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 operate the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online, relocating to a new residence, or transporting your automobile overseas. Vehicle shipping companies provide a variety of services to accommodate your unique requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Transport Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, you must determine where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a nationwide car transport or shipping a car to a different state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an alternative, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the car transport company's stores or operating bases. While this alternative is typically more affordable, it demands more effort on your part to get the car home. Most individuals prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of the distance.
Vehicle transport services are typically categorized into two types: having someone operate your car to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
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 a different state. The advantages of this approach include lower costs, as trailers & extra vehicles are not necessary, & faster delivery due to the straightforward nature of the transport. However, there are some drawbacks to this approach, such as added mileage to your vehicle (especially when shipping a car across the nation) & the slight risk of damage during the journey. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals buying or selling automobiles online who want to ensure the car arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Placing your vehicle in a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone operate your car to its destination. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile. You can choose between a single trailer for your car, which is more expensive but ideal for transporting expensive or classic automobiles, or a multi-car transporter, which can transport many vehicles at once.
Open car shipping is the most affordable & most common option when transporting a vehicle. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. While all cars are safely secured, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making this option less suitable for highly valuable vehicles. Long journeys in open trailers also pose a higher risk of damage & exposure to the elements.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier that is enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is 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 car 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 car transport may cost more or less depending on your specific circumstances. The best way to find out the cost of auto transport is to collect car shipping quotes from various companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
Factors That Can Influence The Cost Of Vehicle Transport
Several factors can impact the cost of car shipping, including:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate car delivery.
- International shipping: Transporting a car overseas is always more expensive due to logistics & distance.
- Route: Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks can increase costs.
- Shipping dates: Flexible timings can result in lower costs, while expedited shipping is more expensive.
- Vehicle size: Larger vehicles like SUVs cost more to transport than sedans.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may require extra equipment, increasing the cost.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone drive your car is the cheapest option, while enclosed car shipping is the most expensive.
- Pickup & delivery locations: Urban areas are usually cheaper, while rural or hard-to-access locations can increase costs.
- Auto transport insurance: Additional cargo insurance may be necessary, affecting the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality can impact prices, with winter being the most expensive & spring being more affordable.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding A Vehicle Transport Service
Finding the right car shipping service can be overwhelming, as there are hundreds of car transport companies out there. Searching for them on Google or through phone books can be time-consuming, & many companies are reluctant to provide pricing without a detailed quote application.
How Can Shiply Assist In Finding Vehicle Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding a car shipping service. To get started, fill out a simple form with the make & model of the car, 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. It's recommended to keep email notifications on so you can be immediately notified of new quotes. 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, you can ask the companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure cars during transport. It's crucial to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected experience.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is another valuable tool when selecting a car shipping company. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & the company's overall score, helping you make an informed decision.
Why People Frequently Move Vehicles To & From Wisconsin
Wisconsin, a state in the upper Midwest region of the United States, is known for its diverse geography, rich history, & vibrant culture. Many individuals transport automobiles to & from Wisconsin for various reasons, such as relocating for work, attending university, or enjoying the state's numerous attractions.
Wisconsin is home to several major cities, including Milwaukee, Madison, & Green Bay, which offer a wide range of employment opportunities across industries like healthcare, education, manufacturing, & technology. The state's strong economy & job market often attract professionals from other parts of the country, leading to an increased demand for car shipping services.
The state is also home to renowned universities, such as the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Marquette University, & the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Students from across the country & around the world come to Wisconsin to pursue their education, often requiring car shipping services to transport their vehicles to & from campus.
Additionally, Wisconsin boasts a wealth of natural beauty, with attractions like the Wisconsin Dells, Door County, & the Apostle Islands drawing tourists from far & wide. Many visitors choose to have their cars shipped to Wisconsin so they can explore the state's scenic drives, charming small towns, & outdoor recreation opportunities at their own pace.
Whether moving to Wisconsin for work, education, or leisure, reliable car shipping services play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth transition & enabling people to enjoy all that the state has to offer.
The Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Wisconsin
Time-Saving - Instead of completing a quote form each time you require an exact price from a company on transporting a vehicle, on our platform you fill out one quote form & then can receive quotes based on the information you give from several businesses. This can save you hours of time you would have spent phoning companies & filling out forms.
Communication with these businesses is all possible through our platform too, meaning you can store all of your "car shipping wisconsin" details in one place.
Price Comparison - When it comes down to it, the price of the car shipping quote is the most important factor in deciding which auto transport company to utilize to ship your car. The difficult thing is that, while most businesses are happy to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually receive a solid "wisconsin car shipping" quote without having to give info and complete details. While this is understandable, it does mean that price comparison and getting a car transport quote isn't exactly a simple task.
Using Shiply allows you to get real, final price quotes from car shipping companies & compare them in one spot, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately choose the best company for you.
Affordable 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 looking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already invested the cost for. Say, for example, you were moving from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your vehicle there. On Shiply, a company may already have a multi-car transporter making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots filled, & they are just looking to make sure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, and 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 Environment
Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, 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 trip would be needed 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 lots of people who could have used that transporter to move their vehicles in the opposite direction. Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are looking to fill their trailers on return trips 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 vehicle & feel secure using them, then it's time to get your car ready for shipping. We suggest following these steps.
Documents - It is important to make sure that any documents you may need are available at pick up or drop off, especially if you are selling your car.
Cleaning - You should take care to remove all personal items from your car before 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 & notice any damages that may occur during delivery!
Running Condition - If the car 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 making sure 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 car for the car delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photos of all parts of the vehicle. 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, and engines should all be checked immediately to ensure that the vehicle 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 car to the photos taken of it before to see whether any extra damage has occurred. Shipping a vehicle can, in rare cases, cause damage, and 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 vehicle 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, and 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 car to its destination is the most affordable way to ship a vehicle, 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 and 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 car 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 & unloading of the car 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 car 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 car 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.
