When you are planning to ship your car from one location to another, whether you are relocating to another home, transferring from the job, or going to college. Terminal to terminal car shipping service can be the best budget-friendly option. Transporting a vehicle on a trailer instead of driving is more beneficial for long-distance routes.
Here’s a guide to help to know about what is the terminal to terminal shipping, its process, and how to find a reliable car shipping company to transport your vehicle.
Terminal to terminal car shipping is one of the car shipping services provided by auto transport companies. In this shipping service, your vehicle is picked up from a designated terminal and transported to another terminal near the delivery location. Here, we have mentioned the breakdown of how it works.
How Does Terminal to Terminal Vehicle Shipping Work?
Shipping a vehicle from one location to across the nation with terminal to terminal shipping method is very simple and straight. The step-by-step process is mentioned here:
1. Getting a shipping quote
First, to transport a vehicle, you need to get a quote from a transportation company. The quote will give you the estimated cost of the shipment by calculator various factors and your input details. After confirming the quote, you can book and schedule the shipment.
2. Get your vehicle prepare
Before your vehicle gets picked up, you must prepare your vehicle. Preparation and inspection can save your vehicle from getting damaged during transportation. To help you on get your vehicle ready, some tips are mentioned below:
Wash your vehicle.
- Remove personal belongings.
- Deactivate the toll tag.
- Check for any mechanical problems.
- Document the vehicle's condition.
3. Pickup
On the scheduled day, the transport company will arrange a trailer to pick up your vehicle from the designated terminal nearest to your location. Send or drive your vehicle to the terminal, inspect the vehicle at the time of delivery, and complete the paperwork. An operator will load your vehicle on the trailer and depart for the delivery location.
4. Transit
Once the carrier leaves your location for the delivery, you need to stay in touch with the transportation company to track the status of the shipment. Most transport companies provide GPS tracking services to ensure the safety and accurate location of the shipment.
5. Delivery
The final process of shipping a car is to safely deliver it to the nearest terminal of your delivery address. Your vehicle will be unloaded at the terminal. You or your representative can take the delivery. Upon delivery, first, inspect the vehicle to ensure the condition. In case you find any damage, then document it and inform the transport company or file the insurance claim
How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Car Terminal to Terminal
Cost is one element that comes first in mind while planning to ship a car. The estimated car shipping cost can range from $300 to $1,600, depending on several factors, such as distance vehicle type & condition and shipping distance, which can affect the actual cost.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Auto Shipping
The actual cost depends on and is affected by several factors. Some of the key factors are mentioned here:
- Shipping distance: The longer the distance between the pickup terminal and the delivery terminal, the more distance needs to be covered by the carrier to deliver the vehicle, which consumes more fuel and labor charges, ultimately increasing the total shipping cost.
- Shipping method: to fulfill customer demands, auto transportation companies offer many services and methods. Among the methods, two methods are most common and popular.
Open transport is the most popular and cheapest method of auto transport. By using an open air trailer open car shipping can haul up to 7 to 9 vehicles at once. If you are looking to transport your ordinary daily commuter car this method can be a good option for you.
Enclosed transport provides the highest level of protection from elements by using a fully enclosed trailer. Enclosed car shipping is costlier than open transport because of added protection. Best suited for transporting premium and antique cars that require extra care during transportation.
- Vehicle type: Normal vehicles like sedans and hatchbacks are lighter and smaller, which occupies less space in the trailer. Also costs cheaper, but the bigger the vehicle size more space it requires to transport and also costs more.
- Vehicle condition:
- Seasonality: Shipping a car in peak season costs more because the high demand for car shipping.
Tips to Find the Best Auto Transport Company
In the ocean of auto transport companies, finding the best company to take care of your vehicle seems like a daunting task. Some tips are mentioned here to help you find a reliable company transport your vehicle from one location to another.
- Early planning: Give yourself time to research and collect information about auto shipping companies and services.
- Collect multiple quotes: Order multiple car shipping quotes and compare the cost and services they offer.
- Check insurance coverage: Make sure the company you choose offers appropriate insurance coverage that will protect your vehicle during transportation.
- Check reviews: Checking customer reviews and ratings also helps you to find the best auto shipping company. This will provide valuable information about the company's services and customer values.