Car Transporting Service, also known as auto transport or vehicle shipping, is a convenient solution for moving your car from one location to another without driving it yourself. Whether you’re purchasing a vehicle online from out of state, relocating for work, or sending a car to a family member, car transport services offer a hassle-free way to get your vehicle where it needs to be. International car transport is also an option if you’re moving abroad or buying/selling overseas, providing a necessary service when driving or ferries aren’t viable.
Fortunately, a variety of car transporting services are available to meet diverse needs and budgets. Understanding these options is key to choosing the right service for your specific situation.
Exploring Different Types of Car Transporting Services
Choosing the right car transporting service depends on your individual needs, timeline, and budget. Let’s break down the primary service types to help you make an informed decision.
The first major choice is between terminal-to-terminal and door-to-door car transporting service. Terminal-to-terminal service is generally the more economical option, where you drop off your vehicle at a designated terminal and pick it up at another terminal location. These terminals are often company depots or storage facilities. While cost-effective, this option requires you to arrange transportation to and from the terminals, which can be inconvenient.
For maximum convenience, door-to-door car transport service is the preferred choice for most individuals. As the name suggests, the car transport company will pick up your vehicle directly from your specified location (home, office, etc.) and deliver it to your desired destination. This service eliminates the need for terminal logistics and is particularly valuable for long-distance or cross-country car transport.
Beyond pick-up and delivery options, car transporting services are broadly categorized by how your vehicle is physically moved: either by driving or by trailer.
Driving Your Car to its Destination
One option for car transporting service is to hire a professional driver to drive your car to its destination. This method can be appealing for its simplicity and sometimes lower upfront cost, as it avoids the need for trailers and specialized equipment. For shorter distances or interstate car transport, this can be a seemingly quick solution.
However, driving your car comes with notable drawbacks. Firstly, it adds mileage to your vehicle, which can be a concern, especially for long-distance car transport. Secondly, there’s an increased risk of wear and tear, and potential damage during the journey compared to trailer transport. For those transporting new or valuable vehicles, or for long cross-country car transport, the added mileage and risk are significant considerations.
Transporting Your Car on a Trailer
Transporting your car on a trailer is widely considered the safer and more secure method offered by car transporting services. Trailers provide a buffer against road hazards and elements. Within trailer transport, you have several choices based on your vehicle and desired level of protection.
For single vehicle transport, single car trailers are available. While often more expensive due to transporting only one vehicle, they are ideal for high-value, classic, or luxury cars where minimizing any risk is paramount. For the ultimate protection, enclosed trailers or even shipping containers provide maximum security and shielding from external elements, though these are the most premium options in car transporting service.
The more common and economical trailer options involve multi-car transporters. These carriers transport multiple vehicles simultaneously and come in two main types:
Open Car Shipping: This is the most common and budget-friendly type of car transporting service. Vehicles are loaded onto an open carrier trailer and securely fastened for transit. While exposed to weather conditions and road debris, open car shipping is a safe and reliable option for most standard vehicles. It’s a popular choice for general car transport needs, including cross-country car transport when cost is a primary factor.
Alt: Open car carrier truck transporting multiple cars on a highway, a common method for car transporting service.
Enclosed Auto Transport: For a higher level of protection, enclosed car transport service is the premium option. Vehicles are transported in enclosed trailers, shielding them from weather, dust, and road debris. Enclosed transport is highly recommended for new, luxury, classic, or custom vehicles where preserving pristine condition during car transport is essential. While more expensive than open car shipping, it provides peace of mind for valuable vehicles.
If you require international car transporting service, it’s crucial to choose a company with specific expertise in overseas vehicle shipping. They can navigate customs regulations, international shipping logistics, and offer tailored advice for your specific needs.
Understanding Car Transporting Service Costs
The cost of car transporting service is influenced by several factors. While average rates exist, your specific circumstances will determine the final price. In the US, average car transport costs can range from $2.92 per mile for short distances (under 200 miles) to $0.78 per mile for long distances (over 1000 miles). Mid-range journeys (200-500 miles) average around $0.93 per mile.
However, these are just averages. To get an accurate estimate for your car transport needs, obtaining quotes from car transporting service providers is essential. Platforms like Shiply simplify this process.
