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What Is Vehicle Transportation?


Vehicle transportation, also referred to as auto shipping or car transport, is a service offered by vehicle shipping companies that involves collecting your automobile from one spot & transporting it to another. This service comes in handy in various scenarios where you can't operate the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online & need to transport a vehicle to a different state, or when you've relocated & require cross-country vehicle shipping. Auto transportation services can also be incredibly useful when you need to move your car overseas, & unless ferries are available, you'll have to depend on a car shipping company to manage this for you.


Luckily, there are numerous vehicle transport services available to cater to your requirements, which we've enumerated below.


Varieties Of Car Shipping Services


There are various car shipping services available, which we've outlined below. It can be incredibly helpful to read through & determine precisely what kind of auto transportation service you require or prefer to transport your vehicle.


The initial choice you need to make is where you want your automobile picked up from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or shipping a car to a different state. Terminal-to-terminal car delivery is an option, which means that designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently the auto transport company's stores or operating bases. For this reason, terminal-to-terminal car delivery is usually more affordable but will necessitate more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. However, the vast majority of individuals require a door-to-door car shipping delivery service so that their automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or just to move a car to a different state. This is often preferable as it means you don't need to go anywhere to collect your car - something that can be challenging without your vehicle in the first place!


Auto transportation services are generally divided into two categories: either you have someone operate your car to where it needs to be, or it's put on a trailer & taken there.


Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle


This is a straightforward solution to vehicle shipping that involves hiring someone to come & operate your car to where it needs to go - whether the need is to transport a vehicle across country or to ship automobiles to a different state. The advantages of this car shipping method are that it's often more affordable as trailers & an extra vehicle aren't necessary, & it can also be quick due to the straightforward nature of the transportation.


However, there are some drawbacks to this method offered by auto shipping companies that lead some individuals to opt for other types of vehicle transport. First, mileage is obviously added to your car on the journey, meaning if you're transporting a vehicle across country, there will be significant miles added - less so when simply shipping a car to a different state (as long as it's nearby). Second, there's a slight risk of damage occurring to your automobile while it's driven from A to B. These are particularly concerning for individuals buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in exactly the same condition as it was advertised.


Put Your Automobile On A Trailer


Putting your car in a trailer is a safe way to guarantee a higher level of security than having someone operate your vehicle to its destination. With auto shipping trailers, there are multiple options you may want to go with depending on the value & size of your car.


First, you need to decide whether you want a single trailer for your automobile. These are often more expensive as they only move one car at a time but are a great option if you're transporting an expensive or classic vehicle which you don't want to risk getting damaged. The absolute safest way to move a car is to put it in a shipping container, but this is by far the most expensive option. The other option is a multi-car transporter which can move many automobiles at once, of which there are a few variants:


Open vehicle shipping by any auto shipping company is the most affordable & by far the most common option when moving a car. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier & is driven to the destination. All cars are safely secured but, as the name suggests, they're exposed to the elements during the drive, so this may not be recommended by vehicle shipping companies for highly valuable automobiles. Further, while it may be the most affordable way to ship a car cross country, long journeys in open trailers will obviously run more risk of damage & leave your vehicle exposed to the elements for longer periods of time.


Enclosed car transport involves multiple automobiles secured on a carrier, but they're enclosed, meaning they're not exposed to the dust, weather, & debris of the outside world during transit. This is often preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during car shipping.


Should you need to transport your car overseas through a car shipping company, you should try to find one of the specialist services on our platform or one which has experience in overseas vehicle shipping, as they can provide you with tailored advice based on what you require.


How Much Does It Cost To Transport A Vehicle?


There are several variables when trying to work out how much it will cost to transport a car, but on average in the US, car shipping companies charge 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, this drops to $0.78.


These numbers are just averages for vehicle moving companies, however, & your auto transport may cost more or less than these figures depending on the circumstances. The best way to find out how much car shipping is going to cost you is to collect some vehicle shipping quotes from auto transport companies, something that's very easy to do on Shiply.


If you do want to try & get an idea of how much you can expect your vehicle delivery to cost, take a look below at the factors that can affect the price of car transportation services.


Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Car Shipping


We all want affordable vehicle transport, but there are several factors & variables that can affect how much your auto shipping will cost. Below we'll lay out the main ones so that you can get a rough idea of whether your car transport requirements will be expensive or cheap.


