The Secret to Shipping a Car to Ohio

Whether you’re looking for the best way to ship a car from Ohio or to Ohio, it’s important to know how the car shipping process works. The cost to ship a car varies depending on your car’s point of origin and final destination. The different car shipping companies in Ohio will also base their rates on their amount of experience and their reputation. It’s important to remember this when reviewing the different car shipping companies Ohio has to offer. Reading this blog will provide a full review of the car shipping process so you’ll be able to answer the question, “how do I ship my car from Ohio?”

Ship My Car From Ohio / Ship My Car to Ohio

Ohio is a fairly large state and the overall cost you pay will depend on the approach you take toward the different car shipping companies in Ohio. For instance,  car shipping quotes to Ohio will vary depending on what area of the state you are shipping to. Car shipping to Columbus, Ohio will be very different from shipping to Cleavland or Cincinnati. The cost you pay will also relate to the shipping method and shipping service you choose as well as whether or not you’ll need to pay for any additional fees to have your car delivered to its final location. Some transport carriers offer rental car relocation from Canada to Ohio, but it does come at an additional cost since the car will be crossing the border.

Car Shipping Quotes Ohio – Know Your Options

When researching car shipping Ohio rates, remember there are several things you’ll need to do to make sense of the different car shipping quotes Ohio offers you.

Car shipping quotes directly reflect both the primary and secondary costs of the car shipping process.

The primary costs for shipping your car are related to the weight and size of your vehicle, the distance it has to travel, the shipping service and the shipping method you choose, and how fast you need your car delivered.

The secondary costs of shipping your car are related to the shipping season, the amount of insurance, and the reputation and size of the company you choose to ship your car with.

Primary Factors

• Size and Weight – The size and weight of your vehicle determine the overall price you are quoted for shipping your car. Most car shipping companies Ohio has to offer charge a flat rate depending on the type of vehicle you are shipping. However, some companies charge a flat rate per pound.

• Distance – The further your vehicle has to travel the higher the price you’ll need to pay. Understanding this may help you decide what areas of Ohio you will choose to ship to and from. 

• Shipping carriers always have a general timetable for how long it takes to send a vehicle from one place to another. Depending on where you are in the country, it can take anywhere from 1 to 9 days

• Both the shipping service and shipping method you choose will influence the overall price you pay. Door to Door shipping is more expensive than Terminal to Terminal shipping, but not every shipping carrier provides Terminal to Terminal service. Open shipping is also more economical than Enclosed shipping, but enclosed shipping offers more security than open shipping.

Secondary Factors

• The season you choose for car shipping to Ohio will affect the price you pay. The summer is the busiest time for car shipping, and unless you book early, you may have to pay higher rates to have your car shipped. Winter is another season where you may face additional costs due to road closures and inclement weather.

• The amount of insurance you choose when car shipping to Ohio is another factor that can increase the cost of your shipment. It’s generally suggested that you get the maximum amount of insurance when shipping a luxury, vintage, or class car.

• The size and reputation  of the car shipping companies in Ohio and outside Ohio will affect the overall price you pay. Choosing to ship with a small local business will result in your receiving a high price and less resources. Car shipping to Ohio with a commercial carrier will result in lower rates from a company that has a good reputation and long term experience.

Car Shipping Methods

There are two ways for car shipping to and from Ohio: open and enclosed.

• Open shipping involves your car being placed on a rack attached to the back of the shipping carrier’s truck. Your car is loaded onto the rack and secured, which is where it will remain until it reaches its final destination.

• Enclosed shipping still requires your car to be placed on a rack, but the rack is contained within a trailer. Choosing to place your car in an enclosure adds an extra layer of safety when you’re car shipping to Ohio.

Ohio Shipping Times

We discussed earlier the general amount of time it takes to ship a car from different parts of the country to Ohio. Take a look at the table below to see the cost, distance, and estimated transit time for shipping a car to and from Ohio.

NOTE: The cost you see is based on shipping an economy-sized car.

Shipping To/From	Cost	Distance	Estimated Time In Transit
Columbus to Cleveland	$144	144 miles	1 – 2 days
Ohio to North Carolina	$376	501 miles	2 – 4 days
New York to Columbus	$400	533 miles	2 – 4 days
Cleveland to Memphis	$548	731 miles	3 – 5 days
Jacksonville to Columbus	$605	807 miles	3 – 5 days
Ohio to Oklahoma	$735	980 miles	3 – 5 days
Houston to Ohio	$716	1193 miles	4 – 6 days
Ohio to Colorado	$808	1347 miles	4 – 6 days
Phoenix to Ohio	$1138	1897 miles	5 – 7 days
Ohio to Washington	$1157	2313 miles	6 – 8 days
San Francisco to Columbus	$1222	2443 miles	7 – 9 days

Car Shipping Services

The primary way to ship a car across the country is by using Door to Door service. Some shipping carriers also provide Terminal to Terminal service, but it is much less common.

