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Crash Course:
- Shipping your vehicle can save you time and money during a long-distance movie.
- Budget for your moving services ahead of your move and anticipate paying between $1,000 and $3,000 for long-distance shipping.
- Get quotes from several shipping companies before committing to an offer.
- Plan to move your belongings and vehicle separately to save money on shipping costs.
For many people, moving is just a part of life. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the average American moves 11.7 times in their lifetime. While some of these moves may be just down the street, others are major cross-country relocations that require a great deal of planning and preparation.
Making a long-distance move can be exhausting and complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Having a clear moving plan that includes everything from how to organize your belongings to whether to ship your vehicle can help alleviate some of the stress that comes with relocating.
Long-Distance Car Transport: What To Know
If you find you need to ship your vehicle during a long-distance move, expect to work with a car shipping company, otherwise known as a car shipping broker. Most well-known car shipping providers like Mercury Auto Transport and AmeriFreight don’t ship your vehicle directly. Instead, these brokers work with networks of car shipping carriers or truck drivers that do the actual transport.
Types of Long-Distance Car Transport
As with any type of car shipping, you can ship your car over long distances using open or enclosed transport. Open transport is more affordable and typically faster because carriers can transport more vehicles at once. Enclosed transport offers more protection for your vehicle, but costs more because carriers can only transport a few vehicles at once. The best option for you will depend on your vehicle and budget.
Quotes and Transport Times
With most car shipping brokers, you can request a quote by filling out a simple form on the provider’s website. Some quotes are instant, and some require a little more communication via email. Remember, your quoted price may change unless the company you choose offers guaranteed pricing.
In most cases, car shipping services take anywhere from five to seven business days, with time frames of up to two weeks for cross-country or port-to-port long-distance car transport.
How Far Can I Ship My Car?
If you’re looking at a complicated long-distance move, the good news is that car shipping companies can help you transport any vehicles you aren’t driving to your destination. Most reputable car shipping companies provide shipping services to and from anywhere in the continental U.S., with some also offering shipment to Hawaii, Alaska or select international locations.
How Much Will Long-Distance Car Transport Cost?
Our team collected quotes for a variety of shipping services and distances from the industry’s leading car shipping brokers. We found that drivers pay around $1,227 for open car shipping at distances of around 1,500 miles. To ship a vehicle over 2,500 miles, drivers pay around $1,553.
Other than distance, the cost of shipping your car depends on a few important factors, including:
- Fuel prices: If gas prices are high when you need to ship your vehicle, carriers will need to charge more to compensate.
- Choice of shipping method: Enclosed shipping uses dedicated transport trailers which carry fewer vehicles than open transport trailers. This method offers increased protection but costs more per mile.
- Time of year: Summer and winter are popular seasons for moving, changing jobs, and traveling to or from college. For this reason, car shipping companies are busier and may charge more during these seasons.
- Delivery options: Because it’s less convenient for carriers, door-to-door transport will always cost more than terminal-to-terminal delivery.
- Insurance options: If you choose to pay for additional insurance for your vehicle shipment, you may pay above-average prices.
Factors to Consider When Choosing How To Move Your Car
Before you commit to any moving plan, it pays to carefully consider all aspects of the move. Consider these factors to decide if shipping your car is the right move for you.
#1: Your Moving Budget
Moving can be an expensive process whether you ship your vehicle or drive it.
For this reason, we recommend starting your moving process by creating a budget. Setting a clear moving budget can help you know what to expect financially and prevent you from spending more than you can afford during the moving process.
Some common moving expenses you may want to plan for include:
- Moving services or rental truck
- Vehicle shipping
- Packing supplies
- Storage unit
- Personal travel costs
There are many more costs associated with moving and preparing your new home. Remember that it’s better to over-budget than to forget key items that add to your expenses. If you’re unsure how much to budget for moving services or vehicle shipping, reach out to reputable providers for quotes.
#2: Flying vs. Driving
Most people think they have to drive across the country when they move. However, flying to your new state could help shorten your moving time by several hours – or even days. Before you move, a car shipping company can pick up your vehicle, load it on a truck, and drive it to your desired destination. Your car arrives safely while you fly in comfort.
