How to Ship a Car Cross-Country Without a Fuss

If you decide to ship your car across country, you will first have to decide what option of auto transportation best suits your requirements. In order to avoid possibly damaging your car, we recommend that you invest in a long-distance moving company. They will be able to provide you with professional drivers that will strap your vehicle on a carrier and transport it directly to your new address. All you have to do is provide them with accurate details about the vehicle and prepare it for the cross-country movers.

There Are Options for Auto Transportation You Might Be Interested In

There are numerous ways one can ship car cross country. If you’ve already planned a move to another city, the key part of the process should be deciding on the relocation method for your car. In order to move efficiently, you need to decide at least a month in advance how to best move the vehicle. These are your options:

• The first option is to drive the car yourself. Many people think that driving is more affordable than hiring professionals to do the job. Many resorted to this option during the coronavirus pandemic, thinking they would be safer and more protected if they did everything themselves. You are free to take this option into consideration but be aware of the fuel expenses as well as food and hotel costs if you have to drive more than one day. Also, you are risking getting into road accidents and damaging the car. Therefore, resort to driving the car yourself only if you are properly prepared.
• The second option is hiring an independent driver to ship the car for you. If you are not confident enough in your driving skills and you are also not willing to hire movers, you can always find an independent driver on different websites such as Craigslist. They usually charge by the hour, and you will be able to drive along and take some of the luggage you’ll be relocating to a new home. However, make sure that the driver is reliable and competent before trusting them with your car.
• The third option is to get the car towed by a rental truck. It’s a more affordable alternative, as renting a truck and a tow dolly costs less, but it is still not perfect for all situations. Apart from safety risks, it isn’t convenient to tow it for more than 500 miles, as longer distances will be more expensive. But if you are relocating to a closer destination, towing the car is a good option.
• The fourth option is to hire a reliable car shipping company that has considerable experience in relocating vehicles from one location to another. You definitely won’t experience any anxiety about moving out since everything will be taken care of by a professional team. This option is the best if you want to avoid potential moving mistakes.

How Does One Find the Right Cross-Country Car Shipping Company?

In case you are moving out for the first time, you should know what to expect from your long-distance movers. When you decide to invest in auto transport services, make sure to background check all the companies you are interested in. What you can do is read different reviews, articles, and testimonials on their websites. Find out more about what they offer and their prices from the customer support agents. Contact at least three different companies and get free quotes. However, don’t reach out to the agents before getting all the accurate information and details about your vehicle. For instance, the dimensions and the make and model of the car will be of great help to agents when determining a free quote.

After Getting a Quote, Decide on What Type of Carrier You Want to Pay For

Have you been asking yourself – how are cars shipped across the country? The answer is simple – aboard reliable trailers. Almost every firm offers customers the choice of shipping a car cross country in an open carrier or an enclosed trailer. If you are looking for a more convenient and affordable option, you should go with open trailers. If you own more cars, movers won’t have any issues strapping them down and relocating them to a new destination. On an open carrier, there is room for nine cars. However, the only setback with this type of trailer is that they don’t have a protective layer over the vehicles.

But, if you are someone who is adamant about not exposing the cars to the outside world, choosing enclosed trailers would be the best. This type of transportation is usually recommended to clients who own expensive and valuable four-wheelers. The benefit of moving the car in an enclosed trailer is that it cannot get damaged in transit since the trailer has a roof and sidewalls.

You’ll Be Able to Choose a Specific Type of Delivery and Pick-up Option

As soon as you contact the customer support agents, they will inform you about the available pick-up and delivery options. All the companies can either provide you with door-to-door deliver or terminal-to-terminal delivery. The first type is considered the most convenient since the cross-country movers will pick up the vehicle from your driveway and transport it directly to the desired location.

The second type requires the client to participate in the process. It is more affordable than door-to-door delivery because you will have to drive the car to the appointed destination, where the professional drivers will pick it up and transport it to a regional terminal. You will have to be present at the terminal to pick it up.

How Much Does It Cost For a Cross-Country Shipping Company to Transport Your Vehicle?

So, have you been wondering – how much does it cost to ship a car? In order to know how to save on moving costs and prepare for potential expenses, one must know the price of shipping a car across country. To be fair, prices vary from location to location, and the type of car that will be transported also dictates how much money it will cost in the long run. By some estimates, it will cost you about 1,300 dollars to relocate your car to another state. But, this is subject to change and depends on the number of cars transported, the type of carrier you choose, and the distance. One thing is for sure – you can expect the price to be about 10 to 20% lower when you choose open trailers.

When You Transport a Car, Make Sure to Prepare It the Right Way

When you finally determine the reasons to move a car and the long-distance moving services you are most comfortable with, it’s time to prepare for the arrival of the professional drivers. Their job is only to load the car onto a truck and take it to another location. In order to make sure it arrives damage-free, create a moving to-do list for your car to prepare it for the trip. Here is what you need to do:

• First, make time to wash the car properly. When the car is clean, it is easier to spot any scratches or dents when you pick it up.
• Next, you need to disable the alarm. If it goes off in transit, it might cause problems since it can distract the drivers.
• Remove any valuables, documents, or important items from the car before handing it over.
• Check the battery and tires. You must determine if the car is drivable and in good condition. Apart from the battery and tires, check also fluids and oil.
• It would be wise to hand over the car with the tank only one-quarter full. You don’t want it to weigh too much because it will cost more to ship it.
• In case you possess an E-Z Pass transponder, make sure to deactivate it because you will get charged any time the plaza toll detects the transponder.
• You need to remove antennas, bike racks, and attachments that can easily fly off during transport.

By incorporating these tasks into your moving to another state checklist, you will make sure that the whole process goes smoothly and that your auto doesn’t get damaged during the move.

Watch Out For These Mistakes That Can Cost You Time and Money

When shipping your car across country, you have to be aware of potential mistakes that can cause issues. We will provide you with moving tips and useful relocation hacks so you can recognize situations you should avoid. Having everything at the forefront of your mind will enable you to organize the relocation of your vehicles with ease. Let’s see what to look out for.

Here is a video on moving hacks that will help you prepare for the move properly.

So, Is It Worth It to Ship a Car Across the Country?

The safest and most convenient option for relocating a vehicle is to invest in auto transportation services. Some people sell their car or prefer to drive it long distances, but in case you have concerns that the long-distance drive will harm your vehicle or that you cannot sell your car in time for the move, resort to competent shippers. Decide on what methods of car shipping services are the best for you personally. If you have any questions and dilemmas, you can always contact call center representatives and have them help you. Therefore, the answer is yes, shipping cars is definitely worth it.

Now You Know How to Ship a Car Cross Country

Even though there are many ways one can get a car to another location, investing in reputable shippers is still the most convenient and safest option. You will be able to pick delivery options as well as what type of carrier the car will be transported on. The company’s agents will provide you with a quote that will help you manage your budget so you will know in advance how to prepare for relocation day. Our moving hacks and tips will also enable you to keep the vehicles damage-free. Therefore if you are ready, now is the time to contact the chosen movers and get a free estimate.