Shipping a car across country might seem like a daunting task. Whether you’re relocating for a new job, purchasing a vehicle online from a distant state, or sending a car to a family member, understanding the intricacies of cross country car transport is essential. This guide breaks down the entire process, ensuring you’re well-informed and prepared for your vehicle’s journey across the United States.
Step-by-Step Guide to Shipping Your Car Across Country
Moving a vehicle across the country involves several key steps. By understanding each stage, you can ensure a smoother and more efficient shipping experience.
Step 1: Get a Quick Car Shipping Quote
The first step in shipping your car across country is to obtain a car shipping quote. This will give you an estimate of the cost involved and help you budget accordingly. Many car shipping companies offer free, instant online quote tools. These tools typically require information such as:
- Vehicle Make and Model: The specific details of your car.
- Pickup and Delivery Locations: The origin and destination states and zip codes.
- Vehicle Condition: Whether the car is running or non-running.
- Shipping Timeline: When you need your car picked up and delivered.
Getting multiple quotes from different car shipping providers is a smart approach. This allows you to compare pricing and services to find the best option that fits your needs and budget.
Step 2: Prepare Your Car for Shipping
Proper preparation is crucial to ensure your vehicle arrives safely and without complications. Before your car is picked up for cross country transport, take these steps:
- Clean Your Vehicle: Wash the exterior and clean the interior. This makes it easier to inspect for any pre-existing damage and document its condition.
- Document Existing Damage: Take photos and videos of your car from all angles, noting any scratches, dents, or other imperfections. This documentation is important for comparison upon delivery.
- Check Fluid Levels: Ensure all essential fluids (oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid) are at appropriate levels. While not strictly required, it’s a good practice for vehicle health.
- Tire Pressure: Inflate tires to the recommended pressure. Proper tire pressure helps with loading and unloading.
- Remove Personal Items: Do not ship personal belongings inside your vehicle. Car shipping companies are not insured for personal items, and they can shift during transport, potentially damaging your car.
- Reduce Fuel Level: Keep the gas tank to about a quarter of a tank. This reduces vehicle weight and is a safety precaution.
- Disable Alarm Systems: Deactivate any car alarms to prevent them from going off during transport, which can drain the battery.
- Note Modifications: Inform the car shipping company of any modifications to your vehicle, such as lift kits, oversized tires, or lowered suspensions, as these can affect transport logistics and pricing.
- Running Condition: Clearly communicate if your vehicle is running or non-running. Non-running vehicles require special handling and equipment, potentially affecting the cost.
Step 3: Schedule Your Car Pickup
Once you’ve chosen a car shipping company and accepted a quote, it’s time to schedule your vehicle pickup. The shipping company will coordinate with its network of carriers to find a suitable truck and driver for your route.
- Pickup Window: Carriers typically provide a pickup window, which is a range of days, rather than a specific time. Be flexible during this period and maintain good communication with the shipping company.
- Pickup Location: For door-to-door service, the carrier will attempt to pick up your vehicle from your specified address. However, due to size restrictions of car carrier trucks, especially in residential areas, you might need to meet the driver at a nearby larger location, such as a shopping center or a wider street.
- Vehicle Inspection at Pickup: When the driver arrives, you (or your designated representative) and the driver will conduct a vehicle inspection. This involves noting the car’s condition on a Bill of Lading, which serves as a receipt and condition report. Both you and the driver will sign this document.
- Loading and Securing: The driver will then load your vehicle onto the car carrier trailer and secure it for transport.
- Carrier Information: You will receive the carrier’s details, including the driver’s name and phone number, for tracking and communication during transit.
- Transit Timeframe: Cross country car shipping typically takes between 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the distance, route, and other logistical factors.
Step 4: Receiving Your Car at the Destination
The final step is receiving your vehicle at its destination.
- Delivery Notification: The carrier will contact you (or your designated contact person) prior to arrival to arrange a delivery time and location.
- Delivery Location: Similar to pickup, door-to-door delivery might require meeting the driver at a convenient, accessible location for large car carrier trucks.
- Vehicle Inspection at Delivery: Upon arrival, carefully inspect your vehicle with the driver. Compare its condition to the Bill of Lading from pickup and note any new damage, if any. Document any new damage with photos and on the Bill of Lading before signing it.
- Payment: Typically, the remaining balance of your shipping cost is due upon delivery. Confirm the accepted payment methods with the shipping company beforehand. Cash or certified funds are often preferred, but some carriers may accept other forms of payment.
Understanding the Cost of Cross Country Car Shipping
The cost to ship a car across country is not fixed and depends on several variables. Understanding these factors can help you anticipate and manage your car shipping expenses.
Key Factors Affecting Car Shipping Costs
- Distance: The most significant factor is the distance your vehicle needs to travel. Longer distances naturally equate to higher shipping costs due to fuel, time, and operational expenses.
- Vehicle Size and Type: Larger vehicles, such as SUVs and trucks, and especially oversized or heavy vehicles, cost more to ship. They occupy more space on the carrier and may require specialized equipment.
