Are you trying to decide between shipping your car to another state or driving it there yourself? If you are looking to ship your vehicle, keep these helpful tips in mind.
Having to ship a car to another state is hardly a fun project to take on or coordinate. This is probably why most people are reluctant to buy a vehicle from a very far away seller. There are times however when the price of that car is just too good and you would be missing out if you didn’t take advantage. There are other instances where you may have an antique car and having to drive it a far distance yourself would make little sense.
Fortunately, there are some reliable and affordable ways to ship a car, provided you secure a reputable transport company. Why put all that wear and tear and hundreds if not thousands of miles on your vehicle when you can easily and affordably ship your car? Here is everything you need to know about shipping your vehicle with the help of automobile shipping. We will also provide some helpful vehicle transport tips to help you save some time and money.
Knowing Your Vehicle Shipping Options
If you aren’t sure about the best way to ship your vehicle, there are two basic shipping services available to choose from:
Door to Door: With this method, the driver will come directly to your designated pickup location and deliver your vehicle directly to your home or place of business. This option tends to cost a little more but often the added convenience is worth it.
Terminal to Terminal: This is where your vehicle is picked up and dropped off at a terminal location as opposed to your home. You will be responsible for getting your vehicle to the terminal station and also picking up your vehicle when it’s delivered. This is only a good option if you live relatively close to both terminal locations unless you enjoy a long road trip.
With terminal to terminal shipping, it’s likely to be the more affordable of the two but be aware that your car may sit at the terminal until the driver has enough cars for a full load before departing. Along with potential delays, your vehicle may be sitting outside exposed to the elements.
Since you may have to travel a considerable distance to reach either terminal, you may be faced with storage fees on either end of your trip adding to the overall costs. Be sure to check how far away you are from both terminals to get an accurate idea of what you will be paying.
Picking The Right Transport Method
Depending on the type and value of your vehicle, you will have the option of using an open carrier or an enclosed transport. Open carriers are the big trailers you see on the road carrying up to ten vehicles at once all stacked close to one another. Open shipping is almost always the most affordable option however during transport you should be aware that your vehicle will be exposed to the elements. Think about all the harsh weather or potential road debris or rocks that could hit and damage your vehicle using an open carrier. If your automobile happens to be expensive, this may be a deal-breaker for you.
Enclosed transport on the other hand provides total protection for your vehicle and is enclosed by either hard or soft sides. Enclosed shipments only carry a few vehicles at one time and as a result, can cost as much as 50% more than open transport.
How Is The Cost Of Car Transport Determined?
Along with the type of shipping service and method of transport, prices are going to be based on several factors.
Some of these variables include:
- The type of vehicle and how much it weighs
- Is the vehicle operable?
- The time of year you are shipping. Car transport is seasonal with January and the summer months being the most expensive time to ship a vehicle
- The distance needing to be travelled
- Whether you are shipping with door to door service or using terminal shipping
Auto transport companies determine their rates based on predetermined trucking routes and available trucks. Rates can change from day to day as well. Shipping to a larger city can often be cheaper than shipping to a smaller town. There also tend to be more terminals available in larger metropolitan areas.
Bonus Tip: Be sure to keep your fuel closer to empty to help keep the vehicle’s weight down. This can help save you on costs.
Choosing A Reliable Transport Company
When shopping around and trying to make a decision on your car transport, be sure to avoid making a decision based on pricing alone. Instead of focusing solely on the price, you would be much better off looking for a company that can provide secure and on-time delivery. Be sure to check the online reviews of any transport company first, as this is a critical part of the process.