With Door to Door shipping, an agent from the carrier comes to your home and retrieves your car. Upon arrival, they’ll do a full inspection of your car and take note of any damages. That way if any damages do occur during transit, both you and the carrier will have a record of the car’s condition prior to shipment. 

After the agent inspects your vehicle, your car is transported to the shipping terminal where it will be loaded and shipped according to your chosen shipping method.

NOTE: Door to Door shipping is a broad term used to describe the different types of ways that a vehicle can be transported from one place to another. Some examples of Door to Door shipping are as follows

• Home to Home
• Home to Friend
• Auction to Home
• Home to Auction
• Home to Port

Terminal to Terminal on the other hand provides shipping between two of the shipping carrier’s locations. This method is less expensive but requires you to drop your car off at one terminal and pick it up at another. To avoid additional expenses, the shipping carrier will also need to have terminals in the exact areas you are traveling to and from.

Documents You Need for Shipping Your Car

When you’re shipping a car to or from Ohio, you’ll be required to provide certain documents. Take a look at the list below to see the most common documents that are required to ship a car cross country.

• Bill of Lading
• Driver’s license 
• Vehicle title and registration 
• Insurance terms and conditions

Certain car shipping carriers and/or states in the country may require you to provide additional documents, but the four items listed above are the primary items you’ll need.

Steps for Shipping Your Car

We’ve covered a lot of material related to the process of car shipping to and from Ohio.  Listed below you’ll find a step-by-step process for shipping your car to/from Ohio.

1. Do your research and get shipping quotes
2. Choose your shipping carrier
3. Choose your shipping service (most likely Door to Door)
4. Choose your shipping method (open or enclosed).
5. Choose how much insurance you’ll get for your car
6. Determine whether or not you’ll use expedited shipping.

Ohio: A General Background

If you’re thinking about shipping your car to Ohio because you are interested in moving to the state, here are some basic details you may like to know.

• Ohio is located in the central northeast area of the US.
• Ohio  is bordered by Michigan and the Canadian province of Ontario. 
• The state is also nearby Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and West Virginia Kentucky, and Indiana. 
• The center of the state is in Delaware County.
• The boundary length of the state is 997 miles. 
• The landscape of Ohio has distinct regions: the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, the Erie lakeshore, and the central plains.

Learn more about Ohio here

Conclusion

After reading this blog you’ve learned what approach you can use when you are car shipping to or from Ohio. You’ve learned about what factors determine the primary cost and secondary cost of shipping a car. You’ve also learned what shipping services and shipping methods are made available to you by shipping carriers. After reviewing this blog you now know the best ways to ship a car from Ohio.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does it Cost to Ship My Car to Ohio?

The cost to ship your car depends on several different variables. The size and weight of your car will affect the overall cost as well as the amount of distance it needs to travel, and the speed of your shipment. You’ll also need to take into consideration the shipping season, which shipping method and services you choose, and how much insurance you plan to purchase for your vehicle.

What Other Factors Affect the Cost of Shipping a Car to Ohio?

When shipping a car to Ohio, the cost is determined by more than just the weight and size of your vehicle, the distance you are shipping your car, the speed of your shipment, and your chosen shipping services and methods. You’ll also need to take into consideration the shipping season, the amount of insurance you get for your car, and the size and reputation of the shipping carrier you choose to use.

Can I Ship a Car Straight from an Auto Auction?

Yes, you can ship a car from an auto auction to your home at an added cost. You’ll also need to fill out the paperwork with your shipping carrier in order to give them permission to retrieve your car from the auction house.

What Payment Methods Can I Use?

The vast majority of shipping carriers accept cash payments and credit card payments. You can reach out to your shipping carrier to ask if they accept any additional forms of payment or if you’d like to work out a payment.

When I Ship my Car Does it Need to Have a License Plate?

No, your car does not need to have a license plate when it is shipped. However, you are required to provide the keys along with your car.

What’s the Best Way to Get a Shipping Quote?

The best way to get a shipping quote is to go to the website for the shipping carrier you are interested in using. The vast majority of shipping carriers have a free estimate calculator on their sites. Some sites will provide you with a general cost estimate, which will then be updated when you talk to an agent and finalize your shipment. Other shipping carriers will ask for very detailed information about your information in order to provide a real-time quote for how much it will cost to ship your car.

What is Door to Door Transport?

Door to Door transport is an umbrella term used for the shipping service provided by car shipping carriers. The shipping service provides a simplified car shipping experience to the customer. The process involves an agent from the company collecting your vehicle and transporting it to its final location. There are many different types of Door to Door services such as Home to Home, Home to Friend, and Auction to Home. (Not every type of Door to Door shipping has to start at someone’s home.)

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