While many people who decide to ship their cars often ask if they can pick their own shipping route, the answer is mostly no, although it is understandable why you would want full control of the way that your vehicle takes. The procedure of car shipping is usually dictated in the route by a mix of factors. We will look at whether you can pick your shipping route do I get to choose my shipping route, how routes are usually determined, and what influences the car transport company’s decision in this tutorial.
You will understand the shipping route process better and know what choices you have when selecting Car Transport after reading this article.
1. Is It Possible For Me To Select The Shipping Route?
Typically, the car shipping route is just the carriers choice, based on the most efficient and logistical way to do the transport. Even if the carrier is very close to choosing the shortest and most prompt way, you dont have the needed option or even the right to pick the exact route that your car will follow.
Why Is It That I Cannot Choose The Shipping Route?
Simply by utilizing a network of routes, car shipping companies, such as Car Transport, are able to provide the most efficient delivery of vehicles. Such routes usually consider:
Availability of drivers and transporters: The period of availability for the carrier, as well as the schedules for other customers in the same route, can be elements that influence the route taken.
Fuel efficiency: In order to reduce fuel costs and also to provide the on-time delivery of all shipments on board, the carrier can select a route that meets these criteria.
Safety regulations: There are roadways that may be closed due to regulations, poor conditions, or other restrictions.
Traffic conditions and detours: The best route to deliver your car could be affected by heavy traffic, road closures or construction in progress.
Multi-car transport: If your car is being transported with other cars, then the route will probably depend on the whole shipments, which may result in the route being not so direct most of the times.
Though not all route options may be available, Car Transport identifies and weighs all these factors to provide you with a safe and punctual delivery of your vehicle.
2. How Shipping Routes Are Determined?
Choosing a car shipping route is a multi-step process involving logistics. The general process is as follows:
1. Starting with a Quote and Location for Pickup
When you ask for a shipping quote, the transport company will calculate your pickup location and where you want to go to estimate a route that would be the most efficient in terms of their existing network. They will consider such factors as the distance, the number of vehicles to be shipped, and the drivers available for that route.
2. Carrier Assignment
After a carrier has been assigned, they will be a step ahead in planning their dispatch itinerary. They will also be considering stops of other vehicles on the route plus any breaks for the driver that can influence the whole trip.
3. Logistical Adjustments
Unanticipated situations like bad weather, poor road conditions, or other shipments may cause the carrier to alter the route by small margins. Delays are to be reduced to a minimum, while the safety of the vehicles being transported is ensured at the same time.
4. Delivery and Communication
Every step of the delivery process, you will be kept in the loop about your cars status. In addition, you can get a notice of the changed way or the new estimated time of the delivery. The driver, however, will be the one deciding the most suitable route for him/her based on their expertise and the aforementioned conditions.
3. Can Someone Make Special Requests for the Route?
Even though the route is mostly fixed, there are certain situations where you might be able to make a special request that would alter the transport process. Such requests may include:
1. Preferred Delivery Timeframe
In case you have a delivery time or window that you prefer, you may request it while booking. The carrier, although not being able to guarantee a certain route, will try to help you get your delivery at the time that suits you best.
2. Additional Stops
Maybe you want the car to be delivered to another location or want more stops along the way, in that case, you can have such a request at the time of booking. Be aware that having more stops might lead to you paying more and your shipment taking longer than expected.
3. Route Restrictions
In case you know of some streets that the driver should not take (e.g. where are the hills are too steep or the clearance is low), inform the car shipping company. They will be able to incorporate it while planning the way for your delivery.
4. Express Shipping
It is possible for you to have your car transported on the express way if you are in a hurry. Generally, an express delivery is service-oriented and the company gives the first priority to the speed of the shipment rather than the selection of the route. However, if they have to adjust their vehicle according to certain limitations of the road, they will do so.
4. How Does the Transport Company Handle Special Requests?
Special transport is one of the most challenging segments of the market, and this is the reason why you don’t have the option of selecting the exact path. However, Car Transport endeavors to satisfy special shipping requirements wherever they can be realized. The ways of handling the specific demands are as follows:
- Flexible Pickup & Delivery Locations: Together with you, we find the best places for the pick-up and the drop-off, making sure that the delivery of your car is at the location that fits your needs best.
- Expedited Shipping: In case you need a working faster, the company can offer you an expedited delivery option that will make the take less.
- Route Flexibility: Even though obtaining a certain route is not possible, we are choosing the most effective way and will try to grant any special route requests which are within our logistical abilities.
At the end of the day, it is our goal to come up with the best solutions to car transport that meet your needs, and at the same time, keep the process of shipping very easy and without any troubles.
5. Decoding Your Vehicle Shipment Path
To sum up, the collection of the exact shipping route for your car is not in your hands most of the time, however, you still have the possibility to affect some other factors such as the delivery time, the places through which the driver will pass, or the stops that you prefer. A transport company such as Car Transport will combine its know-how and logistical network to give you a vehicle that is safe, efficient, and punctual.
If your car route is something you worry about or if you have special needs, please communicate them to the provider of your car shipping. They will not only facilitate your cargo but also equip your vehicle with the best route making it a smooth ride.
