What To Consider Before A Long-Distance Move

Key Points:

• Shipping your vehicle via long-distance car transport can offer peace of mind by protecting your car from wear and tear or an unexpected mechanical breakdown.
• You can simplify your long-distance car transport by researching providers, showing flexibility with shipping dates, and being patient throughout the auto shipping process.
• Our top picks for long-distance car shipping include Montway Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and uShip.

Whether it’s across the United States or overseas, a long-distance move means dedicating time and thought to a wide variety of factors. If you’re looking for peace of mind and hope to avoid the hassle of a road trip, long-distance car transport services could be right for you. 

In this article, we’ll show you how long-distance shipping works and then explain how to take advantage of services from the market’s best car shipping companies.

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How Does Long-Distance Car Transport Work?

If you’ve decided that shipping your vehicle via long-distance car transport is best but have no idea where to start, you’ll find more information below on how to ship a car and the right steps to take.

1. Choose Your Method Of Transport

You’ll have your choice of open carrier transport vs. enclosed carrier transport when shipping a vehicle. Open vehicle transport involves having your car shipped on an open trailer and is the cheaper of the two options. Shipping your car in an enclosed trailer is more expensive but offers greater protection from bad weather and road debris. Because of this, it’s typically the best choice for classic cars or luxury vehicles.

In addition, think about whether you’ll opt for door-to-door shipping or terminal-to-terminal transport. Door-to-door service is the industry standard, where the driver will pick up and deliver your vehicle as close to your desired address as possible. Terminal-to-terminal shipping, on the other hand, can be cheaper but you have to drop off and pick up your car at a shipping terminal in select locations. This method of shipping is also not offered by all vehicle shipping companies.

Expedited shipping is another good consideration if there’s a short time frame before your long-distance move, though this will increase the price. Be aware that shipping companies can guarantee pickup dates but not delivery dates–the industry is too unpredictable for that.

2. Compare Car Shipping Quotes

Shipping your car over a long distance will cost far more than shipping it a few hundred miles. Get free car shipping quotes online from various providers and decide if you’re more comfortable with using a broker or an online marketplace. Most car shipping companies offer instant quote tools or car shipping calculators that make comparing auto transport prices quick and easy.

3. Pick A Provider And Book Your Transport

Once you’ve settled on a provider, get ready to book your transport. If you’ve chosen a broker, the auto transport company will post your bid and find a car carrier for you. If you opted to ship through an online marketplace, you’ll select a bid and deal with the car shipping carrier directly.

4. Prepare Your Vehicle For Transport

It’s important to document the vehicle’s condition before it gets shipped off. Note any pre-existing scratches, dents, or mechanical issues and leave only a quarter tank of gas in the vehicle. Additionally, take out all personal items to reduce the car’s weight and decrease the potential of a break-in.

5. Drop The Car Off

You’ll meet your chosen car hauler for pickup at an agreed-upon dropoff location. At this point, record any pre-existing damages to your vehicle on the bill of lading and sign the receipt for transport. Once you’ve signed the bill of lading (which documents your car from start to finish), your car will be loaded up for shipment.

6. Pick Up Your Vehicle

Your car will either be delivered to your door or to a predetermined shipping terminal, depending on the chosen delivery location. Inspect your vehicle for any damages that may have occurred during the shipment. If all looks well, you’ll sign the bill of lading again to state that the vehicle was delivered safely to your new location.

Along the way, you can contact the shipping company for updates on your car’s progress. Some companies provide GPS services online or in an app while others provide manual updates.

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How To Simplify Long-Distance Car Transport

First-time car shippers might find auto transport to be somewhat complicated. However, it will be easier and more cost-effective if you consider the following tips:

Do Plenty Of Research

Take time to thoroughly research vehicle transport providers and various car shipping options. This increases the likelihood that your vehicle stays safe from start to finish and that you’re receiving the best rate. Some carriers offer discounts on military car shipping and services for other groups, so check to see if you qualify for them.

Also take note of whether a provider follows the shipping and insurance laws established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). You can verify that your carrier has an identification number with the Department of Transportation on the FMCSA website, though reputable companies will usually display this readily on their websites.

Be Flexible

Having flexible pickup dates and delivery locations could lower your car shipping costs. Booking at least two weeks in advance will give the company enough time to find the right carrier at the best price. Expect to pay top dollar if you have to move your car in the next few days.

Be Patient When Shipping A Car

If you’re considering cross-country car transport, it will likely take between one to two weeks to reach its destination after being picked up. Expect an even longer time frame if you’re shipping a car to Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, or an overseas location. 