As mentioned above, distance is one of the factors that will play a big part in how much your vehicle transport will cost, with cross-state & cross-country journeys costing a lot more than an interstate car delivery, which is often the most affordable vehicle shipping.


While longer distances do cost more, thankfully the average price per mile does drop the longer the journey is, meaning that you aren't paying over the odds.


International shipping will always result in expensive vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring a car overseas & the distance it will need to travel. It can also require special enclosed trailers or even a shipping container for your automobile.


Route - Along with distance, the route needed to take your car from its pick-up spot to its delivery spot can affect the pricing of your vehicle carrier service. Routes with known higher traffic, in LA, for example, may end up costing more than quieter roads due to the time this can add to a journey. Likewise, unforeseen circumstances such as major roadworks could also incur extra costs from the vehicle moving companies, or mean that a different route is required that may take longer.


Shipping Dates - How fast you need your vehicle transportation service to operate can also affect the price. For example, if you're able to be flexible around timings, you may find that your auto shipping service charges a lot less. This is because they're able to fit your car delivery into their schedule & reduce overheads for themselves, passing the savings on to you. However, if you require car transport in a strict timeframe (often known as expedited shipping), this will typically end up costing you more due to the vehicle transport company likely having to dedicate a trailer & driver just for your delivery.


Vehicle Size - The height, length, & width of the automobile will all affect how much it will cost to move your car. Auto shippers will require larger trailers for bigger vehicles, with SUVs typically costing more on average to transport than a sedan. Further, you should always make sure to let the car shipping company know about any bike racks, roof racks, or other accessories on the vehicle, as these can also change the size of the trailer required for the delivery.


Vehicle Condition - If your automobile is not in a drivable condition, this may make your car transport cost more expensive. This is because it may require extra equipment such as a winch or forklift to get your vehicle on & off the trailer. If your car has a locked wheel, for example, it will be impossible to simply roll it onto a trailer & off again, & takes more time, effort, & machinery to complete the delivery than a standard vehicle transport service. Most auto carriers would consider a car that can brake, roll, & steer to be in good enough condition to ship easily.


Car Shipping Service Type - The type of car shipping service you select will also affect the cost of your vehicle shipping. Having someone operate your automobile to its destination will always be the most affordable option, as you're essentially just paying for a driver's time & petrol, whereas with single car trailers & enclosed transport, the price is likely to be higher as there is extra equipment required. Something like enclosed vehicle shipping will always be the most expensive method of transporting a car, as it means not only is your automobile traveling on its own, but it still needs specialist equipment to load, unload, & protect your vehicle during transport.


Locations Of Pickup & Delivery - Depending on where you need the car picked up from & dropped off, this may also increase the price of shipping a vehicle. Urban areas will usually have auto shipping services in close proximity, & if it's a common destination route, you'll tend to get affordable vehicle 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 also in an unusual or hard-to-access space, extra steps may need to be taken to load your car, which can also increase the vehicle shipping cost.


Car Transport Insurance - While all car transport companies are required to carry liability insurance, many do not offer any additional insurance as it's not required by law. If a vehicle transport company does not offer cargo insurance, it's highly recommended that you seek out & acquire some for your automobile during its transit. As with all insurance policies, make sure you're clear on what type of damage is covered, whether there's a deductible, what parts of the car are covered by the insurance, & 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 car transport costs:


Winter is often the most expensive season to ship your car. This is because ice, snow, & blizzard conditions can all cause delays on the roads, as well as reduce the maximum speed at which the vehicle delivery service can transport automobiles. December is typically a difficult time to have a car shipped as drivers are on holiday, while many travel to warmer states in January, leading to increased auto shipping costs. February, however, is usually quiet, & so great rates are often available from vehicle shipping services during this month.


Spring is a great time to ship your car with a vehicle transportation service. With improved weather conditions, longer days, & more drivers ready to work, Spring can often mean cheap rates & high availability when it comes to moving your automobile. March is often a better time to ship than April or May, however, again there's often a rush to move vehicles from colder to warmer states.


Summer is the prime season for shipping automobiles - the days are the longest in the year, students are traveling home from universities, employees take vacations, & it's also a very popular time to move house. This means that June, July, & August are all busy months for the car transport industry, & you should not expect affordable vehicle shipping during the summer.


