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 and need to transport it to another state, relocating and requiring long-distance vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are not available. Luckily, there are numerous auto transport services available to cater to your specific requirements.
Categories of Vehicle Shipping Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, the initial choice you need to make is where you want your automobile collected from and 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 and drop-off points, often the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are used. While this option is typically less expensive, it requires more effort on your part to get the automobile home. Most individuals, however, prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their vehicles are collected and dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of the distance.
Vehicle shipping services are generally divided into two categories: having someone drive your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Hire Someone to Drive Your Vehicle
Hiring someone to drive your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether you need to transport a car across the country or to another state. The advantages of this method include lower costs, as trailers and extra vehicles are not required, and quicker delivery due to the simplicity of the transport. 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. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your vehicle while it is being driven, which is particularly concerning for those 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 to its destination. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value and size of your automobile.
Single trailers are often more expensive as they only transport one vehicle at a time, but they are a great option for moving expensive or classic cars that you don't want to risk damaging. The safest way to transport an automobile is to place it in a shipping container, although this is the most expensive option.
Multi-car transporters can carry many vehicles at once and come in a few variants:
- Open vehicle shipping is the cheapest and most common option when transporting an automobile. Your vehicle is placed on an open carrier and 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. Long journeys in open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage and prolonged exposure to the elements.
- Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier, but they are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, and 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 vehicle transport.
If you need to move your automobile 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, US auto transport companies charge around $2.92 per mile for journeys less than 200 miles, $0.93 for journeys between 200 and 500 miles, and $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles. These figures are just averages, and your vehicle transport may cost more or less depending on the circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to collect vehicle shipping quotes from vehicle transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence the Cost of Vehicle Transport
While everyone wants inexpensive vehicle transport, several factors and variables can impact the cost of vehicle shipping. Some of the main factors include:
- Distance: Cross-state and cross-country journeys cost significantly more than interstate vehicle delivery, which is often the cheapest option. However, the average price per mile decreases as the journey length increases.
- International shipping: Transporting a vehicle overseas is always expensive due to the logistics involved and the distance the automobile must travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or a shipping container.
- Route: The route taken to transport your vehicle from its collection spot to its delivery location can affect the 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: The speed at which you need your vehicle transportation service to operate can also impact the price. Flexibility in timings may result in lower charges, as vehicle shipping companies can fit your automobile delivery into their schedule and reduce overheads. However, if you require auto 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 and driver specifically for your delivery.
- Vehicle size: The height, length, and width of the automobile will all affect the cost of transport. Vehicle shippers will require larger trailers for bigger automobiles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. Always inform the auto 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 auto transport. This is because extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, may be required to load and unload your vehicle from the trailer. Most vehicle carriers consider an automobile that can brake, roll, and steer to be in good enough condition to ship easily.
- Auto transport service type: The type of auto transport service you select will also affect the cost of vehicle shipping. Having someone drive your automobile to its destination is always the cheapest option, as you are essentially just paying for the driver's time and fuel. Single vehicle trailers and enclosed transport are likely to be more expensive, as they require extra equipment. Enclosed vehicle shipping is always the most expensive method, as it means your automobile travels alone and still needs specialist equipment for loading, unloading, and protection during transport.
- Locations of pickup and delivery: The collection and drop-off locations can also increase the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services in close proximity, and common destination routes tend to offer inexpensive vehicle shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes and 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 vehicle shipping cost.
- Auto transport insurance: While all auto 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 and acquire some for your automobile during transit. 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, and any other relevant questions.
- Time of year: Seasonality can also affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more to ship an automobile in the winter due to ice and snow slowing the routes. Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your vehicle, as ice, snow, and blizzard conditions can cause delays and reduce the maximum speed at which the vehicle delivery service can transport automobiles. December is typically a difficult time to have a vehicle 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, and 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, and more drivers ready to work, Spring can often mean inexpensive rates and high availability when it comes to moving your vehicle. March is often a better time to ship than April or May, as there is often a rush to move automobiles 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, and it is also a very popular time to move house. This means that June, July, and August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, and you should not expect inexpensive vehicle shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship an automobile if you are looking for a slightly cheaper price. Vehicle shipping companies are less busy, and 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 vehicles to university.
How to Transport a Vehicle - Finding an Auto Transport Service
Now that you know more about vehicle shipping, vehicle shipping services, and the type of auto transport service you need, you probably want to find a vehicle 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 vehicle shipping company for the best price, and 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 and fill out details with each of them individually, which can be very time-consuming.
How Can Shiply Assist in Finding Auto Transport Companies?
Given all the options and variables involved in finding a vehicle shipping service, searching for and finding the right one can seem like a daunting task, and 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 and model of the vehicle that needs shipping, the collection location and delivery location, and the dates you need to move the automobile. This gives the auto 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 and 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, and how they would secure your vehicle. We recommend asking any company you may use these questions to ensure that everything goes smoothly and as expected.
Shiply has a feedback and ratings system that 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 and from Alabama
Alabama, a state in the southeastern United States, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. Many individuals relocate to Alabama for job opportunities, particularly in the automotive industry, as the state is home to several major vehicle manufacturing plants. Additionally, Alabama's warm climate and relatively low cost of living attract retirees and families looking to relocate.
College students also contribute to the demand for vehicle shipping services in Alabama, as they often need to transport their automobiles to and from school at the beginning and end of each semester. The state is home to several large universities, such as the University of Alabama and Auburn University.
Furthermore, Alabama's central location in the southeastern United States makes it a convenient hub for vehicle shipping companies, as it is easily accessible from many other states. This central location also makes Alabama a popular stopover for snowbirds who are shipping their vehicles to warmer climates for the winter months.
Overall, the combination of job opportunities, affordable living, educational institutions, and geographic location make Alabama a frequent destination and origin point for vehicle shipping services.
