When you have a long-distance move approaching, contemplating how to transport your vehicle is most likely a top concern. There are a few options that exist. We hope that by offering some details about each, you can consider which choice will best suit your needs. Keep reading to find out more.
Consider Your Options
Drive it yourself.
If your new destination is a reasonable drive away, under around five hundred miles, driving your car yourself may be your best option. If your drive is beyond that, you will want to consider adding up the costs that would be necessary on this journey, such as gas, hotels, food, unexpected auto repairs, and wear-and-tear. Don’t forget to think about the climate and time of year!
Tow your car to your moving truck.
Using a trailer or a tow dolly, you can hitch your car to your moving truck. This option is best suited for those with experience and comfort in towing trailers.
Hire a driver.
You’ve got some choices here. This hired driver can be anyone – a friend, family, or a professional driver. Obviously, there are a lot of questions that you should as yourself before making your selection for a driver.
For example, Do they have the experience to transport your vehicle to another state safely? Will they respect my car? Will they know how to handle my vehicle in different terrains? What about damage to the interior/exterior of the car? Ultimately, you will really want to trust whoever is driving your vehicle.
Con’s to this route would be the extra mileage you will incur and the risks out of your control.
By land or by sea.
If you are an east coast resident, Amtrak Auto Train is an offering that can eliminate the wear and tear on your car. Take a journey with your vehicle for fair pricing with considerable amenities.
If you are headed to the lower 48 from Alaska or Hawaii (or internationally), a boat is your only option. This is not a cheap option, but a necessary one. We recommend looking for a professional international car shipping company.
Find an auto mover.
If you’d like to avoid putting the extra mileage on your vehicle, an auto transport company would be a great option. The cost of professional auto transport can vary depending on the size of your car and the distance of the move.
Things to consider when selecting a company would be price, customer service, and length of time in business. Good questions to ask are whether or not they offer a Certificate of Insurance for full coverage, if they own their trucks or if they are a broker.
Sell your car.
Selling your car may be the last resort for most people. However, if you’ve been considering a new vehicle, this might be your time to pounce on that option. Also, you may be moving from a suburb to a metropolitan area that offers various modes of public transportation. If that is the case, bringing a car of your own may only cause more stress.
Compare the Costs
Cost’s depend on several factors:
- Distance of travel
- Gas prices
- Open transport vs. enclosed transport
- Door-to-door service vs. terminal-to-terminal service
- Auto insurance coverage
Prep and Don’t Forget to Check!
If you do decide to move forward with auto transport, keep in mind two essential factors – preparation and post-transit assessment.
Preparation
Getting your car ready for transport is just as crucial as establishing which option you want to choose. J & S Transportation offers some questions to ask yourself:
- Is my car clean? (interior and exterior)
- Have I checked my vehicle’s functionality? (leaks, battery, tires, radiator, engine, etc.)
- Is the emergency brake working?
- Have I taken pictures of the vehicle?
- Is the gas tank less than one-quarter full?
- Have I removed accessories? (think bike rack or anything else that can fall off.)
- Is the alarm turned off?
- Have I deactivated or removed toll tags?
- Do I have active auto insurance?
Tip: Many of these prep steps are great, even if you’re not hiring an auto transport company!
Checking for damage
Always double-check, even though damage is usually unlikely. You will need to sign a form called a Bill of Lading. You will sign this at drop-off and delivery to indicate that any preexisting damage is not the mover’s fault.
Get the help you need.
Elite Moving is here to help you during your move in whatever way we can. From long-distance moving services and corporate relocation to packing and storage services – we’ve got you covered.
Recent Comments