Fall is a good time to ship a vehicle if you're looking for a slightly cheaper price. Auto shipping companies are less busy & there's typically more driver availability after the summer rush. However, you're better off looking to move your car in October or November rather than September, as this is peak time for students shipping their automobiles to university.


How To Ship A Vehicle - Finding A Car Transport Service


Now that you know a bit more about what vehicle shipping & a car shipping service are, & what sort of auto transport service you need, you probably want to go ahead & actually try to find a vehicle transport service that's going to be right for you.


The issue is that there are hundreds of auto transport companies out there. Trying to find them on Google can end up resulting in scrolling through hundreds of pages trying to find the best vehicle shipping company for the best price, & the same is true if you were going to go through phone books. Further, many of these companies are reluctant to give you pricing, meaning you'll most likely need to apply for a quote & fill out details with each of them individually, which can become very time-consuming.


How Can Shiply Help Find Car Shipping Companies?


Given all of the options & variables involved with finding a vehicle shipping service, actually 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 get started with collecting quotes. All we need from you are the make & model of the automobile that needs shipping, the pickup location & delivery location, & the dates that you need to move the car. This gives the car transport providers on Shiply enough information to be able to provide you with an accurate quote for your job.


Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & 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 pick from.


Once you have a few, you can ask them any questions you may have, such as when they're 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 also highly recommend looking at before selecting a quote to ship your car. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences with a company, as well as view their overall score.


Why People Often Move Automobiles To & From Suffolk, Virginia


Suffolk, Virginia is a city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the U.S. state of Virginia. Many individuals move vehicles to & from Suffolk for various reasons. One common reason is relocation - whether it's for work, family, or personal reasons, people often need to transport their cars when moving to or from Suffolk. Another reason is buying or selling an automobile - if someone in Suffolk purchases a vehicle from another state or sells their car to someone in another part of the country, they may need to use a vehicle shipping service to transport the car. Additionally, some individuals may need to ship their automobile to or from Suffolk for temporary reasons, such as extended travel or military deployment. Suffolk's proximity to major highways & ports also makes it a convenient location for vehicle shipping. Overall, the need for reliable & efficient auto shipping services in Suffolk, Virginia is significant due to the various reasons people may need to move their cars to or from the area.


The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Suffolk


Time-Efficient - Instead of completing a quotation form each time you require an exact cost from a business for transporting a vehicle, on our platform you only need to fill out one quotation form & then can 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 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 companies are willing to provide average prices and rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite vehicle transport quote without having to supply information and complete details. While this is understandable, it means that price comparison and obtaining a vehicle transport quote is not exactly a simple task. Using Shiply enables you to receive genuine, final price quotes from vehicle shipping companies and compare them in one place, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have and ultimately decide on the best company for you.


Affordable Vehicle Shipping in Suffolk


Auto transport businesses on Shiply are typically 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. For example, 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 journey with 5 of the 6 spots filled, and they are just looking to ensure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, and pick-up/drop-off locations are convenient for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service.


Environmentally Friendly - Not only is using Shiply for auto 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 car shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire journey would be needed just for your vehicle. Similarly, many car transporters return from a delivery empty-handed, which is not only costly for them but also for the environment as there are many people who could have used 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, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being released into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.


Readying Your Vehicle for Shipping


If you have selected an auto transport company to transport your vehicle and feel confident using them, then it's time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. We suggest following these steps:


Paperwork - It is crucial to ensure that any documents you may need are available at pick up or drop off, especially if you are selling your vehicle. Cleanliness - 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 see its condition and 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 and tire pressure levels. Again this can also help you better judge the condition of the vehicle upon arrival. Photographic Documentation - 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.


Actions to Take After Delivery


Once the car shipping company you selected has completed their delivery, there are a few things you should do: Examine Vital Signs - Lights, brakes, and 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. External Condition - You can compare the exterior of the vehicle to the photos taken of it before to see whether any extra damage has occurred. Shipping a car can, in rare cases, cause damage, and you want to be sure your car transport service has not done so. Verify 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:


What is the cost to ship a vehicle? Vehicle 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, and if the journey is over 1,000 miles then this drops to $0.78.


What is the most affordable method to transport a vehicle? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the most affordable 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 most affordable way to ship a car.


How do I pay for my auto transport? This is down to each individual auto transport company on Shiply and 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 and delivery? In most cases, the car shipping company will require you to be in attendance for the pickup and 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, and 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 and has the right equipment to safely carry it out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Shiply Cover My Area?