To better understand potential costs, consider the following factors that influence car transporting service prices:
Key Factors Affecting Car Transporting Service Costs
While everyone seeks affordable car transport, understanding the cost drivers can help you anticipate and potentially manage expenses. Here are the major factors influencing car transporting service rates:
Distance: Distance is a primary cost factor. Longer distances, particularly cross-country car transport and international car transport, will naturally incur higher costs than shorter, interstate car transport. While total cost increases with distance, the per-mile rate often decreases for longer journeys.
International Shipping: International car transporting service is inherently more expensive due to complex logistics, overseas travel, customs procedures, and potentially specialized transport requirements like enclosed trailers or shipping containers.
Route: The specific route can impact pricing. Routes through congested areas or those known for traffic delays (e.g., Los Angeles) may be pricier due to increased transit time. Unexpected roadwork or detours can also potentially add to costs.
Shipping Dates & Timing: Flexibility with your shipping dates can significantly affect cost. Expedited car transport service, requiring strict pickup and delivery windows, will typically be more expensive. Conversely, if you can be flexible, car transporting companies can often integrate your shipment into existing routes, offering cost savings.
Vehicle Size and Type: Larger vehicles, such as SUVs and trucks, generally cost more to transport than smaller sedans. Their size and weight necessitate larger trailers and potentially more fuel consumption. Additionally, modifications like bike racks or roof racks should be disclosed, as they can affect trailer requirements and dimensions.
Vehicle Condition: Non-operable vehicles requiring winching or forklifting onto trailers will increase car transporting service costs. Vehicles that don’t roll, steer, or brake require specialized handling and equipment, adding to the complexity and expense of transport.
Type of Car Transport Service: As discussed earlier, service type directly impacts cost. Having someone drive your car is typically the cheapest option, while enclosed car transport is the most expensive due to specialized equipment and maximum protection. Open car shipping and single car trailers fall in between, offering varying levels of cost and protection.
Pickup and Delivery Locations: Urban areas with readily available car transporting services and common routes tend to be more competitively priced. Rural or remote locations often incur higher costs due to route deviations, extra mileage, and potentially challenging access for large car carrier trucks. Difficult-to-access pickup or delivery points may also add to the cost due to logistical complexities.
Auto Transport Insurance: While basic liability insurance is mandatory for car transporting companies, cargo insurance offering more comprehensive coverage is often an additional cost. While it adds to the price, cargo insurance provides vital protection against damage during transit, especially for valuable vehicles. Carefully review insurance coverage details, deductibles, and covered items before making a decision.
Time of Year and Seasonality: Seasonality influences car transporting service demand and costs.
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Winter: Often the most expensive season. Ice, snow, and adverse weather cause delays, slower transit times, and increased operational challenges, driving up prices. December and January are particularly expensive due to holidays and winter migrations. February often offers better rates.
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Spring: Generally a favorable time for car transport. Improved weather, longer daylight hours, and increased driver availability can lead to competitive rates and good service availability. March can be more cost-effective than April or May.
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Summer: Peak season for car transport. Summer vacations, student moves, and housing relocations drive high demand, resulting in higher prices. June, July, and August are typically the most expensive summer months.
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Fall: Can offer slightly lower prices after the summer rush. While September can still be busy with student moves, October and November often provide more competitive rates and driver availability.
Alt: Car carrier truck driving on a snowy road, illustrating the challenges and potential delays of winter car transporting service.
Finding the Right Car Transporting Service
Now that you understand car transporting services and cost factors, the next step is finding a reliable company that meets your needs. Searching online can yield numerous results, but sifting through countless websites and requesting individual quotes can be time-consuming. Many companies are hesitant to provide upfront pricing, requiring quote requests and detailed information submissions.
How Shiply Simplifies Finding Car Transporting Services
Shiply streamlines the process of finding and booking car transporting services. Instead of contacting multiple companies individually, Shiply allows you to reach numerous vetted car transport providers with a single quote request.
Simply complete a short form detailing your vehicle’s make and model, pickup and delivery locations, and desired dates. This information enables car transporting companies on Shiply to provide accurate quotes for your specific transport job.
Once your listing is active, you’ll receive quotes directly in your Shiply inbox and via email notifications. It’s recommended to wait for several quotes to compare options before making a decision.
