Why Choose Car Shipping?
It may seem easier, cheaper, and somehow just more romantic to pack up your own car and hit the road, but somewhere between mile 3 and mile 30 there’s always that “Oh god, what have I done?” moment.
When it comes to long distance moving, it’s best to consider all of your options before jumping right into a DIY job. That means thinking seriously about hiring the pros, and thinking seriously about auto transport.
You may need car shipping if…
- You have more than one car
- Your car is way too small to carry your belongings
- You’re flying to your destination while your cross country movers handle your stuff
- Your car is British, Italian, or (God forbid) French, and will not go more than 15 miles without breaking down
At first glance, it may seem like car transport is a major pain. But think of it this way: You’ll be hiring a professional team, and as soon as you hand them the keys, they’ll take care of all the rest. After all, you won’t be the one loading the car into the truck or trailer, and you won’t be the one doing the long-haul trucking.
In a way, professional car shipping is a steal. But just to help you make your decision, we’ve put together a guide to moving a car to another state – including how much you can expect to pay, how you should prepare, and the pros and cons of each strategy. Let’s start with the most obvious option…
DIY (Drive It Yourself) Price: Cheap, if you do it right
Driving your own car isn’t an easy option, but it’s still doable. We advise against it because we’re professional movers and it’s bad for business, but we also advise against it because it’s a massive pain in the ass.
For one thing, DIY moving doesn’t get you out of renting a moving truck. Case in point: I drive a Honda S2000. It’s got two seats, an 8,000 RPM redline, and no roof. Unfortunately, I can’t fit anything in there except for a premature midlife crisis.
If I decided to DIY my move, I’d have to rent a van that can carry my furniture, and then I’d have to bribe someone to drive it. Or, I’d have to pay for full service movers to haul all my stuff while I follow them the whole way to point B. Not ideal, and all those miles cooped up in an uncomfortable roadster wouldn’t be fun for my wife, either.
Aside from that, you’re trading convenience for control. You can DIY a move at your own pace, although the longer you take, the more expensive (and labor-intensive) it gets. And if you have more than one car, you’re gonna need to bribe someone else to convoy it – or do the whole drive multiple times.
Pros
- Cheap
- You have a car already
- You can drive at your own pace
- You’re more in control
Cons
- Impractical if you have multiple cars
- You’ll probably have to rent a moving truck anyways
- Additional expenses for gas, food, and lodging
Towing and Trailer Hitches Price: $300 - $2,000, but Depends on the Truck
If you rent your own moving truck, you may be able to tow your car behind it. This is only a viable option if your car can handle it, and if you’re comfortable driving a 20-foot moving truck with an extra car connected to the back.
Towing also only really works if you have just one car to worry about – or mayyyybe two, if you manage to convince someone to drive your second car and follow you.
Fortunately, there are some moving companies that can do the towing for you. This is actually pretty convenient: They can take care of the rest of your loading and hauling, and then they’ll tow your car behind their moving truck. This works out great, as long as you’ve got your own personal transportation figured out.
Towing a car behind a moving truck is also cheaper than paying for dedicated auto transport. If you’re hiring professional movers who offer towing, it’s a one-stop-shop. The same guys who just boxed up your furniture will be hauling your car, and that’s usually less expensive than working with two separate moving teams.
Pros
- Cheaper than dedicated auto transport
- Usually comes as an add-on with pro movers
- If you’ve got just one or two cars, this is a good option
- Easier than DIY driving
Cons
- Some cars don’t play nice with trailers
- Driving a big moving truck with a car hanging off the back is not fun
- This is only a good option if you’ve just got one or two cars
Professional Driving Services Price: $500 to $1,500 per car
If you’re comfortable with the idea, there are some companies that offer professional driving services. You get in touch (ideally after doing lots of research), you book a driver, and they’ll send someone (or multiple people) to drive your own car (or cars) to your destination.
Of course, paying someone to drive your car brings up some important questions: Can you really trust these guys? How do you know they won’t be speeding? What happens if they get in an accident? And is this really easier than hiring a car trailer?
Professional drivers are vetted and trained, and their companies are insured. It may be cheaper than paying for a car trailer, and it may also be easier than towing the car or driving it yourself. But at the end of the day, you’re paying a complete stranger to drive off in your own car – and your car will still be getting plenty of wear and tear on the road.
Pros
- More convenient than DIY or towing
- Carefully vetted drivers
- Cheaper than dedicated auto transport
- Straightforward process
Cons
- Still adds wear and tear on your vehicle
- You’ve really gotta trust your movers
- You’ll have to pay multiple drivers if you have multiple cars
Dedicated Auto Transport: Open-Air Trucks and Enclosed Trailers Price: $1,200 to $3,000 per car
Finally, we’re getting to the big boys. If you’ve ever seen a semi truck hauling a trailer full of cars, you already know what we’re talking about.
Dedicated auto transport is exactly what it sounds like: You pay a transporter, they load your car onto a trailer, and they take it to your destination. No tow hitches, no bribing a buddy to drive your second car, no BS.
