Ship a car to another state

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to ship a car to another state? Moving your vehicle to another state might seem frustrating, but trust me, it’s not a big deal but a straightforward endeavor when professionals are involved.

You can use different methods to ship your car to another state: take the assistance of a tow dolly or trailer, drive it, or haul it by train or a professional driver to make everything convenient and easy.

Whether you’re a seasonal traveler or a snowbird, you often need car shipping services to move your vehicles between homes, reducing the necessity for long self-drives.

Choose Your Transport and Delivery Methods

When transporting your vehicle from one state to another, the first and most crucial step is to choose the right transport medium and delivery method. This decision can significantly impact the safety and condition of your vehicle. You can start by researching reputable auto transport companies online or working with a broker to explore the available options.

Transport Categories

These are the most common transport options:

Open Transport

As the name suggests, open transport means your car is shipped on an open trailer without a roof. This is the most affordable option widely available throughout the year and is ideal to fit your vehicle with other vehicles at once. This breezy car relocating possibility is ideal for car owners with a restricted budget who fancy the wind touching their vehicle’s metaphorical hairs.

This mode of transport has one substantial disadvantage: your car will be open to weather and road debris during the transit.

This choice is usually ideal for motorcycles, non-operational vehicles, corporate fleets, student cars, military vehicles, and small and oversized vehicles.

Enclosed Transport

Again, as the name indicates, your car is shipped in an enclosed carrier that ideally protects all automobiles from outside hazards. If you are shipping a luxurious, expensive, or classic car, this is the best option you should go for, but it can cost up to 50% more compared to an open transport medium.

Enclosed transport keeps your vintage vehicles snug as a bug and shielded from external dangers that might arise during the journey.

Enclosed transport is perfect for race cars, exotic, classic, luxury, expensive auctions, and supercars. If you believe your beloved car deserves all the extravagance, go for this option.

Expedited Shipping

Expedited shipping paces with fast-moving lives. Expedited shipping is usually chosen if a car needs to be moved somewhere quicker, but it comes with a dent in your pocket. It is perfect for car owners who need their vehicles pronto. Trust me, your four-wheeled friend will arrive at the destination faster than you can say “vroom.”

Delivery Services

These are the most popular and common delivery services offered by auto transport companies:

Door-To-Door Shipping

As the term implies, door-to-door shipping service means that your automobiles will be picked up at your home’s doorstep and dropped off at the new home or business location. However, door-to-door shipping adds up to the cost but is usually more suitable than terminal-to-terminal shipping services.

Terminal-To-Terminal Shipping

In this mode of delivery service, you need to drive your car personally to a terminal to drop off and pick up your car. This is a cheaper option compared to door-to-door transport, but shipments through terminal services can be slower.

Factors Affecting Car Shipping Prices

Shipping a vehicle, whether to another state or overseas, can be costly. However, you can save significantly by understanding the critical cost factors. This knowledge will empower you and put you in control, helping you budget and plan more effectively.

Here are some of the main cost factors to keep in mind:

Distance

The cost of car shipping is significantly affected by the distance between the pickup and delivery location. The more distance your car aims to cover, the more expensive this expedition will be. This relates to the highways and roads the automobile carrier will choose while transporting cars to another estate. Urban areas that are increasingly congested and highly populated can also impact shipping costs.

Type of Vehicle

Here, the weight and size of your automobile also substantially impact the price. If you’re transporting large vehicles such as SUVs and trucks, then be prepared for expensive car hauling compared to smaller ones that are reasonably priced.

It is imperative to provide precise vehicle specifications, such as the model and type of vehicle you intend to transport to another state. These essential details are critical for carrier providers to estimate the space required for the vehicle.

Remember that the more modified, longer, and taller your vehicle is, the higher the cost is expected.

Type of Transport

The type of transport services you are choosing can also affect the cost. Open transport, the most desirable vehicle transport method, is typically less expensive. If you are considering an enclosed transport carrier, then it adds additional cost the way it adds extra protection to your car during transportation.

Time of Year

If you are a vacationer looking for adventure or simply a snowbird following the sunshine, then the time of the year matters a lot. The time of year you intend to transport your vehicle to another state also impacts the cost. For example, the cost is usually high during summer since it is the most preferred season for car hauling. In the cold months, the price lowers down due to lower demand.

Additional Services

Lastly, additional services, such as door-to-door delivery, expedited service, and insurance coverage, can also cost you more, so be prepared to pay extra for them.

Average Cost to Ship a Car Across States

The cost to ship a car to another state varies depending on the time of year, model and type of vehicle being shipped, and the distance needed between the pickup and delivery locations.

On average, transporting your standard-sized vehicle from one state to another can cost you $500 to $1000. However, the price gradually increases substantially when transporting larger vehicles such as SUVs and trucks.

Expected Delivery Time for Interstate Car Shipping

Multiple factors come into play when shipping a vehicle to another estate. For example, traffic detours, road construction, and driver hours are expected reasons.