- Vehicle Condition: Non-running vehicles cost more to ship as they require winching and extra labor to load and unload.
- Type of Transport:
- Open Transport: This is the most common and typically the most affordable method. Your car is shipped on an open trailer, exposed to weather conditions.
- Enclosed Transport: Enclosed transport provides maximum protection from weather and road debris. It’s more expensive but recommended for luxury, classic, or high-value vehicles.
- Door-to-Door Service: This is generally more convenient as the carrier picks up and delivers your vehicle as close to your specified addresses as possible.
- Terminal-to-Terminal Service: This option is often cheaper but requires you to drop off and pick up your car at designated terminal locations. It may involve additional storage fees and less flexibility.
- Expedited Shipping: If you need your car shipped faster than standard transit times, expedited shipping is available at a premium cost.
- Season and Time of Year: Car shipping rates can fluctuate with seasonal demand. Shipping during peak seasons like summer and holidays tends to be more expensive due to higher demand. Winter in northern regions can also increase costs due to weather-related delays and challenging driving conditions. Shipping during the off-season (late fall to late spring) may offer more competitive rates.
- Pickup and Delivery Locations: Shipping to and from major metropolitan areas is generally less expensive and faster. Rural or remote locations can increase costs due to longer distances for carriers to reach and potentially lower carrier availability.
How Long Does Cross Country Car Shipping Take?
Transit time for cross country car shipping depends on the distance and several operational factors.
Typical Transit Times for Car Shipping
- Coast-to-Coast (e.g., New York to California): Expect approximately 7 to 14 days.
- East Coast to Midwest (e.g., New York to Chicago): Transit time is typically around 2 to 4 days.
- West Coast to Midwest (e.g., Los Angeles to Denver): Expect 3 to 5 days.
- North to South (e.g., Seattle to Dallas): Transit time is generally 2 to 4 days.
These are estimates, and actual transit times can vary. Car carriers, on average, travel about 500 miles per day.
Factors Influencing Shipping Time
- Weather Conditions: Severe weather, such as snowstorms, hurricanes, or heavy rains, can cause delays.
- Traffic: Traffic congestion, especially in urban areas or along busy routes, can affect transit times.
- Driver Regulations: Federal regulations limit the number of hours truck drivers can drive in a day and week. Drivers must adhere to these hours-of-service regulations, which impact delivery schedules.
- Number of Stops: Car carriers often transport multiple vehicles. The number of pickups and deliveries along a route can extend transit times.
- Route Efficiency: Direct routes are faster. If your pickup or delivery location is off a major highway, it can add time.
Finding the Cheapest Way to Ship a Car Across Country
If cost is a primary concern, here are some ways to potentially reduce your cross country car shipping expenses:
Cost-Effective Car Shipping Options
- Open Transport: Opt for open transport, as it is significantly less expensive than enclosed transport. While your car will be exposed to the elements, it’s a safe and reliable method for most standard vehicles.
- Terminal-to-Terminal Shipping: Consider terminal-to-terminal service if convenience is less of a priority. It can be cheaper than door-to-door, but factor in the inconvenience of terminal drop-off and pickup and potential storage fees. However, be aware that terminal availability can be limited, and in some cases, door-to-door might become more cost-effective due to terminal closures and added fees.
- Off-Season Shipping: If your timeline is flexible, ship your car during the off-season (late fall to late spring) when demand is lower, and rates are generally more competitive.
- Book in Advance: Booking your car shipping service in advance can sometimes help you secure better rates. Last-minute shipping requests often come with higher prices.
- Compare Quotes: Always get quotes from multiple car shipping companies to compare pricing and services.
Shipping vs. Driving Your Car Across Country: Which is Better?
Deciding whether to ship your car or drive it across country is a significant consideration. Evaluate these factors to make the best choice:
Factors to Consider When Deciding
- Driving Distance and Route Planning: Driving long distances requires careful planning. Consider the route, road conditions, availability of rest stops, potential traffic delays, and overnight accommodations. Factor in fuel costs, meal expenses, and potential wear and tear on your vehicle. Use online tools to estimate driving costs and compare them to car shipping quotes.
- Seasonal Considerations: Driving across country during winter can be hazardous due to snow, ice, and reduced visibility, especially in northern states. Summer heat can also be strenuous on both the driver and the vehicle. Shipping eliminates these weather-related driving risks. Enclosed transport provides added protection from the elements during shipping.
- Time Commitment: Driving across the country can take several days, requiring significant time off work and potentially disrupting your schedule. Car shipping allows you to fly to your destination and have your car delivered, saving valuable time and reducing travel fatigue.
- Overall Costs: Calculate the total cost of driving, including fuel, food, lodging, tolls, and potential vehicle maintenance. Compare this to the quote for car shipping. Shipping can often be more cost-effective when you factor in all driving-related expenses and the value of your time.
Get An Auto Transport Quote
Ready to ship your car across country? The first step is to get a personalized car shipping quote. By understanding the process and your options, you can make informed decisions and ensure a smooth and successful vehicle transport experience.