Car haulers usually operate two types of trailers: open-air, and enclosed. Open-air trailers are typically cheaper, and they take a bit of tetrising to get your car down from the top level. Still, it’s easier than driving the car yourself, it avoids most wear and tear (your car’s still exposed to the weather, after all), and it’s cheaper than an enclosed trailer.
On the other hand, enclosed trailers are the ultimate VIP experience. These are primarily for high-value vehicles: exotics, collectibles, luxury cars, or all of the above. They’re secure and they protect your car from the elements, but they do cost quite a bit more than the alternatives.
If you’ve got a garage full of cars, or you just want to do zero driving and fly straight to your destination while your movers handle everything else, dedicated car transport is your best bet. Fortunately, Moving APT can handle the coordination between your different moving teams. 🙂
Pros
- Hands down the most convenient option
- Avoids excess wear on your cars
- Great for if you have multiple vehicles
- A must-have if you have high-value cars
Cons
- Can be expensive
- Service may be provided by a car hauling specialist, rather than your movers
Transport Your Car the Right Way: Our Guide to Pre-Move Prep
Before your car transporters do their job, you’ve got a job to do, too. Follow these steps to make sure your car is ready for the long haul.
1. Communicate Clearly
We can’t emphasize this one enough: Every car transporter is different. They may have their own rules and requirements for your car, so make sure you get in touch with them and communicate clearly about how you should prepare your vehicle.
2. Perform Maintenance
Your car haulers will not like it if your car drips oil all over their trailer – or worse, the other cars they’re transporting. If your car has been leaking fluids or otherwise acting funny, get it fixed before you book your auto transport. You don’t want your movers to show up only to find out your car isn’t starting.
3. Copy Important Documents
You’ll need to have a few documents on hand when your car transporters show up. This is a typical list, but make sure you get in touch with your movers ahead of time in case there’s any other requirements (see step 1):
- An unexpired driver’s license
- Proof of insurance
- Car registration
- Vehicle title
Make sure you make copies of all of these documents. This is a smart move for two reasons: One, your movers may accept taking the copy, instead of taking the original; and two, you’ll have an added layer of security on moving day by having multiple copies of your important documents.
4. Remove Your Belongings
If there’s anything with sentimental value, get it out of the car. Other stuff, like your spare tire and jack – that can stay. And before you ask, no, you can’t load a bunch of boxes in the back. The car’s gotta be as empty as it was on the showroom.
5. Take Photos
Take plenty of photos to document the condition of your car. Your movers may also provide a vehicle condition report for you to fill out. Don’t take this step lightly: If your car’s damaged for any reason, you’ll need evidence before you file a claim with the carrier.
6. Hand Over the Keys (and Have a Spare Set!)
Your car carrier’s parked outside, and you’ve filled out all the paperwork. Now, it’s the moment of truth: Hand over your keys, and your movers will take care of the rest. For extra security, you can provide your movers with both sets of keys, or just keep your spare key on you if you’re following them closely.
Book Secure Auto Transport with Moving APT
Shipping a car to another state may sound like a massive pain, but it’s actually pretty simple: You’re booking a service just like any other, and while there’s a bit of paperwork and preparation involved, it’s ultimately up to your car transporters to do all the hard stuff.
Of course, finding auto transport you can trust is pretty simple, too. At Moving APT, we’ve got over two decades of experience, and a whole team of car transport specialists to get you through your relocation. Check out our moving cost calculator, and get a free quote today!
Vehicle Transport FAQs
What documents are required to move my car to another state?
You’ll always need some form of documentation to confirm the car’s actually yours. This is typically a registration, a pink slip, a bill of sale, or (if your car carrier is really thorough) all of the above. You’ll also need some kind of documentation to confirm that you’re actually you. Have your driver’s license on hand, too. And make sure you make copies of everything!
Can I pack boxes in my car when it’s being shipped?
Don’t bet on it. Most car carriers want your vehicle as close to showroom as possible. This means no boxes, no personal effects, no fuzzy dice hanging from the mirror. If you’ve made modifications to your car, that’s a different story – but if there’s anything not bolted down, it probably has to go. (Exceptions include your spare tire, jack, and vehicle toolkit.)
What’s the cheapest way to move a car?
Our knee-jerk reaction is to say that DIYing it is the cheapest method, but that’s assuming you only have one car and you’ve somehow managed to fit all of your belongings in the back.
Realistically, the most cost-effective way to transport your car is to book movers who can tow your vehicle as well. Unless you’ve got a whole fleet of cars, towing/trailering your car behind your moving truck is the best balance between service and price.
What happens if my car is damaged during transport?
Don’t worry, it’s rare, and your carrier will pay for damages. However, you’ll also need evidence to support your claim. This is why we recommend taking lots and lots of photos of your vehicle before it gets transported (don’t forget the interior).
Also, don’t rush when you’re filling out your vehicle condition report. If your car is damaged for whatever reason, this document provides important information about your car’s status before the move.
How long does it take to transport a car out of state?
Car transport usually takes about a week. But, if your car’s on a trailer with a bunch of other vehicles that need to be delivered, it could take much longer. Your car transporters will give you a rough estimate, but if it looks like it’ll take longer than 20 days, ditch ‘em and find someone else to do your vehicle hauling.
