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 beneficial in numerous situations where operating the vehicle yourself is not practical, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online, relocating to a different state, or moving your automobile overseas. Vehicle shipping services provide a practical solution for those who need to transfer their vehicles without the inconvenience of driving long distances.
There are various types of car transport services available to cater to different requirements & preferences. Whether you need nationwide vehicle transport, moving a car to a different state, or even global automobile transportation, vehicle shipping companies can accommodate your needs. It's crucial to comprehend the different options available to make a well-informed choice when selecting a vehicle shipping service.
Categories Of Car Transport Services
When it comes to car transport services, there are two primary options: having someone operate your vehicle to the destination or moving it on a trailer. Each approach has its pros & cons, & the decision ultimately relies on your specific requirements & preferences.
If you choose to have someone drive your automobile, it can be a straightforward & economical solution. This approach eliminates the necessity for trailers & additional vehicles, making it a quicker option. However, it's essential to consider the extra mileage added to your vehicle, particularly if you're moving a car across the country. Moreover, there is a minor risk of damage during the trip, which may be a concern for those purchasing or selling cars online.
Alternatively, transporting your automobile on a trailer provides a greater level of security & protection. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, including single trailers for valuable or vintage cars & multi-car transporters. Open car shipping is the most common & budget-friendly option, where your vehicle is securely placed on an open carrier. However, your automobile will be exposed to the elements during transit. Enclosed auto transport offers an additional layer of protection, as the cars are enclosed & shielded from dust, weather, & debris. This option is preferable for high-value or newer vehicles.
For international vehicle transportation, it's essential to find a specialist service or a company with expertise in global car shipping. These providers can offer personalized advice & assistance to ensure a seamless & successful overseas move.
How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Vehicle?
The expense of transporting a vehicle varies depending on several factors, but on average, car transport companies in the US charge around $2.92 per mile for trips less than 200 miles, $0.93 for distances between 200 & 500 miles, & $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles. However, these numbers are just averages, & your actual vehicle transport cost may differ based on your specific circumstances.
To get a precise estimate of your vehicle shipping cost, it's best to gather quotes from multiple car transport companies. Shiply simplifies this process by allowing you to compare quotes from various providers in one place.
Several factors can impact the cost of car transport, including:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country trips are more expensive than intrastate vehicle delivery.
- Global shipping: Moving a car overseas is costly due to logistical challenges & distance.
- Route: Routes with high traffic or unexpected circumstances like roadworks can increase costs.
- Shipping dates: Flexibility in timings can lead to lower prices, while expedited shipping is more expensive.
- Vehicle size: Larger automobiles like SUVs cost more to transport than sedans.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may require extra equipment, increasing the cost.
- Car transport service type: Having someone drive your vehicle is cheaper than using single car trailers or enclosed transport.
- Pickup & delivery locations: Urban areas are generally cheaper than rural or hard-to-access locations.
- Car transport insurance: Additional cargo insurance may increase the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality affects prices, with winter being the most expensive & spring offering better rates.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding A Car Transport Service
Finding the right vehicle shipping service can be overwhelming, given the numerous options available. Searching through countless websites & making individual inquiries can be time-consuming & frustrating. This is where Shiply comes in to streamline the process.
To get started on Shiply, simply complete a form with your vehicle's make & model, pickup & delivery locations, & the dates you need to move the automobile. This information allows car transport providers on Shiply to provide you with accurate quotes for your specific job.
Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & via email. It's recommended to keep email notifications turned on to stay informed about new quotes. Take some time to review multiple quotes before making a decision, as this allows you to compare options & choose the best fit for your needs.
When considering a vehicle shipping company, don't hesitate to ask questions about their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure automobiles during transport. These inquiries help ensure a smooth & hassle-free experience.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is another valuable resource when selecting a vehicle shipping service. By reading previous customers' experiences & viewing overall scores, you can make an informed decision & choose a reputable provider.
Why People Often Move Vehicles To & From Illinois
Illinois, situated in the midwestern region of the United States, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to various reasons. Many people relocate to Illinois for job opportunities, particularly in the Chicago metropolitan area, which is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies. The state's robust economy & diverse industries attract professionals from across the country.
Additionally, Illinois is home to several renowned universities, such as the University of Chicago & Northwestern University. Students from all over the US & abroad move to Illinois to pursue their education, often requiring vehicle shipping services to transport their automobiles.
Families also relocate to Illinois for its high quality of life, excellent schools, & vibrant communities. When moving to a new state, shipping a vehicle becomes a necessity to ensure a smooth transition.
Furthermore, Illinois' central location makes it a hub for vehicle shipping companies. Many car transport routes pass through the state, connecting the East Coast to the West Coast. This strategic position allows for efficient & cost-effective vehicle shipping services to & from Illinois.
Whether you're moving to Illinois for work, education, or personal reasons, or you need to transport an automobile out of the state, vehicle shipping companies can provide reliable & convenient solutions to meet your needs.
The Benefits Of Using Shiply For Vehicle Transport in Illinois
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each time you desire an accurate cost from a business for transporting a vehicle, on our site you complete one quotation form & can then obtain quotes from various companies based on the information you submit. This can save you a significant amount of time that you would have spent phoning companies & providing details. Communication with these businesses is also feasible through our platform, allowing you to store all of your Illinois vehicle shipping data in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto transport company to employ to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't receive a definite vehicle transport quote without having to supply information & complete details. Although this is reasonable, it means that comparing prices & obtaining a vehicle transport quote is not a straightforward process. Utilizing Shiply enables you to receive authentic, final price estimates from vehicle shipping companies & compare them in one location, offering the opportunity to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately select the ideal company for your needs.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping - Auto transport businesses on Shiply can usually provide their services at a lower cost than if you approached them directly. 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 auto transport by utilizing our service.
Environmentally Friendly - Using Shiply for auto transport is not only more economical but also more environmentally friendly. In the previous example, if your vehicle didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire journey would be required just for your vehicle. 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 auto transporters on Shiply are also looking to fill their trailers on return journeys, resulting in even less wasted CO2 being emitted into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Preparing Your Vehicle For Shipping
If you have chosen an auto transport company to transport your vehicle & feel confident using them, it's time to get your vehicle ready for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Documents - It's crucial to ensure that any necessary documents are available at pick up or drop off, especially if you are selling your vehicle.
Cleaning - 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 transit. It's also highly recommended that you clean your vehicle before transport as this will allow you to assess 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, you should ensure that it's in running condition. This means checking fluid levels, battery charge, & tire pressure. Again, this can also help you better evaluate 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 proof 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 determine 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.
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