How to Ship a Car to Another State
Have you ever moved across state lines? Do you plan to go any time soon? One factor that a lot of people don’t think about at first is their vehicle.
At first glance, it may seem to make sense to simply drive your vehicle to the next location. However, this comes with a lot of surprising complications. As you can see here: https://www.fueleconomy.gov/trip/, it can be quite expensive to do a road trip.
With that in mind, what are our other options? One of the main ones is to utilize car shipping. Not sure what that is? Don’t worry!
We’ll be covering this process here today. Make sure to stay tuned to learn more about what it is, how it works, and why it’s worth it. Just remember, it’s not only for moving. There are plenty of other reasons to use it as well!
What is Car Shipping?
To start, let’s cover the big (and obvious) question at hand. What is car shipping anyway? Simply put, it refers to the process of moving a vehicle from one location to another. Most of the time, the transport is over a long distance.
For instance, today, we’re discussing how it works from one state to another. The process is similar no matter the distance though. There are a few other things to be aware of here.
Both individuals and companies can use these services. A business vehicle may need to be moved, for example. Really, there are a ton of reasons why people use these services.
As with most things, there are a few different options when it comes to transporting a vehicle. There are different types and methods. We’ll start with types in this breakdown, then shift over to the methodology.
Open Transport
This is the most cost-effective option. It’s discussed in this guide to state-to-state car shipping if you want to read more about it. In essence, the vehicle is placed into an open trailer.
Naturally, this means that your car will be exposed to the elements during transport. This means there’s a greater risk of potential damage. Whether or not it’s worth the money you’re saving with this option is up to you as the car owner, though.
Still, for most, this is the option they go with. Some road debris hitting the car or making it dirty isn’t the biggest problem in a lot of cases. A trip to the car wash can solve that.
Enclosed Transport
This is pretty much the opposite of the former option. With this, the car will be placed in a closed shipping container. It will then be protected from the elements and road debris.
Of course, the trade-off is that it’s more expensive. Typically, people with classic cars or high-value ones are the one who go for this. Otherwise, open transport is likely a fine option.
Terminal to Terminal Shipping
This is a common transport method. Essentially, vehicles are dropped off and picked up at a designated shipping terminal. This can be less expensive. However, it may require additional transportation to and from the terminals. Just keep that in mind.
Door to Door Shipping
Again, this is sort of the opposite of the previous entry. The shipping company picks up the vehicle from the owner’s location and delivers it directly to the destination. It’s more convenient, of course. Unfortunately, it’s also more expensive most of the time.
How Does it Work?
Now that we’ve explored the basics, let’s examine how the process works. You can find more information on this page. Overall, just know that car shipping involves several steps along the way.
First, you’ll want to pick your shipping company. There are plenty of options when it comes to transporting to another state. Do some research, read online reviews, and use the resources we’ve provided.
From there, you can book the shipment. Most companies offer this option on their websites. Just be sure to accurately report on the weight and height of your car. This will give you the best chance at an accurate price estimate.
Prior to having the car picked up or dropping it off, you’ll want to prepare it. Ideally, it should only have a quarter tank of gas. What else is there to do?
It’s a good idea to wash the vehicle before it’s transported. This will give you a good look at the paint. Document any pre-existing damage. Then, you can compare before and after photos if anything goes wrong during the transit.
It also doesn’t hurt to gather up your documentation beforehand. Get your driver’s license and car insurance information. That way, you’ll be prepared when the day comes to start the transit.
Overall, it’s not difficult to transport a vehicle to another state. As long as you do your research, you should be fine!