Carriers run into bad weather, heavy traffic, and even road closures that can prevent your vehicle from arriving at its destination on time. Find a company that offers online tracking if you think you might worry during the process otherwise.

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How Much Does Long-Distance Car Transport Cost?

Long-distance car transport will almost always cost more than shipping your car a shorter distance. In our research of car shipping costs, we found that the price to ship a car 407 to 2,985 miles ranges between $500 and $2,000 depending on your chosen provider.

Car Shipping Cost Estimates

See the table below for a few rates for shipping cars long distance. These average costs were calculated through extensive research as well as by requesting quotes from various shipping companies.

What Affects Long-Distance Car Shipping Costs

Keep in mind that auto transport costs can vary depending on factors like the time of year, type of vehicle, and shipping distance. For example, expect to spend more when moving an SUV from Las Vegas to Florida than shipping a sedan from Massachusetts to Illinois. 

Inoperable vehicles also cost more to ship since it takes more work to load them for transport.

We recommend getting quotes from several reputable providers to find the best price for your budget and needs.

One of the biggest factors in price is the type of shipment: open or enclosed. Open shipping is the cheapest option because a single truck can haul 10 or more vehicles. But this type leaves your car open to the elements on the journey.

With enclosed shipping, your car is protected on all sides by a fully-enclosed trailer. Because these trailers can only hold three or four vehicles at once, it’s more expensive. This auto transport service is the best choice if you’re moving a luxury or classic car.

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Should You Drive Or Ship Your Car Long Distance?

There are pros and cons to both driving your car and shipping it via long-distance car transport. If you’re worried about the move becoming costly, consider planning a road trip to get your vehicle to its final destination.

Keep in mind that if you drive instead of using long-distance car transport, you’ll need to factor in the cost of meals and accommodations along with the price of gas. If you plan to sightsee on the way, consider those costs as well. Budgeting responsibly will be critical to keeping costs low when driving your vehicle over a long distance.

While shipping your car might sound pricier, it saves your vehicle from wear and tear, may be more convenient, and less stressful. Ultimately, long-distance auto shipping from a car transport company is an attractive option to consider before a long-distance move.

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Best Shipping Companies For Long-Distance Transport

It’s best to choose wisely when it comes to auto shipping services. After extensive research into many leading car shipping providers, we suggest that you get free quotes from Montway Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and uShip.

Montway Auto Transport: Best Overall

Montway Auto Transport is a shipping giant that works with over 30,000 carriers across the U.S. to ship cars to all 50 states. While all shippers that work with Montway have insurance coverage, the company tacks on an additional $250,000 to supplement your car carrier’s policy. Montway Auto Transport holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has over 2,200 customer reviews, the majority of which are positive.

SGT Auto Transport: Best for Price-Matching

SGT Auto Transport has a wide range of shipping services that are available in every state but Alaska. It has a B rating from the BBB and earns largely positive customer reviews. SGT Auto Transport also offers an instant quote tool and has a price-matching guarantee. If you find a lower written quote from any of SGT’s direct competitors, it will match that price.

uShip: Best Car Shipping Marketplace

With 20 years of experience in the auto transport industry, uShip receives both accreditation and an A+ rating from the BBB. The marketplace works much like eBay Inc., allowing you to post your shipping job as a listing that car movers then bid on. If you’re able to plan ahead for your car shipping needs, the uShip marketplace can be a great way to save money.

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Long-Distance Car Transport: Our Take

Long-distance car transport can save your vehicle from wear and tear and could reduce the stress of a cross-country move. You’ll likely find a smooth, easy, and cost-effective process if you plan ahead, stay flexible, and do your research on various auto shipping companies.

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Long-Distance Car Transport: FAQ

Below are a few frequently asked questions about long-distance car transport:

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How We Rate Auto Shipping Companies

Our review team extensively researches car shipping providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:

• Reliability: Providers that earn strong ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and have a long history in the auto transport industry score well in this category.
• Services: We take a look at what types of transport services are available through each company, including open and enclosed transport, door-to-door shipping, and more. Those with wider service selections are more likely to meet consumers’ needs.
• Pricing: Our team performs a secret shopper analysis to get quotes for a variety of shipping routes and services. We compare each company’s costs to industry average prices to see how it stands up to the competition.
• Customer Experience: We consider customer reviews on sites like the BBB and Trustpilot to better understand the consumer experience. Car shipping companies with convenient quote processes also perform well in this category.

*Data accurate at time of publication.

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