Tips for Shipping Your Car
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Shipping Your Car for a Long Distance Move
When you are planning a move, there are a lot of factors you need to take into consideration. Are you going to hire professional movers? Do you want to pack and unpack your boxes, etc.? Another thing to consider is how you will move your car to your new home. Especially if you are planning a move across the country and don’t want to drive it yourself. Please read our tips on shipping your car across the country for a long-distance move.
Should you ship your car or drive it?
- Driving distance – how far are you driving? Make sure to map out the route you want to take to determine the quickest and safest route to take. After you map your route you can check out roadside amenities, fuel stops, hotels, and restaurants along the way. Adding up your costs can help determine your budget and allow you to see if shipping your car might be the cheaper choice.
- Time of Year – Road conditions can be drastically different depending on what time of year you are moving. Obviously, moving in the winter can be challenging. Planning is critical for any move, but adding in winter ice/snow storms can add to the stress of moving. Winter road conditions pose a risk to the safety of both you and your car and can also cause significant delays to your trip. In this case, shipping your car across the country may be the more convenient and safer option.
- Time Lost – To drive yourself across the country, you should allow yourself at least four days. Driving across the country could be a fun trip for you and your family, but shipping your car may be a better option if you are in a time crunch. You can choose to fly to your new home and save yourself a few days of travel.
- Expenses – Having your car shipped may be a cheaper option than driving. Especially when you consider all the costs of driving across the country. Hotels, gas, and food are just some of the expenses that can add up during your trip.
Get a Shipping Quote
Moving your car from state to state starts with a shipping quote. When hiring a shipping company, you should get multiple estimates from a few different companies. Therefore, you will find a car shipping company that fits your budget for a long-distance move.
Prepare Your Car for Shipping Across the Country
- Wash your car
- Clean the inside of your car
- Check tire pressure
- Remove any custom accessories
- Lock your car
- If possible, disable your car alarm
Schedule a time for your car to be picked up
Receiving your vehicle
How much does it cost to ship a car across the country?
The following factors determine shipping charges:
- Distance your car is shipping
- Vehicle type (model, make, height, length, etc.)
- The car’s condition
- Type of transport (door-to-door, terminal, or expedited shipping)
- Time of year
- Pick up and drop off locations
How long will it take to ship my car across the country?
The distance your car travels from origin to destination determines the time frame. You can expect, with no unforeseen issues shipping your car across the country to take between 10-14 days. Many variables are in play when moving your car across the country, so these are just estimates. A shipment traveling between 1,000 and 1,500 miles will take about 2-3 days. The total delivery time also depends on weather, traffic, and rules and regulations that govern truck drivers. In any case, shipping your car will take longer than driving it yourself. On the other hand, you can enjoy a stress-free shipping experience and attend to other essential tasks that come with moving across the country.
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