What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also referred to as car shipping or auto transport, is a service offered by vehicle transportation 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 transporting your automobile overseas. Vehicle transportation companies provide a variety of auto transport services to accommodate different requirements.
Categories Of Auto Transport Services
When selecting an auto transport service, the initial choice you must make is where you want your vehicle 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 shipping a car to another state.
Car transport services can be broadly classified into two categories: having someone operate your vehicle to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transportation.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
Employing someone to operate your vehicle to its destination is a straightforward solution for car shipping, whether you need to ship 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 shipping 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 car arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Utilizing a trailer to transport your vehicle offers a higher level of safety compared to having someone operate it. Car 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 are a great choice for moving expensive or classic cars that require extra protection. The safest way to transport a vehicle is by using 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 the drive, 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 & 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 Ship A Vehicle?
The cost of shipping 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 obtain car shipping quotes from various companies, which is easily done through platforms like Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Auto Transport
While everyone wants affordable car transport, several factors can affect the cost of car 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 car 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 pick-up 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 lead to lower costs, as car 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.
- Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of the vehicle 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 trailer size 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 vehicle. Cars that can brake, roll, & steer are considered in good enough condition for easy shipping.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone drive your car is the most affordable option, while single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive due to the extra equipment required. Enclosed car shipping is the most expensive method, as it involves your car traveling alone & needing specialist equipment for loading, unloading, & protection during transport.
- Pickup & delivery locations: Urban areas usually have car shipping services in close proximity, & common destination routes often offer affordable car shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more due to deviations from normal routes & extra mileage. Unusual or hard-to-access pick-up or drop-off points may require extra steps for loading, increasing the cost.
- Auto transport insurance: While auto transport companies must carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance. If cargo insurance is not provided, it's highly recommended to acquire it separately for your vehicle during transit. Ensure you understand what type of damage is covered, any deductibles, & which parts of the vehicle are insured.
- Time of year: Seasonality affects car shipping prices, with winter being the most expensive due to ice, snow, & blizzard conditions causing delays & reduced speeds. December is difficult for shipping due to driver holidays, while January sees increased costs as many travel to warmer states. Spring is a great time for affordable rates & high availability, with March being better than April or May. Summer is the prime season for shipping cars, making it a busy & more expensive time. Fall offers slightly more affordable prices, with October & November being better than September.
How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
With hundreds of car 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, requiring you to fill out details with each one.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding a car shipping service. By filling out a simple form with your car's make & model, pickup & delivery locations, & required dates, you can easily collect quotes from auto transport providers. Quotes start arriving in your Shiply inbox & email within minutes of posting your listing, allowing you to compare multiple options before making a decision.
Before selecting a quote, it's essential to ask the company questions about their availability, insurance, & how they secure your car. Shiply's feedback & ratings system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores, helping you make an informed choice.
Why People Often Move Cars To & From Idaho
Idaho, a state in the northwestern region of the United States, is known for its stunning natural beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, & growing economy. Many people choose to relocate to Idaho for its affordable cost of living, low crime rates, & friendly communities. Others may relocate for job opportunities in industries such as agriculture, technology, & tourism. As a result, there is a significant demand for car shipping services to & from Idaho.
When moving to Idaho, many people opt to ship their cars rather than drive them across long distances. This is especially true for those moving from distant states or those who own multiple vehicles. Car shipping companies specializing in Idaho routes offer convenient & safe transportation options, ensuring that vehicles arrive at their new homes in the same condition as when they left.
Similarly, people moving out of Idaho may need to ship their cars to their new location. Whether it's for a job relocation, family reasons, or a change of scenery, auto transport services can help make the transition smoother by handling the logistics of moving a vehicle to another state or across the country.
In addition to personal relocations, car dealerships in Idaho may also require car shipping services to transport new or used vehicles to & from their locations. This is particularly common for dealerships that specialize in luxury or classic cars, as these vehicles often require extra care & protection during transport.
Overall, the need for car shipping services in Idaho is driven by various factors, including personal relocations, business needs, & the desire for a convenient & safe way to transport vehicles over long distances. By understanding the unique requirements of shipping cars to & from Idaho, auto transport companies can provide tailored solutions to meet the needs of their customers.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Auto Transport in Idaho
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate estimate from a business on transporting a vehicle, on our platform you complete one quotation form & can then obtain estimates based on the information you supply from several companies. This can save you hours of time you would have spent phoning companies & inputting details. Communication with these businesses is also feasible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your Idaho auto transport information in a single location.
Rate Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which car transport company to employ to transport your automobile. The challenging aspect is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't receive a definite auto transport quote without having to give information & fill in specifics. While this is understandable, it means that rate comparison & obtaining a vehicle transport estimate is not exactly a simple process. Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final price estimates from auto shipping companies & compare them in one location, offering the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the optimal company for you.
Affordable Auto Shipping - Car 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 expense for. For instance, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your vehicle there, a company on Shiply may already have a multi-car transporter making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots occupied, & they are simply looking to ensure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, & pick-up/drop-off locations are convenient for you, you can often save up to 75% on car transport by utilizing our service.
Eco-Friendlier - Not only is using Shiply for car transport more affordable, but it is also more environmentally friendly. In the above example, if your vehicle didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate auto shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be required just for your automobile. 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 vehicles in the opposite direction. Many of the car 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 transport your vehicle & feel confident using them, then it's time to ready your automobile for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Paperwork - 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.
Cleansing - You should take care to remove all personal belongings 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 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 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 Proof - One very important thing to do when preparing your vehicle for the auto 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 auto shipping company you selected has completed their delivery, there are a few things you should do:
Inspect 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 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 car can, in rare cases, cause damage, & you want to be sure your auto transport service has not done so.
Verify Mileage - This is more relevant to vehicle 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 car transport company you used through Shiply so that others can browse auto shipping services with the same peace of mind.
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