.
Overall, the demand for vehicle shipping services in Waukesha, Wisconsin, is driven by the city's strong economy, desirable living conditions, & its residents' need for convenient & safe automobile transportation solutions.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Waukesha
Time-Efficient - Instead of completing a quotation form each time you require a precise price from a company on transporting your automobile, on our platform you only complete one quotation form & then can receive quotes based on the information you supply from several businesses. This can save you hours of time you would've had to invest in contacting companies & filling out forms.
Communication with these businesses is all feasible through our platform as well, allowing you to maintain all of your Waukesha vehicle shipping information in one location.
Price Comparison
Ultimately, the expense of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto transport company to utilize to transport your automobile. The challenging aspect is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite vehicle shipping Waukesha quote without having to supply information & complete details. While this is understandable, it does mean that price comparison & obtaining a vehicle transport quote isn't exactly a simple task.
Utilizing Shiply allows you to receive authentic, final price estimates from vehicle shipping companies & compare them in one location, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the best business for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping
Auto transport businesses on Shiply are typically 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 automobile there, on Shiply, a company 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 work for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by utilizing our service!
Superior For The Environment
Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it is also superior for the environment! In the above example, if your automobile 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 automobile.
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 lots of people who could have used that transporter to move their automobiles in the other 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.
Readying For Your Vehicle To Be Shipped
If you have decided on an auto transport company to move your automobile & feel secure using them, then it's time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. We recommend following these steps:
Documents - It is important 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 ascertain 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 judge 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 ascertain 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.