On average, if a vehicle needs to cover up to 200 miles, it may take one to two days, while distances over 2000+ miles can usually take up to 7 to 9 days under normal circumstances.

Don’t forget that the time range is always offered on an average and is not the rule of thumb. If you need to ship a small car only to a few hundred miles while the route is also feasible and famous, it can be picked up and delivered within a day or two at maximum.

Refer To This Table For An Average Delivery Time:

Can You Choose Your Own Pickup and Delivery Dates?

This is a common question car owners usually ask. Unfortunately, you cannot specify a pickup date or delivery date to the auto transport company. Automobile transport companies have to work out multiple factors at the beginning of a transport order before they can conclude any specific pickup or delivery date for their customers.

However, under typical circumstances, your vehicle is picked up within 7 to 10 days after placing your order. This information is crucial for you to plan accordingly and choose your quotes. For instance, if your vehicle is all prepared to be picked up on 15th November, then it will get picked up no later than 25th November. In most cases, the vehicles get picked up a little earlier, but a 7 to 10-day timeline should always be assumed.

Prepare Your Car for Shipping

Preparing your treasured cars for shipping is extremely important. Generally, the company will give you particular instructions on preparing your vehicle for shipping, depending on your method, such as open vs. closed shipping.

As a general guide, comply with these instructions before shipping your car:

Insurance

Before giving your cars to the shippers, it is critical to check with your automotive insurer to comprehend how much coverage you have for the protection of your car. Don’t forget to check with the shipper to confirm that they offer insurance for hauling vehicles.

Documentation

Documentation involves capturing evidence of your car’s condition. You can take high-quality photos of your valuable vehicles from various exterior and interior angles to demonstrate whether there is any damage, which is essential to provide to the shippers.

Gas Tank

Having less than half a gas tank in your vehicle is ideal, while some shippers even prefer closer to 1/4 tank. Emptying your gas tank is essential to reduce the weight it will cost during hauling. Also, check the air in the tyres.

Remove Personal Items

Remove anything that you might be concerned about disappearing, such as any personal belongings that are not included in your transport fees.

If any decoration on your vehicle is not tightly attached, remove it before the journey begins. If anything is put up on your car that can’t be removed immediately, it is ideal to tape it down.

Meet Your Carrier, Inspect For Damage, And Sign The Bill Of Lading

You must do two significant things when it’s time to meet your carrier at the drop-off location: your home address or a terminal. First, inspect your automobile for any damage such as dents and scratches. Rest assured that cars usually get checked before they are transported on the trailer, but you must do it yourself and take pictures of the vehicle.

Sign the bill of lading, which is typically a document or an official report on your car’s transportation, and the receipt for the shipment. You will also receive a copy of this document from the shipment company.

Wrapping up, whether you are moving your life or your beloved car to another state, will always be a complex process. Suppose you are a busy professional or work on tighter schedules. In that case, hiring car shipping services offers a convenient way out so you can allocate your precious time to other essential tasks.

Hauling professionals can save your cherished cars from physical wear and tear and the money needed for extensive fuel.

FAQs

Q1: How much does it cost to ship a car to another state?
A1: The cost of shipping a car to another state depends on the number of miles needed to cover, the shipment process, like an enclosed one or an open one, and the model and type of car inclined to ship to another state. In other cases, if your vehicle needs special handling, that can also add up to the cost. Usually, the cost of enclosed shipping varies from $1000 to $2450, while open shipping ranges from $550 to $1600 for each car.

Q2: How long does it take to ship a car to another state?
A2: How long it will take to ship a car to another state depends on how far your car plans to cover and how difficult the drive can be. Generally, it takes about three days to transport a car under 1000 miles, but it can take a whole week to ship a vehicle over 3000 miles.

Q3: What types of transport options are available for shipping a car?
A3: There are different shipping options if you are shipping your automobile to another state. Within the lower 48, you can expect an over-the-road auto shipper, but a freight shipping option for expedited shipping can also make sense. Cars are also transported by plane, usually used for shipping outside the country, and can be extremely expensive. Some companies also transport your automobiles by train, which is ideal for long distances, saving you costs. However, this requires additional logistics to haul your car to and from the train terminal.

Q4: Is my car insured during transport?
A4: Yes, you can rest assured that your car will be insured during transport. All reputable auto transport companies provide insurance coverage to protect automobiles against any damage that might occur during the journey.

Q5: What do I need to do to prepare my car for shipping?
A5: To prepare your car for shipping, first, you need to clean it from both inside and out, making it easy to inspect for any preexisting damage. Later, take out all your personal belongings and any loose items that might get lost during the transport journey. Also, make sure that the gas tank is no more than a quarter full since it can potentially add to weight issues and leakage problems during the journey. It would help if you also documented the condition of your car. You can take photographs of any dents, existing scratches, or damage and share them with the transport company. Lastly, ensure the battery is fully charged, the tyres are perfectly inflated, and the fluids are not overfilled.