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, relocating to a new residence, or transporting your automobile overseas. Car shipping services are especially useful when you need to transport a vehicle to another state or across the nation.
Luckily, there are numerous auto transport services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we will discuss below.
Categories Of Auto Transport Services
When it comes to transporting your vehicle, you have several choices to consider. The initial decision you'll need to make is where you want your automobile picked up from & delivered. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection and drop-off points, often the car transport company's stores or operating bases, are used. While this option is typically more affordable, it requires more effort on your part to get the vehicle home.
However, most individuals prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery service, regardless of whether it's a cross-country car transport or simply shipping a vehicle to another state. With this option, your automobile is collected & delivered at your doorstep, eliminating the need for you to go anywhere to retrieve your vehicle.
Vehicle transport services generally fall into two categories: having someone drive your automobile to its destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone 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. This method is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an extra vehicle, & it can be quicker due to its simplicity.
However, there are some drawbacks to this approach. Firstly, mileage is added to your vehicle during the journey, which can be significant when shipping a car across the nation. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your automobile while it's being driven. These concerns are particularly relevant for people 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. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile.
Single trailers are often more expensive as they only transport one vehicle at a time, but they are a great choice for moving expensive or classic cars that you don't want to risk damaging. The safest way to transport an automobile is in a shipping container, but this is also the most costly option.
Multi-car transporters, which can carry many vehicles at once, come in a few variants:
Open car shipping is the most affordable & most common option offered by vehicle shipping companies. Your automobile 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, so this may not be recommended for highly valuable vehicles. Additionally, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage & exposure to the elements.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier, but they are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & 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 auto transport.
If you need to move your vehicle 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 find out how much auto transport will cost you is to collect vehicle shipping quotes from various car transport companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
To get an idea of what factors can affect the price of vehicle transport services, take a look at the following section.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Auto Transport
While we all want affordable vehicle transport, several factors & variables can impact the cost of your car shipping. Here are the main ones to consider:
Distance: As mentioned earlier, distance plays a significant role in determining the cost of your vehicle transport. 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 will always result in expensive car shipping quotes due to the logistics involved & the distance the automobile needs to travel. It may also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container.
Route: Along with distance, the route required to take your vehicle from its pick-up spot to its delivery location can affect the pricing of your car carrier service. 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 different, longer route.
Shipping dates: The speed at which you need your vehicle transportation service to operate can also affect the price. If you're flexible with timings, you may find that your car shipping service charges less, as they can fit your automobile delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads. However, if you require auto transport within a strict timeframe (known as expedited shipping), it will typically cost more, as the car transport company may need to dedicate a trailer & driver just for your delivery.
Vehicle size: The height, length, & width of the automobile will all affect the cost of transport. Car shippers will require larger trailers for bigger vehicles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than sedans. Make sure to inform the auto transport company about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on the car, as these can change the size of the trailer required for delivery.
Vehicle condition: If your automobile is not in drivable condition, it may make your auto transport more expensive. This is because it may require extra equipment, such as a winch or forklift, to load & unload your car from the trailer. If your car has a locked wheel, for example, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto & off a trailer, & it will take more time, effort, & machinery to complete the delivery compared to a standard car transport service. Most car carriers consider a car that can brake, roll, & 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 your vehicle shipping. Having someone drive your automobile to its destination will always be the most affordable option, as you're essentially just paying for the driver's time & fuel. Single car trailers & enclosed transport will likely be more expensive, as they require extra equipment. Enclosed car shipping is always the most costly method of shipping a vehicle, as it means your automobile travels on its own & still needs specialist equipment to load, unload, & protect it during transport.
Locations of pickup & delivery: The pickup & drop-off locations can also increase the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas usually have car shipping services in close proximity, & if it's a common destination route, you'll tend to get affordable car shipping. Rural deliveries can cost more, as they require deviations from normal routes & extra mileage for the company. If a pick-up 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 car shipping cost.
