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 operating the vehicle yourself is not practical, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online, relocating to a new residence across the nation, or moving your automobile overseas. Vehicle shipping companies provide a variety of auto transport services to accommodate different requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Transport Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, the initial choice you must make is where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an alternative where designated collection & drop-off points, frequently the car transport company's facilities or operating bases, are utilized. While this option is typically more affordable, it necessitates more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. However, most individuals prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery, where their automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country car transport or simply moving a car to another state.
Vehicle transport services can be classified into two primary categories: having someone operate your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transportation.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
Employing someone to operate your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether you need to transport a car across the nation or to another state. This approach is often more affordable as it doesn't necessitate trailers or an additional vehicle, & it can be quicker due to its simplicity. However, there are some drawbacks to consider, such as the addition of mileage to your automobile, especially when transporting a car across the country, & the slight risk of damage during the journey. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals purchasing or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Automobile On A Trailer
Placing your automobile on a trailer provides a higher level of safety compared to having someone operate it. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options depending on the value & size of your automobile. Single trailers, which transport only one car at a time, are more expensive but ideal for moving costly or classic cars that require extra protection. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, although this is the most expensive option.
Multi-car transporters, which can carry several automobiles at once, come in different variants:
- Open car shipping: The most affordable & common option, where your vehicle is placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all cars are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during transit, making this option less suitable for highly valuable automobiles. Long journeys using open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage.
- Enclosed auto transport: Multiple cars are secured on a carrier but are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles where minimizing the risk of damage is a priority.
For overseas vehicle transportation, it's best to find specialist services or companies with experience in overseas car shipping to receive tailored advice based on your requirements.
How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Vehicle?
The expense 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 car transport cost may differ based on your specific circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to collect vehicle shipping quotes from various companies, which is easily done on Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence The Expense Of Vehicle Transport
While everyone wants affordable car transport, several factors can impact the cost of vehicle shipping services:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate car delivery, which is often the most affordable 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, the distance traveled, & the need for 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 due to the added time. Unforeseen circumstances like major roadworks can also incur extra costs or require a longer alternative route.
- Shipping dates: Flexibility in timings can result in lower charges, as vehicle shipping companies can fit your delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. Expedited shipping, where you require auto transport within a strict timeframe, typically costs more due to the dedication of a trailer & driver for your delivery.
- Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of the automobile affect the cost of transport. Larger vehicles like SUVs cost more to transport than sedans, as they require larger trailers. Accessories such as bike racks or roof racks can also change the size of the trailer needed.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may incur higher auto 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 enough condition to ship easily if it can brake, roll, & steer.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone operate your vehicle is the most affordable option, as you're essentially paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the extra equipment required. Enclosed car shipping is the most costly method, as your vehicle travels alone & still needs specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transit.
- Pickup & delivery locations: Urban areas usually have vehicle shipping services in close proximity, & common destination routes tend to 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 doesn't provide cargo insurance, it's highly recommended to acquire some for your vehicle during transit. Ensure you understand what type of damage is covered, any deductibles, & which parts of the automobile 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. December is difficult for vehicle shipping due to driver holidays, while January sees increased costs as many travel to warmer states. Spring is a great time to ship, with improved weather, longer days, & more available drivers. Summer is the prime season for shipping cars, with June, July, & August being busy months. Fall offers slightly more affordable prices, with less busy companies & more driver availability after the summer rush.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding A Vehicle Transport Service
With hundreds of vehicle transport companies available, finding the right one can be daunting. 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.
How Can Shiply Help Find Vehicle Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding a vehicle shipping service. To get started, fill out a simple form with the make & model of the automobile, pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the vehicle. This information allows auto transport providers on Shiply to provide 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 a few quotes, ask the companies any questions you may have, such as availability, insurance, & 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 Often Move Vehicles To & From Arkansas
Arkansas, a state located in the southern region of the United States, is known for its diverse geography, rich history, & thriving economy. Many people move automobiles to & from Arkansas for various reasons, such as relocating for work, attending college, or seeking a change of scenery. The state's central location makes it a popular choice for those looking to ship their vehicles across the country.
Arkansas is home to several major cities, including Little Rock, the state capital, as well as Fayetteville, Fort Smith, & Jonesboro. These cities offer a range of employment opportunities, from manufacturing & agriculture to healthcare & education. As a result, many people move to Arkansas for work, necessitating the need to ship their automobiles.
The state is also known for its natural beauty, with the Ozark Mountains in the north & the Ouachita Mountains in the south. These scenic areas attract outdoor enthusiasts & retirees looking for a slower pace of life, leading to an influx of people moving to Arkansas & requiring vehicle shipping services.
Additionally, Arkansas is home to several renowned colleges & universities, such as the University of Arkansas, Arkansas State University, & Hendrix College. Students from across the country often move to Arkansas to attend these institutions, & many choose to ship their automobiles to have personal transportation while studying.
When moving to or from Arkansas, it's essential to find reliable vehicle shipping services to ensure your automobile arrives safely at its destination. Shiply can help connect you with reputable Arkansas car shipping companies, making the process of relocating your vehicle stress-free & efficient.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Arkansas
Time-Saving - Instead of completing a quote form each time you desire a precise price from a business on transporting a car, on our platform you simply complete one quote form & then can receive quotes based on the information you supply from several companies. This can save you hours of time you would have spent phoning companies and filling out forms.
Communication with these businesses is all possible via our platform too, allowing you to store all of your "car shipping arkansas" details in a single location.
Price Comparision
When it comes down to it, the price of the car shipping quote is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto transport company to use to transport your vehicle. The tricky part is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won’t actually receive a definite car transport quote without having to give information and complete details. While this is understandable, it does mean that price comparison & getting a car transport quote isn’t exactly a simple task.
Utilizing Shiply allows you to obtain genuine, final price quotes from car shipping companies and compare them in one place, offering the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the best company for you.
Affordable "Arkansas 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 often seeking to fill space on trips they are already making and have already invested the cost for. Say, for example, you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York and needed to move your car there. On Shiply, a company may already have a multi-car transporter making that journey 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 using our service.
Better For The Enviornment
Not only is using Shiply for auto transport cheaper, but it is also better for the environment. 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 journey would be needed just for your car!
Similarly, many car transporters return from a delivry 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 cars in the other direction. Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are looking to fill their trailers on return journeys too, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued cheap transport for our users.
Preparing For Your Car To Be Shipped
If you have decided on an auto transport company to move your car & feel secure using them, then it’s time to prepare your car 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 and notice any damages that may occur during delivry.
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 delivry 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 Delivry
Once the car shipping company you selected has completed their delivry, 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 delivry 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 and 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 delivry service before confirming the delivry. 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 and delivry? In most cases, the car shipping company will require you to be in attendance for the pickup and delivry 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 and 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 and 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.