Not only is flying faster and less stressful, but it can also protect your vehicle from some of the risks associated with driving cross-country. Some benefits of flying rather than driving include:
- You won’t put thousands of miles on your car, which is important if you have an extended car warranty that will expire after a certain number of miles.
- You can avoid the risk of damage to your vehicle from wear and tear or getting into an accident while on the road.
- You can save money on lodging and food costs that you’d have to pay when making a long-distance drive.
#3: How To Ship Your Belongings
Whether you decide to ship or drive your vehicle, you need to plan how to transport your belongings. For most, the most affordable option is packing their vehicle and driving it. If you choose this option, remember that excess cargo can add weight and reduce fuel efficiency.
If you ship your vehicle with your belongings in it, you’ll have to pay extra fees and may be denied if your car goes over the carrier’s maximum weight limit. For this reason, we recommend hiring a moving truck or service and forming a strategy for getting your stuff from A to B.
Moving Your Belongings During Long-Distance Car Transport
From large furniture to personal items and clothing, your belongings play a significant role in your moving plan. In addition to high-priority or precious items you might ship, you’ll want to have an idea of specific items you’d like to move, how much you’ll be moving, and any other items that may need storage or special attention.
#1: Downsize Your Belongings
How much you pay in moving costs is in part dependent on the number of belongings you want to transport. More belongings will require a larger moving van and likely additional movers as well.
For long-distance moves of 100 miles or more, moving companies typically charge by the weight of your items and the trip distance. This means it’s financially wise to downsize before your move.
Before you start packing, consider what you can get rid of. The KonMari method can be a helpful way to downsize. Identify each item as something to keep, throw out, or donate to ensure you’re only taking what you need to your new home.
#2: Make an Inventory List
An inventory list is particularly important for long-distance moving to give you an idea of how many bulky items you need to account for. Without one, you might remember your bed frame, but forget that your wardrobe also needs to be packed and loaded.
An inventory list is also essential for insurance purposes. If your items are lost or damaged, you know what needs to be replaced and how much it costs. Finally, inventory lists can help you create an unpacking plan for when you arrive.
Make your inventory list as you’re downsizing – whenever you complete a room, make a note of the items in it. This can help you estimate the number of boxes you will need to pack each space as well.
#3: Rent a Moving Truck or Hire a Moving Company
Next, tackle the logistics of moving your stuff. If you aren’t driving your vehicle and you’re transporting a large volume of personal items, your best bet is a moving truck. You can rent one to drive yourself or hire a moving company to do the packing, loading, and driving for you.
#4: Buy Moving Insurance
Moving insurance protects your belongings in the event that they’re damaged during the move. Your moving company may offer moving insurance so you don’t have to buy from a third party. However, you may want to shop around for a better deal.
Moving insurance costs are based on the estimated value of your items. The more you would need to spend to replace your belongings, the higher your insurance costs will likely be.
#5: Look into Long-Term Storage
If you’re trying to sell your current home before moving across the country, it may be worth considering movable storage options. Moving pods and containers are delivered to your home, allowing you to load the units on your own time. These pods are then placed in storage and will eventually be delivered to your new home.
Long-term storage allows you to spend more time in your new town or city before moving your belongings and settling into a new home. Plus, if you’re in a state of limbo, storage gives you time to find a neighborhood you love instead of settling.
Work With a Dependable Long-Distance Car Transport Company
When choosing your moving company and car shipping company, you’ll want to look for providers that are dependable and affordable. Check in with customer reviews, request quotes and be sure to thoroughly read any contracts, terms and conditions, exceptions, or fine print included with any deals you’re offered.
To help take some of the work out of long-distance moving, we’ve reviewed 20 of the industry’s leading car shipping companies and rated each based on factors like offered services, reputation, and affordability. For a starting point in your quotes process, we recommend beginning with one of the providers below:
What To Consider Before Long-Distance Car Transport: Conclusion
When deciding the best plan for your long-distance move, consider your budget, how you want to transport your belongings, and what type of car shipping services you might need.
Long-distance car transport can be an affordable way to coordinate your moving services and save time, money, and stress.