Auto transport insurance: While all auto transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer additional insurance, as it's not required by law. If a car transport company does not offer cargo insurance, it's highly recommended that you seek out & acquire some for your vehicle during transit. As with all insurance policies, make sure you are clear on what type of damage is covered, whether there is a deductible, what parts of the automobile are covered, & any other questions you may have.
Time of year: Seasonality can also affect the price of vehicle shipping, with many services costing more to ship a car in the winter due to ice & snow slowing the routes. Here's a quick breakdown of how each season can affect auto transport costs:
Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your automobile. Ice, snow, & blizzard conditions can all cause delays on the roads & reduce the maximum speed at which the car delivery service can transport vehicles. December is typically a difficult time to have an automobile shipped, as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased vehicle shipping costs. However, February is usually quiet, so great rates are often available from car shipping services during this month.
Spring is a great time to ship your automobile with a car transportation service. With improved weather conditions, longer days, & more drivers ready to work, Spring can often mean affordable rates & 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 cars 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, & it is also a very popular time to move house. This means that June, July, & August are all busy months for the auto transport industry, & you should not expect affordable car shipping during the summer.
Fall is a good time to ship a vehicle if you are looking for a slightly more affordable price. Car shipping companies are less busy, & 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 cars to university.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
Now that you know more about vehicle shipping, car shipping services, & the type of auto transport service you need, you probably want to find a car transport service that's 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 car shipping company for the best price, & 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 & fill out details with each of them individually, which can be very time-consuming.
How Can Shiply Help Find Auto Transport Companies?
Given all the options & variables involved in finding a vehicle shipping service, searching for & finding the right one can seem like a daunting task, & 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 & model of the vehicle that needs shipping, the pickup & delivery locations, & 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 & via 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, & how they would secure your vehicle. We recommend asking any company you may use these questions to ensure that everything goes smoothly & as expected.
Shiply has a feedback & ratings system, which 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 & From Manassas, Virginia
Manassas, a city in Virginia, United States, is a popular location for people to move automobiles to & from for various reasons. One of the main reasons is that Manassas is a growing city with a strong economy, attracting many new residents who need to transport their vehicles. Additionally, Manassas is home to several large employers, such as Micron Technology & Lockheed Martin, which often require employees to relocate, leading to an increased demand for car shipping services.
Another reason people frequently move automobiles to & from Manassas is its proximity to Washington, D.C. Many individuals who work in the capital city choose to live in Manassas due to its lower cost of living & quieter suburban atmosphere. This commuting population often requires car shipping services when moving to the area or relocating for work.
Manassas is also a popular destination for military personnel, as it is close to several military bases, including Marine Corps Base Quantico & Fort Belvoir. Military families often need to ship their cars when they are deployed or reassigned to a new base.
Lastly, Manassas is a historic city with a rich cultural heritage, attracting tourists & visitors who may need to ship their automobiles for extended stays or special events, such as the annual Manassas Heritage Railway Festival.
In conclusion, the combination of a growing economy, proximity to Washington, D.C., military presence, & cultural attractions make Manassas a popular location for people to move vehicles to & from, creating a steady demand for car shipping services in the area.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Manassas
Time-Efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each instance 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 conserve you significant time that you would have otherwise spent phoning companies & inputting details. Communication with these businesses is also feasible via our platform, allowing you to store all of your Manassas vehicle shipping details in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial factor when choosing which auto transport company to employ for your vehicle. The challenge is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't receive a definite vehicle transport quote without supplying information & completing details. Although this is reasonable, it means that comparing prices & getting a vehicle transport quote is not a simple task. Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final price estimates from vehicle shipping companies & compare them in one place, with the ability to individually message them to ask any questions you may have & ultimately select the ideal company for your needs.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping - Auto transport businesses on Shiply can typically provide their services at a lower cost than if you contacted them directly. This is because they are often seeking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already invested the cost 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 suitable 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 affordable but also more eco-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 trip 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 individuals who could have utilized that transporter to move their vehicles in the opposite direction. Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are also seeking to fill their trailers on return trips, 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 prepare your vehicle for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Documents - It is 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 transport. It is 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 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.
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