You can then communicate directly with car transport providers through the Shiply platform, asking questions about their services, insurance, availability, and vehicle handling procedures. Reviewing Shiply’s feedback and rating system for each company is also highly recommended to assess their past performance and customer satisfaction.
Advantages of Using Shiply for Car Transporting Service
Time Savings: Shiply eliminates the need to fill out multiple quote forms for different car transporting companies. One form on Shiply provides access to numerous quotes, saving you hours of research and contact time. All communication and quote management are centralized on the platform.
Price Comparison: Shiply facilitates easy price comparison by presenting genuine, final quotes from competing car transport providers in one place. You can directly compare quotes, review company profiles, and ask questions to make an informed decision based on price and service.
Potentially Cheaper Car Transport: Car transporting companies on Shiply often offer competitive rates because they are looking to fill empty space on existing routes or optimize their schedules. By filling unused capacity, they can offer discounted rates compared to direct bookings. This can lead to significant savings, potentially up to 75% on car transport costs.
Environmentally Friendlier: By optimizing transport routes and filling empty carrier space, Shiply promotes more efficient vehicle shipping, reducing unnecessary trips and lowering overall fuel consumption and emissions. This contributes to a more sustainable car transporting service industry.
Preparing Your Vehicle for Car Transport
Once you’ve selected a car transporting service, proper preparation is crucial for a smooth and successful shipment. Follow these steps to prepare your vehicle:
Documents: Ensure all necessary vehicle documents, especially ownership paperwork if selling, are readily available for pickup and delivery.
Cleanliness: Remove all personal belongings from the vehicle to prevent loss or damage during transit. Cleaning your car beforehand allows you to thoroughly assess its pre-shipping condition and easily identify any new damage upon delivery.
Vehicle Condition Check: If the vehicle will be driven at any point, ensure it’s in good running condition. Check fluid levels, battery charge, and tire pressure. Documenting the vehicle’s mechanical state helps in assessing its condition upon arrival.
Photographic Evidence: Critically important: Take detailed, high-resolution photos of your vehicle from all angles before pickup. This provides irrefutable proof of its condition prior to car transport and serves as essential documentation in case of any damage claims.
Alt: Person taking photos of a car before car transport service pickup, emphasizing the importance of pre-shipment documentation.
What to Do Upon Vehicle Delivery
Upon delivery, conduct a thorough inspection of your vehicle:
Vital Systems Check: Immediately check lights, brakes, and engine functionality to ensure everything is in working order and as expected. Report any discrepancies to the car transporting service immediately.
Exterior Inspection: Compare the vehicle’s exterior to your pre-shipment photos to identify any new scratches, dents, or damage that may have occurred during transport. Document any damage and report it to the delivery driver.
Mileage Verification: If your car was driven, verify the mileage against the expected route distance to ensure accuracy.
Finally, consider leaving a review for the car transporting company on Shiply to share your experience and help other users make informed decisions.
FAQ – Common Questions About Car Transporting Service
How much does car transporting service cost?
Costs vary widely, but average ranges are approximately $2.92 per mile (under 200 miles), $0.93 per mile (200-500 miles), and $0.78 per mile (over 1000 miles). Obtain specific quotes for accurate pricing.
What’s the cheapest way to transport a car?
Having someone drive your car is often the cheapest, but multi-car open trailers are the most economical trailer option.
How do I pay for car transport?
Payment methods vary by company. Discuss payment options with your chosen car transporting service before booking. Most offer flexible payment solutions.
Can I track my car transport online?
Many car transporting companies offer tracking, some with real-time updates. Confirm tracking availability with individual providers.
Do I need to be present for pickup and delivery?
Usually, yes. Your presence is typically required for paperwork signing and key handover.
Can I leave items in my car during transport?
Most companies allow some personal items, but weight may affect pricing, and items are not insured against damage or loss.
How much fuel should be in the car?
Aim for about a quarter tank of fuel for loading/unloading ease without adding excessive weight.
Can I ship a non-running vehicle?
Yes, but it will cost more due to specialized equipment needs.
Can I ship a modified vehicle?
Yes, most types of vehicles can be shipped. Shiply has providers for various vehicle types and transport requirements.