Yes! There are couriers using Shiply all over the country and abroad, so whether you need to move a sofa across town or send a car across Europe, we have got you covered.

Does Shiply Have Different Sized Vehicles?

There are thousands of couriers on Shiply, with a wide range of vehicle sizes capable of handling any delivery. Providing the rough dimensions (and pictures if possible) on your listing will allow the delivery company to get the right vehicle sent out to you.

How Can I Contact Shiply Support?

Shiply Support is available only on email, at

Who Will Carry Out My Delivery?

Whoever you choose! There are thousands of rated transport providers on our platform ready to make a bid to carry out your delivery. It is up to you to decide which quote to accept.

When Will I Receive A Quote?

You will typically start to receive quotes within 30 minutes. If you are worried about the lack of quotes, try adding some more detail to your listing as transport providers may be unsure of dimensions or weight and feel unable to provide an accurate quote. If your delivery is urgent, you can try our 'featured delivery' feature which moves your listing to the top of the search page for couriers.

How Many Quotes Will I Receive?

Whilst there is no guarantee of quotes, 98% of our listings receive at least 3 quotes, so you are likely to find someone who can undertake the delivery of your items.

Does Shiply Provide Packing Materials?

f your item requires packing materials or extra care then you should make sure this is highlighted in your listing and discussed with any transport provider whose quote you are considering. Couriers on Shiply are able to provide all levels of service and can help pack your items, just ensure you inform them of your needs.

Will My Goods Be Tied Up Securely?

Transport providers will almost always tie up an item in the transport vehicle, as the risk of damage from moving around during transit is high. You should always confirm safety precautions and packing needs with transport providers before accepting a quote.

Can Items Be Taken Upstairs?

Yes, items can be taken upstairs if needed, and can also be assembled. Transport providers on Shiply are happy to provide these services, but you should ensure that you are mentioning these requirements in your listings as it may mean a second person is required for the move.

Can I Travel With My Goods?

The majority of transport providers on Shiply are only insured for the transportation of goods, however, some are also able to take people. If you need to travel with your goods, make sure to mention this in your listing and to highlight this to any courier who quotes on your listing.

What If I Need To Cancel My Booking?

If you have accepted a quote and paid the deposit but wish to cancel the delivery, then you should first inform your chosen transport provider that you no longer require the delivery. You should then contact us at to have your deposit refunded.

Can I Change The Address Of The Delivery?

If you have not yet accepted a quote then you are able to change the address of your listing. Note that editing details of your listing after publishing will result in active quotes being voided, so you will have to wait for new quotes to come in. If you have already accepted a quote and need to change the address, please let your transport provider know and contact us at .

Does Someone Have To Be Present For Pickup And Delivery?

In most cases, the car shipping company will require you to be in attendance for the pickup and 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?

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, and 2. Any items in the vehicle will not be covered by insurance for the transport of the car itself.

Can I Transport 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.

How Shiply works

How Shiply Works

How Shiply Works

  • 1

    Request quotes from our 451,139 rated shipping companies.

  • 2

    Compare prices and read previous customer feedback to pick the right quote for you.

  • 3

    Sit back and relax while your item is safely moved by your chosen shipping company.

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How Shiply Helps The Environment

By utilizing spare capacity of vehicles running on the road, Shiply helps reduce the number of otherwise wasteful journeys needed to ship the item.

3 0 5 6 2 5 7 7 8 Kg/CO2 Saved

Recent Testimonials

Debra W Testimonial

Debra W.

"Communication was great from the time I accepted the quote until the car was dropped off. In terms of the timeline, I was given a potential range for both how soon the car would be picked up and how many days it would be in transport."

Patrick G Testimonial

Patrick G.

"Everything was perfect! Fast, easy and hassle-free process! I definitely recommend and would use them again in the future. Thank you so much!"

Sophie G Testimonial

Sophie G.

"Great experience using these guys. This was my first time having to transport a car using a service like this and I could not be happier. Picked up earlier than expected and delivery was early as well. Quick easy and problem free."

Gary M Testimonial

Gary M.

"I’ve used Shiply twice now and have been really pleased with the result. It’s quick and easy to use. For both occasions the quotes were very competitive and the quality of the job was excellent. I highly recommend it."

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